Pakistan says it will reopen a key border crossing with Afghanistan to allow trade between the neighbors.

Trucks carrying fruits, vegetables and other items will start crossing the Ghulam Khan border in northwestern North Waziristan district from Monday. Pakistan has already reopened its border with Iran. 

Pakistan's aviation ministry on Friday also said that the international flight operations in the country will resume from this Saturday after nearly three months since its national lockdown in March. 

On Sunday, Pakistan reported 119 more COVID-19 deaths and 4,951 new cases, raising its total to 176,617 cases including 3,501 fatalities. There are 810 hospitals with COVID-19 facilities, with 6,980 patients admitted across the country, according to the Pakistan Ministry of National Health Services. 

Pakistan put its entire population of 220 million in lockdown on March 9. The government last month eased restrictions, saying it was necessary to save the economy even though cases went up. 

According to a statement by the entity coordinating Pakistan's national response to the COVID-19 pandemic, a total of 20 cities across the country have been identified as having likely increase in ratio/speed of infection which needs restrictive measures for containment. 

Pakistan has witnessed a surge in confirmed COVID-19 cases and deaths after it started to ease the lockdown in May. The first batch of medical supplies from China, containing nearly two tons of medical face masks, test kits, ventilators and personal protective equipment, arrived in Pakistan on March 28, according to the Chinese Embassy in Pakistan. 

The Chinese government have donated batches of anti-COVID-19 medical supplies and expert teams to Pakistan to help the country fight against the pandemic. 

Read more:

Pakistan eases quarantine policy for inbound passengers, reopens tourism

COVID-19 Global Roundup: Easing lockdowns in developing countries brings new risks

(With input from agencies)