Afghanistan deports 250 Pakistanis due to border tension

Kabul, Aug 28 (IANS) Kabul has deported 250 Pakistani workers as tension persists at the Pakistan-Afghan border in Chaman which remained closed for the 10th consecutive day on Sunday.

The Bab-e-Dosti gate was closed on August 19 after Afghan protesters attacked the Friendship Gate and burned a Pakistani flag, the Pakistan Times reported.

A Pakistani official said Kabul had expelled more than 250 Pakistani labourers during the past 10 days, Khaama Press reported.

Numerous attempts have been made to resolve the issue and reopen the crossing.

The NATO supplies and cross border trade also remain suspended. About 15,000 Afghans cross the border every day while thousands of vehicles pass through the crossing every week, making it a vital trade link.

Earlier, tension intensified between the two countries as, according to Afghanistan, Pakistan took a unilateral decision of establishing a gate at the Torkham border.

The Afghan and Pakistani forces exchanged fire in Torkham earlier in June which resulted into the closure of the gate for about a week.