The Hindu : Border issue tops Karzai's Pakistan visit agenda

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Apr 21, 2003

International

International

Border issue tops Karzai's Pakistan visit agenda

By B. Muralidhar Reddy

ISLAMABAD APRIL 20. The Afghan President, Hamid Karzai, is arriving here on Wednesday on an official visit for discussions on a range of bilateral issues and coordination between the security agencies of Pakistan and Afghanistan along the porous borders.

Mr. Karzai will hold talks with the Pakistani President, Pervez Musharraf, and the Prime Minister, Mir Zafarullah Jamali, and meet senior officials.

Mr. Karzai's 20-member strong entourage will include the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Interior and Reconstruction.

There are no dearth of issues for discussion between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Though Islamabad has come to terms with the collapse of the Taliban regime and the change of guard in Kabul, security on the border continues to be a serious issue of concern for both sides.

Last week, security guards in North Waziristan Agency exchanged machine gun fire over border dispute.

Reports in the local media suggest that Afghan guards accompanied by U.S. Special Forces intruded deep into Pakistani territory and allegedly tried to lure tribals into Afghanistan.

They retreated after being challenged by Pakistani forces.

Earlier this year, the U.S. had claimed the `right to hot pursuit' into the Pakistan territory in search of fleeing Al-Qaeda and Taliban operatives. Gen. Pervez Musharraf had to intervene in the matter and it was conveyed in unambiguous terms to Washington that Pakistani forces alone would pursue the Al-Qaeda fugitives in its territory.

Pakistan has also not been happy over the reported decision of the Karzai regime to allow India open Consulates in major towns close to its border. Trade is the other major issue that is likely to figure in the discussions.

Alarmed by the recent Indo-Iranian agreement on a trade corridor bypassing Pakistan, Islamabad last month had decided to substantially liberalise the Afghanistan Transit Trade Agreement (ATTA).

A formal announcement is expected during the visit. Since the fall of the Taliban and ascendance of Mr. Karzai in December 2001 land locked Afghanistan has been pleading for more liberal ATTA.

Among others the Government had sought clearance for transportation of goods by land route from India but Islamabad has rejected the request.

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