Afghanistan has begun the process of border demarcation with its neighbouring states along with restoration of border markers that were previously lost for various reasons, the Afghan Ministry of Borders, Ethnicities, and Tribes Affairs said.
Some analysts say that due to the conflicts over the past two decades in the US’ ‘War on Terror’, neighbouring countries have committed violations in some parts of Afghanistan’s zero points due to regional instability, and the renewal of border markers will be effective in resolving these issues.
“Regardless of the sensitivity and length of the process, the ministry and its partner agencies are committed to precisely defining zero points and protecting the territorial integrity of the country,” ministry spokesman Taslimullah Haqqani, reports Tolo News.
As per a Taliban official, negotiations are underway with neighbouring countries that share official borders with Afghanistan on the renewal and reconstruction of border markers.
Haqqani added that the Islamic Emirate has allocated a budget to address the problems of Afghans living along the Durand Line with Pakistan.
He said that this budget would be used to provide essential services.
Military affairs analyst Hadi Quraishi said: “There should be documents in the Ministries of Interior and Borders, Tribes, and Tribal Affairs. It would be better to review them to ensure that actions taken at the borders do not cause harm to either side.”
Another political analyst, Janat Faheem Chakari, also said: “In the past, some lands and areas were seized or occupied, but now these areas are being identified, which is a positive step to clarify the situation for both sides.”
Afghanistan shares borders with six countries: Iran, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, China and Pakistan.
However, Kabul has never recognised the Durand Line as its official border with Pakistan, ever since the country’s formation in 1947, despite the changes in regime, calling it an artificial line that has arbitrarily separated Pashtuns on both sides of the border.
