Afghanistan summons Pak envoy, protests border violation

The foreign ministry of Afghanistan has lodged a formal protest with Pakistan over reported border violations by the latter after the closure of Torkham, Spin Boldak, Ghulam Khan and Angur Adda border crossings.

A statement issued by the foreign affairs ministry said the protest was conveyed to Pakistan's Ambassador Syed Abrar Hussain on Monday.

Pakistani troops, reportedly, resorted to rocket shellings over Khas Kunar, the Dara-e-Shali, Sarkano, Dara-e-Noli, Shadi Khel, and Dara-e-Shongri areas.

Director of the first Political Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Mosa Arefi also expressed deep concern over the persecution and force deportation of Afghan refugees by Pakistan's government and considered it in contrary to all tripartite obligations among Afghanistan, Pakistan and UNHCR.

Arefi said that the Turkham Gate is still closed which is a clear violation of all international norms of WTO and trade agreements between Afghanistan and Pakistan.

"This closure also causes the Afghan and Pakistani businessmen as well as general public being affected every day," the statement read.

Pakistan's Ambassador said he would convey Afghanistan's concerns to authorities back home.

This is the third time that the Pakistani envoy has been summoned in the past two weeks as tensions between the neighbouring countries over terrorism and cross-border shelling escalated.