ISLAMABAD: Afghanistan has requested Pakistan for de-escalation and reopening of border crossing points between the two countries, said Foreign Office on Wednesday.

According to the FO, the request was made by Afghan Deputy Chief of Army Staff Gen Murad Ali Murad during a meeting with Ambassador of Pakistan Syed Abrar Hussain in Kabul on Monday.

The ambassador was invited for the meeting through the ministry of foreign affairs. Defence Attaché Brig Farooq Zaman accompanied him.

Gen Murad highlighted the sufferings of people due to the closure of the border and cross-border shelling from Pakistan and sought reduction in tensions.

He promised that action would be against terrorists on the basis of shared information.

In his response, Ambassador Hussain informed the general about the circumstances behind actions taken by Pakistan. He said that Afghan nationals were involved in recent terrorist attacks in Pakistan and urged Afghanistan to take appropriate measures for denying use of its soil by terrorists against Pakistan.

He said that the border was closed to prevent crossing by terrorists and stressed the need for efforts by both countries to strengthen border management.

The ambassador, however, promised to convey the Afghan request to Islamabad.

Published in Dawn, March 2nd, 2017