Tariq Fatemi said no worldwide law bars Pakistan from such construction as most of the countries in the world including U.S. and Canada despite enjoying close and friendly relations have the border control systems.
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The “Pakistan Gate” – aimed at improving border management and curbing illegal trade between the two neighbouring countries – would be formally inaugurated on the Independence Day (August 14) this year.
Firing broke out on Sunday over the construction of a new border post on the Pakistani side.
Kabul has apparently refused to send to Islamabad its national security adviser and foreign minister, invited for discussion in the wake of the recent clashes between the security forces of the two neighbouring countries after Pakistan started building a gate at Torkham border as part of its new border controls.
“Both sides hoped that the current difficulties would be immediately resolved”, the statement said in a veiled reference to the ongoing tensions along the Torkham border.
Pakistani officials claim the border gate “is well on its side of the border and will help stop militants from crossing and help fight drug trafficking”, notes Reuters.
The construction of the gate would complete within two months at an estimated cost of Rs15 million, the officials said. “We want both sides to ratchet down the violence and begin a dialogue to try to reduce the tensions, keep the crossing open, and have it done peaceably”, the state department spokesman, John Kirby told reporters at a press conference.
In a blunt message to Pakistan, the United States has said that continued existence of terror safe havens in the country and its inability to take action against them affects their bilateral ties including security assistance.
Afghan troops have received reinforcements and “are ready to defend our country until the last drop of blood in our bodies”, reportedly said Ayub Hussainkhil, border police commander in eastern Afghanistan, after the battle.
“We are obviously very concerned by the border clashes, particularly around the Torkham crossing”.
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A second round of talks between Pakistan and Afghanistan failed on Friday to ease border tension over construction of a gate along the Torkham border. The two countries share almost 2,600 km border, mostly porous, and the militants take advantage of the loose control.
