PESHAWAR: Federal Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmad on Sunday said that the trade and other activities are continuing smoothly from both the sides of the border and bilateral trade will further enhance after the establishment of a new government in Afghanistan.

Talking to media persons at Zero Point at Torkham Border, the interior minister said after Taliban take over, not a single Afghan migrant has entered Pakistan via Torkham bordering point. He informed that about 4000 people cross in Pakistan but more than that left the country.

The minister completely rejected the Indian media propaganda that thousands of displaced Afghans have taken refuge in camps and are waiting for entry into Pakistan at this bordering point. Sheikh Rashid said that India was humiliated and disgraced in Afghanistan.

The Minister viewed that the importance of the region has increased and now it is going to change significantly. He also predicted formation of a new bloc of countries.

Referring to the evolving situation in the neighbouring country Afghanistan, the Interior Minister said the message of Prime Minister Imran Khan is loud and clear that Pakistan will not allow any country to use its soil against another state. Pakistan has determined not to let anyone use its land against Afghanistan and we expect the same conduct from Afghanistan, he added and said the world should appreciate the role of Pakistan it played for restoration of peace in Afghanistan.

To a question regarding the visit of the Director General ISI Gen Faiz Hamid to Kabul, he replied he (DG ISI) is a smart man and he can go to Afghanistan like top forces officials of other countries.

The interior Minister said security has improved after implementation of a comprehensive policy of border fencing with Afghanistan. He informed that 90 to 92 percent fencing work has been completed at the total 2680 kilometres long border and Pakistan security forces are fully capable of combat against militancy. A new era of progress will begin in the region while stability and development in Pakistan is interconnected with peace in Afghanistan, he said. He expressed his satisfaction over the security measures, adopted at the border by the security forces.

Sheikh Rashid assured that extra staff will be provided to FIA and NADRA to further boost up efficiency of the departments.

Earlier, Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid arrived at forces cantonment, Landi Kotal where he was received by the forces officials. Later on he was taken to Torkham where he was briefed by the border security officials and he examined the Pak-Afghan sharing border. Meanwhile, due to the visit of the Interior Minister the border was suspended for all kinds of movement.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2021