THE Afghan Border Forces, for the first time in such extent since Taliban took over Kabul, have largely violated international border rules by launching unprovoked shelling towards Pakistani territory at Chamman point. Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) reported on Sunday night that at least seven civilians martyred and 17 others injured in result of border violation by Afghan Security Forces.
The ISPR described the incident as “uncalled-for aggression” and said Pakistani Troops had given a “befitting” but “measured response” and avoided targeting civilians on the other side. However, the Kandahar Governor’s Spokesman Ataullah Zaid told media that one Afghan Security man was killed and 13 people were injured, including 10 soldiers and three civilians.
In an earlier editorial, this paper had clearly suggested that it was necessary for Islamabad to sketch a Red Line to Taliban Administration in Kabul that Afghan Soil must not be used against Pakistan by any militant group and Afghan Security Agencies. Now, we have lost seven precious lives due to lack Islamabad’s competency to have established such a Red Line and by no mean we can expect there will be no cross-border firing and border infiltration for insurgencies inside Pakistan in future as we have still no solid commitments by Afghan New Administration.
Following the latest shelling by Afghan Forces, we have only seen the traditional condemnations, sympathies and statements, but now it’s the time to have taken firm pledge from Kabul that guaranteed by international mediators in order to attain border peace and uphold international laws about a country’s territorial sovereignty.
“The Afghan authorities have been informed that recurrence of such incidents must be avoided and strictest possible action must be taken against those responsible,” Foreign Office said in a statement, adding that authorities in both countries remained were in contact to ensure there was no escalation of the situation.
Condemning the firing accident Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said: “Continuation of such cross-border incidents not only affects relations but also impedes the enhancing of cooperation in political, Trade, transit, economic exchanges and particularly the movement of people”.
Reacting to the shelling, former Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry said the PTI had been drawing attention to the “deterioration of relations with Afghanistan” for several months, adding that the incident was only further evidence about that.
The crossing was also closed for several days last month after similar violence. The border was closed for after an armed man from the Afghan side opened fire on Pakistani security personnel at Friendship Gate on November 13, resulting in the martyrdom of one soldier and leaving two others wounded.
On November 22, Pakistan had reopened its border with Afghanistan at Chaman after a week. The decision to reopen the border was taken at a meeting between Pakistani border authorities and Taliban officials.
Since Islamabad has its traditional stance that peace and stability in Afghanistan are vital for Pakistan and its core interests. This stance can be verified, first through China’s huge investment in our country and the game-changer project China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) as peace is a universally accepted factor for attracting foreign investments. Second, Afghanistan is Pakistan’s gateway for reaching Central Asian States and byroad Trade will further boost Pakistan relations with Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan as well as Turkey and Azerbaijan.
Keeping the strategic importance of Afghan territory in consideration, Pakistan had never and will never sought/seek militancy, insurgency, instability in the neighboring Muslim State, while on the other hand, Ball is in Kabul Administration’s Court weather it want peace, stability or moving-on with such clashes.
Published in Daily Country News, December 13, 2022.