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Afghan Ambassador Omar Zakhilwal on Saturday said that the border crossings closed by Pakistan in the aftermath of a string of militant attacks will be opened provisionally later on the same day.
The envoy also said in that the border will likely be opened completely within the next 3-4 days.
In the statement, posted to his Facebook account, Zakhilwal also advised Afghans to avoid travelling to Pakistan without proper travel documents.
The envoy said on Thursday that he had written to the Pakistani military leadership to seek the reopening of border crossings.
Pakistan's de facto foreign minister, Sartaj Aziz, in a press conference held on Saturday said the country's border with Afghanistan could not remain closed indefinitely.
The borders were closed in light of security concerns, he said. However, he desisted from providing a timeframe for when the closure would be relaxed.
The closure of the border crossings was ordered by Army chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa on Feb 16, hours after militants struck Lal Shahbaz Qalandar’s shrine in Sehwan, killing 90.
All traffic between the two countries remained suspended since then, creating logistical difficulties for landlocked Afghanistan, which conducts most of its external trade through Pakistan.
A large number of Afghan nationals were also stranded in Pakistan by the decision.
Pakistan has frequently used border closure to express its annoyance with Afghanistan on different issues.
This time, the military closed the crossings to pressurise Kabul to take action against terror outfits that it accuses of taking up sanctuary on Afghan soil and directing attacks from there.
Comments (19) Closed
Do not open border until after the hosting of any major events. This is for the security of everyone involved including the public which is usually caught in the crossfire of this nexus of regional evil i.e. enemy neighbouring states to the east and west.
Afghanistan should give guarantee that their militants will not try to enter Pakistan in disguise. If caught, they will face military courts.
Keep the borders closed for the security and safety of Pakistani people. Make Afghanis abide by the rules and regulations and send Afghan refugees back to their country ASAP.
The border between two countries must remain closed pending securing of national security interest and elemination of identified cross boarder risks. There must be no negotiation on matters that can compromise on national security and internal stability of Pakistan.
Well wishers of Pakistan will not open border with Afghanistan. No need to have any relationship with Afghanistan. Pakistan should secure its borders. The current Afghan government is the most unthankful towards Pakistan, cease all relationship with them. Ultimately the Afghan Taliban will rule their own country.
Keep it closed forever. We don't really have anything good coming through that border anyways.
Keep gate closed. Only open to export our products and NO importing from Afghanistan. Send back all 4 million registered and unregistered refugees. We have been more than accommodating for last 40 years.
Seal the borders.Close these gates forever.
Border must be closed for good, it is better for Afghan to seek help from modi. We have to strike inside Afghanistan to kill terrorist hiding there.
The borders must be kept sealed at least till PSL final is over in Lahore.
Border should be open immediately, however we need to secure the Afghan/Pak border by setting new check post and better border management system .Let the enemy tackle on border not in the cities.
This is a killer border ! Afghans are good for nothing !
The strict border checks are needed but trade must go on.
Afghan's should kick RAW out and see how our brotherly relations flourish. See indian attrocities on IOK muslims and know their true nature of the government.
Open border once and kick all afghans back and ask them next time come with proper documentation. Enough hospitality.
Big No!
It will be a huge mistake if we open the border,kick the refugees out asap.
@PhIlosopher(from japan) dont know them, this means nothing.
if Pakistan Army and Gov want peace then dont open the Pak afghan border