'It's ripped families apart': the border wall no one is talking about

[Path-Finder]

Guardian is actually one of the more balanced and neutral paper compared to other British tabloids while other toe the line given by their government, they actually show other side of stories.

I see and hear people calling guardian a tabloid newspaper in broadsheet form!

 

[Baz]

Aah so these motherfucker western countries including india want terrorism to continue in pakistan. I don't give afghanis a toss, they can go and f*** themselves

 

[The Eagle]

I don't deny anti muslim sentiment among certain factions in India or anywhere around the world and vice versa.

Not just to anti Muslim but LoC is exactly the same created border that divides none other than Kashmiris at large. Pakistan Afghanistan border is not comparable to some "Border Walls Dividing Families" but fits exactly as to what India is doing in Kashmir. However, since Brits Tabloids & few sellouts within society, are truly hell bent to run malicious campaign against Pakistan be it, offending banners above Stadium or interfering into our security issues.

 

[Keysersoze]

Guardian is actually one of the more balanced and neutral paper compared to other British tabloids while other toe the line given by their government, they actually show other side of stories.

Sorry but this is utter balls. It is famously a lefty rag. Always has been always will be. All of the papers have leanings one way or the other. The Guardian I have personal experience with (as well as the BBC) and I have seen almost fictional stories published after.

 

[Halls]

I see and hear people calling guardian a tabloid newspaper in broadsheet form!

Because of its unique hybrid version of Broadsheet and Tabloid which has recently adopted to full Tabloid format.
https://www.bbc.com/news/amp/entertainment-arts-42689597

 

[Keysersoze]

I see and hear people calling guardian a tabloid newspaper in broadsheet form!

It may as well be. Journalistic standards are a bit of a joke.

usual bullshit from brits, as expected.....lets turn tables and switch sides see if they would like to write the same on Brexit issue? after all there are mothers in Bulgaria, Poland, and Other eastern states whose sons are working in Britain and they will suffer with the border control ......and no one is talking about it......

This is from Lefty Brits who were not pro brexit so your argument is not relevant.

 

[Path-Finder]

Because of its unique hybrid version of Broadsheet and Tabloid which has recently adopted to full Tabloid format.
https://www.bbc.com/news/amp/entertainment-arts-42689597

no, as in people are not buying their crap!

 

[Pakistansdefender]

Another nonsense article on border security fence. If 'Afghan' families feel ripped apart, why don't they return to Afghanistan already. They keep telling us on social media how good Afghanistan is compared to Pakistan, if that is they case, why are they still in our country?



Two children at the Turkham border, the official crossing point between Afghanistan and Pakistan. Photograph: Stefanie Glinski/The Guardian


Keramat used to visit her sons all the time, crossing the border between her home in Afghanistan’s Kunar province into Pakistan, where they live and work.

But a fence built to mark a border between the two countries, which has not been recognised by the Afghan government, has made the 55-year-old’s journey much longer, and more bureaucratic.

Keramat had to get a passport, and needs a visa every time she wants to cross the border. She travels to neighbouring Nangarhar province, and from there she enters Pakistan. It can now take her several hours to cover a distance that used to take her less than one.

“My sons have worked in Pakistan for decades and we used to visit each other often. Now we barely spend time together. I miss them,” she says.

Walls and fences have been going up along borders across the globe, but relatively little attention has been paid to the one being erected along the Durand Line, the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan, considered to be one of the world’s most dangerous international crossings.

Plans for the 2,400 km-long barrier – mostly running along deserted high-mountain terrain – have been in motion for the past 15 years, but work on the fence is more recent, having started over the past two years. “We already finished 1,000km and it’s likely going to take another two or three years to complete the rest,” says Zahid Nasrullah Khan, Pakistan’s ambassador to Afghanistan.

The Durand Line was first established in 1893, but never recognised by Afghanistan. Relations between the two neighbours remain tense.

The fence, enforced with barbed wire and at times hesco blocks – a bulletproof wire mesh container filled with dirt – is surrounded by deep trenches and guarded by Pakistan’s border patrol.

Yet it’s not only the Afghan government that opposes the venture. Ethnic Pashtuns, who live on both sides of the Durand Line, are also protesting.

“It’s ripped our family apart,” says Keramat. “We’re the same tribe and the same people on both sides. We speak the same language and share the same culture. We’ve always lived together, but the fence is breaking families and friendships apart.”

About 28% of Pakistan’s population and 42% of Afghanistan’s are ethnic Pashtun – although Afghanistan’s last census was conducted nearly 40 years ago and it is estimated that numbers have increased.

But Khan says a physical barrier was needed because of increased security threats, and to put an end to smuggling activities between the two countries.

“The good old days are over,” he says. “The world is haunted by terrorists.”

At the same time, Afghans accuse Pakistan of fuelling violence and war in the country.

“It would be great if they [Pakistan] controlled the flow of terrorists, but that’s not what is happening,” says border police guard Ali Hamkar. “The fence creates problems for civilians. It doesn’t keep militants out – they still have their way. Pakistan built a wall, but they allow some unofficial gates.”

There have always been guards along the Durand Line, but Pakistan hopes the fence will make it possible to control the flow of people.

Ali Hamkar says one of the “unofficial” gates is located in Sobay village, in Nangahar’s Durbaba district. Durbaba is gun land. Villagers report that each man carries a weapon here, mostly for personal protection.

“Every night, the Taliban crosses the border here alongside hundreds of smugglers,” says Jani Gul, 35, a smuggler who crosses between Afghanistan and Pakistan’s Tirah Bazaar most nights.

He lives in a village with an economy largely dependent on illegal business. He smuggles electronics, clothes and occasionally drugs into Pakistan, while other people he knows bring weapons into Afghanistan.

Most smugglers cross the mountain terrain at night on mules, their goods strapped to the animals. Smuggling avoids paying Pakistani import tax and even though most goods come from China, it’s cheaper to ship them to Afghanistan first, where smugglers purchase them and sell them at a higher price in Pakistan.

Jani says that border guards on both sides are bribed. “I pay 1,500 rupees [$10] per mule and then they turn a blind eye.” According to the Pakistan and Afghanistan joint chamber of commerce and industry, about 20 smuggling gates exist along the border.

Haji Saraf, a 65-year-old who runs a smuggler’s union near Sobay, says that more people still cross into Pakistan unofficially compared with taking the legal route – despite the fence, including him.

“My daughter is married to a distant relative in Pakistan, and it’s the only way I visit her,” he explains from the union’s headquarters, a room furnished with pillows and carpets where he spends most of his time.

End all immigration controls – they’re a sign we value money more than people
Gary Younge

Read more
Advertisement
Khan insists the fence isn’t supposed to restrict the flow of ordinary people, and denies the existence of the smuggling gates.

“The tough part is that our tribal areas should have never been separated in the first place,” says Shakir Khan, 25, who recently returned to Pakistan after his brother’s death, marrying his widowed wife according to tradition. Economically, he says, there are differences between Pakistan and Afghanistan’s border areas, but when it comes to daily life, it’s largely the same.

“I have relatives with Pakistani passports and others with Afghan passports. Here in this area, we’re the same people and international borders won’t change this.”

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/global-...apart-the-border-wall-no-one-is-talking-about

Not a single Pakistani comment.
And such a baised article.
But they continue to write that .
Let them and ignore them..

 

[Path-Finder]

It may as well be. Journalistic standards are a bit of a joke.

the guardian has received immense amount of flack in supporting the conservative party or theresa may and writing articles against jeremy corbyn on social media. In the age of social media these papers like the guardian are having a hard time selling the balony. This news paper and its bias was pretty much exposed.

 

[Halls]

no, as in people are not buying their crap!

Costs are primary reason as I understand. Many other have adopted Tabloid form quite a good long time ago including DailyMail, the mirror etc. I am not claiming that there is no biasness or error in their reporting but independent journalism requires some cost where others leave truth out for quick money. If your logic is to be applied, they can still be called the better among others because they made this change so late but there is little logic in yours.

 

[maximuswarrior]

These Westerners are closing their own borders to everyone, but lecturing others about humanity.

It's going to be hard to throw bits into a dustbin.


You guys need to chill. This article merely highlights the fact that change is hard. People are affected by it. The responses here are so disproportionate. It's like you guys want to hang every journalist that doesn't talk of Pakistan as if it were heaven on earth.

The government could help out these frequent legit commuters by giving them a special document that lets them to go through border security faster.

What do you want Pakistan to do? Pakistan has already done enough in the past decades.

Not a single Pakistani comment.
And such a baised article.
But they continue to write that .
Let them and ignore them..

Like as if their propaganda can affect our decision making. Pakistan is a sovereign nation and won't be dictated by some tabloid newspapers.

 

[Path-Finder]

Costs are primary reason as I understand. Many other have adopted Tabloid form quite a good long time ago including DailyMail, the mirror etc. I am not claiming that there is no biasness or error in their reporting but independent journalism requires some cost where others leave truth out for quick money. If your logic is to be applied, they can still be called the better among others because they made this change so late but there is little logic in yours.

How familiar are you with british newspapers?

 

[maximuswarrior]

Let's dissect the criticism:

Keramat had to get a passport, and needs a visa every time she wants to cross the border.

In other words, don't build a fence to secure your territory and territorial integrity. Allow Pakistani territory to be a lawless border where Afghans can venture without official documentation.

This is what they want for Pakistan. Afghans who should be allowed to violate international norms. Why doesn't Britain allow Afghans to enter their country without a passport or visa when they visit their country? This is vicious Western hypocrisy.

 

[war&peace]

Well what a load of BS...

• Every border in the world divides people. So why cry about Pak-Afghan border?
• USA is building walls along Mexican border
• Same people cry and do malicious propaganda against Pakistan that the terrorism is emanating from Pakistan so if Pakistan is fencing the border, they should rather appreciate & support it
• Hence it is proven that these morons are pathological liars and hypocrites

 

[Halls]

How familiar are you with british newspapers?

Which tool is used for measuring familiarity and in what units?
I read a little every now and then. Daily Mail is probably the most trashy and sexist paper. I read and listen to a few Brit counterparts giving their own opinions on other forums. So do I think that makes me an expert, No. What else?

Not just to anti Muslim but LoC is exactly the same created border that divides none other than Kashmiris at large. Pakistan Afghanistan border is not comparable to some "Border Walls Dividing Families" but fits exactly as to what India is doing in Kashmir. However, since Brits Tabloids & few sellouts within society, are truly hell bent to run malicious campaign against Pakistan be it, offending banners above Stadium or interfering into our security issues.

Everyone is responsible for all my problems except me.