Pakistan formally informs Afghanistan of border fencing
IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency
Islamabad, Sept 19, IRNA
Pakistan-Afghan
Pakistan said on Monday that it has formally taken up with Afghanistan the proposal for fencing of Pak-Afghan border.
Last week, President Pervez Musharraf floated the border fencing proposal in a meeting with U.S Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice in New York.
A response from Kabul is awaited, Pakistan Foreign Office spokesman Muhammad Naeem Khan said.
Reports quoted Afghan interior and foreign ministries spokesmen as rejecting President Musharraf's proposal, insisting that some 2500 kilometers border should first be determined.
The Foreign Office spokesman said that no details have yet been worked out about length and cost of the fence.
He however pointed out that it would not be feasible to fence the entire kilometers border.
He said their priority would be to fence those areas from where cross border activity could take place.
Replying to a question, the spokesman said there are still over three million Afghan refugees on Pakistani soil.
He said Pakistan wants them to voluntarily return to their homeland in dignity and honor.
He said efforts are being made for their repatriation through UNHCR and Afghan government and the decision to close or relocate refugees camps in Waziristan, Bajaur and Kurram tribal agencies and Islamabad is part of that process.
2020/235/1420
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