Pilgrims From Iran Continue To Enter Pakistan Despite Closure Of Taftan Border

Over a hundred pilgrims from Iran arrived in Pakistan via the Taftan border crossing in the Chagai district of Balochistan despite the announcement to close the border. Arab News reported that some immigration documents have revealed that the pilgrims from Iran have arrived in Pakistan despite the government's steps to contain the spread of coronavirus from Iran.
It is unclear if the pilgrims were screened before they were allowed to go back to their hometowns. The Taftan border is often used by the minority Shia muslim community whose members travel to Iran for pilgrimage. However, reports of mismanagement and lack of proper quarantine facilities at the Taftan border sparked outrage in Pakistan and the government officials have been accused of criminal negligence which led to the spread of coronavirus in Pakistan.
Currently, the number of confirmed cases of coronavirus in Pakistan is 1,487 and 12 deaths have been reported across the country.