WASHINGTON - Afghanistan on Tuesday told the UN Security Council in the last three months, Pakistan had violated its territorial integrity and sovereignty at least 56 times by crossing the Durand Line.
The violations would further jeopardise the relationship between the neighbours, Afghanistan’s top diplomat at the United Nations told members of the Security Council.
“We want an immediate end to regular incursions along the Durand Line, which cannot and will not be tolerated by Afghanistan,” said Mahmoud Saikal.
In the last three months alone, at least 56 instances of violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Afghanistan had been recorded, he said, calling it a breach Article 2 (4) of the UN Charter and UN resolution 2131.
“This jeopardises Afghanistan-Pakistan relations at a time when making peace with Pakistan is essential to making peace with the Taliban,” Saikal said.
Banishing the menace of terrorism from Afghanistan, the region and beyond demanded more robust efforts, regionally and globally, by all states, the ambassador believed.
“Now is the time to strengthen the overall international architecture against terrorism. Afghanistan has long advocated the conclusion of a draft Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism,” he said.
This council should ensure all states meet their international obligations with respect to the implementation of the relevant counter-terrorism and sanctions regime resolutions of the General Assembly and Security Council, Saikal continued.
In her address to the Security Council, Pakistan Ambassador Maleeha Lodhi called for greater cooperation on border management to stop the movement of terrorists. “We have a long border which is not easy to control,” she argued.
“There are incursions by TTP terrorists across the international border from Afghanistan. Pakistan has called repeatedly for cooperation to monitor and control the border. Kabul has not been forthcoming so far,” she alleged. (Pajhwok)