Pakistan says Durand Line fencing spat resolved

PESHAWAR (Pajhwok): Kabul and Islamabad have resolved a recent spat on Durand Line spending, pledging to develop consensus before work on the project resumes.

Speaking to a select group of journalists in Islamabad on Friday, a Pakistani official said: “It has been decided that fencing-related issues would be handled in future through mutual agreement.”

On Wednesday, Taliban fighters disrupted border fencing and took away spools of barbed wire from Pakistani security personnel in Kandahar province.

After the tension-fueling incident, defence officials from the two sides met in an effort to resolve the issue. Officials from the Afghan Ministry of Border and Tribal Affairs also attended the talks.

Taliban Defence Minister Mullah Yaqoob visited the area on Wednesday and defused the situation. “The dispute has been settled,” the Pakistani official claimed.

Despite strong opposition from Afghanistan, Pakistan has been fencing the 2600-kilometre-long Durand Line since 2017.

The official insisted work on the fence would continue. “This fence is a reality. About 90 per cent of it has been installed. Not agreeing with it is not an option.”

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