KABUL - On Sunday night, border guards from the Pakistan and Afghanistan exchanged heavy fire over the construction of a gate on the Pakistani side of the contested frontier.
Haji Qadir, the first deputy speaker of the lower house, told lawmakers that Pakistan had long committed direct or indirect aggression against Afghanistan by firing rockets that caused casualties and financial losses.
“We appreciate our security forces for putting up strong resistance last night. As an Afghan, I want to tell the government that all the people are ready to stand with their security forces in case of need.”
Qadir added: “I have the ability to fight: My 5,000 militiamen -- equipped with weapons and ammunition -- are ready to fight against any external aggression.”
Mohammad Naeem Hamidzai Lalai, a public representative from Kandahar, said Pakistan could not construct a gate on the Afghan border based on bilateral pacts.  People were ready to deter Pakistani attacks, he asserted.
Speaker Abdul Rauf Ibrahimi said: “The parliament is firmly behind you (government). Pakistan has no right to construct any gate in the border areas.” He claimed Afghans were ready to defend their motherland.(Pajhwok)