Pakistan, Afghanistan to conduct survey at Chaman border to determine boundaries
The determination of border limits will be ensured by the geological experts of both countries.
CHAMAN (Dunya News) – Pakistan and Afghanistan have agreed to conduct a geological survey on Monday at Chaman border in order to determine the correct boundaries on both sides.
According to details, the decision was taken in a flag meeting between the Pak-Afghan officials that was held at Bab-e-Dosti on Sunday. It was agreed upon that the rightful determination of border limits will be ensured by the geological experts of both countries with the help of maps and Google Earth.
The tension between Pakistan and Afghanistan continues as Bab-e-Dosti remains closed for the fourth day after the attack by Afghan forces on Pakistan, and Pakistan Army, as always, is ready to retaliate against any aggression shown by the Afghan forces.
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s (NATO) supply line, Afghan transit trade and pedestrian locomotion between Pakistan and Afghanistan, all are suspended.
Two thousand camps have been formed five kilometers away from the border for the people who have evacuated their homes after the attack of Afghan forces, and every possible facility is being provided to them.
Afghan Attack
It is pertinent here to mention that the Afghan Border Police (ABP) opened unprovoked firing on Frontier Corps (FC) personnel appointed for security of population census team in Balochistan’s Chaman area on Friday.
At least ten people including three children and two women were killed by Afghan forces’ unprovoked firing near a major border crossing where Pakistani census officials were carrying out a count.
Also, 46 others were injured in the firing and shelling, including FC officers who were deployed for security of census officials. Afghan authorities were informed prior to the population census.
Pakistan’s Retaliation
Over 50 Afghan nationals were killed on Sunday in retaliation of Pakistan Army against Afghan troops’ bid to capture houses along the Line of Control in Pakistani territory.
Inspector General of Frontier Constabulary, Major General Nadeem Ahmed said that Afghan troops launched an offensive to capture houses along the border, and in retaliation around 50 persons were killed.
He further said that Afghan security forces hindered census activities in the area. He also laid out in a media briefing that at least five Afghan check-posts were destroyed and at least 100 wounded. He held both India and Afghanistan responsible for tensions in Chaman.
Major General Nadeem Ahmed said Afghan border police are responsible for the aggression that began last week.
Border Management
Talking about the issue of border management, Pakistan Foreign Office Spokesman Nafees Zakaria said Pak-Afghan border is internationally recognized border and its management is vital to control terrorism.
He said terrorism is a common threat to both the countries, and peace cannot not be maintained without securing the border between them.
He said Pakistan, on its part, has been taking measures for border management, but Afghanistan has taken no step in that regard.
Pakistan, being a peace loving country, has a policy to maintain good relations with all its neighboring countries, he added.
The spokesman said some foreign elements are creating hurdles in the peace process between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Nafees Zakaria stressed the need for resolving issues through dialogue between the two countries.
He said Pakistan and Afghanistan are fighting against terrorism and there is need of further united efforts to combat the menace.
To a question about Afghan attack on Pakistani bordering areas, he said the Afghan government had been informed through diplomatic channels that national census is being conducted in Pakistan, and the teams would be visiting the border areas for the purpose.
He said Pakistan is a sovereign country and has the right to take measures for protecting its national security.
Owing to the current circumstances, Commander Southern Command Lieutenant General Aamir Riaz made it quite clear in his media talk that Bab-e-Dosti on Pak-Afghan border would remain closed till change in Afghanistan’s attitude.
With inputs from APP
