The British-era Durand line continues to be a thorn in the relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan, with the Taliban leadership once again reiterating its stand that the line does not constitute the official border between both countries.
In a bold statement, Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanikzai, the deputy minister of foreign affairs of the Taliban, firmly stated that Afghanistan will never recognize the Durand Line and that the condition of visa and passport cannot be implemented by Pakistan.
This statement from the top Talibani leadership came when Pakistan made visas and passports mandatory for the cross-border movement of people and goods. Before this, only identification cards were required for in and out movement between both countries.
Stanikzai made these remarks during an event in Logar commemorating the 35th anniversary of the Soviet Union’s withdrawal from Afghanistan.
He said that the British had drawn this line on the hearts of Afghans, and no one could separate the tribes on both sides of the line, adding that today half of Afghanistan lies on the other side of the Durand Line
Stankizai said, “This is the imaginary line that the British have crossed over the hearts of Afghans and today our eastern neighbour is pulling out the refugees in a ruthless manner and telling them to go to their homeland.”
He further said that Pakistan has installed barbed wire in the territory of Afghans and is now demanding visas and passports from Afghans, adding that these visas and passports are not acceptable and cannot be implemented”.
Referring to the tribes living on both sides of the Durand, Stanakzi said, “No one can separate these tribes and if Pakistan continues with its actions, the Bengal scenario of 1971 will be repeated and these areas will then get freed.”
Pakistan responded quickly to the remarks of the senior official of the Taliban government and said that no one can change the facts of international laws with futile and selfish claims.
Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, spokesperson of Pakistan’s Foreign Office, responded to the remarks of the Deputy Foreign Minister of the Taliban government and said that vain claims and statements cannot change the history or the facts of international laws.
She said we are advising Afghanistan that instead of attracting the public’s attention through such remarks at the national level, they should address Pakistan’s real security concerns.
Durand Line Agreement
The Durand Line is 2640 kilometres long, which separates Pakistan from Afghanistan and divides the Pashtun region.
In the year 1893, it was agreed to draw this line between Sir Mortimer Durand, the representative of the then-ruling British government of India and Amir Abdul Rahman Khan of Afghanistan.
This agreement for the first time clearly defined the border between Afghanistan and India on the map, from where it starts and where it ends.
According to historical references, after Amir Abdul Rahman, his successor, Amir Habibullah Khan, signed another agreement with the British government of India in 1905 and accepted the British position on the Durand Line.
History says that according to the Anglo-Afghan treaty of 1919, Afghanistan once again confirmed its old treaties during the declaration of its independence, which included the Durand Line treaty.
After the partition of India in 1947, these areas became part of Pakistan. After this, Afghanistan wanted Britain and Pakistan to give the Pashtuns of this region their right to independence, which both Pakistan and Britain refused.
Pakistan now calls the Durand Line Afghanistan as an international border, but Afghanistan does not accept this line as a border and says that the authority to decide on this line lies only with the people.
