Pak opposition nails Sharif regime on 'unwise' border closure with Afghanistan

A debate in Pakistan's parliament turned acrimonious on Tuesday, when the opposition accused the Nawaz Sharif-led PML-N federal government of being unwise and illogical in sealing the border with Afghanistan, and demanded a for revisiting the country's foreign policy and appointment of a foreign minister.

Moving a motion on the government's foreign policy, Pakistan People's Party (PPP) MNA Shahida Rehmani was quoted by the Dawn, as saying that the closing of the border with Afghanistan was not a solution to ending the menace of terrorism.

A majority of opposition members criticized the government for not appointing a full time foreign minister and termed it as a major reason for a failed foreign policy.

PTI MNA Dr. Shireen Mazari asked whether by closing Pakistan's border with Afghanistan, terrorism would cease to exist in the country.

She suggested that the government should also consider closing the country's border with India because of alleged ceasefire violations along the Line of Control (LoC) in Kashmir.

It may be recalled that Pakistan's border with Afghanistan was sealed following the suicide bombing at the Lal Shahbaz Qalandar shrine in Sindh last month after military authorities claimed the attacks were carried out by the militants operating from Afghanistan.