Pakhtuns suffer amid tension at Pak-Afghan border: Asfandyar

PESHAWAR: Central president of the Awami National Party (ANP) Asfandyar Wali Khan has said Pakhtuns on both sides of the Pak-Afghan border are suffering due to tension between the two countries.

In a statement, Asfandyar said the ANP has always demanded Pakistan and Afghan governments to refrain from raising tension on Durand Line and resolve their differences though peaceful negotiations. The ANP chief said that owing to the tension, innocent Pakhtuns have become victims in the border clashes. He expressed deep shock and concern over the loss of precious lives in Chaman on Friday. 

He said the ANP lauds and appreciates the valiant efforts of Asghar Khan Achakzai for arranging ceasefire in Spin Boldak between the armed forces of Pakistan and Afghanistan.

“Struggle for peace is Bacha Khan's legacy which is close to the hearts of all his followers. We welcome the positive atmosphere created by the most recent Kabul visit of Pakistani parliamentarians and hope both the governments will build on this and would not allow the spoilers to vitiate the atmosphere,” he added.

He further said that experience of so many years has clearly shown that terrorists benefit from mistrust and tension between the two countries. “The people of the region have suffered a lot by the so-called great and not so great games,” he said.

The ANP chief said that it is the time to jettison the Cold War era politics and start a fresh chapter of peaceful and brotherly bilateral relations. “People of both Pakistan and Afghanistan yearn for peace and expect their leaders to respect their aspirations,” he said.

Asfandyar said Pakhtuns have remained in the eye of storm for about four decades. He said Pakhtuns need a break from war mongering policies.