Spin Boldak-Chaman crossing. 24 August 2021. Planet Labs. For instance, according to UNHCR, Pakistan closed its border with Afghanistan, except for people in need of medical treatment, or with a proof of residency.186 Despite that, at the Spin Boldak-Chaman border crossing in Kandahar, people with Tazkira (National ID Card) from Kandahar, Helmand, Zabul, and Uruzgan were allowed to cross the border. Between 2 August 2021 and 24 August 2021, the crowds attempting to cross the border to Pakistan via the Spin Boldak crossing increased exponentially, as documented via satellite imagery (see above) and video analysed by Amnesty International. An Afghan researcher told Amnesty International that the only option left for people who wanted to flee the country was to use smugglers, which was both costly and risky.187 Samad, an Afghan man who fled to Islamabad with his family told Amnesty International that he was afraid of being arrested by Pakistani security forces, because he did not have any legal documents allowing him to stay in Pakistan.188 Interviewees further added that travelling to Pakistan border by road entailed risks, as the Taliban had set up checkpoints on the route, and were searching vehicles for government employees.189 After announcing on 24 August 2021 that Afghans will no longer be able to leave the country, the Taliban later said that they will allow citizens with travel authorisation from another country to leave.190 186 UNHCR, The Refugee brief, 3 September 2021. https://www.unhcr.org/refugeebrief/the-refugee-brief-3-september-2021/ 187 Phone interview, 2 September, Kabul. Amnesty International. 188 Phone interview. 1 September 2021. Islamabad. Amnesty International. 189 Phone interviews. 2 and 3 September 2021. Kabul. Amnesty International. MSN, Taliban spokesman says Afghans will no longer be allowed to leave their country, 24 August 2021, www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/talibanspokesman-says-afghans-will-no-longer-be-allowed-to-leave-their-country/ar-AANGU0T. Reuters. 29 August 2021. “Taliban agrees to allow Afghans to leave, international statement says”. https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/taliban-agrees-allow-afghans-leave-international-statement-says-2021-0829/. 190 THE FATE OF THOUSANDS HANGING IN THE BALANCE: AFGHANISTAN’S FALL INTO THE HANDS OF THE TALIBAN Amnesty International 23