Meeting to reopen Torkham border ‘inconclusive’

A meeting between Pakistani and Afghan border security officials to reach an agreement over the reopening of the Torkham border remained inconclusive on Sunday, according to officials. This was the first meeting between the two sides at the Zero Point after the border was closed on Wednesday following an exchange of fire. In the meeting, the Pakistani side was represented by Khyber Rifles Comm­andant Asim Kiyani, Lt Col Ahmad Mujtaba of Chitral Scouts, Lt Col Zainul Abideen and Maj Shah­abuddin. The Afghan delegation comprised Hafiz Asmatullah Yaqoobi from Gumrak (Customs), Qari Meraj of the border security forces, and Mulavi Takal. Sources said the border security situation was discussed during the meeting. The Afghan side alleged that Pakistani border forces had resorted to firing on September 6 when they tried to build a new security post and rebuild an old one. The Afghan delegation rejected allegations that they had initiated the firing, saying the new post, if established, would help the Pakistani side and wouldn’t be used against them, the sources said.