Foreign Office announced on Tuesday that borders with Afghanistan and Iran will be closed on February 8th, the day of the country's upcoming general elections. This measure is intended to enhance security and ensure a smooth electoral process.

“To ensure complete security during the general elections in Pakistan, the border crossings with Afghanistan and Iran will be closed for cargo and pedestrians on February 8th,” stated Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, Spokesperson for the Foreign Office, in a social media post.

The closure will affect both commercial and personal travel across these borders for a single day. However, normal activities are expected to resume on February 9th once the elections are concluded.

This decision reflects the government's commitment to maintaining peace and stability throughout the electoral process.

To ensure full security during the general elections to be held in Pakistan on 8 Feb 2024, border crossings with Afghanistan and Iran, would remain closed both for cargo and pedestrians. Normal operations would resume on 9 Feb 2024.
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) February 7, 2024

Furthermore, Baloch assured that normal border activities would resume promptly on February 9, following the conclusion of the general elections. The temporary closure aims to bolster security arrangements and prevent any potential disruptions along the borders during this critical period.