The Pakistan Army has committed to completing the fence along the Durand Line. On the border with Afghanistan despite the Taliban’s warning.
The Pakistan Army Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) chief Maj Gen Babar Iftikhar on Wednesday confirmed. That the fencing of the 2,600km-long border with Afghanistan completed despite the Taliban’s statement that. They will not allow fencing by Pakistan on the Durand Line.
This is not the first time that this verbal clash has surfaced as the two neighboring countries. Have been in a state of tension on the border fencing issue.
Addressing a media conference at the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) office, Iftikhar said. “There is no problem, the fencing is continuing and will continue.”, reported Dawn News.
This statement and reaffirmation by the Pakistani spokesperson downplay the Taliban’s recent statements. Where they made clear that they will not allow fencing by Pakistan on the Durand Line.
According to Tolo News, Malawi Sanaullah Sangin, commander of the Taliban group said on Wednesday, “We (Taliban) will not allow the fencing anytime, in any form. Whatever they (Pakistan) did before, they did, but we will not allow it anymore. There will be no fencing anymore,”
The government is in touch with the Afghan interim government,”.
He emphasized the cordial nature of Pakistan’s relations with the Taliban, Afghanistan’s de facto government.
The fencing was a main reason behind the souring of relations between previous U.S.-backed Afghan governments and Islamabad. The current standoff indicates the matter remains a contentious matter for the Taliban, despite its close ties to Islamabad.