Balochistan

Pak-Afghan Chaman border set to reopen after successful negotiations

The border crossing was shut down on Aug 18 after a large number of Afghans flung stones at the Friendship Gate

Mohammad Zafar August 31, 2016

A file photo of Chaman border. PHOTO: REUTERS

QUETTA: Following successful negotiations, Pakistan and Afghanistan agreed on Wednesday to reopen the Chaman border gate after two weeks of its closure.

The Friendship Gate is set to reopen on September 1 for public, a Frontier Corps (FC) spokesperson said after the meeting between the two sides.

The Chaman border was shut on August 18 after a large number of Afghans flung stones at the Friendship Gate, smashing windowpanes of several government departments and desecrating the Pakistani flag.

Pak-Afghan authorities holding talks to reopen Chaman border gate. PHOTO: ZAFAR BALOCH

Pak-Afghan border shut in Chaman after Afghans desecrate Pakistani flag

Reports suggested the Afghans were incensed by demonstrations in Balochistan sparked by Indian premier Narendra Modi’s speech on August 15 - India’s Independence Day - showing their support to the neighbouring country.

Trade relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan came to halt after the shutdown of the border gate as vehicles and trucks wanting to resume the operation were seen standing idle near the gate.

PHOTO: ZAFAR BALOCH

COMMENTS (11)

Pakistani | 8 years ago | Reply @Hakim Afghani: It will be a lucky day for us when we will get rid of the scums we have been hosting for decades and we surely will love to have wall............only afghan government weeps about it when Pakistan put proposal on border fencing.

Humza | 8 years ago | Reply @Hakim Afghani: It is important that both Afghans and Pakistanis agree to control the border and restrict the movement of people so it is welcoming news to hear that an Afghan wants the border closed as do most Pakistanis. Now that Afghanistan can trade via Iran and Central Asia, there should be no international pressure on Pakistan to proved a route because the cross border movement of criminals is bad for both countries. The border should be fenced and mined along its entire length to prevent movement of people in an uncontrolled fashion. Millions of Afghan refugees in Pakistan need to be repatriated to Afghanistan to help that nation get back on its own feet. Rather than smuggling and begging for asylum all over the world, is it not better for Afghans to remain in their own country and rebuild it? The US and Western forces should help build the wall to control movement and if Afghanistan only wants relations with India from it has taken dictation for nearly 70 years,, so be it.

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Hakim Afghani | 8 years ago | Reply As an Afghan i really wished It was never opened. Hopefully oneday Afghanistan build a wall like Israel and cut all relation with Pakistan once and for all.

Hayder | 8 years ago | Reply Pakistan is trying to put pressure on Afghanistan but when India announced that they will not impose tax on afghan fruits it backfired on them . Regarding flag burning Pakistanis are burning other count rise flag everyday did they apologised

Hakim Afghani | 8 years ago | Reply @Peshawar ka afghan: I have reviewed most Afghan News sites and Watching TOLO news also... Never heard of apology. LOL As i said... Dream on! U must be living in Disney land.

Peshawar ka afghan | 8 years ago | Reply @Hakim Afghani: Lol... Hakim sb... please read ur own news papers in kabul, Afghanis lhave rendered an apology....now who's is laughing... lol

Raj - USA | 8 years ago | Reply @hor chupo: What I heard on "Bol Bol Pakistan" TV program was that Afghanistan did not apologize. They said that Pakistani flag was desecrated by someone else and not them and that they do not know who they were that desecrated Pakistani flag.

Hakim Afghani | 8 years ago | Reply @Jerry: Dream on... Apology from an Afghan? hahaha Very funny.

hor chupo | 8 years ago | Reply For your information, the Afghan government tendered an apology to Pakistan nation, . It has been mentioned in other newspapers very clearly.

Anoni | 8 years ago | Reply If they meant it they should have sent it in the next day.. It took them 14 days meaning given the opportune time this will repeat itself. It seems the afghan and afghan government are two different identity. The Afghan were friends with Pakistan while the Afghan government has animosity.

Jerry | 8 years ago | Reply The question is. Did Afghan officials apologize over Pakistan flag desecration? If not, where did your national pride and honour go.

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