Amir Jamat-e-Islami (JI) for Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P), Professor Muhammad Ibrahim Khan, has declared his support for the ongoing Chaman sit-in, which has persisted for over 45 days.
In a press statement, Khan emphasized the necessity of allowing people on both sides of the Pak-Afghan border to travel freely without visa restrictions.
According to Khan, individuals residing in the region have familial ties and property holdings on both sides of the border, warranting unhindered movement without cumbersome legal formalities.
He urged the government to engage in meaningful negotiations with traders and local residents to permanently resolve the matter.
Rather than resorting to force or imposing unilateral solutions, Khan advocated for sincere dialogue with the protesting local residents, who have been asserting their rights for the past month and a half.
He stressed that separating a tribe that has freely moved across the border for centuries is impractical.
JI lends support to Chaman protest.
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Highlighting the importance of amicable relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan, Khan called on the caretaker government to refrain from prioritizing the interests of the United States.
He recommended pursuing a policy of peaceful coexistence instead of straining relations with neighboring countries.
Expressing concern over Pakistan’s post-US withdrawal approach, Khan criticized the provocation of Afghanistan instead of adopting a stance based on mutual respect and understanding. He argued that this approach has unwise consequences, creating a new front of contention.
Furthermore, Khan condemned the deportation of undocumented Afghans and the associated procedures, asserting that such actions have exacerbated the already tense situation.
He underscored the mutual benefits of fostering positive relations with Afghanistan, emphasizing that a single order cannot alter Pakistan’s longstanding policy of free movement across the border.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 4th, 2023.
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