Pakistan rejects Afghanistan's claim over border constructions

Pakistan on Tuesday rejected Afghan government's claim that Pakistani military has started unilateral construction and is engaged in physical reinforcement activities along the border in the eastern Ningarhar province.Afghan Foreign Ministry said on Monday that it has conveyed grave concern about the development to the Pakistani ambassador in Kabul, Muhammad Sadiq and demanded halt to all activities.Afghan Deputy Foreign Minister, Jawed Ludin, told Ambassador Sadiq that these activities are against all accepted international norms, provocative and unacceptable to the Afghan government, and that the government of Pakistan must halt them immediately, an Afghan Foreign Ministry statement said.Responding to the assertions by the Afghan Deputy Foreign Minister, the Pakistan Foreign Ministry Spokesperson said that Pakistan has an old post called Gursal well inside Pakistani territory bordering Nangarhar Province of Afghanistan, which is under routine renovation.He said that both sides are supposed to inform any new construction closer to border areas under the recently signed Tripartite Border SOP."Despite being a renovation work, Pakistan shared this information with the Afghan side as a gesture of goodwill. The same was also shared with the Afghan visiting delegation to Mohmand Agency on 24 January 2013," the Pakistani spokesman said.He said the renovation of the post is primarily meant to interdict terrorists and criminals as well as better management of the border area between Afghanistan and Pakistan."Afghan Deputy Foreign Minister Jawed Ludin's recent concerns about construction and physical reinforcement along the Afghan border are therefore not in keeping with the spirit of the understanding on good border management and the recently signed Tripartite Border SOP".He said Better managements of the border through strengthening border posts located in each other's territory are in the interest of the two countries to have an effective check over terrorists and criminals. Pakistan suggests to the Afghan Government to take similar measures on their side of the border posts.The Spokesperson added that Pakistan remains committed to extending all possible support and facilitation for peace, reconciliation and stability in Afghanistan.