LANDIKOTAL: Pakistan halted the construction of facilities along the Pak-Afghan border at Torkham after objections were raised by the Afghan government.
In return, Afghan officials have opened the border and permitted vehicles, pedestrians and trucks carrying goods to cross the border.
This was decided during negotiations between political tehsildar Nek Mohammad and Afghanistan’s Border Affairs Department officer Hijratullah. After detailed discussions, Mohammad vowed to honour the previous agreement and halted construction work beyond the prescribed limits at Torkham.
Earlier, tensions erupted when Afghan officials raised objections over the construction of facilities on Pakistan’s territory. Some officials also allegedly attempted to manhandle their counterparts from Pakistan and subsequently closed the entry point for both vehicles and pedestrians. Movement across the border was suspended for over five hours, causing unrest amongst the stranded drivers and owners of trucks and trailers loaded with goods. Hundreds of vehicles and a large number of pedestrians were not allowed to pass through.
Afghan officials justified their action saying both countries had agreed to refrain from carrying out construction work within 30 metres of the border. As a result, they decided to close the border because Pakistan had violated the agreement.
Pakistan was planning to construct footpaths and other facilities at Torkham to ease vehicles and pedestrians in crossing over. The Afghan government claimed it has already constructed these facilities at all its major entry points.
Fencing and trenching along the Pak-Afghan border has been conducted in accordance with the Durand Line Agreement.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 23rd, 2014.
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