101 trucks enter Pakistan via Torkham border

LANDIKOTAL: The authorities at Torkham border on Friday allowed the entry of 101 empty trucks which were stranded in Afghanistan for a month due to coronavirus lockdown, officials said on Friday.

Additional Assistant Commissioner Shamsul Islam told The News that on the directives of federal government, they permitted 195 Pakistani drivers and helpers and their 101 trucks to enter Pakistan. He said all the Pakistani citizens and their trucks were disinfected as they entered Pakistan and went as per formal health guidelines adopted after the coronavirus pandemic.

The official said the Pakistani nationals coming from Afghanistan were sent to two different quarantine centres in Landikotal where they were put in isolation wards. He said the empty trucks were disinfected and parked in a parking lot. “We opened the border today to facilitate those stranded in Afghanistan and will follow the government directives for next day,” said Shamsul Islam. He added that they did not yet know about the next day’s plan on whether the government would allow more people to come into Pakistan or not.

Deputy Commissioner Mehmood Aslam Wazir said they have provided the best possible facilities at isolation wards, including proper food. He said each person and their belongings were being disinfected properly.