PESHAWAR: In view of the Afghan presidential election on Saturday, Pakistan decided on Thursday to close all border crossing points on September 27 and 28 to enhance security along the frontier and support political transition in Afghanistan, said an official while talking to Arab News.
Assistant Commissioner of Khyber tribal district, Muhammad Imran, said the government would take all necessary measures to avoid any untoward incident at the Torkham border crossing.
“Security has already been in place in the border areas but relevant officials, deputed along the border, have also been instructed to stay vigilant and spot movement of all anti-social elements,” he said.
The upcoming electoral exercise in Afghanistan was delayed twice before due to official security concerns. However, a large number of 9.6 million registered Afghan voters is expected to visit polling stations to cast vote in the fourth presidential ballot since the Taliban regime was toppled in 2001.
Heavy vehicles head toward Afghanistan via Ghulam Khan border in North Waziristan tribal district on January 31, 2019. Pakistan on Thursday decided to close all crossing points along the Pak-Afghan border in view of the upcoming presidential election scheduled to be held on Sept. 28, 2019. (AN photo)
In an official statement issued on Thursday, Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs also proclaimed the closure of border crossings, announcing “strict security check of all pedestrians and trading vehicles from 26-29 September 2019” and “closure of all passage ways/cargo terminals (except for emergency patients) on 27-28 September 2019.”
According to the Afghan media, 16 candidates are striving for the office of the president in their country, including President Ashraf Ghani and Chief Executive Officer Abdullah Abdullah.
The frontrunners have remained rivals for the past five years, though they were also part of the power sharing government.
Hajji Usman, an Afghan businessman and customs clearing agent at the Torkham border, said the closure of the crossing point would negatively impact business activities.
“I think the closure of the border is a futile exercise,” he said. “This will only damage truckloads of fruits and vegetables.”
However, the Taliban issued a statement on Thursday, urging its supporters to use all means necessary to disrupt the presidential election in Afghanistan.
“The Islamic Emirate directs its Mujahideen to prevent this process throughout the country by making use of everything at their disposal and activate their plans for its neutralization,” the statement added.
