Both countries need to move forward in a wise manner instead of getting involved in blame games
HYDERABAD: Relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan were established in 1947, just after the independence of Pakistan, and started deteriorating almost immediately due to issues related to the Durand Line, and later in the 1970s, due to the Soviet-Afghan war, and still later the Taliban insurgency after 9/11. There have been plenty of ups and downs in this relationship in the recent past. Since President Ashraf Ghani assumed office last year, there has been a marked improvement in relations. Islamabad has assured Kabul that it will liaise with Afghanistan to fight against insurgents across the border. For the first time in history, Pakistan has rebuked the Afghan Taliban and called their recent attacks in Kabul an act of terrorism.
However, Mr Ghani anticipates an epoch-making role from Pakistan to bring the Afghan Taliban to the negotiating table as has an exaggerated belief of Pakistan’s influence over them.
The recent agreements between the ISI and the Afghan intelligence agency for intelligence sharing have been criticised severely even by elements within Mr Ghani’s own government, including Abdullah Abdullah, the chief executive. Under pressure from all sides, the Afghan president has warned Pakistan to play a positive role in bilateral relations, otherwise there will be a worsening of relations. Such a negative turnaround in relations will lead to antagonism between the two neighbours, which will be disastrous for the whole region. Animosity towards Pakistan by Afghanistan will only benefit India.
Both countries need to move forward in a wise manner instead of getting involved in blame games.
Ateeq Laghari
Published in The Express Tribune, July 6th, 2015.
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