Pakistan on Tuesday dispelled the assertions by Afghan deputy foreign minister regarding Pakistan's "unilateral construction and physical reinforcement activities" along the border, as tension between the two neighbours mounted due to allegations and counter allegations. Reacting to the recent grave concerns, Afghan Deputy Foreign Minister Jawed Ludin had conveyed to Pakistan Ambassador to Kabul Mohammad Sadiq regarding renovation of a border post.
Foreign Office spokesman Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry said, "Pakistan has an old post called Gursal well inside Pakistani territory bordering Nangarhar Province of Afghanistan, which is under routine renovation." Under the recently signed Tripartite Border SOP, he pointed out, both sides are supposed to inform about any new construction closer to border areas. Despite renovation work, Pakistan as a gesture of goodwill shared this information with the Afghan side, he said, adding that the same was also shared with the visiting Afghan delegation to Mohmand Agency on January 24, 2013.
"The renovation of the post is primarily meant to interdict terrorists and criminals as well as better manage the border area between Afghanistan and Pakistan," the spokesman added. "Afghan Deputy Foreign Minister Jawed Ludin's recent concerns about construction and physical reinforcement along the Afghan border are therefore not in keeping with the spirit of the understanding on good border management and the recently signed Tripartite Border SOP," he further said.
Better management of the border through strengthening border posts located in each other's territory are in the interest of the two countries to have an effective check over terrorists and criminals. Pakistan suggests to the Afghan government to take similar measures on their side of the border posts. According to a statement issued by Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in Kabul says, Deputy Foreign Minister Jawed Ludin, spoke to the Ambassador of Pakistan in Afghanistan, Mohammad Sadiq on Monday afternoon.
"Ludin expressed the Afghan government's grave concern about the Pakistani military's unilateral construction and physical reinforcement activities along the Durand Line in areas close to the Goshta district of Nangarhar province", it said. According to Afghan border police reports, these unilateral activities began along the Durand Line near the villages of Hatam Kalai and Kodzarai in Goshta district, the statement by Afghan Foreign Affairs Ministry added.
"Ludin also expressed the Afghan government's grave concern over Pakistani rocket and artillery attacks in different areas of Kunar province for the many days, and said the continuation of such attacks could negatively affect the existing relations between the two countries." Ambassador Sadiq promised to convey all of the Afghan government's concerns and demands to relevant authorities in Pakistan, it added.
However, Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry said that Afghan Deputy Foreign Minister's concern about rocket and artillery attacks in different areas of Kunar Province wee also not correct, as no rocket or artillery shells was fired by Pakistan Army in the recent days. The Spokesperson added that Pakistan remains committed to extending all possible support and facilitation for peace, reconciliation and stability in Afghanistan," he added.