Pakistan

Pakistan shuts down border with Afghanistan

ISPR says border closed with immediate effect till further orders due to security reasons

Abuzar Afridi February 17, 2017

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. PHOTO: AFP

LANDI KOTAL: Minutes after the army chief vowed to respond to the recent wave of terror in the country, security forces closed the border between Pakistan and Afghanistan for all sorts of communication indefinitely.

“The Pakistan-Afghanistan border closed with immediate effect till further orders due to security reasons,” ISPR DG Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor tweeted shortly after Gen Qamar’s statement.

Two FC personnel injured in 'terrorist attack' on Pak-Afghan border

Speaking to The Express Tribune on condition of anonymity, a top security official said the decision to close the border was taken in a high-level meeting on Thursday.

“The border will remain closed for all sorts of trade, transport and people crossing over to both sides,” the official said. He added that the border will now only be reopened after thorough consultation with civil and military authorities.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 17^th, 2017.

COMMENTS (16)

Sajid Ansari | 7 years ago | Reply Pakistan should ban all sorts of exports particularly all food items to Afghanistan and the smugglers of food stuff be given exemplary punishment. The Afghan government will come down to their knees.in a month. They should better import all food stuff from India.

omx | 7 years ago | Reply @Irfan: Mexico isn't attacking the US. Out with these thankless Afghanis. Maybe they should seek asylum in India instead.

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Hard pill | 7 years ago | Reply Yes it is unfair to the civilians. But at the cost of hundreds of pakistani casualties? No. Afghanistan is a mess right now and allowing its citizens for decades has cost pakistan. The mentality of radical islamists and culture embedded itself into pakistan all thanks to the afghan culture. It is high time we become less radical and more open to other minorities. Afghanistan and afghanis should be in the hands of US and India now. It is no more the responsibilty of pakistan which afghanis ignorantly believe is.

MAT | 7 years ago | Reply Such moves hurt local communities. The solution of the problem lies elsewhere, as indicated in some of the preceding comments.

Inquisitor | 7 years ago | Reply Its high time that Afghanistan may be liberated from the US clutches and find regional solution to resolve Afghan Conflict. A NewYork Times survey reported that Taliban has the support of one-third of Afghan population. Without giving them due representation, peace in Afghanistan and also in the region will remain an elusive dream.

Shafqat | 7 years ago | Reply Why we not eliminate root cause? These are the temporary solutions. We should address root cause.

Rahul | 7 years ago | Reply You can shut all the borders all you want. But the problem still lies within. South Punjab to be specific.

rich | 7 years ago | Reply the pushton from kyber should protest, they have afghani family it is against their rights as huam and pakistanis, iftheycannot visit reletives , or sick familiy member in afghanistan civilian should not be made a pawn, find the terrorist kill them, i am sure everyone in power knows who they are

Jawad | 7 years ago | Reply This should have been done in 2006.

Irfan | 7 years ago | Reply If trump does it for the Mexico, we condemn it. Double standards.

khan | 7 years ago | Reply Wonder if terrorists come through gates getting proper visa. We need continuous action, not a few days of zeal and then sleeping again. Operation is required against all banned organizations. Do not spare anyone

Rizwan | 7 years ago | Reply What do we do with all the terroriss inside the country? And there are plenty.

SKB | 7 years ago | Reply It should be done before. Good decision

SKB | 7 years ago | Reply Good decision.

Haris | 7 years ago | Reply Very timely !! Why is it open in the first place ? is trade with Afghanistan so important ? Build a wall !

IMTIAZ KHAN | 7 years ago | Reply This is a very good step for bringing peace in our country.

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