Pak discusses border management plan with US

Top civil and military authorities of Pakistan have conveyed to a high-level US Senate delegation that Islamabad's effort to manage its border with Afghanistan is vital for its security.

The issue was highlighted by top civil and military officials in their meetings with a high-level American delegation and US Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan Ambassador Richard Olson, who extended Washington's support to Pakistan's border management efforts.

The US Senate delegation, led by Senator John McCain, Chairman of Senate Armed Services Committee, met Army Chief General Raheel Sharif at the GHQ in Rawalpindi. ISI chief Lt Gen Rizwan Akhter also attended the meeting.

The military leadership informed the U.S. delegation of Pakistan's concerns about illegal movement at its border with Afghanistan and shared the proposed border management plan, which includes building gates at all eight border crossings with Afghanistan to regulate the movement of travellers across the border.

The US delegation's visit comes at a time of bilateral tensions following the United States questions on Islamabad's commitment to fight terrorism and its role in bringing normalcy to war-torn Afghanistan, the Express Tribune reports.

The military chief also dilated upon security challenges faced by Pakistan and its contribution in regional stability and global peace.

Matters of mutual interest and regional security, with a particular reference to the Afghanistan situation were discussed.