ISLAMABAD, Oct. 19 (Xinhua) -- The Pakistani Foreign Ministry said on Friday that the country has temporarily closed its major border points with Afghanistan on the request by the neighboring country for security of the parliamentary elections.

Afghanistan will hold elections for Wolesi Jirga or the lower house of the parliament on Saturday amid serious security challenges.

The Pakistani ministry said in a statement that "on a request by the government of Afghanistan it has been decided to keep the friendship gates on Pakistan Afghanistan border crossing points at Chaman and Torkham closed on October 19 & 20, 2018 (Friday & Saturday)."

"The decision has been taken to support Afghanistan in smooth conduct of upcoming Parliamentary elections in the country," it said.

Both the crossing points will remain closed for all kinds of traffic except emergency cases, it added.

Meanwhile, the UN refugee agency has also suspended its repatriation process of the Afghan refugees.

The Afghan refugees were informed not to approach UNHCR Encashment Centers in Afghanistan on Saturday. The centers will resume normal operation on Sunday.