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Pakistan expects Kabul to respect its territorial integrity

In a meticulously articulated response, Pakistan, on a somber Monday, cast a discerning light on the Torkham border imbroglio, leveling poignant accusations at Afghanistan. A poignant narrative unfurled, chronicling the genesis of the rift—an alleged transgression involving the construction of an audacious edifice on Pakistani soil, an incendiary act that ultimately precipitated a tumultuous exchange of gunfire, culminating in the pivotal border crossing's abrupt closure, a seismic event that shook the geopolitical landscape on the fateful date of September 6.

The hallowed chambers of the Foreign Office (FO) resonated with a symphony of diplomatic finesse as they issued their rejoinder, encapsulating Pakistan's stance on this grave matter. Contemplating the discourse, the FO scrutinized the statement proffered by the Afghan Taliban concerning the border closure, with discerning acumen. In the measured tones befitting a seasoned diplomat, FO spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch unveiled Pakistan's perspective.

“The statement of the Afghan Ministry of Foreign Affairs comes as a surprise as the Interim Afghan authorities know fully well the reasons for the temporary closure of the Pakistan-Afghanistan border at Torkham," FO spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said in a statement.

Peering deeper into the annals of this multifaceted dispute, the spokesperson disclosed further intricacies. On that fateful September 6, in lieu of an amicable resolution, Afghan troops, it was alleged, had resorted to indiscriminate gunfire—an act that had grave repercussions. Pakistani military posts had been brazenly targeted, and the very infrastructure of the Torkham Border Terminal had borne the brunt of this fury. In a cruel twist of fate, the lives of both Pakistani and Afghan civilians had been thrust into the crucible of peril.

"The indefensible act of unprovoked and indiscriminate firing upon Pakistani border posts defies justification by any measure," Baloch asserted resolutely. This wanton act of aggression had inadvertently bolstered the nefarious elements, casting an ominous shadow over the region.

She elaborated on the malevolent forces that had found sanctuary within Afghanistan, a damning revelation corroborated by the authoritative UN Security Council’s Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team in its most recent report.

In a poignant appeal to the conscience of the international community, Baloch underscored Pakistan's longstanding commitment to fostering a border of peace and amity with Afghanistan. Pakistan's enduring hospitality had seen it welcome Afghan brethren with open arms for decades. A stoic exercise of restraint and a steadfast commitment to dialogue had defined Pakistan's posture, even in the face of persistent, unwarranted provocations from Afghan troops stationed along the Pakistan-Afghanistan Border.

"Temporary closures of the border are only invoked in extremis, such as the regrettable events of September 6 or when Afghan soil becomes a staging ground for terrorist incursions into Pakistan," Baloch lamented, as she unveiled the challenging realities that had compelled such stringent measures.

In a parting salvo, the spokesperson commented on the Afghan Ministry of Foreign Affairs' statement, noting its inclusion of extraneous remarks and unsolicited advice regarding Pakistan's economy and foreign trade. In response, Pakistan stood unwavering in its commitment to facilitating Afghan transit trade, while sternly refusing to countenance the abuse of such a privilege.

Concluding on a note of optimism and an earnest plea, Baloch extended Pakistan's hand in a spirit of constructive dialogue, beckoning both nations to partake in the bounteous fruits of economic connectivity and the prosperity it promises. "We expect the Afghan interim authorities to be cognizant of Pakistan's concerns, to hold inviolate the territorial integrity of Pakistan, and to ensure that Afghan soil remains sacrosanct, devoid of any role as a launching pad for terrorist incursions against Pakistan," she concluded, her words echoing in the corridors of diplomacy.