Pakistan closes Chaman border over security reasons

F.P. Report

ISLAMABAD: The government of Pakistan on Thursday shut down the Chaman border with Afghanistan for security reasons stopping all kinds of travel across the frontier including trucks carrying goods.

Earlier addressing a ceremony in Islamabad, Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed said that the Pak-Afghan Chaman border might be closed for some time.

“We want peace in Afghanistan,” said Sheikh Rasheed, but insisted that security is paramount and the Frontier Constabulary (FC) has been ordered to take action keeping in view the current situation.

The minister also invited Afghan journalists to Pakistan if they want to come.

The Interior Minister said that due to the situation in Afghanistan, India is in turmoil.

Sheikh Rasheed congratulated the Islamabad police on their outstanding performance. The minister blamed the economic situation for the high rate of crime. He said the capital force neither has the full strength nor the full salaries.

He said Pakistan’s brave Army is present on the borders and country has fenced the frontier as it wants peace and stability in Afghanistan.

Commenting on PML-N president’s statement about formation of a national government, Sheikh Rasheed said that Shehbaz Sharif was talking nonsense. “Opposition will have to talk to the government at last. They should take out a march with enthusiasm while the government will take counter-steps as per the law,” the Interior Minister said.

He said the government was ready for national reconciliation.

“The National Crisis Cell has also been handed over to the Interior Ministry. We are strengthening the ICT police force by 1,500 and 1,200 new cameras will be installed in the federal capital,” he added.

Sheikh Rasheed said police pickets have been completely removed from Islamabad and replaced with the ICT’s Eagle Squad. He also announced to launch Rescue 1122 soon in Islamabad.