Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Monday said that dialogue between India and Pakistan is not possible in the present circumstances due to India’s hostile behavior towards Kashmir and Pakistan.
“Dialogue between India and Pakistan is not possible in the present circumstances,” said the defence minister during the Senate’s defence committee session. He added India’s hostile behaviour towards Kashmir and Pakistan is an obstacle.
The meeting of the Senate Defence Committee was presided over by its chairman Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed.
Asif underlined the need for a national narrative which linked the continued presence of Afghan refugees in Pakistan with the security situation between Pakistan and Afghanistan. He added that it was difficult for Pakistan to monitor and regulate the presence of so many Afghan nationals in Pakistan, some of whom may be involved in activities prejudicial to security, law, and order.
The members of the committee also felt that there should be a clear national narrative because Pakistan has been a model host in hosting the largest number of refugees for the longest duration in the modern history.
The ministry of defence provided a detailed briefing in chronological order regarding Pakistan-Afghanistan border management issues and reaffirmed that Pakistan was committed to good, cooperative relations with Afghanistan based on a strategic approach and mutual consent and consultation.
Torkham border gate to open Aug 1:
The new border gate on Torkham, a major crossing point on the Pak-Afghan border, is ready and will be opened on August 1, the Senate defence committee was informed on Monday.
“New gate complex would house FIA, customs and other security offices and no entry would be allowed without proper travel documents,” said Additional Secretary Defence Abid Nazir.
He added that round the clock surveillance will be conducted at the crossing point, and the double wire fence on the border and the gate complex ensures check on illegal movement.
Earlier, Pakistan and Afghanistan formally agreed over ceasefire at Torkham after days of skirmishes between forces of two sides, which cost the life of a Pakistan Army officer and also caused losses on Afghanistan’s side. The construction work on Torkham gate was restarted following the ceasefire agreement between the two sides.