ISLAMABAD: Afghanistan has called upon Pakistan to de-escalate tensions between the two countries and re-open border crossing.
The Afghan border crossings were closed on Feb 16 shortly after a suicide bomber struck Lal Shahbaz Qalandar Shrine in Sehwan Sharif, killing 95 devotees.
Pakistan maintains that Afghan soil was sued by hostile agencies to plan and execute the terrorist attacks in Sehwan and other parts of the country.According to a statement issued today, Afghanistan Deputy Chief of Staff Gen. Murad Ali Murad has requested Pakistan’s Ambassador in Kabul Syed AbrarHussain for de-escalation and re-opening of crossing points between the two countries.
According to Foreign Office, the Ambassador was invited for the meeting through the ministry of foreign affairs in Kabul on Monday. Defence Attache Brig. FarooqZaman also accompanied the Ambassador.
Highlighting the sufferings of people due to closure of the border and cross-border shelling from Pakistan, he sought reduction in tensions. He also promised to take action against terrorists on the basis of shared information.
Ambassador Hussain, in his response, briefed the circumstances behind actions taken by Pakistan. He stated that Afghan nationals were involved in recent attacks in Pakistan and stressed that Afghanistan should take appropriate measures for denying use of its soil by terrorists.He informed that the border was closed to prevent crossing by terrorists. He stressed on the need for efforts by both countries to strengthen border management.The Ambassador, however, promised to transmit the Afghan requests to Islamabad.
