Work on Pak-Afghan border fencing underway: official

LANDIKOTAL: A senior security official has said that the federal government will take a final decision whether to reopen or not the border with Afghanistan.

Wishing anonymity, the official told a group of journalists that they would further restrict the border crossing to completely block illegal intruders and other suspects from entering Pakistan. He said fencing was underway to secure the border with Afghanistan.

"It is in the favour of both Pakistan and Afghanistan to have good relations, enhance trade and jointly fight their common enemies," the official stated. "We closed the border because of security threats emanating from the soil of Afghanistan. We have beefed up border security to avoid Bacha Khan University and Army Public School like attacks," the official added.

He said the number of legal Afghan travellers increased after they imposed visa condition. Meanwhile, the Pak-Afghan border at various points remained closed on the 12th day. Hundreds of shops, hotels and other markets remained shut and traffic has also been thin on roads due to the closure of the border.