In light of recent conflicts along the Pak-Afghan border, the Foreign Office Spokesperson, Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, emphasized the necessity of global attention towards the weapons that now have Afghan terrorists following the US withdrawal. During a media briefing held on Friday, Baloch underscored Pakistan’s commitment to eradicating terrorism within its territory. She conveyed that Pakistan has communicated its concerns about the recent border incidents to the interim Afghan government, asserting that the spread of weapons necessitates international focus to prevent them from being used by terrorist groups.
Aside from the border issue, the spokesperson also mentioned upcoming international engagements, including the Commonwealth Youth Ministerial Conference in London from September 12 to 15, where Caretaker Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani is expected to interact with leaders from various countries. Additionally, she addressed the ongoing human rights violations in the Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir of India (IIOJK), urging international human rights groups to inform G20 countries about the prevailing restrictions on freedom of expression and the atrocities occurring in the region. She encouraged the Indian government to concentrate on its internal challenges instead of commenting unnecessarily on Pakistan’s affairs. Regarding the economic conditions in Pakistan, she chose not to comment but mentioned the significance of Pakistan’s relationship with Russia and ongoing preparations for a UK visit.
Torkham Border Conflict Disrupts Lives and Business
The Torkham border, a critical crossing point between Pakistan and Afghanistan, experienced closures for two consecutive days due to clashes between the security forces of both nations. The confrontation commenced with a gun battle, with both sides attributing the initiation of the conflict to the other, culminating in the closure of their most bustling trade crossing. This situation has caused significant hardships for civilians, leaving many, including children and women, stranded at the crossing point with halted business activities.
Read: Torkham Border Closure Continues: Trade Halts Between Pakistan and Afghanistan
Moreover, the border closure has resulted in the stagnation of freight movement, with hundreds of vehicles stranded on either side. On Wednesday, Pakistan’s local administration official, Irshad Mohmand, explained that the conflict escalated when the Afghan forces attempted to establish a checkpoint in an agreed neutral zone where neither side is supposed to set up posts. This dispute has further strained the relationship between the two countries, requiring prompt resolution to ease the suffering of citizens and restore normalcy at the border.
Read: Torkham Border Closure: Pakistan-Afghanistan Transit Hub Suspends Operations Amid Clashes
