June 19, 2008	Thursday	Jamadi-us-Sani 14, 1429

PESHAWAR, June 18: Pakistan and Afghanistan with the help of Canada plan to establish a one-window security system at the Torkhum checkpoint aiming to effectively manage the border, control terrorism and smuggling.

“Both countries have agreed to set up a joint facility at the border in a meeting held in the Afghan capital last month wherein the representatives of Planning Commission, Customs, interior, Anti-Narcotic Force and Frontier Corpse from Pakistan and their counterparts from Afghanistan discussed proposals to hammer out a solution to control cross border terrorism and stem the tide of smuggling,” sources said.

The third meeting in this regard was held under the auspices of the Canadian government which was also attended by high-ranking diplomats from the three countries. Two meetings had already been taken place in Dubai and Bhurban in this connection where officials and diplomats had discussed modalities. The fourth meeting to be held in Dubai in a few weeks would give ‘go-ahead’ for translating the plan into practice, they added.

Under the plan, through check-up of vehicles crossing the border everyday would be conducted jointly by officials of both countries, they said, adding that the new system -- run by customs, immigration and anti-narcotics departments of both countries -- would operate a joint-counter to facilitate checking of around 1,800 vehicles that cross the border daily.

Once the plan is approved a joint complex will be established at the border from where vigil would be put on terrorists and other suspicious people. The plan also envisages taking into confidence tribal elders living alongside the border to obtain their support through organising seminars and briefings to apprise them of the impacts of terrorism.

The tribal elders would be extensively briefed as to how terrorism had adversely affected life in the tribal areas and other regions, and their suggestions would be sought to thwart militancy and terrorism. For this purpose, a campaign would be launched via distribution of pamphlets in Pashto, Urdu, Dari and English, the sources said.Participants of the last three meetings, they said, had also agreed on holding joint educational seminars to enable both countries to benefit from each other’s experiences. At present 25,000 to 30,000 persons cross the border daily.

Despite the proposed agreement between the two neighbouring countries to issue special cards, the sources said, to make the new initiative effective, both countries have also agreed to keep contact through specially appointed liaison officers, who would update information.

Furthermore, they added, Pakistan and Afghanistan had also agreed to strengthen intelligence system through joint efforts and a working group in this regard had been formed that would take stock of the decisions and would give a formal shape to the draft of an agreement that would be signed at the tripartite meeting within a few weeks.