KABUL (SW): Trade and commuting resumed at the Torkham crossing point between Afghanistan and Pakistan on Saturday but analysts believe Islamabad is weary of friendly ties between Kabul and New Delhi.
Afghanistan and Pakistan resumed bilateral trade and cross-border movement after suspension of six days due to deadly cross-border skirmishes. Authorities announced opening of the Torkham Crossing point early on Saturday but the suspension has already inflicted financial toll of multi million dollars, and loss of at least one border security personnel on each side.
Mohammad Ishaq Atmar, an expert on political affairs, told Salam Watandar that the resumption and completion of mega development projects like the Salma Dam have produced fears among Pakistani leadership that Afghanistan is becoming self-reliant and getting closer to India, which is seen as arch enemy there. He added that Pakistan would continue to create more hurdles for Afghanistan and try to impose the Durand Line as international border between the two neighbors. Pakistan would keep pressurizing Afghanistan to dictate the terms of Kabul’s foreign policy, the analyst said.
Ahmad Saeedi, another expert of affairs and former diplomat argued that Pakistan thought the Government of National Unity in Afghanistan would prefer Pakistan over India in terms of ties but the opposite ground realities have made Pakistan weary. “Pakistan proved unreliable that was why Afghanistan strengthened ties with India instead, the projects like Salma Dam and Chabahar Port have resulted in Pakistan pressurizing Afghanistan”, he said.
Pakistan has expressed resolve to go ahead with construction of the controversial gate at the Torkham Crossing point in the zero point, a move pronounced illegal and in violation of norms by Afghanistan.
Deputy Foreign Minister Hekmat Khalil Karzai is scheduled to visit Pakistan to ensure diplomatic solution to the crisis.
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