The border with Afghanistan

This refers to the news report, ‘Border dispute at Angoor Adda resolved’ (May 22). According to the report, the facility at Angoor Adda in South Waziristan has been handed over to Afghanistan. The decision, according to ISPR, was taken with the intent to “establishment peace and stability along the Pak-Afghan border”. But Afghan authorities closed the Angoor Adda border crossing only a day later. They have also claimed about 10 kilometres inside Pakistan as its territory and demanded its control as well. It seems something has gone terribly wrong.

You cannot take the second step before the first one and you should not try to run before you know how to walk. It is honourable to seek peace, but that has to be a credible wish on both sides of the border. Before Pakistan can take Afghan intentions seriously, the Afghans should recognise Pakistan as it is. By ignoring this fact we have managed to take on a whole new conflict – as if we did not have enough on our plate already. Today Ashraf Ghani is demanding 10 kilometres of the Pakistani territory. Tomorrow, he will say that all the territory up to Attock should be handed over to them.

Ali Ashraf Khan

Karachi