Bugti tells Senate Chaman border issues to be resolved

ISLAMABAD: Caretaker Interior Minister Sarfraz Bugti assured the Senate on Monday that a collaborative mechanism with the people of Chaman would be developed to address their concerns and regulate the border with Afghanistan, thereby minimising losses to the state of Pakistan.

This assurance came in response to concerns raised by senators from Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa regarding travel documents for individuals crossing over from the Chaman border with Afghanistan. Lawmakers cautioned that imposing restrictions would adversely impact those earning their livelihood by daily travel to Afghanistan via Chaman.

Senators argued that making passports and visas mandatory was not a solution, and such measures would only fuel discontent among the locals, including traders and labourers who have been crossing the border since long. They highlighted the socio-economic challenges in Balochistan, saying that many Chaman residents have homes and relatives on both sides of the border.

Minister Sarfraz Bugti said the government had sought resolution of the issue through dialogue. He acknowledged discussions with visitors and senators, expressing the intention to engage in further talks to find a solution. However, Bugti stressed the need to regulate the Chaman border, like the Torkham and Wagah borders.

The minister said that no country allows 30,000-40,000 people to cross into another state without proper documentation. He underscored the necessity for Pakistan to regulate and secure its borders, emphasizing the importance of proper documentation for individuals crossing over.

In response to a motion on the elimination of Rs5,000 currency note moved by Senator Mohsin Aziz of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Murtaza Solangi clarified that the Rs5,000 note was introduced in 2006. He explained that there are currently 905 million currency notes of Rs5,000 in circulation. Solangi noted that the decision to continue or discontinue a currency note rests with the State Bank of Pakistan. He highlighted the increased independence given to the State Bank during the PTI government tenure but clarified that the issue of Rs5,000 note is a fundamental financial policy matter, and the caretaker government’s powers and tenure are limited.