KABUL - Some Wolesi Jirga members on Wednesday expressed concern over the government’s silence on the ongoing fencing of the Durand Line by Pakistan.
Mualvi Tarakhel Mohammadi, a Kuchi representative in the lower house, said: “If a deal is reached on the line’s fencing, the public should know that otherwise it is the government is responsible to defend national sovereignty and not let Pakistan install the fences on Afghans’ chest.”
The lawmaker said if the government alone could not stop the fencing, it should let the nation action on their own.
He criticized the government and said: “We do not know why the government is silent about this action of Pakistan.”
Saleh Mohammad from northern Kunduz province also said the government should stop fencing the Durand Line otherwise the public would do it on their own.
A number of other lawmakers held similar views.
Second deputy speaker, Mohamamd Nazir Ahmadzai, who chaired Wednesday’s session, said recent British envoy’s statements about the Durand Line were against diplomatic norms and was interference in Afghanistan’s affairs.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs should stop foreign diplomats from interfering in our country’s affairs, foreigners should not be allowed to talk about Afghans’ properties,” he said.
The British envoy to Kabul, Sir Nicholas Kay, recently told the BBC that the Durand Line was a recognized border between Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Ahmadzai said the government’s silence about fencing of the Durand Line was worth concerning, asking the leaders to clear their stance on the matter or reveal if any deal had reached with the Pakistani side.
“If the government does not take action, the people are ready to prevent fencing process on the Durand Line,” he warned.
The National Security Council (NSC) in a statement about recent British envoy’s remarks said: “We want foreign diplomats and representatives to respect historical right of Afghanistan and understand this country’s sensitive issues and priorities including the Durand Line.”
Mohammad Nazir Ahmadzai, meanwhile, condemned attack on Shamshad TV channel and a police training center in Maidan Wardak province and asked security and detective organs to identify and arrest the perpetrators.
“The attack on Shamshad TV was an attack on the people’s voice and the freedom of speech and the militants would never be able to silence people’s voice with such acts”, he said. (Pajhwok)