Following clashes along the Durand Line between Afghan and Pakistani forces, Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi said that tensions along the Durand Line are not in the interest of any side and that relations between Kabul and Islamabad should be based on principles.
Speaking at a conference in Kabul on Sunday, Muttaqi said Kabul considers Islamabad a friendly neighbor.
“Clash between our border forces and yours is neither in your interest nor in ours. Making trouble on the Durand Line is neither in your interest nor in ours. I look upon you as a brother and a Muslim. Look at us with the same eyes. Do business with us in the light of principles, and have relations with us based on principles,” Muttaqi said.
Pakistani officials have not said anything about Afghanistan’s acting foreign minister’s remarks.
But Pakistan’s foreign minister recently said that Washington is eager to support Islamabad in keeping Pakistan secure from attacks “coming across the Afghan border.”
Dawn reported that Pakistani Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has said that the United States is willing to provide Pakistan funds to enhance border security for preventing cross-border attacks from Afghanistan.
According to the report, Zardari said that during his visit to the US Congress last week, two senior senators, Bob Menendez from New Jersey and Lindsey Graham from South Carolina, told him that they were provided “funding in the 2023 budget to help us with border security”.
Political experts said the only solution to remove the tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan is through understanding and dialogue.
“The policy of constructive engagement is what is the urgent and fundamental need now for both nations, for Pakistan as well as for the current government and the people of Afghanistan,” said Sayed Mustafa Murtazawi, a political analyst.
“Mutual respect between nations, no interference in social, political, or economic affairs of another country and good relations between two countries are always the solution to all problems,” said Abdul Jamil Shirani, a political analyst.
In the last month, there have been two border clashes at the Spin Boldak-Chaman crossing between Pakistani border guards and Islamic Emirate forces that have resulted in casualties and financial losses for both sides.—Tolonews
