By Shadi Khan Saif
KABUL, Afghanistan
Activists in Afghanistan's capital of Kabul protested outside the Pakistani embassy on Thursday, emphasizing rising tensions between the two neighboring countries.
At odds since the Taliban regime was ousted from power in Afghanistan after the U.S.-led invasion in 2001, Afghanistan has recently, not for the first time, accused Pakistan of interfering within the country.
The Afghan ministers for defense, interior and the intelligence chief have accused Pakistan of promoting violence in various provinces, indiscriminately shelling the eastern provinces of Kunar, Nooristan and Nangarhaar, and digging an "illegal trench" along the disputed border. The border, known as the Durand Line, has been a point of contention because of an 1893 treaty that politically divided several ethnic groups.
Pakistan has rejected the accusations and itself claimed that Afghanistan is haboring militants involved in attacks in Pakistan.
More than 200 civil society activists marched from the capital's Baraki Square to the nearby Pakistani embassy in the western Kabul.
Abdul Ahad, leader of the Public Association, a group which organized the demonstration, told the Anadolu Agency that they would not tolerate Pakistani interference in Afghan affairs.
“The people of Kunar are ready to defend their motherland at any cost,” he said. He urged NATO-led forces to play a role in stopping the alleged incursions, as protested chanted: “Death to Punjabi establishment, death to Pakistan.”
The protesters also handed the embassy a letter sent to NATO and the U.N., strongly denouncing Pakistan’s alleged actions in Afghanistan.
The increased trading of allegations has led to fears of escalating tension between the countries following the scheduled withdrawal of NATO troops by the end of 2014.
www.aa.com.tr/en
