Pakistan

Army chief, Afghan envoy agree to reopen Torkham border crossing

The two leaders reiterate resolve to fight terrorism and bring lasting peace in the region, says ISPR

News Desk May 13, 2016

In this file photo, Afghan envoy Dr Omar Zakhilwal called on COAS General Raheel Sharif. PHOTO: ISPR

Afghan ambassador to Pakistan Omer Zakhilwal called on army chief General Raheel Sharif on Friday and discussed bilateral relations with particular reference to border management.

According to the ISPR, the two leaders agreed to resume routine and border traffic at Torkham border.

Afgn Amb to Pak, HE Omer Zakhilwal met #COAS.Issues related to bilateral relations with particular ref to border mgmt discussed.Was agreed-1
— Gen(R) Asim Saleem Bajwa (@AsimBajwaISPR) May 13, 2016

to resume routine x border tfc at Torkham.Both sides showed resolve to continue efforts 2 fight terrorism,bring lasting peace in the region
— Gen(R) Asim Saleem Bajwa (@AsimBajwaISPR) May 13, 2016

The border crossing at Torkham remained shut for a fourth consecutive day on Friday, stranding thousands of people and vehicles on both sides.

Army chief reiterates support for Afghan reconciliation process

Pakistani authorities closed the border on Tuesday after Afghan border forces prevented fencing along the border to stop illegal cross-border movements.

Both sides expressed resolve to continue efforts in fighting terrorism and bring lasting peace in the region.

Border coordination hampered amid reservations from Afghanistan

Pakistan has, on a number of occasions, floated proposals to better manage its border with Afghanistan to curb illegal movement into either country. However, officials claim these plans have never reached fruition owing to a lukewarm response from Afghanistan.

The cross-border movement of militants is one of the major sticking points in Pak-Afghan relations. Both countries have repeatedly accused the other of failing to maintain strict border controls, particularly when any terrorist attack takes place on either side.

COMMENTS (5)

Kamran | 7 years ago | Reply @Sheikh Hamad: I agree that both sides need to agree on the LOC. I personally favor an all out open border between the 2 countries as there are hundreds of thousands of people that see both these countries as home. In the wake of terrorism this open border policy is seeing abuses. So something has to be done, Pakistan is worried about Afghan/India relations as well. If the 2 countries are to maintain an open border policy then it isn't beneficial to The policy that Afghanistan shows love to India because that risks Pakistan's security. So until Afghanistan can start being friends with Pakistan I think both need to agree on a closed border with legal passing outposts. It doesn't help that Afghan politicians have been willing to talk smack about Pakistan. In order for the border defining talks to complete, the best way is to agree to the previous agreement. Pakistan isn't willing to give up any land and I suspect Afghanistan isn't either so the logical way to move ahead is to ratify the border lines using the previous agreement.

Naveed ahmed | 7 years ago | Reply @sheikh hamad.... I love the way you expressed your naivety, having knowledge about international relation is a good to have sort of a "badge" ,specially when it comes to puesdo intellectuals ,I admit, it does add weight, but My dear friend when your neighbor start to thrives on you by exhausting your resources in all forms and kinds ,from refugee crisis, to arms culture and from religiois bigotries to Terrorism which includes collaboration and coopretion with our worst enemy India ", Do you sorta see the dimensions of wrath afghanis are bringing upon Pakistan ??? I( hope you must be by now ),......Then pakistan has all the "Right" to secure herself ,fencing borders to stop ungodly intrusion of filth (in all forms and kinds), seems benign to me. Do remember word "right" is being heavily weighted in international relations. I hope language was soft ,it's ok to not see the complete picture clearly , specially for pseudos, it gives them some relief from the pain which have been caused to them by "delusions" , that's why they say "Don't spread hatred" even when this delusional "love" strives to kill you.