KABUL, Jan 7 (Pajhwok Afghan News): Governor of the southeastern Paktika province Dr Akram Khpalwak has said that Pakistani forces have started work on fencing and mining the border.

Speaking to Pajhwok Afghan News on Sunday, the governor said the local officials were informed by the residents of the border areas that some 2,000 Pakistani militias and regular forces were taking part in the border fencing operation.

Khpalwak said the Pakistani forces had started fencing in the Azam Warsak, Qamardin Karez and the border areas in Tarwa and Gomal districts.   

He said some fugitive Taliban and al-Qaeda elements were also helping the Pakistani forces in erecting the fence and pointing out areas to them.

"They are fencing and mining areas pointed out by Taliban and al-Qaeda and leaving those passages used by militants for sneaking into Afghanistan and crossing back into Pakistan," said the governor.

He demanded of the United Nations and the international community to stop Pakistan from fencing the border, otherwise it would lead to serious consequences.

Meanwhile, hundreds of people staged a protest demonstration against the border fencing in the Tarwa district of the province on Sunday.

The protest demonstration was joined by tribal elders, ulema (religious scholars), students and common citizens. They marched through the main market in the district and chanted slogans against Pakistan and the border fencing.

Later, the rally converted into a public gathering where the participants unanimously condemned the border fencing proposal and asked the United Nations not to allow Pakistan to give practical shape to its plans.

Javid Hamim/Zabulai

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