Pakistan Army hands over Angoor Adda border crossing facility to Afghan forces

The gesture will act as a catalyst for establishing peace and stability along the border, says DG ISPR Asim Bajwa

Pakistan Army has handed over a purpose-built crossing facility at Angoor Adda to Afghan forces, aiming at improving border management and strengthening bilateral relations between the two neighbouring countries.

To Strengthen brotherly relation b/w Pak&Afgn&with strat intent to improve bdr mgmt,purpose built xing facility Angoor Adda handed to Afgn-1

— Gen(R) Asim Saleem Bajwa (@AsimBajwaISPR) May 21, 2016

The move comes a week after Afghan ambassador to Pakistan Omar Zakhilwal and Army chief General Raheel Sharif agreed during a meeting to resume routine and border traffic at Torkham border.

According to DG Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Lt-Gen Asim Bajwa, the gesture will act as a catalyst for establishing peace and stability along the Pak-Afghan border.

This gesture will act as a catalyst and is envisioned to bring momentum for establishing peace and stability along the Pak Afghan Border-2

— Gen(R) Asim Saleem Bajwa (@AsimBajwaISPR) May 21, 2016

It was reiterated during the process that all border-related issues will be amicably resolved through mutual consultations, he added.

It was reiterated during the process, that all border related issues will be amicably resolved through mutual consultations subsequently-3

— Gen(R) Asim Saleem Bajwa (@AsimBajwaISPR) May 21, 2016

On May 13, the two sides agreed to reopen Torkham crossing which had been shut after Afghan border forces prevented fencing to stop illegal movements leaving thousands of people and vehicles stranded.

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 claimed 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 the Pak-Afghan relations.

Both the countries have repeatedly accused each other of failing to maintain strict border controls, particularly when any terrorist attack takes place on either side of the border.