Afghanistan–Pakistan border barrier

Afghanistan–Pakistan border barrier
Fortification in  Afghanistan,  Pakistan
Pak-Afghan International Map
Type	Border barrier
Height	4 metres (13 ft)[1]
Length	2,640 km (1,640 mi)[2]
Site information
Owner	Government of Pakistan
Operator	Ministry of Interior
Controlled by	Pakistan Army Frontier Corps
Condition	Under construction, 90% completed as of August 2021[3]
Site history
Built	24 March 2017 – 30 June 2021
Built by	Pakistan
In use	2017–present
Materials	Razor wire, steel, landmines
Battles/wars	Afghanistan–Pakistan skirmishes Insurgency in Balochistan War in Afghanistan (2001–present) War in North-West Pakistan

The Afghanistan–Pakistan barrier refers to the border barrier being built by Pakistan along its border with Afghanistan, otherwise known as the Durand Line. The purpose of barrier is to prevent terrorism, smuggling, illegal immigration and infiltration across the approximately 2,670-kilometre-long (1,660 mi) international border between Afghanistan and Pakistan.^[4] Major-General Shaukat Sultan, a former Pakistani military spokesman, said the move was necessary to block the infiltration of militants across the border into Pakistan.^[5] The initially proposed fortifications and fence, about 2,400 km (1,500 mi) in length, was backed by the United States in 2005.^[6] Construction on the border barrier unilaterally began in March 2017 following a series of deadly and costly clashes between Pakistani security forces and Afghan-aligned militants in Pakistan's tribal areas that greatly intensified hostilities in the War in North-West Pakistan.^[7]

As of January 2019, about 900 km (560 mi) of fortifications and fencing have been constructed.^[8] The Afghanistan–Pakistan border is marked by 235 crossing points, many of which had been susceptible to illegal immigration and cross-border infiltration. There are over 400 forts in the northwestern area alone, with cameras, watchtowers, and more than 800 drones assisting the barrier.^[9] More importantly, it is designed to impede the Afghan Taliban and Pakistani Taliban from freely crossing the porous border to coordinate and launch attacks against the governments of Afghanistan and Pakistan and evade authorities on either side. Despite the two Taliban organizations claiming to be completely separate from each other, Afghan Taliban leaders have been found operating from Afghan refugee camps in Pakistan and Pakistani Taliban leaders have been found hiding from Pakistani law enforcement in Afghanistan while systemically coordinating a joint militant network with their Afghan counterparts. The project is predicted to cost at least $532 million.^[10]

The fencing was completed on 30 June 2021. Since its completion, movement across the border is possible only through 16 designated crossings.^[11]

Initial fencing plans[]

In September 2005, Pakistan stated it had plans to build a 2,400-kilometre (1,500 mi) fence along its border (known as the Durand Line) with Afghanistan to prevent insurgents and drug smugglers slipping between the two countries. Former Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf subsequently presented the prospect of mining the entire border as well. Despite the statements, no formal plan was finalized due to varying concerns and lack of consensus^[12][13]

The plans to fence and mine the border were again considered in 2007 and then in 2009, but not implemented. However, a 35-kilometre-long (22 mi) portion along selected border areas was fenced shortly after the idea resurfaced, following which work was discontinued due to a lack of funds.^[14] In June 2011, Major-General Athar Abbas, the then−spokesman of the Pakistan Army said: "We did fence around 35km of the border area as it faced continuous militant incursions. It was a joint project [with] ISAF and Afghanistan. But then they backed out. It was a very costly project."^[15] During the Musharraf administration, Pakistan began to install biometric systems on all Durand Line border crossings. Afghanistan strongly objected to the system's installation while also continuing to protest Pakistan's fortification projects along the border. The biometric system network remains intact throughout the border's crossing points, although it is yet to be completed and made fully operational.^[16]

Afghan opposition[]

Pakistani plans for fortifying, fencing and mining the border were renewed on 26 December 2006, but these plans were opposed by the Afghan government, citing that the fencing would result in "the limitation of the freedom of movement of tribal peoples".^[17] Due to Afghanistan's fierce opposition to the border fencing, the Angur Ada and Sheken areas saw a series of armed border skirmishes that resulted in cross−border artillery strikes launched by Pakistan in April 2007.^[18] On 1 April 2013, the Afghan Foreign Ministry formally protested and raised "grave concerns" over what it called "the Pakistani military's unilateral construction and physical reinforcement activities along the Afghanistan–Pakistan border in eastern Nangarhar province".^[19]

In Afghanistan some groups do not recognize the Durand Line itself as a legitimate border between it and Pakistan, as it divides the Pashtun ethnic homeland in two.^[20] They contend that the installation of a physical barrier would divide people and make this border permanent.^[21]

Construction progress and trenches[]

In June 2016, after three years of construction, Pakistan completed a 1,100 km (680 mi) trench along its border with Afghanistan from Balochistan to ensure proper border management.^[22] The initial excavation was largely carried out by the paramilitary Frontier Corps. The purpose of the trench is to tighten border security and create more favourable conditions for Pakistani security forces responsible for patrolling the border by deterring and restricting the flow of unauthorized entities, such as narcotics, militants, smugglers and general illegal movements of Afghan civilians or refugees.^[16] Three private construction companies out of Pakistan's Balochistan province were contracted to supply manpower and oversee the arrangement of necessary equipment. The 4-metre-deep (13 ft) and 5-metre-wide (16 ft) trench is planned to be extended along the whole border.^[23]

See also[]

• Afghanistan–Pakistan relations
  • Afghanistan–Pakistan armed skirmishes
• List of Afghanistan–Pakistan border crossings

References[]