Protests held at Chaman and Torkham borders against Trump’s anti-Pakistan statement

Tribesmen, political workers and members of the civil society held a protest rally at the Pak-Afghan border crossings at Chaman and Torkham on Monday to condemn the US’ new policy for the region.
US President Donald Trump had last week demanded that Pakistan “stop offering safe haven to agents of chaos”, while inviting India to provide more economic assistance and development to Afghanistan. The US president’s statement caused an uproar across Pakistan and hinted at a deterioration in Islamabad’s relations with Washington.
Reacting to Trump’s statement, a large number of people from different parts of Khyber Agency gathered at Hamza Baba ground in Landi Kotal before heading towards Torkham border, where they staged a protest. A large number of Pakistani Sikhs also participated in the rally. The decision to hold the rally was taken in a jirga of tribal elders held on Sunday.
Meanwhile, the Bab-i-Pakistan gate on the Pak-Afghan Border at Torkham has been closed for all types of movement.
Sources said that the border closure came about as a preemptive step in light of the rally.
A similar protest was also held in Chaman, Balochistan, where various political parties, tribesmen and members of the civil society gathered near the Pak-Afghan border to voice their anger over the US president’s speech.
Waving national flags, the protesters walked through various parts of the city while chanting slogans against Trump.
A protest rally was also taken out in Balochistan’s Kohlu area, where tribesmen passed through the city and shouted anti-US slogans.
In Sibi, tribesmen, members of civil society and political party workers also took to the streets to condemn the US president’s stance against Pakistan, while vowing to defend the country against any external threats.