Neighbourhood watch: Karzai’s visit polarises opinion

Afghans debate whether the president achieved anything or returned empty-handed.

ISLAMABAD:

Afghan President Hamid Karzai’s recent visit to Pakistan has garnered a mixed reaction from the other side of the border.

Afghans are unsure whether the president achieved any success in what he hoped to accomplish or returned empty-handed. The debate in Afghan print and electronic media is also swinging between pessimism and optimism.

On the other hand, officials from both countries insist Karzai’s visit – unlike the ones in the past – was not a failure, even though nothing was announced with regard to dialogue with the Afghan Taliban.

A statement issued by Karzai’s press office stated the president hopes Pakistan would take “specific and practical steps” on issues discussed during the talks. However, it did not comment on what exactly was discussed and agreed.

The Afghan presidential palace said Karzai’s visit focused on the peace process in Afghanistan, security issues and efforts to pave way for talks between the government-backed Afghan High Peace Council and the ‘armed opponents,’ a term the Afghan government uses to refer to the Taliban.

Pakistan’s foreign ministry spokesperson Aizaz Chaudhry reiterated the country’s official position, saying Islamabad supports the peace process in Afghanistan. Disagreeing with a question during a press briefing, he said: “I do not share your assessment that President Karzai’s visit was not successful. We believe it was a highly successful visit.”

Some political experts in Afghanistan remain sceptical. They claim political governments in Pakistan do not have power to make decisions about Afghanistan. Pro-government private newspaper Weesa said it was too early to judge; and major differences between the two countries cannot be addressed during just one visit.

There was also optimism. “The 20th visit of Hamid Karzai to Pakistan has created a good opportunity for that country to win the trust of Afghanistan and the international community,” said state-owned Afghan daily Anis in an editorial on August 27.

Referring to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s comments that stability in Afghanistan was in Pakistan’s interest, the editorial advised Afghans to be patient. Hewad, another state-owned daily, expressed similar sanguinity.

Independent daily Cheragh welcomed the visit. “The president’s trip is a good move. Despite difficulties and distrust, such a relationship and expansion of ties and talks between the two neighbouring countries is vital,” read an August 27 editorial. However, the paper remained critical of Karzai for failing to adopt a balanced approach in maintaining relations with Pakistan and India.

“There is no doubt Afghanistan has given preference in maintaining greater relations with India and has disregarded Pakistan’s security concerns. This is completely unacceptable to Pakistan. Pakistan finds it hard to digest [the fact] that Afghanistan signed its first strategic agreement with India followed by 20 more strategic agreements with other countries, while rejecting Pakistan’s request for similar agreements,” said the paper.

Afghan parliamentarian Shukria Barakzai said lack of clarity between the two neighbours is one reason for mistrust. “The problem is lack of transparency and a kind of vagueness in talks between Kabul and Islamabad. Both countries should clearly list their demands and expectations,” she said.

Other papers hinted the one-day extension in Karzai’s visit was an indication of progress.

Ismail Qasemyar, advisor to the peace council’s committee on foreign relations, said the talks might produce positive results. “The council cautiously expresses optimism about this visit. We believe a change can be seen in views expressed by Pakistani officials in the new government, though this can be a tactical approach,” he told the Afghan state TV.

Karzai’s political opponents view his visit with suspicion. National Front of Afghanistan Deputy Spokesman Sardar Mohammad Rahimi claimed the president – to some extent – wants to get Pakistan’s support for his favoured political candidate in post-2014 Afghanistan.”

Published in The Express Tribune, August 31^st, 2013.