Uzbekistan Closes Afghan Border Amid COVID-19 Fears and Regional Reactions
Uzbekistan closed its border with Afghanistan to prevent coronavirus spread, while local officials stated no virus cases were detected in Balkh province. Meanwhile, Pakistan announced a week-long closure of its Chaman border. The Islamic Emirate rejected Pakistan’s claims regarding Daesh control, and India and China emphasized the importance of international cooperation for Afghanistan’s development and humanitarian efforts.
The Afghanistan-Uzbekistan Friendship Bridge was closed by Uzbekistan to prevent the potential spread of coronavirus. The closure occurred on Monday morning, according to Munir Ahmad Farhad, the provincial governor’s spokesman, who noted it is a temporary measure. Recently, a flight from Iran landed at Mazar-e-Sharif, but local authorities confirmed that no passengers were infected with the virus. To date, no positive cases have been reported in Balkh province, although cases were detected in Herat along with some possible infections in Ghore, Farah, and Badakhshan provinces. Meanwhile, Pakistan has also closed the Chaman border with Afghanistan for a week due to the outbreak.
In response to remarks made by Pakistan’s UN envoy regarding the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’s inability to control Daesh, spokesman Hamdullah Fitrat described those assertions as baseless. He emphasized that the Islamic Emirate maintains control over the country’s territory and prohibits unauthorized activities. Fitrat further noted that Afghanistan’s absence from UN discussions contributes to the misrepresentation of the nation’s security status to the international community.
Ambassador Parvathaneni Harish of India affirmed that strong people-to-people relations have underpinned India’s engagement with Afghanistan. During a recent UN Security Council meeting, he discussed the intent of India to further its involvement in development projects alongside humanitarian assistance. The Indian government is actively monitoring Afghanistan’s situation and has reinforced its commitment to reconstruction efforts that include over 500 projects in the nation.
China has called for enhanced economic cooperation and humanitarian aid for Afghanistan. Fu Cong, China’s representative to the UN, underscored that while Afghanistan shows improving stability and relations externally, challenges remain in terms of humanitarian issues and women’s rights. He urged traditional donors to increase their support rather than politicizing aid, and advocated for the unfreezing of Afghanistan’s foreign reserves to foster economic recovery.
The recent closure of the Afghanistan-Uzbekistan border is a precautionary measure against coronavirus, reflecting heightened safety concerns amid ongoing health risks. There is a backdrop of political dialogue at the UN, with Pakistan’s claims on Afghanistan’s ability to manage Daesh dismissed by the Islamic Emirate. Additionally, India and China are advocating for a collaborative approach to support Afghanistan’s socio-economic development and humanitarian aid needs, demonstrating the complex international dynamics surrounding Afghanistan’s future.
Original Source: www.ariananews.af
