PESHAWAR: The entry of pedestrians into Pakistan via Torkham border will remained banned till further orders.

According to official sources, the border will remain closed for pedestrians even after May 20 due to the prevailing situation of coronavirus.

According to a notification of the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC), patients coming from Afghanistan would be exempted from the ban who will have to undergo corona test at the border. Pakistani citizens will also be allowed to come back and they will also have to undergo corona test.

In case the test of any person comes back as positive, the patient will be quarantined in the District Headquarters Hospital Landikotal. Passengers travelling from Pakistan to Afghanistan will be allowed to proceed and trade vehicles will also face no hindrance. Drivers of vehicles used in the bilateral trade will have to undergo screening at the border.

Further decision about the measures on the border will be taken in a meeting soon.

On May 05, Deputy Commissioner Khyber Mansoor Arshad had announced that the government has directed to close the Torkham border from May 05-20, 2021, to curtain spread of COVID-19.

He said that non-Pakistanis would not be allowed to cross into Pakistan despite carrying all travelling documents while any Pakistani citizen having passport would be allowed to come to his country. However, now after the expiry of the ban, the government has decided to continue with it until the corona situation improves.

Professional exams resume

As per directions of the NCOC, all professional and examining bodies have also been allowed to conduct their respective examinations while fully observing precautionary measures.

According to the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training, the exams will be conducted in accordance with strict implementation of COVID-19 related standard operating procedures (SOPs) and guidelines of the NCOC subject to approval of the Ministry of Education.

All professional and examination institutions have been directed to contact the ministry of education to seek permission for examinations. They will have to provide the details relating to exams including dates, cities, number of participants and examination centres.

The no objection certificate (NOC) with SOPs details will be issued within 24 hours after receipt of information.

All kinds of professional examinations were also postponed in the wake of increasing cases of coronavirus before Eid.