Will not tolerate fencing at the Durand Line; Taliban Commander issues stern warning to Pakistan

Kabul/Islamabad: – Taliban Commander Moulavi Sanaullah Sangin issued a stern warning ‘Whatever Pakistan has done at the Durand line till date is history. But subsequently, Pakistan will not be allowed to erect a fence at the Durand Line. Taliban will never tolerate this.’ A few hours ago, the Pakistani government and army announced that a complete fence would be erected along Afghanistan’s 2,600 km long border. After that, this Taliban commander warned Pakistan during an interview with an Afghan news channel.

In the last few days, the Taliban have torn down fences, wires and poles along the Durand Line in front of the Pakistani army. The Taliban are alerting Pakistan by posting videos and photographs on social media. The Pakistani media is questioning the government of Prime Minister Imran Khan, who has been advocating for the Taliban at the international level. The Pakistan media posed a vitriolic question to Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi ‘What is Pakistan doing while the Taliban is uprooting the fencing at the Durand Line?’

While speaking regarding the matter, Foreign Minister Qureshi said that constructing a barbed-wire fence at the Afghan border would continue as planned. On Wednesday, Pakistan Army spokesman Major General Babar Iftikhar also clarified that there was no problem erecting a barbed-wire fence at the border and that the work would continue. Although the army faced resistance at certain locations, it was only a localised problem. The Pakistan army spokesman informed that the question was also raised with the Taliban government.

Taliban commander Sanaullah Sangin told an Afghan news agency that constructing a fence at the Durand Line would no longer be tolerated. Although Pakistan had fenced off the Durand Line when the Taliban was not in power in Afghanistan, the Taliban is now in power and will no longer tolerate the fence, Sangin said. A few days ago, the Pakistani army launched a mortar attack in Afghanistan’s Kunar province. Even the Taliban launched 32 mortar attacks. The Taliban Commander made Pakistan aware of the dire consequences.

Meanwhile, Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid and Defence Ministry spokesman Inayatullah Khwarizmi backed the action at the Durand Line. A spokesman for the Taliban had said that the Durand Line issue was still unresolved and that the fence, which divides the Pashtun population into both sides, would not be accepted. It also announced that the Taliban had set up at least 30 security checkpoints to monitor the Durand Line. Pakistani media claim that these Taliban posts at the Durand Line are a warning for Pakistan. Some journalists suggest that Pakistan will have to adopt a firm stand regarding the Taliban.