‘Only suspects be asked for Covid-19 test at Torkham’

KABUL (Pajhwok): Afghan consul general in Peshawar Najibullah Ahmadzai has called on Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa officials to ask for coronavirus tests only from suspected patients in Torkham.

Pakistan opened the Torkham route for passengers last month but also made it mandatory to have a coronavirus test, which has caused problems for Afghan travelers.

Passengers told Pajhwok Afghan News a few days ago that coronavirus test at Torkham crossing was mandatory but no one cared about social distancing and practicing other precautions.

A statement from the Afghan Consulate in Peshawar said that Afghan Consul General NajibullahAhmadzai, leading a delegation, with met Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Health Minister Taimur Khan Jhagra on Tuesday.

During the meeting, Ahmadzai said only suspected patients should be asked to undergo a Covid-19 test at Torkham.

Ahmadzai also demanded provision of health cards to Afghan refugees, necessary facilities for Afghan patients in Pakistani government hospitals and giving Afghan medical students a chance to practice house job at government hospitals.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Health Minister Taimur Khan Jhagra said the corona virus test in Torkham would be seriously considered and in near future only suspected patients would undergo the test.

He said all Afghan patients would be provided with the same facilities as availed by locals in Torkham and in government hospitals in Pakistan and a special quota would be considered for house job for Afghan students.

Bk/ma