A picture of Afghans repatriated through airlift will go viral
With thousands of Afghan nationals stranded since February 16 when Pakistan closed the Torkham and Spin Boldak borders a humanitarian crisis has been created. Among the worst sufferers are those who have no relatives in KP and might not have enough resources to pay for their stay. As a result of the ongoing hunt for terrorists some of the stranded people might be facing questioning. Whatever the merits of the argument that the borders need to be closed to stop the entry of the terrorists from the other side, it does not apply to the stranded people who desperately want to go out. A way should have been found to facilitate their return.
During King Zahir Shah’s tenure tensions sometime peaked between the two countries leading to exchange of hot words. Despite this not a single shot was fired from the Afghan side during the Pak-India wars in 1965 and 1971. Despite differences between the two governments people to people relations remained cordial. Unfortunately this time relations have deteriorated at the level of the citizens also. While Afghans are looked at with suspicion in Pakistan, Pakistanis are no more welcome on the other side. The pressure employed to send back Afghan refugees has added to the already existing hostility. The unreasonable closure of the border has caused considerable loss to the Afghan exporters, and caused shortages of food items and medicines in the neighbouring country. This will further widen the gulf between the two nations.
Afghanistan and the US led troops should take measures to stop terrorist attacks in Pakistan from their side. Pakistan on its part has to avoid any action which can be interpreted as arm twisting. It has to be recognized that the closure of the border does not suit Pakistan either. Kino exporters from Punjab have lost millions while stoppage of the export of medicines has also hurt the industry in Pakistan. There is a need to open the borders and resolve disputes through talks.