Valid papers vital to enter Pakistan, says Sartaj Aziz

Pakistan said on Sunday that no one from Afghanistan will be allowed to cross into Pakistan without valid documents.

Adviser to the Prime Minister on national security and foreign affairs, Sartaj Aziz, said the gate on Torkham border in Pakistani area will certainly be constructed.

In an interview to BBC Urdu, he said Pakistan will strongly retaliate to any attack from Afghanistan. “Issues like extremism and smuggling cannot be controlled without setting up the system of border management,” Mr Aziz affirmed. He clarified that Pakistan had informed the Afghan authorities that from June 1 no one will be allowed to cross the border without documents.

“Movement across the border from both the sides should be done with the aid of documents,” Mr Aziz added.

He also said that Pakistan has not breached any agreement by constructing a gate on the Torkham border.

Mr Aziz also explained that the gate is being constructing in Pakistan’s territory and is 30-35 km away from the border, therefore, no one has the right of objection to this.

Pakistan-Afghanistan border had been opened for travellers on Saturday after six days of tensions and curfew owing to clash over construction of a gate.

Meanwhile on Sunday, Pakistan Ex-servicemen Association (Pesa) fully supported the hard-line stance of Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif in the backdrop of unprovoked attack of Afghan troops on the Torkhum border post.

It criticised lukewarm reaction of the foreign office while invitation to Afghan foreign minister was considered premature as he should have been invited after giving Afghans a proper taste of our retaliation.

The association, in a meeting, supported the decision by the Army that refugees going back to Afghanistan will not be allowed to re-enter Pakistan without proper documentation as the operation Zarb-e-Azb had entered in the final phase which cannot be compromised.

It condemned firing by Afghan troops and criticised conduct of Afghan ambassador who threatened Pakistan of dire consequences for insisting on improved border management system.