With hundreds of cargo trucks stranded on both sides of the border, the Taliban government has requested talks. Photo: File
Islamabad: Negotiations between Pakistan and Afghan authorities to open the Torkham border ended inconclusively while the border crossing remained closed for the fifth day on Sunday.
The Torkham border crossing was closed on September 6 following a clash between Pakistani and Afghan forces. The clash began when Afghan forces attempted to build a checkpoint on the Pakistani side of the border, which the Pakistani army violated an agreement between the two countries. It was stopped as a violation.
The Taliban government of Afghanistan says that two of its border guards were killed in the exchange of fire. The border remains closed after this incident. On Sunday, there were talks between the authorities of the two countries on the issue of opening the border, but there was no result.
Also read: Afghan diplomat summoned by Foreign Office over terrorist attack in Chitral
Sources say that the Pakistani authorities have told the Afghan officials that the decision to open the border has to be taken by the federal government, but nothing has come out from the Pakistani government on this issue yet.
However, some Pakistani officials have stated on their own that Pakistan will not allow any kind of construction work in its territory as it is against Pakistan’s sovereignty.
The Afghan government had issued a statement on Saturday expressing concern over the closure of the border. The Afghan government said it was causing heavy losses to the business community. The Afghan government had discussed the matter with Pakistan. Due to the closure of the border, hundreds of trucks are stuck on both sides, common people who usually come and go across the border are also facing difficulties.
Also read: Clashes between Afghan forces and FC personnel at Torkham border
The clash between Pak-Afghan forces shows the strained relations between Pakistan and the Afghan interim government of the Taliban. On the same day that there was a clash between Pakistan and Afghan forces, hundreds of terrorists crossed the Afghan border and attacked the Pakistani post in Chitral district. At least 12 terrorists of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) were killed in this clash while four Pakistani soldiers were also martyred.
There was also a clash between Pakistan’s security forces and terrorists in the general area of Chitral, in which at least 7 terrorists were killed. From these latest clashes, it seems that TTP terrorists have entered the Chitral area.
After these incidents in Chitral of Pakistan, they have protested by summoning the representative of the Afghan government in Pakistan and asked the Afghan government to control the TTP terrorists on their land. However, the Afghan government spokesperson has denied using its territory in the Chitral attacks, but Pakistan has a video of the TTP chief ordering his fighters to attack.
It appears that Pakistan has now hardened its stance on the TTP issue and is increasing pressure on the interim government of Afghanistan.
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