Pajhwok08/07/2012By Abdul Mueed Hashimi [Printer Friendly Version] JALALABAD - The former tribal and border affairs director on Tuesday linked his sacking to his recent remarks on Pakistan’s cross-border incursions into eastern Afghanistan. In an exclusive interview with Pajhwok Afghan News, Baryalai Gardiwal said Pakistani forces had occupied 45 square kilometres area of Afghanistan in Nangarhar province over the past 10 years. He claimed after the collapse of the Taliban regime, Pakistani forces captured Afghan territory in Kama, Goshta and Lalpura districts. Opposed to going down in history with a bad name, Gardiwal said that he could not shut his eyes to the occupation of Afghanistan territory by Pakistani soldiers. He added former chief justice, Fazal Hadi Shinwari’s son Wajihur Rahman was appointed as his successor four days ago. Border and Tribal Affairs Minister Asadullah Khalid reportedly told him over the telephone that one reason for his removal was his media interviews on Pakistan interference. As a patriotic Afghan citizen, Gardiwal said he would formally present his complaint to President Hamid Karzai. "Even if nobody hears me, I will continue my struggle like former border police commander, Aminullah Amarkhel, against Pakistan’s military build-up.'' Gen. Amarkhel also denounced the firing of Gardiwal, accusing the government of dropping the national interest to please outsiders. The stance resulted in a yawning gap between the government and residents of border areas, he observed. Ahmad Zia Abdulzai, the governor's spokesman, said the new tribal affairs director had been appointed on the basis of President Hamid Karzai’s decree and the provincial administration would accept him.
