Border Closure Row
ISLAMABAD: The Foreign Office has rejected Afghanistan’s ‘irrelevant comments and unsolicited advice’ regarding Pakistan’s economy and trade amid border closure row. It has emphasized that Pakistan will not tolerate actions against its sovereignty.
The Foreign Office expressed surprise at a recent statement from Afghanistan’s foreign ministry. The FO stated that Afghan authorities are ‘fully aware’ of the reasons for the closure of the Torkham border.
Meanwhile, the Foreign Office pointed out that Afghan side resorted to firing when Pakistan stopped Afghanistan from constructing unlawful structures within Pakistani territory.’
“The unprovoked firing by Afghan border security forces invariably emboldens the terrorist elements. It cannot be justified under any circumstances,” the statement asserted.
Importantly, the Foreign Office also expressed astonishment at Afghanistan’s statement, indicating that the other side was fully aware of the reasons for the border closure.
“We have consistently stated our desire for the border with Afghanistan to be a ‘border of peace’. We have warmly welcomed our Afghan brothers and sisters for decades,” the Foreign Office noted.
Moreover, temporary closures only occur in extreme cases, such as the incident on September 6, 2023. On Defence Day, the terrorists again used Afghan territory to launch attacks inside Pakistan.
Additionally, the Foreign Office said the Afghan foreign ministry had included ‘unsolicited’ remarks about Pakistan’s economy and trade.
“For decades, Pakistan has facilitated Afghan transit trade and will continue to do so. However, Pakistan cannot allow the misuse of the transit trade agreement.”
Meanwhile, Pakistan shut down the Torkham border following an exchange of fire between troops on Thursday. Afghan forces attempted to construct a border post in an area that Pakistan claims as its territory.
Afghanistan had characterized the border closure as ‘contrary to good neighborliness’ and called for its reopening.
“The closure of the Torkham gate can have adverse effects on bilateral and regional trade. It will lead to financial losses to the common mercantile class on both sides,” the Afghan foreign ministry said.
