China News Service, October 22, reported that officials in the eastern city of Jalalabad said that thousands of Afghans gathered outside the Pakistani consulate in Afghanistan on the 21st to apply for a visa. At least 15 people were killed in a stampede accident.
According to reports, two officials revealed that at the time of the accident, thousands of Afghans gathered in the open space outside the consulate, waiting to receive the number plates required for visa applications.
Nangarhar Provincial Assembly Member Quedli said that 11 of the 15 dead were women, and more than 10 others were injured, including several elderly people.
Pakistan’s ambassador to Afghanistan Mansour Ahmed Khan said, “Visa applicants scrambled to receive the number plates issued by consulate officials, and the crowd began to lose control, leading to a stampede.” He added that no officials from the Pakistani consulate were involved. among them.
According to reports, the consulate has suspended services for about 7 months due to the new crown epidemic and resumed issuing visas last week.
After the accident, Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan posted on social media that he "is deeply saddened by this casualty."
It is said that tens of thousands of Afghans travel to neighboring Pakistan every year to obtain medical services, education and job opportunities.
Currently, there are about 3 million Afghan refugees and economic migrants living in Pakistan.