KANDAHAR (Pajhwok): A delegation of Pakistani religious scholars and businessmen arrived in southern Kandahar province yesterday and discussed with local officials recent violent clashes between Afghan and Pakistani forces along the Spin Boldak-Chaman crossing.
The 16-member Pakistani team, which included religious scholars and businessmen, said violent incidents and clashes were not in the interest of local residents and businessmen on both sides of the Durand Line and should be prevented from being repeated.
Haji Zaid, the Kandahar governor spokesman, told Pajhwok Afghan News that officials led by deputy governor of Kandahar Maulvi Hayatullah Mubarak held talks with the Pakistani scholars and businessmen in Span Boldak district late yesterday.
He said the recent incidents of violence and clashes along the Durand Line were comprehensively discussed during the meeting. He said the Pakistani side requested there should never be violence and war along the Durand Line as all the people living on both sides were Muslims, one nation and one tribe.
“The Islamic Emirate delegation told the Pakistanis that we want both sides to live like brothers because they have inseparable relations, we always want to solve problems through dialogue, our forces took action in defense of their territory”.
Residents and businessmen of Kandahar also say only Afghans and businessmen on both sides of the Durand Line suffer when there is a conflict.
Haji Abdul Bari, a businessman from Spin Boldak district, said: “The war is completely against our interest. Pakistan always seeks an excuse to close the crossing and Pashtuns on both sides suffer and Pakistan is unconcerned about that, so every issue should be solved through dialogue”.
Another businessman from Kandahar, Abdul Qadir, said first there should never be a war and in case of any problem, the gate should not be closed.
“You can’t believe in Pakistan’s words, but still such a decision should be reached that if a problem occurs, the Friendship Gate should never be closed.”
Mohammad Yaqub, a resident of Kandahar, said: “Pashtuns live on both sides and they suffer when there is a problem, so we request the Islamic Emirate not to give Pakistan an excuse to close the road.”
Officials say the Pakistani delegates told them they would seriously share all topics discussed at the meeting with officials of their country and the Afghan side also assured them that they would never prefer war.
The Afghan Ministry of Defense last week said Pakistani forces again fired at the zero point of Spin Boldak-Chaman crossing and killed and wounded civilians.
On the other hand, the Pakistan army claimed it was the Afghan side that first fired shots and they gave a befitting but measured response.
One person was killed and 15 others were injured in the firing from the Afghan side, the military said.
Reacting to the incident, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan summoned the charge d’affaires of the Afghan Embassy in Islamabad.
“Afghan Chargé d’Affaires in Islamabad was called to the foreign ministry and Pakistan’s strong condemnation was conveyed over recent incidents of unprovoked cross-border shelling resulting in a loss of life, injuries and damage to property,” the Pakistani Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement on Friday.
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