Pakistan has unilaterally decided to restrict the movement of Afghans coming to Peshawar through the Torkham border, Ilhamuddin Afghan wrote in the Afghan Diaspora Network report, adding that Pakistan’s decision comes as the first two months of 2023 have proved to be deadly for the country with two major terror attacks claiming more than 100 lives.
The two attacks have targeted the security establishment of Pakistan and have been linked to the outlawed terrorist group Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Pakistan has been blaming the Taliban’s inaction in controlling the movement of terrorists linked to the TTP, according to Ilhamuddin Afghan.
Recently, Pakistan tightened security measures and controls at the border crossings with Afghanistan since the TTP has increased terror attacks within Pakistan. Pakistan has turned towards Afghans coming into Pakistan for treatment in a bid to hide its inefficiency in controlling the terror group TTP’s activities in Pakistan, Ilhamuddin Afghan wrote in the Afghan Diaspora Network report.
Afghan forces deployed along the border have been disturbed by Pakistani authorities’ treatment of Afghans at the border posts. According to the news, Pakistani authorities’ treatment of Afghans has resulted in frequent clashes between the forces of both countries.
On February 20, there was an exchange of fire between Pakistani and Afghan border guards at the Torkham border crossing. The Taliban fired upon the Pakistani border guards deployed on the border, Ilhamuddin Afghan wrote in the report. The Taliban even closed the Torkham crossing because Pakistan did not allow Afghans to cross the border for medical reasons, the report said. According to the news report, long lines of heavy trucks have been stranded on both sides of the border as a result of the three-day border closure, causing difficulties for traders and residents on both sides.
