ISLAMABAD: Adviser on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz on Thursday said Pakistan had informed Afghan authorities regarding the new policy to strictly follow documentation procedures.
Outlining three dimensions where Afghanistan and Pakistan need to indulge in joint collaboration, he reiterated the importance to curb terrorism, infiltration, smugglers and traffickers.
He said these protocols would serve the interests of both sides. This program of alignment was planned to be implemented along the whole border, he told the National Assembly.
Islamabad had addressed Kabul’s concerns over Torkham and maintained that the operations did not pose infringements on any bilateral treaty between the two countries nor did it violate any international law.
The line of approach undertaken by Pakistan was to regulate the flow of refugees and transport according to documented procedure which would ensure peace through requirements of vital steps to proceed with, in terms of movement and work flow.
Sartaj stated that he had contacted Afghan officials to review the gaps and they appreciated the effort to keep the lines of communication open in order to resume dialogue after the hostile situation to which Sartaj responded by inviting them to visit Pakistan as early as possible to discuss this matter and remove gaps in communication or misunderstanding.
The adviser emphasised that it was important for the two sides to resolve issues through dialogue. “These tensions are against the spirit of friendship between Pakistan and Afghanistan, which is based on common religion, cultural values and strong bonds between the people of the two countries,” he said.
He also spoke about the importance of border management system and the Afghan part but suggested that durable peace could only be achieved through addressing the critical requirements to improve security and sustain stability.
He said at a meeting of Afghan Ambassador Dr Omar Zakhilwal with senior Pakistani officials, including Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif, it was agreed that Afghan side will allow construction work to regulate movement of people and traffic across the border.
