PESHAWAR, May 23: Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Muhammad Ali Durrani on Tuesday hoped that the Afghan government would positively respond to Pakistan’s proposal of border-fencing to stop flow of arms and narcotics into Pakistani territory.

Speaking here at the “meet the press” programme of the Peshawar Press Club, Mr Durrani said Pakistan has made the proposal in good faith and to stop infiltration of unwanted people.

He said Pakistan has taken preventive measures to stop all such movement and urged the Afghan government to reciprocate.

Mr Durrani said hashish, poppy and arms were being smuggled into Pakistan from Afghanistan and referred to an international report that indicated a bumper poppy crop in Afghanistan this year.

He urged the Afghan authorities to destroy the poppy crop and take necessary steps to stop its flow into Pakistan.

Referring to statements from the Afghan leadership, Mr Durrani said these can create unnecessary tension and should be avoided. He said since both the countries were bound in strong religious and historical ties it was important that all issues were settled with trust and understanding.—APP