Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Monday ordered the immediate reopening of Pakistan's border with Afghanistan in a goodwill gesture, even as he hoped that the Afghan government would address Islamabad's concerns on cross-border terrorism.
"The decision to re-open the border is being taken as closure of the border for a long time in the backdrop of religious, culture and historical ties between the two countries would not be in the interest of the people and the economy," said Sharif.
He said recent incidents of terrorism in Pakistan have been traced back to anti-Pakistan elements in Afghanistan.
The Prime Minister hoped that the Afghan government would take measures to address the reasons for which the borders were closed by Pakistan.
According to an official statement, Sharif said that he has reiterated time and again that durable peace in Afghanistan is imperative for peace and security in Pakistan.
He said Pakistan would continue to collaborate with Afghanistan to eliminate the menace of terrorism from the two countries.