KABUL: The former Afghan President Hamid Karzai has said Pakistan had demanded recognition of
Durand Line as the formal int
ernational border between Afghanistan and Pakistan during his presidency.
Karzai made the remarks during a gathering in Kabul which was organised regarding the
Durand Line.
Karzai said Pakistan had also demanded a reduction in bilateral ties between Kabul and New Delhi. He said t
he demands were made by the then Pakistani President on numerous occasions.
Karzai further added
that Pakistan will seek more influence and seize more lands of Afghanistan if the
Durand Line was accepted as the int
ernational border.
This comes as Karzai said last month
that Afghanistan will not recognize
Durand Line as a formal border between Afghanistan and Pakistan as he reacted towards Pakistan’s move to close the transit and travel routes between the two countries.
“The Govt of Pakistan has no legal authority to dictate terms on the
Durand line. While we wish freedom for the people of FATA from FCR and other repressive measures, we remind the Govt of Pakistan
that Afghanistan hasn’t and will not recognize the
Durand line,” Karzai said.
Karzai made the remarks after Pakistan unilaterally closed the transit and travel routes a
long the line in late February.
