Afghan VP accepts Durand Line as border, claims MNA

LANDIKOTAL: Quoting a recent statement, tribal parliamentarian Shahjee Gul Afridi on Wednesday said Afghanistan’s Chief Executive Officer Dr Abdullah considered the Durand Line as an international border between Afghanistan and Pakistan.

In an interview with The News, Shahjee Gul Afridi said that in his recent visit to Afghanistan he met Afghan leaders including Dr Abdullah. He said the Afghan leaders and Dr Abdullah who is deputy head of the government warmly welcomed them in Kabul.

He quoted Dr Abdullah as saying: “I am a supporter of the Durand Line and consider it a border between the two brotherly Muslim countries as it is no more a dispute between Pakistan and Afghanistan.”

Shahjee Gul Afridi said Dr Abdullah wanted Afghanistan not to waste time on the Durand Line dispute and work hard to maintain good ties with all neighbouring countries. He said some of the Afghan politicians provoked citizens to achieve their own interests.

He said they assured Afghan leaders that Pakistan nationals, especially Pakhtuns, considered them as their brethren.He said peace in Afghanistan was inevitable for peace in Pakistan.

The tribal MNA said that Pakistan accepted the invitation and sent a high-level delegation to Afghanistan headed by Governor Iqbal Zafar Jhagra to help reduce the tense situation on the Pak-Afghan border.

He said that they also attended the colourful Nauroz (New Year) event held in Kabul.He said they also met Balkh governor Atta Muhammad Noor and deputy speaker of Afghan parliament Nazir Ahmadzai and other senior government and civil representatives.

Shahjee Gul Afridi pointed out that those investing their capital in Afghanistan also wanted stable political and trade relations with Pakistan.“The Afghan leaders whose children are living in Europe and the United States create hurdles and try to sabotage bilateral trade and security relations with Pakistan,” stated the MNA.

Shahjee Gul Afridi, who is Fata parliamentary leader, said that most of the Afghan leaders had agreed to cooperate with Pakistan to strengthen friendly environment across the border.

He urged the Afghan government not to take dictation from India as it would strain its relations with Pakistan and might also harm its economy.He said that after the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, Pakistan opened doors for Afghan refugees. He reminded that shelter was provided to three million Afghan refugees in 1979.