ISLAMABAD: According to the Foreign Office on Thursday, the Torkham border was only temporarily reopened while more talks were held between the two parties to establish a “permanent system” that would guarantee smooth operations at the crucial border crossing.
After being closed for 26 days, the border was reopened on Wednesday. A disagreement over a checkpoint the Afghan side was constructing on Pakistani territory led to its closure on February 21.
Following several jirgas and a flag meeting between the two officials, the decision was made to reopen the crucial crossing.
However, the representative for the Foreign Office underlined that the current arrangement would only last for the upcoming weeks.
“Torkham opened yesterday, and I anticipate that pedestrian traffic will be permitted by tomorrow as well. Therefore, the current arrangement, which is valid until April 15th, was reached through mutual negotiations, Shafqat Ali Khan stated during a weekly news briefing.
“By that time, we expect that further negotiations and consultations would be held to put in place a permanent system which could ensure the continuous operation of the Torkham border seamlessly,” he stated.
According to official sources, the problems still needed to be resolved on both sides. The sources claimed that Pakistan sought long-term assurances that the Afghan side would never again erect any buildings on the border without first adequately consulting the other side.
To relieve pressure and enable stranded trucks and individuals to go between the two nations, the border was reopened.
If the problems were not resolved by April 15, the Foreign Office spokesperson warned that the border might be closed once more.
Nevertheless, the spokeswoman stated that the border’s reopening was a good thing and added, “We want to make it sustainable and permanent.”
The spokesperson clarified that Pakistan would not postpone the deadline for all cardholders who are Afghan citizens to return home. The deadline for all of these Afghans to depart Pakistan is March 31 or risk deportation.
The official underlined that Pakistan was not required to consult the UNHCR in regards to not doing so. “We are not required to speak with UNHCR. First of all, the Refugee Convention does not apply to Pakistan. Therefore, for the past 50 years, all we have done for the Afghan refugees has been voluntary. Therefore, by providing Afghans with this level of hospitality, we have more than met our share of our international commitments, and we will continue to do so.”
“However, they will be welcomed if they have Pakistani visas on their passport. Additionally, a sizable population of Afghans with the appropriate documentation reside here,” he continued.
Additionally, Shafqat said that earlier this week, the Afghan Cd’A was called to the foreign office to document a protest against the exploitation of Afghan territory in recent terrorist acts.
“This is a standard diplomatic practice. We don’t make the news about it. There is a regular exchange of information between the Foreign Ministry and the embassies located in Islamabad. Therefore, it is neither exceptional nor extraordinary. We must remember that,” he stated.
According to the official, Pakistan has regularly expressed its concerns to Afghanistan. For instance, Ambassador Sadiq, the Special Representative, is also in constant communication. Thus, we have continuously communicated our stance on this matter to Afghan authorities in a variety of ways. Indeed, our top priority is the terrorist danger posed to Pakistan by groups such as the TTP, BLA, and ISKP.
“We continue to impress upon interim authorities to take visible and verifiable action against them, keeping in view their commitments given to the international community to dismantle terrorist infrastructure and groups from the Afghan soil,” he stated.
India
The Foreign Office reaffirmed that India’s state-sanctioned tyranny in Indian-Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) and its role in inciting terrorism on Pakistani soil could not be concealed by its false victim narrative.
The spokeswoman for the Foreign Office stated that it was evident that India was involved in inflaming terrorism in Pakistan and destabilizing Balochistan.
He made reference to India’s role in international murder plans, claiming that the country has been funding these illegal actions throughout the region, not just in Pakistan.
He made the observation that India has not denounced the recent attack on the Jaffar Express in Balochistan and said, “Instead of blaming others, India should reflect on its own record of orchestrating targeted assassinations, subversion, and terrorism in foreign territories.”
According to the spokesperson, Pakistan was concerned about the growing number of unfounded claims on Jammu and Kashmir made by Indian leadership.
He claimed that India had no right to hold the Security Council and its former members accountable for the resolutions that were later enacted because it was India that brought the Jammu and Kashmir issue before the UN in 1948.
“Repetition of baseless claims cannot deny the fact that Jammu and Kashmir is an internationally recognized disputed territory whose final status is to be determined by its people through a UN-supervised plebiscite, as stipulated in the relevant UN Security Council resolutions.”
Peace and stability in South Asia have remained captive to India’s inflexible stance and hegemonic ambitions, he said, reiterating Pakistan’s encouragement of constructive engagement and result-oriented discussion to resolve all outstanding issues, including the central question of Jammu and Kashmir.
“The Indian-led anti-Pakistan narrative ruins the bilateral atmosphere and obstructs the chances for harmony and collaboration. “It has to stop,” he said.
When asked if the foreign ministry was involved in the reports of certain Pakistanis visiting Israel, he responded that the information was still being gathered.
He did, however, unequivocally clarify that Pakistan’s stance on Israel’s recognition and the rights of the Palestinian people remained firm and unaltered.
According to the spokeswoman, the State Department and Foreign Office have denied the speculative rumors on social media regarding the inclusion of Pakistani individuals in specific visa limitation categories.
He denounced Israel’s ruthless assaults on the West Bank and Gaza residents, claiming that they are a blatant breach of the ceasefire agreement, international humanitarian law, and the UN Charter and that they undermine trust in the international community and the rule of law.
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Newson – The border solution determines the durability of the Torkham opening
1. Why was the Torkham border temporarily reopened?
The Torkham border was reopened after 26 days following mutual negotiations between Pakistan and Afghanistan. However, it is a temporary measure valid until April 15, as both sides work on a permanent system to ensure smooth operations and avoid future disputes.
2. What will happen if border-related issues are not resolved by April 15?
If the outstanding issues are not resolved by April 15, the Foreign Office has stated that the border may be closed again until a sustainable agreement is reached between both countries.
3. What is Pakistan’s stance on Afghan citizens staying in the country?
Pakistan has set a deadline of March 31 for Afghan citizens without legal documentation to leave the country or face deportation. However, Afghans with valid Pakistani visas or proper documentation will be allowed to stay.
