Halt work on border gates, Pakistan told

KABUL in eastern Nangarhar province.

Pakistani forces, which have reportedly started erecting security gates along the border between Lalpura and Goshta districts, have advanced into Afghan territory. Afghan forces had reached the site.

Deputy Foreign Minister Jawed Ludin spoke to Pakistan’s Ambassador Mohammad Sadiq of the Afghan government’s grave concern on the issue, the foreign ministry in Kabul said.

“Ludin told Sadiq these activities are against all accepted international norms, provocative and unacceptable to the Afghan government, and that Pakistan must halt them immediately,” the ministry said in a statement.

With relations between the neighbours becoming increasingly strained in recent weeks, Afghan border police say the activities are underway near Hatam and Kodzarai villages.

Ludin expressed the government’s grave concern about Pakistan’s rocket and artillery attacks on different areas of Kunar province, warning that continuation of such incursions could negatively affect relations ties the two countries.

“Ambassador Sadiq promised to convey all of the Afghan government’s concerns and demands to relevant authorities in Pakistan,” the statement added.

On March 29, Islamabad voiced its concern over the continued presence of Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) sanctuaries in Kunar and Nuristan provinces.

Foreign Office spokesman Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry said Pakistan had taken up the issue with Afghanistan at all levels several times. He hoped the TTP safe havens on Afghan soil would be eliminated.

pr/mud

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