Border with Afghanistan remains shut on the fourth day

                                                                             Corps Commander Peshawar visits Shalman

Gen Nazir Butt meets Pak-army soldiers on borderposts

KHYBER AGENCY:Corps Commander Peshawar Lieutenant General Nazir Butt visited the forward Pakistan’s army posts in Loey Shalman, the border village with Afghanistan, and briefed about the current situation on the Pak-Afghan border, official sources said on Monday.

Meanwhile, all kinds of trade and commerce activities with Afghanistan and central Asian countries remained halted on the fourth day of border closure that had been taking place via various border pints in Khyber,Kurram and North Waziristan Agencies.

Corps Commander Peshawar, Lt General Nazir Butt visited various Pakistan army check posts in Loey Shalman. He was briefed about the ongoing situation on the border and informed him about recent actions so far taken against the militants hiding in Afghanistan. General Nazir Butt also met with the army soldiers and officers. He lauded their sacrifices rendered for the protection of homeland.

A statement released by Inter Public Service Relation (ISPR) stated that Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa chaired a high level security meeting in Rawalpindi. COAS streesed upon a joint effort with Afghanistan to eliminate their common enemy. It said in the statement that Pakistan and Afghanistan should fight against terrorists above hue and color. Gen, Bajwa welcomed the Afghan government suggestions said they would extend security cooperation so that they could block terrorists to cross the Pak-Afghan border.

Torkham bazaar and other public and private offices were remained closed on the fourth day as the security forces had imposed curfew on the border with Afghanistan.

Traders and transporters have asked the government to reopen the border with Afghanistan for trade activities. They said traders and transporters were supporting the government stance against terrorism but it was unbearable loss for both the government and private businessmen to halt import and export with any of the countries.

All Torkham  Custom Agents president, Hayatullah Shinwari ,told The News that not only Pakistan Customs was affecting due to the closure of the border but more than five hundred shops, two hundred hotels and private business offices at Torkham border were remained closed on the fourth day. He said around five thousands daily wagers on the Pakistani side of the Torkham were waiting for resuming their jobs.

Shinwari said they were in favor of Pakistan’s stance against terrorists and action taken on the border with Afghanistan. He said it would be better to allow only trade and business with Afghanistan and central Asian countries.