CHAMAN: The Pakistan-Afghanistan border at Chaman was reopened on Monday morning following a deadly attack from the neighbouring nation that had caused it to be closed for more than a week.
Following the Afghan-side terror incident that resulted in the death of a Frontier Corps (FC) soldier and the injuries of two other soldiers, the Friendship Gate border crossing was shut down last Sunday.
After the border crossing was reopened, members of the security forces of Pakistan and Afghanistan shook hands. The Chaman border will now be open to all kinds of trade and communication, according to an agreement between the civil and military border forces of both countries.
The Chaman border was shut down on November 13 after unidentified armed persons fired on Pakistani security forces from within Afghanistan, killing one FC soldier and wounded two more. Due to the border’s shutdown, hundreds of vehicles carrying products were left in line on both sides.
The authorities from both sides did, however, agree to reopen the border today after discussions in numerous flag sessions. They also decided to deploy unarmed personnel from both nations in the most recent emergency flag meeting to prevent subversion.
The Afghan delegation expressed its condemnation for the shooting event at the meeting and pledged to apprehend and punish those responsible.
A delegation from Pakistan made up of 10 people also attended the meeting.
Immigration and customs clearance processes, according to customs authorities, have started up again. According to them, the Friendship Gate has allowed for the import of tomatoes and onions from Afghanistan as well as the export of fresh stock of Pakistani dry fruits to Central Asia.
The security personnel on both sides of the border have reportedly been placed on high alert, according to the authorities.
Rabbani requests a joint session of the parliament on the attack
PPP In order to brief lawmakers on the terrorist incident that occurred at the Pakistan-Afghanistan border crossing in Chaman last week, senator Raza Rabbani on Sunday called for a joint session of parliament.
The senator claimed that while it is unknown how negotiations with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), a banned organisation, are going, there has been an increase in terrorist activity in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.
Rabbani demanded a joint session of parliament and stated that there should be a special briefing on the terrorist incident at the Friendship Gate as well as an update on the status of negotiations with the TTP.
Additionally, he demanded an update on the rise in terrorist activity in the two provinces and urged that changes to the procedures for the chairman’s appointment and the reformation of the parliamentary committee on national security should be announced.
The Taliban have been urged by Pakistan to uphold their pledges to not harbour foreign fighters. Taliban officials deny harbouring militants.