Flag lowering in Chaman: Kabul cross at border move

ISLAMABAD: Afghanistan has raised a red flag over Pakistan’s decision to start a weekly flag-lowering ceremony at the Chaman border crossing in Balochistan, calling it an ‘unjustified move’ that is contrary to previous pledges. The Frontier Corps, Balochistan, has announced that it will hold flag-lowering ceremonies at the Friendship Gate in Chaman, every Friday. For its part, Afghanistan has refused to take part in the ceremony on the pretext that it does not recognise the border with Pakistan and calls it the ‘Durand Line’. “The Islamic Republic of Afghanistan wants to make it clear to Pakistan that since the relations between the two countries are passing through a sensitive period, such action will further deteriorate the relations and increase mistrust [between the two countries],” an Afghan foreign ministry statement said on Friday.  The ministry urged Pakistan to “focus on the fight against terrorism and extremism instead of such actions”, which obstruct the path of peace and security.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 26^th, 2016.