Experts call for strict Pak-Afghan border management

Experts from both sides to share recommendations with their governments

KABUL:

With militants crossing Pak-Afghan border becoming a major issue, experts from Pakistan and Afghanistan have agreed to put in place a stronger, mutually coordinated border management mechanism.

This decision was taken at an unofficial security dialogue between Pakistan and Afghanistan that concluded in Kabul on Tuesday. Retired generals, parliamentarians and security experts from both sides deliberated upon key issues and would now share their recommendations with their respective governments.



A joint declaration issued after the conference called for devising a formal mechanism to coordinate security operations on both sides of the border. It recommended establishing hotlines and developing other communication systems between commanders on ground for intelligence sharing and enforcing developing standard operating procedures.

This was the first round of meetings as part of a series of seven Track 1.5/II meetings between Afghan and Pakistani security sector stakeholders.

This initiative supported by the British government is organised by the Centre of Research and Security Studies in partnership with Duran Research & Analysis (Afghanistan) and the Foundation for Integrated Development Action (FIDA). Organisers say the project has been launched in an effort to help connect civil society and security stakeholders of both countries, improve relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan.



Participants of the dialogue also met Afghan Chief Executive Dr Abdullah Abdullah, who described terrorism as a common threat and stressed that all countries in the region should fight jointly.

“There should be no bad and good terrorists,” he said.”Afghanistan’s sovereignty should be respected.”

He added Kabul wanted amicable relations with all neighbours. “We do not want any interference and hope that others will also follow the same policies,” he said.

The dialogue also stressed that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations should be condemned and violence by non-state actors should also be treated as terrorism.

“Pakistan and Afghanistan should establish clear frameworks to control and stop terrorist financing and dismantle terrorist infrastructure, and other related aspects such as illegal drug trafficking, kidnapping for ransom and arms and narcotics smuggling,” the joint declaration said.

The participants urged their respective governments to ensure a check on national and foreign funding of seminaries as well as their curriculum in their respective territories.



The declaration also suggested engaging the media and sensitising reporters on the need for a balanced and objective coverage so as to contribute to the objectives of peace, reconciliation and bilateral dialogue.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 23^rd, 2015.