Pakistan to re-open Chaman border after Afghanistan apologizes for Aug 18 incident

QUETTA - Pakistan and Afghanistan on Wednesday consented to re-open the Friendship Gate at the Chaman border on Sept 1st after Afghanistan apologized for the August 18 incident that saw Afghans protesting against Pakistan by pelting stones at the border.

The border was closed after angry Afghan protestors had desecrated the Pakistani flag and pelted stones at the Pakistani side.

During the fifth flag meeting between Pakistan and Afghan border forces, Afghan General Muhammad Ali said the incident was a misunderstanding. He further added that those involved were enemies of both Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Trade activities at Pakistan-Afghanistan border at Chaman were badly affected by the closure of Bab-e-Pakistan Friendship Gate, long ques of vehicles and trucks waited for the reopening of the border.

Apparently, Afghans were showing their support to India by disrespecting the Pakistani flag and throwing stones at the border crossing gate after the Narendra Modi’s August 15 speech.

Frontier Corps (FC), a paramilitary force, closed the border to avert any untoward incident after afghan border forces did not stop people on their side from damaging the order.