The Afghan delegation arrived in Islamabad following a telephone conversation of Sartaj Aziz, Adviser on Foreign Affairs with Afghan National Security Adviser Hanif Atmar on 15 June 2016 to address the situation arising from recent events at the Torkham border crossing and to find a way forward on efforts towards border management. "Today's talks between the two delegations were held in a cordial atmosphere marked by a mutual desire to amicably resolve border related issues," said Foreign Office spokesperson Nafees Zakaria, adding both sides decided to work in the spirit of good neighbourly relations and friendly cooperation between the two countries.
He further said that the two sides agreed that the ideas generated in today's deliberations will be shared with the leadership and further discussed and refined during a meeting between the Adviser and the Afghan Foreign Minister on the sidelines of the forthcoming SCO Summit in Tashkent on 23-24 June 2016. During the discussions, he said that it was emphasised that there was a need for creating a suitable mechanism for consultation on border management issues. "Effective border management is vital for promoting peace, countering terrorism and strengthening relations between the two countries", he added. The Afghan Deputy Minister Hekmat Khalil Karzai also paid a courtesy call on Adviser to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz.
Reuters adds: Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmed Chaudhry on Monday informed the Afghan delegation that Pakistan planned to build four gates at different points on the crossing, a Pakistani foreign office official said. "There was no final agreement but we have informed them (Afghanistan) of our position," the official said, requesting anonymity as he was not authorised to speak to the media.
"These gates are important for the safety and security of both Pakistan and Afghanistan." A second Pakistani official said the foreign policy chiefs would hold further discussions at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Tashkent later this week.
A statement from the Afghan foreign ministry said the talks were held in an "amicable and friendly atmosphere" but said Karzai had raised what it called "various violations" by Pakistan, including setting up checkpoints in Afghan territory. "Moreover, he strongly protested against Pakistan's ongoing unprovoked artillery shelling of Afghan villages," it said.
Thousands of vehicles normally pass through the crossing every week, making it a vital trade link between the countries. On Monday, dozens of Pakistani traders protested outside the provincial assembly in Peshawar, demanding that Afghan refugees be deported. Pakistan hosts some 2.5 million Afghans who have fled fighting in their home country. A protest leader said the free movement of Afghans into Pakistan had destroyed peace in the country and needed to be checked.