ISLAMABAD – Pakistan Wednesday noted with serious concern the statementissued by the Afghanistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs on October 29, oncross-border firing by the Afghan military across the Pakistan-Afghanistanborder.
The ministry would like to put the record straight that on October 27 and28, Afghan military resorted to unprovoked mortar and heavy weapon firingon Pakistan military’s newly-established posts, which resulted into seriousinjuries to six Pakistan military soldiers, a Foreign Office statement said.
Despite this aggressive action by the Afghan military, the Pakistani sideexercised utmost restraint to avoid further escalation.
According to the statement, as a positive gesture, Pakistan militaryproposed to resolve the issue of newly-established posts through BorderFlag Meeting, joint survey of the area, and a local Jirga involvingelders/Mashran from both the sides.
The Afghan side requested for forwarding the suggestions on joint surveyand Jirga through diplomatic channels.
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The Ministry of Foreign Affairs handed over a Note Verbale to the AfghanCd’A (a.i.) in Islamabad on October 28, proposing joint survey and localjirga. The Afghan side has not responded on the proposal as yet, thestatement said.
It is highly regrettable that despite mutual agreement on utilizingrecognized channels of communication, Afghanistan has chosen to raise theissue through a media statement, it said, adding, “We expect that theAfghan Ministry of Foreign Affairs will respond to Pakistan’s proposals.”
“We consider the Pakistan-Afghanistan border as an internationallyrecognized official border between the two countries in accordance with allrelevant international laws and conventions. The Afghan position on thisissue is unwarranted, which should be avoided,” The Foreign Officestatement said.
