Pakistan — COVID-19 Point Of Entry (PoE) Analysis (March – December 2020)

The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic at the beginning of the year has affected global and regional mobility, including mobility in Pakistan, through various travel disruptions and restrictions. 

To better understand how the pandemic affects global mobility, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) developed an online tool and database to register points of entry, exit and transit - such as airports and land and blue border crossing points - where mobility restrictions and preparedness and response measures are in place. To support these efforts, over a period of ten months, the Displacement Tracking Matrix Regional Evidence for Migration Analysis and Policy (DTM REMAP) team in Pakistan mapped and gathered data on the locations, statuses and restrictions at Points of Entry (PoE) in Pakistan. The information gathered allows more in-depth analysis to uncover specific trends related to the locations, statuses and restrictions of PoEs in Pakistan.

In December 2020, the DTM REMAP team in Pakistan assessed 17 PoEs. The most common type of PoE reported was airports (9), followed by land borders (6) and blue borders (2). Internal transit points are not taken into account for analysis in this snapshot. During the reporting period, the status of the PoEs did not vary greatly. The Torkham border re-opened on 24 November after four days of closure. Trade activities began again, and pedestrians were allowed to resume crossing four days a week. The Pakistan-China border remained closed throughout the reporting period except between 15 and 25 December to allow containers to pass. In addition, the Kartarpur border crossing was opened briefly to allow international travellers to travel for the Guru Nanak birthday anniversary.