PESHAWAR: Pakistani authorities announced on Saturday that the Pak-Afghan Torkham border crossing would be re-opened this afternoon, following a successful meeting between the high-ranking border and security officials from Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Pakistani representatives were being headed by Sector Commander Brigadier Asad.
Pak-Afghan border at Torkham was closed since Friday afternoon in the wake of a hand- grenade attack against security forces personnel, which was launched from the Afghan territory. According to details, six personnel of the Frontier Constabulary, who were deployed at the gate and a passerby child, were injured in the blasts.
As the border was closed for more than 24 hours, thousands of people and hundreds of vehicles loaded with goods, including fresh fruits, vegetables and other edible items were left stranded.
Pakistan was represented in the Flag meeting by Sector Command Brig Arshad, Commandant Khyber Rifles Colonel Farrukh, Lieutenant Colonel (Col) Mubashir of TS 123 wing, Col (r) Iftikhar of National Logistic Cell (NLC) and Landi Kotal Assistant Political Agent Niaz Mohammad. The Afghan government was represented in the meeting by Afghan Border Police Col Qasam, Col Nisar, Gate Commander Ghorghande and Sub-Commander Amin Jan.
During the one-hour meeting, Pakistani officials raised several issues like combined action against terrorists, improvement of border security systems, construction of concrete walls, barriers and installation of cameras in regions along the borders. They also reassured support to the Afghan students studying in the educational institutions in Pakistan.
Afghanistan border police chief Col Qasam, accused Pakistan of firing at the Afghan check posts across the border.
The Afghan officials further said that trucks loaded with fruit remain stuck for due to complicated border clearance procedures; and that patients travelling from Afghanistan to Pakistan’s hospitals also face a number of difficulties due to the same issue. The Afghan officials requested for the border gates to be re-opened to resume regular traffic along with routine economic activities.
Brig Asad, referring to the issues pointed out by Afghan officials, said that the Afghan posts are fired at either in retaliation, or whenever any suspicious activity is spotted across the border.
He further said that the final decision about reopening of the Torkham border will be made after talking to the high ups.
