Torkham border: Islamabad-Kabul talks fail

A second round of talks between Pakistan and Afghanistan failed on Friday to ease border tension over construction of a gate along the Torkham border.

Pakistan maintained in the flag meeting near the border that cross-border movement would be resumed once the gate is constructed, opposing Afghanistan’s stance demanding to open the border first. “Neither of the two neighbours is willing to back down in the argument,” said an official.

Pakistan defence minister Khawaja Asif has said that the country would not back down from its stance over border management as it is a matter involving national security. On the other hand, adviser to the Prime Minister on foreign affairs and national security, Sartaj Aziz, observed that more gates would be built at Torkham border to end terrorists’ entrance in Pakistan. Mr Aziz said it was announced earlier that authorities would implement the revised border laws starting from June 1 under which none possessing incomplete documents would be permitted in Pakistan.

He said regulating the border management and movement at Pakistan border was not a violation of bilateral agreement and the international law.

Giving a policy statement on Pak-Afghan border situation in the National Assembly, he said Pakistan was constructing a gate under Zero Line at its side, some 31 metres away from border, aimed at regulating and documenting the movement of vehicles and people. He said Pakistan had already informed the Afghan government two months ago about the construction of the gate and border management.

Meanwhile, the US has ruled out mediation between Afghanistan and Pakistan, and asked the two countries to work together to deescalate tensions at the Torkham border crossing where deadly clashes have killed a Pakistani major and two Afghan border guards and wounded 20 on both sides.

“We are obviously very concerned by the border clashes, particularly around the Torkham crossing. We want both sides to ratchet down the violence and begin a dialogue to try to reduce the tensions, keep the crossing open, and have it done peaceably,” the state department spokesman, John Kirby told reporters at a press conference.