The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Friday summoned the Afghan charge d’affaires in Islamabad and issued a strong condemnation over the recent incidents of unprovoked cross-border shelling by Afghan Border Security Forces in the Chaman-Spin Boldak area. “It was reiterated that the protection of civilians remained the responsibility of both sides and that the recurrence of these incidents must be prevented.

It was agreed to use established institutional mechanisms in this regard,” a press release issued by the FO said. “Pakistan remains committed to maintaining fraternal relations with Afghanistan. Peace along the Pak-Afghan border is intrinsic to this end,” it added. The FO statement comes a day after armed clashes erupted between security forces from Pakistan and Afghanistan at the border in Chaman, leaving at least one dead and 15 others injured.

Credit : Independent News Pakistan-INP