Border terminals to remain open on Afghan election day, says Pakistan

Pakistani soldiers patrol next to a newly fenced border fencing along with Afghan's Paktika province border in Angoor Adda in Pakistan's South Waziristan tribal agency on October 18, 2017. (File/AFP)

A Pakistani soldier keeps vigil beside a newly fenced border fencing along Afghan border at Kitton Orchard Post in Pakistan's North Waziristan tribal agency on October 18, 2017. (File/AFP)

• Islamabad announced closure of Pak-Afghan border crossings due to security reasons two days ago
• Army chief sees a marked reduction in cross-border attacks in the wake of border fencing

PESHAWAR: Following a request from Afghan authorities, Pakistan decided on Friday to open major border terminals to facilitate the movement of Afghan citizens who want to exercise their voting right in Saturday’s presidential election in Afghanistan.
Two days ago, Pakistan announced to shut the Pak-Afghan border in view of the political contest in the neighboring state, citing security reasons.
According to a Foreign Office statement issued on Friday night, Islamabad received a request from Afghanistan’s Ministry of Defense “on a very short notice for border facilitation and opening of border crossings during Afghan Presidential elections scheduled on 28 September.”
“In spite of security issues along border,” it added, “Pakistan will continue to support its Afghan brothers. Therefore, it has been decided to open major border terminals to facilitate movement of Afghan citizen across the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, so that they are able to exercise their right to vote during the presidential election in Afghanistan.”
Separately, Pakistan’s army chief, General Qamar Javed Bajwa, told tribal elders there was a marked reduction in cross-border terror incidents due to the fencing of the Pak-Afghan border, said an official handout circulated by the military’s public relations wing, ISPR, on Friday.
Interacting with tribal elders from South and North Waziristan tribal districts, he said that enduring peace in Pakistan was contingent on lasting security in Afghanistan.
“Afghanistan is our brotherly Muslim neighbor … We wish for peace in Afghanistan and Pakistan,” he was quoted as saying.
Referring to recent violent incidents, such as IED blasts, Bajwa asked tribal elders to play their role to identify those working for inimical forces.
“We will defeat terrorists with mutual cooperation,” he added.
On the occasion, the tribal elders said the people of the region would support the country’s security forces to maintain law and order in the tribal belt. They also requested the army chief to help ensure speedy completion of development projects.