In a major effort to curb illegal crossing of Pak-Afghan border, Pakistan is all set to launch the border management system at Torkham, which will be operational from the first of June. Approximately 10,000-15,000 people cross the border every day without proper travel documents. After the system becomes operational, no one will be allowed to cross into Pakistan without a valid passport. Certain FIA laws have been extended to the area to fill the legal loopholes. The system will be replicated on all border check posts along the 2450-kilometer-long border. The move has been a part of a comprehensive project to secure the Durand Line, which has been a bone of contention between the two neighbours for decades. Under the National Action Plan Pakistani authorities began the process of securing the border after the Army Public School (APS) attack. The border has been neglected for decades due to the boundary line dispute between the two countries. It is believed that most of the terrorist attacks happening in Pakistan originate from the Afghan territory. Moreover, smuggling of goods, as well as drug trade, has continued through the porous border for decades. It is a welcome step on the part of Pakistani authorities to curb these menaces.
Due to dispute on the border, the Torkham interchange was closed by Afghan authorities in the wake of border fencing by Pakistan. The sincerity on sealing the border is evident from Pakistani border forces handing over Angoor Adda to their Afghan counterparts as a goodwill gesture. But in the wake of the death of Mullah Mansour Akhtar in Pakistan, questions raised towards alleged involvement of Pakistani authorities, ‘protection’ of terrorists in its territory, the move might be just eyewash. There are 535 Pakistani check posts on the border, yet approximately 15,000 people cross the border every day. In order to strengthen border security, it is imperative to pinpoint elements within security forces involved in illegal border crossings. Moreover, until Pakistan does not stop distinguishing terrorists with tags of ‘good’ and ‘bad’, many more Mullah Mansour’s would continue to cross the border with illegal identities. It is not just a matter of securing the border; it should also involve cleansing of mindsets of the Pakistani authorities.
Pakistan has been in turmoil for over a decade now. Due to relative stability in the past few years, the economy has shown some signs of revival, and government should focus on issues at hand within the country rather than indulging in political games in neighbouring countries. Conditions of education, health, and other social sectors are deteriorating, and in the light of different crises within the country, the sealing of border is a welcome step. It would go a long way to curb smuggling of goods across the border, saving national exchequer from massive losses.
All institutions of the state of Pakistan — civilian and military — must stand united in their efforts to eliminate terrorism and militancy in all its forms from Pakistan. For the short and long-term stability of Pakistan on all levels, there must be no ambiguity about remaining focused on pursuit of peace within and without all borders of Pakistan. http://dailytimes.com.pk/editorial/01-Jun-16/the-porous-pak-afghan-border
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