Kabul’s ‘irresponsible, unwarranted’ statement on Durand Line runs afoul of Islamabad – Pakistan

The Foreign Ministry has described the renewed refusal of its Afghan counterpart to recognize the international border between Afghanistan and Pakistan as "irresponsible and unjustified."

The statement by the Afghan Foreign Ministry, issued Friday in response to the opening of the 24-hour Torkham crossing by Pakistan earlier this week, emphasized that Kabul "does not recognize the Durand line as an official border between the two countries."

The statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in response stated that "the border between Pakistan and Afghanistan is an internationally recognized official border between the two countries in accordance with all relevant international laws and conventions."

The statement further stressed that Pakistan believes that the 24/7 opening of the new Torkham crossing point is an "important step forward to facilitate people and merchants on both sides."

"Such statements only serve to undermine the resolution of peace and cooperation between the two countries and should be avoided," said the FO.

The statement by the Afghan Foreign Ministry had issued a silent recognition of the Pakistan movement to open the Torkham crossing.

"The Torkham crossing to help patients more and facilitate trade between the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan will work 24 hours," he said.

Prime Minister Imran Khan formally inaugurated the border crossing on Wednesday.

"I think this is a very historic day," he said, noting that trade with Afghanistan had increased 50 percent only in the period when the opening of the border had been tested for a 24/7 opening.