Posts published in “Day: June 17, 2016”

The writer has served as ambassador to Afghanistan and is a former interior The closing of the Torkham border crossing and the refusal to allow Afghans not possessing relevant travel documents to enter Pakistan was always going to have multi-dimensional ramifications on the course of relations between the two countries, which can now be seen in the tensions on the border that resulted in the tragic martyrdom of a Pakistan Army major. The rationale for…

The question can be rephrased: is ‘strategic depth’ finally buried? We were idiots to get involved in that superpower adventure called the Afghan ‘jihad’. We understood not its ramifications and long-term costs, starry-eyed generals nurturing dreams of Pan-Islamic glory on the back of unrealistic expectations. Even under Gen Raheel Sharif we clung to the pipedream that Pakistan could deliver the Taliban to the negotiating table. This is the impression we conveyed both to the Americans…

The author, a columnist, analyst and TV talk show host, is a retired Group Captain and author of the book Defence & Diplomacy The Taliban, who emerged as a major force in Afghanistan, during the raging civil war which took a toll of millions of lives, were known for their repressive policies. They reigned after assuming control of nearly 95 percent of Afghan territory and were led by the one-eyed cleric Mullah Muhammad Omar. When…

The firing between Pakistan and Afghanistan across the Torkham border might have stopped – at least temporarily – but diplomatic shots were still being launched. Soon after DG ISPR Asim Bajwa announced that the two countries had agreed to a ceasefire, and the construction of a gate on our side of the border, Afghan Ambassador Omar Zakhilwal said no such agreement had been reached. Zakhiwal said he had held a meeting with Pakistani military officials…

The situation continues to be tense at the Torkham border, following new clashes between security forces of Pakistan and Afghanistan after a short-lived ceasefire. With overnight skirmishes killing at least one person, wounding 18 others, and forcing around 200 Pakistani families to relocate to safer areas, it has perhaps become essential for a more permanent solution to end border atrocities between Afghanistan and Pakistan. What is strange is that the most recent spate between the…

The exchange of fire between the border security personnel of Afghanistan and Pakistan at the Torkham crossing was an eruption that needed to be quelled quickly by both sides and that must be handled sensibly if it recurs.Border management and overall tensions in the Pak-Afghan relationship appear to be driving the two sides apart at the moment. Tensions in Torkham began with a Pakistani decision to finally go ahead with new border-control measures that involved…

Ever since the Durand Line was drawn in 1893, it has been the subject of dispute. In modern times, it has been noted for its ‘porosity’ — the border that exists on paper rather than in reality for many of the tribal or nomadic groups that historically straddle it. Guns, drugs and every conceivable type of smuggled goods shuttle to and fro, with at various times the international community calling on both Afghanistan and Pakistan…

TARIN KOT: The Taliban are using child sex slaves to mount crippling insider attacks on police in southern Afghanistan, exploiting the pervasive practice of “bacha bazi” — paedophilic boy play — to infiltrate security ranks, multiple officials and survivors of such assaults told AFP. The ancient custom is prevalent across Afghanistan, but nowhere does it seem as entrenched as in the province of Uruzgan, where “bacha bereesh” — or boys without beards — widely become…

LANDIKOTAL: Pakistani border authorities started construction work on the border gate at Torkham late on Wednesday after a ceasefire following talks with Afghan Ambassador to Pakistan Dr Hazrat Omar Zakhelwal. The decision in this regard was taken jointly by the Pakistan Army and the government.Director General Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Lt General Asim Saleem Bajwa, while addressing a press briefing on two years of the launch of Operation Zarb-e-Azab, said Pakistan was building a check…

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Thursday announced that the border with Afghanistan would be fenced off and more gates constructed and said the small incidents which occurred during border tension should not be named war. In the weekly press briefing here, the Foreign Office spokesman Nafees Zakaria said border management was part of Pakistan’s strategy to counter terrorism.“Other than Torkham, gates would also be installed at other border crossings and there would be no going back in…