Islamabad, 12 September, 2023 (GNP): In response to the Afghan government’s recent statement regarding the closure of the Torkham border, the Foreign Office (FO) of Pakistan stated on Monday, emphasizing its expectation that Kabul respects Pakistan’s territorial integrity and ensures that Afghan soil is not exploited for launching militant attacks within Pakistan.
The Torkham border had been closed since 6th September after a skirmish broke out between Pakistani and Afghan border forces, injuring at least two individuals, including a Frontier Corps (FC) official.
Pakistan’s officials attributed the incident’s initiation to the Afghan side, citing the construction of an unauthorized checkpoint on their territory near the main border crossing.
Although there is an existing Afghan checkpoint, known as the Larram Post, in the vicinity, they proceeded to build another post without prior consultation with Pakistan, as per an agreement between both the countries.
Moreover, the recent meeting between Pakistani and Afghan border security officials, aimed at resolving the border closure issue, ended without a conclusive agreement.
Conversely, the Afghan foreign ministry expressed concerns about the Torkham gate’s closure, labeling it inconsistent with the principles of being a “good neighbor.”
Afghanistan asserted that Pakistan had initiated the firing incident while Afghan forces were merely engaged in repairing an old security checkpoint built several years ago.
The Afghan foreign ministry warned that the border closure could downgrade bilateral and regional trade, causing financial losses for merchants on both sides. They also emphasized on diplomatic dialogue and urged the importance of trade and transit facilitation in Afghanistan’s economic-centric foreign policy.
In response, the FO Spokesperson, Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, expressed surprise at the Afghan foreign ministry’s statement, highlighting Pakistan’s sovereignty concerns and the unprovoked firing by Afghan forces on September 6.
Pakistan, she noted, always seeks peaceful relations with Afghanistan and prioritizes dialogue in the face of unwarranted provocations.
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Pakistan remains committed to resolving bilateral issues through constructive dialogue and expects the Afghan interim authorities to respect Pakistan’s concerns, uphold territorial integrity, and prevent Afghan territory from being used for launching terrorist attacks.
Despite the inconclusive border security talks, both sides continue to engage diplomatically and are keen on reopening the border, considering the impact on trade and regional movement.
