PAKISTAN and Afghanistan exchanged fire on the Torkham border on Monday, leaving a border guard injured. The Afghan Taliban on Sunday shut the border crossing, accusing Pakistan of reneging on its commitments. According to local residents, the heavy exchange of fire continued for over an hour.
This is not the first incident of its kind as exchange of fire takes place frequently mainly because of provocation from the Afghan side and this is confirmed from the fact that casualties always occur on Pakistani side. There is no explanation for closure of the border crossing but the tendency of enforcing one’s will through the use of force is highly deplorable. In view of repeated complaints from the other side, Pakistan invested heavily on formalizing and securing the border but Afghanistan is not willing to play its part to ensure the sanctity of the international border. Closure of the border from any side is considered a routine and such matters are sorted out through negotiations but the Taliban Government always tries to bully Pakistan. It is also a fact that Pakistan is paying a heavy price due to rampant smuggling of goods and dollars and such a situation cannot be allowed to continue. Islamabad should take up the issues of border security and trade with the Afghan side in right earnest besides conveying a clear message that inaction against the TTP elements enjoying safe havens in Afghanistan would not be tolerated any more.
