ISLAMABAD: The Pakis­tan Peoples Party (PPP) on Sunday welcomed the government’s decision to fence the border with Afghan­istan, saying the border management with the war-torn country was critical to peace.

In a statement issued by the PPP Secretariat, the party’s co-chairman and former president Asif Ali Zardari said: “Border management with Afghanistan with mutual consultation is critical for addressing issues of militancy and terrorism and for peace in the region.

“Proper securing of borders with mutual consultation will put an end to allegations of cross-border incursions of militants that have vitiated the relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan.”

The statement came a day after media reports that fencing of the border with Afghanistan along the areas of Bajaur and Mohmand has begun.

The fencing is part of a multibillion-rupee border management plan that involves building hundreds of small forts and installation of radars, sensors and other technical surveillance equipment to effectively check cross-border movement.

The commencement of the fencing was announced by Chief of the Army Staff Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa during a visit to border areas in Mohmand on Saturday.

Mr Zardari said it was unfortunate that relations between the two countries had plunged to a low in recent times and called for concerted and sincere efforts by both countries to overcome mistrust and suspicions.

Published in Dawn, March 27th, 2017