ISLAMABAD, July 9 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Pakistan sealed a key border crossing with Afghanistan leaving thousands of travellers stranded on both sides of the border amid fears that a fresh wave of Covid-19 may hit the country.
Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmad announced the decision to close the Torkham terminal in north-western Pakistan without giving a time frame for the reopening of the border crossing.
The decision was taken according to the guidelines of the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC), the body responsible for the country’s coronavirus response.
Earlier, the body issued a warning that a fresh wave of the pandemic may hit the country in July.
The development takes place days after Pakistan announced the arrest of the primary suspect in last month’s blast in Lahore: He is of Afghan origin and had been living in a refugee camp in the country, and Pakistan says there is credible evidence that the Indian spy agency RAW was involved.
At least three people were killed when a powerful bomb went off near the family home of Hafiz Saeed, the man thought to be behind deadly terrorist attacks in the Indian city of Mumbai in 2008.
Both Pakistan and Afghanistan accuse each other of hosting terrorist groups that launch attacks on the neighbouring country.
In March 2017, Pakistan began fencing off its 2,600-kilometre border with Afghanistan to restrict the movement of Islamist militants and end allegations of cross-border incursions.
The fencing work is likely to be completed this month.
Last month, the Chaman border crossing between the two countries – known as Friendship Gate – in south-western Pakistan was closed after health authorities in Kabul reported a record surge in coronavirus infections. — NNN-AGENCIES
