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December 26, 2006

Pakistan, Afghanistan Bickering Endangers Lives of Millions of Tribesmen

By Muhammad Khurshid

The latest squabbling between Afghanistan and Pakistan over fencing the border has created great terror in the tribal areas. According to the people of tribal areas the latest war of words between the two the countries over mining and fencing the border in the tribal areas is nothing but a bid to pressure the United States to pay them more dollars.

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The people of Bajaur Agency and other parts of Tribal Areas situated on the Pak-Afghan border have expressed great concern over the bickering of Pakistan and Afghan over mining the border region as according to them, rulers of both the countries have just been trying to receive more dollars from the United States. They wondered if a decision of serious nature has been taking place and no one bothered to ask them what they wanted. They questioned whether they are not human beings. They said that in the name of the war on terrorism millions of people mostly children and women were killed or maimed, but now both the countries have started a war of words. According to them, what both the countries want to achieve. Both the countries have forgotten that they are allies in the war on terrorism launched by the United States. The tribesmen have appealed to the United States and human right organisations to take notice of this new situation. They said that laying of landmines in their areas will endangered the lives of already suffered people. They said that they are ready for direct talks with the United States. A report said that the Pakistani army has been tasked to "work out modalities of selectively fencing and mining the border" with Afghanistan, Foreign Secretary Riaz Mohammad Khan told a news conference. Khan said Pakistan will also closely monitor designated crossing points. Pakistan has also decided to strictly monitor the Afghan refugee camps. Khan requested the international community to expedite the process of repatriating the refugees. Afghanistan said it opposed the move of fencing the border. "Rather than beating about the bush, we must confront terrorists in a real manner," an Afghan presidential spokesman said. In a statement issued by thousands of tribesmen, the tribal elders have expressed their anguish over the latest decision. They said that according to the law of the land the tribal elders may be taken into confidence before taking decision about their areas, but in this case the tribal elders are being completely ignored.

Authors Website: https://voiceforpeace.wordpress.com/

Authors Bio:

Muhammad Khurshid, a resident of Bajaur District, tribal areas situated on Pak-Afghan border is journalist by profession. He contributes articles and news stories to various online and print newspapers. His subject matter is terrorism. He is also heading Voice For Peace working against terrorism in tribal areas. The aim of the Voice For Peace is restoration of peace in Bajaur Agency, tribal areas and whole world. He is looking for freelance and correspondent work from media organizations, to cover the part of the world where Al Qaeda and the Taliban are most active.


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