QUETTA: A meeting, presided by Balo­chistan Home Minister Ziaullah Langove, on Wednesday reviewed progress on erecting fence along the Afghan border.

The meeting held in the border town of Chaman decided to accelerate the pace of work on the project because it was important for ensuring security of the border.

Deputy Commissioner of Qila Abdullah Tariq Javed Mengal and other civil and military officials attended the meeting, which also reviewed implementation of the decisions taken earlier about eight villages divided due to fencing.

Mr Mengal and Commander of Chaman Scouts Col Rashid informed the meeting about the situation at the border.

Compensation paid to residents of villages divided by project

Brigadier Wajid from the Southern Command, the additional home secretary and other officials concerned also attended the meeting.

Speaking at the meeting, the minister said that the measures taken for fencing the border with Afghanistan should not be considered “our weakness as it is in the national interest”.

He said the government was taking steps to solve the problems being faced by people because of the construction of fence.

Mr Langove said that the provincial government in collaboration with the military leadership would ensure smooth running of the affairs of the fencing project.

He said the completion of fencing would bring about a positive impact on the country’s economy. “The people of the villages divided by fencing are being given best compensation,” he added.

The minister pointed out that during fencing security personnel faced attacks from across the border and lost their lives, but work on the project continued unabated.

“Completion of fencing will help neighbouring countries gain strategic, defence and economic benefits, as well as eliminate networks of kidnapping for ransom and other crimes,” he said.

Published in Dawn, March 25th, 2021