Pakistan has started fencing its entire border with Afghanistan as part of
efforts not only to regulate the movement of people but also to stop
infiltration of terrorists between the long and porous frontier.
The military’s media wing said that in the first phase, high infiltration
prone border areas in Bajaur, Mohmand and Khyber agencies are being
fenced, whereas in the second phase, fencing of the remaining border
areas, including Balochistan, will be executed.
Besides fencing, Pakistan Army and Frontier Corps Khyber-
Pakhtunkhwa are constructing new forts and border posts to improve
surveillance and defensibility.
A security official said that a 2,611km long border — 1,230km in K-P
and 1,381 in Balochistan— with Afghanistan would be fenced. Of 1,230
in K-P, 237km high infiltration prone areas of Khyber Agency, Bajaur
and Mohmand are being fenced in the first phase.So far, 43 border post
and forts have been constructed while another 63 border posts and forts
are under construction, he added. As many as 338 border posts and forts
are in the pipeline which will be completed by 2019. The fencing is part
of the new border mechanism Pakistan has started implementing last
year to check the infiltration of terrorists. Apart from fencing, Pakistan
no longer allows people without a valid passport and visa to enter the
country through key crossing points.
But the move has been opposed by Afghanistan. The key border
crossing at Torkham had to be shut down for four days in April last year
after Afghan security forces fired at the Pakistani post to stop it from
constructing the new gate.
Tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan have been simmering for
many months. Both sides accused the other of turning a blind eye
towards the militant groups operating along their shared border.
China is believed to have decided to mediate between the two countries
to resolve their differences. For this purpose, the Chinese Foreign
Minister is expected to travel to Kabul in coming days.
Pakistan army had launched countrywide crackdown against terrorists
and due to this law and orders situation in the country significantly
improved. Some terrorists runaway and crossed the border and made
sanctuaries in Afghan’s soil. They use Pak-Afghan border for infiltration
inside Pakistan and carry terror incidents. To curb this movement Pak
Army evolved a comprehensive boarder management strategy. Fencing
entire border along with establishment of forts and posts is very crucial
project of border management. It will help to stop movement of terrorist
across the border and will strengthen border security. Afghanistan
instead of creating hurdle in this project should support this effort for
elimination of terrorism form the region. This project is also in the
interest of Afghanistan because it will secure its boarder from illegal
activities. The project would also help check uncontrolled smuggling
and misuse of Afghan Transit Trade which is harming Pakistan’s
economy. Secure Pak-Afghan border is in common interest of both the
countries and a well-coordinated border security mechanism is essential
