Afghan Ambassador to Pakistan, Dr Omar Zakhelwal warned that he would resign if construction on the Torkham gate does not cease and emphasised the need to resolve outstanding issues through high level talks. "I want to make it clear, if you [Pakistan] continue the construction of the gate on Torkham border without resolving the issue through diplomacy and talks, then I don't think that there is any justification left for me to continue my [diplomatic] assignment here in [Islamabad]", the Afghan envoy stated in a facebook post in Pashto language on his official account on Thursday.
During his talks with Pakistan military authorities on Wednesday, The Afghan Ambassador agreed on four points including (i) cease-fire, (ii), highest level talks to discuss ways and means to resolve the issue, (iii) prompt implementation of whatever is agreed, and (iv) construction work to cease during the talks. He accused Pakistan of never stopping work on the construction of the gate.
"I never agreed with [Pakistan military leadership] on continuation of the construction work by Pakistan on the gate", he said, adding he had written a letter to Army Chief General Raheel Sharif conveying to him these four points. He further warned that, "if you [Pakistan] continue with construction work [on the gate], I will share all details of the talks on Torkham crisis with the Afghan people and the repercussions of this dispute will be on your shoulders".
Zakhelwal, had deleted his earlier [Wednesday] facebook post in English language in which he stated, "Productive meetings with relevant Pakistan leadership on Torkham issue. Agreed on (i) cease-fire, (ii) de-escalation of tension, (iii) draw down of military build-up and (iv) steps forward for an amicable solution". However, there was no mention of cessation of construction work on the gate during the dialogue process. Pakistan however, insisted on Thursday that work on the gate would continue as an effective border management tool that serves the interests of the two countries.
"Whatever measures and activities are being undertaken [on Torkham] are part of the border management. We've repeatedly made it clear that these border management activities are basically to address the concerns of both the sides - concerns directly related to terrorism", Foreign Office spokesperson Nafees Zakaria stated during his weekly media briefing, adding it is a component of the country's counter-terrorism efforts.