After a clash earlier this week between the Afghan and Pakistani security forces near the Torkham crossing, Islamabad on Friday called on the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) to exercise restraint and avoid unprovoked acts.
Spokesperson of Pakistan’s foreign ministry, Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, said that Afghan forces opened “indiscriminate fire” at Torkham which was very unfortunate.
Pakistani forces responded appropriately in self-defence, she added.
“We urge the Afghan authorities to exercise restraint and avoid unprovoked acts against Pakistan-Afghanistan border. They must understand that Pakistani forces will always defend their territory,” Baloch said.
She further said that they remain ready to resolve any misunderstandings through established diplomatic channels.
“I would also like to underline that the relationship between Pakistan and Afghanistan is multifaceted, and it encompasses various aspects of bilateral cooperation between the two countries. This is a historic relationship, so seeing this relationship from a narrow prism would not be advisable.”
The spokesperson said Pakistan has consistently raised its concerns about the presence of terrorist hideouts and sanctuaries inside Afghanistan. She said Pakistan expects the Afghan authorities to take effective and robust action against the terrorist groups.
In the recent clash between Afghan and Pakistani forces, three Afghan civilians, including a woman and two children, died, according to the Afghan authorities.
The Ministry of Interior has said that Pakistani forces fired first, and Afghan forces responded destroying two Pakisani posts.
Pakistani officials have repeatedly claimed that attacks in this country are planned in Afghanistan. The Islamic Emirate, however, has rejected the claim and said that Pakistan should look for its security problem in its own territory.
