Pak-Afghan border remains shut for seventh day
Afghan officials urge early reopening of the Chaman border
Pakistani and Afghan paramilitary soldiers stand across the closed Friendship Gate at the Chaman border. PHOTO: INP
QUETTA:
Talks between Pakistani and Afghan border officials on the reopening of the Chaman border ended inconclusively on Thursday after another impasse-hit flag meeting at the Friendship Gate.
The Pak-Afghan border has been closed for the last seven days, suspending Nato supplies and cross-border trade between Pakistan and Afghanistan after Afghan protesters burnt the Pakistani flag.
Afghan president asks army chief to take ‘serious, practical measures’ against terrorists
According to sources, the fourth flag meeting was held at the Friendship Gate between border authorities of Pakistan and Afghanistan on the request of Afghan officials. Sources said that Afghan border officials once again urged Pakistani counterparts to reopen the border unconditionally without further delay as it was causing huge financial loss to the traders and businessmen from both sides.
However, official sources said that Pakistani authorities made it clear that the border would be opened only after an apology was tendered by Afghan officials who provoked their compatriots into disrespecting the Pakistani flag.
Army combs areas near Pak-Afghan border
“We have not received orders from the high command regarding reopening of the border with Afghanistan in Chaman so far,” a senior Pakistani official said, adding that the high command was aware about the situation created after closure of border.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 26th, 2016.
Talks between Pakistani and Afghan border officials on the reopening of the Chaman border ended inconclusively on Thursday after another impasse-hit flag meeting at the Friendship Gate.
The Pak-Afghan border has been closed for the last seven days, suspending Nato supplies and cross-border trade between Pakistan and Afghanistan after Afghan protesters burnt the Pakistani flag.
Afghan president asks army chief to take ‘serious, practical measures’ against terrorists
According to sources, the fourth flag meeting was held at the Friendship Gate between border authorities of Pakistan and Afghanistan on the request of Afghan officials. Sources said that Afghan border officials once again urged Pakistani counterparts to reopen the border unconditionally without further delay as it was causing huge financial loss to the traders and businessmen from both sides.
However, official sources said that Pakistani authorities made it clear that the border would be opened only after an apology was tendered by Afghan officials who provoked their compatriots into disrespecting the Pakistani flag.
Army combs areas near Pak-Afghan border
“We have not received orders from the high command regarding reopening of the border with Afghanistan in Chaman so far,” a senior Pakistani official said, adding that the high command was aware about the situation created after closure of border.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 26th, 2016.