- Kharlachi border crossing remains closed following exchange of fire between Pakistani and Afghan forces
- Elders report efforts from both sides to broker a ceasefire, with a ‘grand jirga’ expected today
- Foreign Office spokesperson says Kabul has been informed of Pakistan’s ‘deepest concerns’ about the situation
KURRAM: Clashes between Pakistani and Afghan forces intensified on Friday, leading to significant displacement from villages near the Kharlachi border crossing. The Pakistani Foreign Office has expressed its deep concerns to Kabul regarding the escalating situation.
Local sources reported that tribal elders from Kurram and Afghanistan gathered at the border to negotiate a halt to the fighting. The ongoing conflict has prompted locals to evacuate to safer areas, leading to the closure of schools and suspension of cross-border trade at the Kharlachi-Borraki border crossing.
Jalal Bangash, a tribal elder from Kurram, told Presstonight that representatives from both sides were working together to broker a ceasefire and find a peaceful resolution.
Another elder, Haji Zamin Hussain, mentioned that the cause of the recent clash remains unclear. However, he noted that elders from both sides had resolved to negotiate a ceasefire to enable further discussions. If successful, a grand jirga is scheduled for today (Saturday) to address and resolve the issue.
At her weekly press briefing, Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch was repeatedly questioned about the situation on the Afghan border. While she did not provide specific details about the ongoing clashes, she emphasized that Pakistan is prepared to defend its security and sovereignty.
“Pakistan has conveyed its deepest concerns about the situation and urges Afghan authorities to ensure that Afghan soil is not used to threaten Pakistan’s security. Effective action should be taken against terror groups that continue to threaten Pakistan, its public, and its security officials,” Baloch stated.
When asked about potential talks with the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) through jirgas, Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch clarified that “no plans to undertake any talks with a terrorist group that continues to threaten Pakistan’s security and has been involved in the killings of Pakistani civilians and law enforcement officials.”
