KHYBER: The second round of much-anticipated negotiations between jirga members of Pakistan and Afghanistan concluded on an optimistic note, with the Afghan delegation seeking a final recess to secure approval from their higher authorities for Pakistan’s proposed conditions.
The two-hour meeting, held on Monday at the Customs Offices (Gumruk) on the Afghan side of the border, saw repeated adjustments in the composition of the Pakistani delegation. Sources within the Pakistani team later briefed Dawn on the discussions, which centered on the contentious construction of a check post near the Zero Point border on the Afghan side.
Pakistani delegates firmly conveyed that any unilateral changes to the existing border structure by Afghanistan would provoke a strong response. “We expressed our desire for a halt to hostilities between the two neighboring countries, and the Afghan side assured us of their commitment to adhering to established border protocols,” the sources revealed.
The Durand Line surfaced indirectly during the talks, with the Afghan delegation pushing for an unconditional reopening of the border, arguing that it should not hinge on construction activities on either side. Tensions flared briefly when Afghan representatives, largely from the Afghan Chamber of Commerce and Industries, compared their proposed check post to Pakistan’s expansive Customs Terminal, located over a kilometer inside Pakistani territory from Zero Point.
Pakistan’s delegation emphasized that reopening the border depended on a temporary ceasefire, potentially lasting until mid-June, allowing both nations’ leadership to address security concerns while keeping the crossing open for legitimate trade and travel. They stressed that Afghanistan’s persistence with the controversial check post would hinder progress on both border reopening and rebuilding mutual trust.
Despite the firm stance, the Afghan side acknowledged Pakistan’s restraint regarding past Afghan projects, such as renovations and the reconstruction of a high-altitude security post atop Shamshad Sar, overlooking Torkham. The meeting ended positively, with Afghanistan requesting additional time to consult their leadership on halting the check post construction and agreeing to a two-and-a-half-month ceasefire during which the border could remain operational.
Within the Pakistani camp, however, dissatisfaction brewed over frequent changes to the delegation’s lineup. Khyber Chamber members reportedly pressured for the inclusion of their preferred candidates, many of whom lacked experience and understanding of the border dispute. Security officials also raised concerns about some nominees. “Tribal customs favor smaller jirgas; a large group turns into a mob and becomes hard to manage,” the sources noted, adding that the Khyber Chamber sought a prominent role, mirroring the Afghan delegation’s commerce-heavy composition.
