Afghanistan’s use of media for levelling allegation against Pakistan regretted – Newspaper

ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs regretted on Wednesday that the Afghan government, instead of responding to the Pakistani proposal to address the cause of the recent border skirmishes, has resorted to complaints launched through the media.

"It is very unfortunate that, despite the mutual agreement on the use of recognized communication channels, Afghanistan has chosen to raise the problem through a statement in the media," the FO said in response to a statement issued by the Ministry of Afghan Foreign Relations on cross-border shooting. incidents on Sundays and Mondays.

Clashes broke out on Sunday when Afghan troops used force to stop the construction of the border post. Eleven Pakistanis, five civilians and six soldiers were injured in the clashes.

The Afghan government had accused Pakistan of "violation of international laws", as well as an "explicit violation" of its "national sovereignty."

The FO, in its response, said: "The Ministry would like to clarify that on October 27 and 28, 2019, the Afghan army resorted to unprovoked mortars and heavy weapons firing at the new posts in Pakistan's army, which resulted in serious injuries to six military soldiers of Pakistan. "

He stressed that despite the provocation, Pakistani troops exercised the greatest moderation to avoid further escalation.

Pakistan's army, said the FO, proposed solving the problem of newly established posts through a border flag meeting, a joint survey of the area and a local jirga involving Mashran (Afghan term for the elderly) from both sides .

The proposal was delivered to the interim envoy of Afghanistan in Islamabad for the insistence of the Afghan side to route it through diplomatic channels.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs delivered a Verbal Note to the Afghan Cd’A (a.i.) in Islamabad on October 28, 2019, proposing a joint survey and a local jirga. The Afghan side has not yet responded to the proposal, ”he added.

Posted on Dawn, October 31, 2019