KARACHI: Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has claimed that Afghan nationals living in Pakistan had managed to join the army, with one individual even reaching the rank of captain, before they were dismissed.

The minister made this revelation during an interview with DawnNewsTV earlier this week.

Mr Asif added that during his stint as the defence minister during the previous PML-N tenure, he signed files to dismiss Afghan citizens who were serving in the army.

“One of them was [a] captain and another was [a] lieutenant,” the minister said while referring to the ranks of commissioned officers.

He added that the officers’ father wrote a letter claiming that even though he was an Afghan national, he had been living in Pakistan for years and had properties and business in Quetta.

The minister said that all over the world, borders with neighbouring countries have sanctity. “But there is no sanctity of the Durand Line.”

“Anyone can enter our nation, live here for years, get ID cards and even join the army,” he added.

The defence minister said Pakistan wants similar border crossing protocols with Afghanistan as it has with India.

Published in Dawn, March 20th, 2024

Opinion

Merging for what?

Merging for what?

The concern is that if the government is thinking of cutting costs through the merger, we might even lose the functionality levels we currently have.

Editorial

Dubai properties
Updated 16 May, 2024

Dubai properties

It is hoped that any investigation that is conducted will be fair and that no wrongdoing will be excused.
In good faith
16 May, 2024

In good faith

THE ‘P’ in PTI might as well stand for perplexing. After a constant yo-yoing around holding talks, the PTI has...
CTDs’ shortcomings
16 May, 2024

CTDs’ shortcomings

WHILE threats from terrorist groups need to be countered on the battlefield through military means, long-term ...
Reserved seats
Updated 15 May, 2024

Reserved seats

The ECP's decisions and actions clearly need to be reviewed in light of the country’s laws.
Secretive state
15 May, 2024

Secretive state

THERE is a fresh push by the state to stamp out all criticism by using the alibi of protecting national interests....
Plague of rape
15 May, 2024

Plague of rape

FLAWED narratives about women — from being weak and vulnerable to provocative and culpable — have led to...