Pak-Afghan border management

Pakistan is committed to tackling the problem of terrorism mainly emanating from Afghanistan. Hence, an effective border management becomes imperative to control all the infiltration, drug smuggling, etc. Moreover, effective border management will also facilitate both the countries to come out of the blame game, as it would offer a strict check on both sides to counter the free movement of terrorists and drug mafia lords, who are important factors in the deteriorating security situation in Afghanistan and its obvious backlash on Pakistan.

The Afghan peace and reconciliation process is a reality despite of its slow pace and continual interruptions. The positive trajectory of constructive relations between Pakistan and

Afghanistan raised alarms bells among the adversaries, who are attempting to hurt the progressive Pak-Afghan relations through smear and sinister scheming.

Pakistan and Afghanistan have previously suggested many initiatives to resolve their differences. However, as fast as these solutions had emerged, they disappeared due to a lack of follow-up.

There is no doubt that escalation of tension at the Pak-Afghan border is deliberately engineered by elements opposed to peace talks and improvement in bilateral relations between the two countries.

Recently, tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan flared up when Kabul objected to the border fencing within the Pakistan territory and the Afghan troops started firing on Pakistani posts and civilian population in Landikotal. Several Pakistani soldiers were injured while one officer was martyred. Due to the unexpected unfriendly action by the Afghan government, Pakistan was forced to send more troops to the border, which remained closed for around six days.

According to legal experts, Pakistan can lawfully fence its side of the border without Afghanistan’s consent by following “the precedence of the USA-Mexico border, which has been unilaterally fenced by the USA under the Secure Fence Act 2006.

This has been deemed lawful under the international law since the USA as a sovereign state is entitled to protect its territory, integrity and national security through the implementation of immigration policy.”

As a trust building initiative, an effective border management mechanism will be beneficial for both countries. Moreover, such establishment will also plug in many loopholes exploited by terrorists to conduct cross border terrorism. There is no basis to the Afghan objections to the settled issue of the Durand Line. However, some resistance shown by a few Afghan academics and politicians exists.

The long and porous Pak-Afghan border requires more effective management for all infiltration to stop. However, it is an arduous task though not impossible.

The Pakistan government has started fencing and construction of gates on the border; nobody should have objections to it, especially those sitting in Kabul.

As it is, Afghanistan and Pakistan have no other option but to cooperate and resolve their differences through political and diplomatic dialogue. Besides, there is a huge lack of trust between the two sides. Therefore, it is imperative for both countries to develop a framework for strategic dialogue, focused on short, medium and long term solutions.