Traffic suspended: Torkham border closes for 45 minutes

Barrier is set up as a security measure to reduce the influx of extremists, says security official.

LANDIKOTAL:

The Torkham border was closed for 45 minutes by Afghan authorities at 2pm on Wednesday following protests over a barrier set up by Pakistani border authorities.

Long queues of passenger vehicles and people stranded at the border were only allowed access after negotiations among authorities of both countries.

A security official at the border said the barrier was set up as a security measure to control the increasing flow of passengers and reduce the influx of extremists.

The official added that a meeting was held between Afghan Commissioner Inayatullah Shinwari, Afghan Border Interpol in-charge Haji Zabiullah Shinwari, Afghan National Army official Shad Muhammad Shinwari, and Pakistan Wing Commander Torkham Colonel Mushtaq, Lt Col Gul Hassan, and political administration official Mairaj Khan.

During the meeting, Pakistani authorities explained the motive behind setting up the barrier. Afghan authorities, however, replied saying border issues cannot be decided by Pakistani authorities alone and need to be discussed with concerned authorities in Islamabad and Kabul, added the official.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 10^th, 2013.