UNITED NATIONS:
Afghanistan’s foreign minister has warned the UN Security Council that its ties with Pakistan were being threatened by Pakistani shelling across the two countries’ border that has killed dozens of Afghan civilians.
“Failure to end such attacks risks jeopardising Afghanistan-Pakistan bilateral relations, with potential negative consequences for necessary bilateral cooperation for peace, security and economic development in our two countries and the wider region,” Afghan Foreign Minister Zalmai Rassoul said.
“We reiterate our call for an immediate and complete end to these acts, which have taken the lives of dozens of Afghans, mainly civilians, while leaving many more wounded,” he added.
Pakistan Ambassador to UN Abdullah Hussain Haroon said Pakistan had a robust security force along its border with Afghanistan and had recently enhanced its presence with checkpoints and regular patrolling.
“Our deployment far exceeds the number of international and Afghan forces deployed on the other side, which might also be the reason why so many attacks take place on the western side in Afghanistan,” Haroon said.
“We continue to be resolute despite the high human and economic cost of this endeavor.”
Pakistani papers banned
Meanwhile, Afghanistan banned all Pakistani newspapers from entering the country on Friday in an attempt to block the Taliban from influencing public opinion via the press.
According to the Associated Press, an order issued by the interior ministry focuses specifically on blocking entry of the papers at the Torkham border crossing, and directed border police to gather up Pakistani newspapers in Nangarhar, Kunar and Nuristan provinces.
The ministry said the newspapers were a medium for Taliban propaganda.“The newspapers are a propaganda resource of the Taliban spokesmen,” it added.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 22nd, 2012.
COMMENTS (12)
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Afghanistan is the one that interfered in Pakistan internal affairs. It was only in response that Pakistan started backing Islamist groups in Afghanistan because Afghanistan supported insurgents in Pakistan going back decades. Now Afghanis cry foul and this whole myth of Pakistan devastating Afghanistan without reason has become official history.
I think people miss the point that if you mess with another country they are likely to return the favor. Afghans and their allies still fail to learn that lesson and they are paying the price for it.
A planned conspiracy is going on, the day will come Afghanistan play a role in the subcontinent as Israel playing in the Middle East.
@ jalila Masool....Let me tell u ittle history so you understand the dynamics...
Afghan Amir Abdur Rahman Khan signed durand line with Bristish...means he cowed to Bristish colonial rule.... When Pakistan created, Afghan government started to behave like superior creature and instablize Pakistan....through Pashtonistan movement and baloch liberation......Pakistan was weak state by 1947.....Afghan government instigate local populations to break up Pakistan......As a mature government Afghan regime should helped its neighboring country not to destablize...... Pakistan only focused towards Eastern border and due to Afghan behavior FATA remained tribal belt. Pakistan lost its one wing Bangladesh in 1971....Therefore, Pakistan decided to teach some lessons to Afghanistan for its continues instigation inside pakistan from 1947 to 1974.....Imagine for first 2 decades the behavior of Afghan regime towards a Muslim country.... BAD LUCK for Afghans that they invited USSR and gave a best opportunity to Pakistan. Now if you think its Pakistan...Please delve back into history and see the nature of Afghan regimes throughout history India is Thankful for creation of Pakistan....BECAUSE....Historical Afghan regimes always poke their neighbors...Look what Ghaznavi did to India and other rulers....always attack India and destroy their heritage......Therefore, Pakistan is a best shield for India from Afghanistan...Its different story that Pakistan and Afghan governments are engaged with each other on trust deficit issues..... If Afghan government show flexibility and become humble as it cowed to British things will be fine....Its not a age of Sword......Poor Afghan government now instigate its people against neighbors.....but it forget its neighbor is 180 million population which is comparatively not small population to 30 million population of Afghanistan..... Finally Demographic proportion is another debate for Afghans....Tajiks and others don't want any more Pashtoon coming to Afghanistan....so check with all options before making tall claims......PAKISTAN IS VERY RESILIENT SOCIETY.Afghan Government is unhappy for sealing border around Kunar province.....as militants start pouring into pakistan from kunar and Chitral areas of pakistan......Recently the militants killed number of local Chitral folks and in addition, stole 700 + herds with shepherd (later sheperd was killed...) ..... Is Afghan govt blind when this huge herd was taken into kunar province.....lately the same 400 militants crossd the border and released the beheaded video of 17 pakistani soldiers....
Since pakistan has deloyed forces first time in history in chitral, which brings uncomfort......Now Afghan govt/ militants will not dare to face sons of North defending their homes in Chitral and surrounding.....If Afghan govt is not carry any operation against these militants in kunar...then Afghan government is responsible for shelling which cause displacement of poor Afghan people....
At the end...its always poor people in any side suffers.....
Is someone familiar with a name Avitabile, Runjeet Singh’s governor of Peshawar. He helped the world to understand the psychology of Afghan, and what’s that. 1. Afghan hates those who interfere in their internal matters and help different Afghan tribes for a lasting peace. 2. Afghan loves those who give them arms so that they kill each other and respect those who initiate new battles for different tribes.
@Vikas
Yep, India had no role to play in Afghanistan's politics at all. India and Indians are so innocent.
@Jalila masool
Losers always blame someone else for their problems.
Pakistan destroyed Afghanistan by supporting talebaan government in Afghanistan. Now it's afghanistan's turn to support taleban government in Pakistan.
Afghan brothers, teach Pakistan a lesson. See what they did to your beautiful country. We are with you.
Every Pakistani must leave loy Afghanistan!
In response to this military equipment Pakistan should send millions of Afghan refugees on the border then this so called democratic Afghan govt will realise the actual situation.