Afghanistan has requested Pakistan for de-escalation at the border and reopening of the crossing points between the two countries, read a press release issued on Wednesday by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The release said Ambassador to Afghanistan Abrar Hussain and Afghan Deputy Commander-in-Chief General Murad Ali Murad met on Feb 27 to discuss border tensions between the two countries. Pakistan blames Afghanistan’s militants who sneak across the porous boundary, for carrying out attacks on its soil.
Gen Murad also pointed towards challenges, “due to the closure of the border and cross-border shelling from Pakistan”, seeking the country’s help to reduce tensions between the two states and promised to take action against terrorists on the basis of shared information,” the statement added.
Ambassador Hussain, in his response, briefed Gen Murad about Pakistan’s stance in closing off of the borders, underlining that “Afghan nationals were involved in recent attacks in the country”.
He stressed that Afghanistan should take appropriate measures to deny “use of its soil by terrorists against Pakistan” and said that the border was closed to prevent the movement of terrorists from across the border.
He also stressed on the need for efforts by both countries to strengthen border management.
The ambassador, however, promised to transmit Afghanistan’s requests to Islamabad.