Pak trying to reduce tensions with Afghans after clashes

Advisor on foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz told the parliament that he has spoken to Hanif Atmar, National Security Adviser of Afghanistan, and invited him and the Foreign Minister Salahuddin Rabbani to visit Pakistan to discuss cross-border tensions.

Foreign ministry spokesman Nafees Zakaria also said that the matter will be resolved soon. Aziz, however, also said that construction work for a gate at the main border crossing with Afghanistan will be completed soon despite this week’s clashes that left a Pakistani army major and two Afghan border guards dead and at least 20 others injured.

The construction work to build a gate and other structures at Torkham border crossing will be completed soon for better regulating cross-border movement, Aziz said.

Afghanistan remains opposed to the building of the gate at the border crossing.Blaming Afghan security forces for “unprovoked firing”, Aziz said, “Afghan security forces started unprovoked firing on Sunday on Pakistani forces at Torkham border crossing with a view to disrupt the construction of facilities including a gate being undertaken by Pakistan well inside our territory.”