Torkham border area between Afghanistan and Pakistan
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty
June 20, 2016
Pakistani and Afghan diplomats met in Islamabad on June 20 to discuss deadly border clashes but failed to reach an agreement about managing their border.
The talks between Pakistan’s Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry and a six-member Afghan delegation, led by Afghan Deputy Foreign Minister Hekmat Khalil Karzai, came a week after exchanges of gun and artillery fire near the Torkham border crossing. Two Afghan border guards and a Pakistani officer were killed.
Each side accused the other of starting the violence, which led Pakistan to temporarily close the Torkham crossing.
The clashes began after Pakistan started building a fence near the border.
Afghanistan does not recognize the present boundary, known as the Durand Line, as an international border.
Karzai said the Afghan delegation raised complaints about “various violations” by Pakistan, including setting up checkpoints in Afghan territory.
Chaudhry said Pakistan plans to build four gates that are “important for the safety and security of both Pakistan and Afghanistan.”
Based on reporting by AP and Dawn.com