Pakistan and Afghanistan don't inch beyond rhetorical statements expressing will of leaders for better relations
LAHORE: Despite efforts by the two countries, relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan have not progressed much and the stalemate continues. Both countries routinely and repetitively accuse each other of harbouring and supporting terrorist groups and using them against each other. Although the intensity of the situation has been equally fuelled by the unsupportive role of neighbouring India, rounds of dialogues between Pakistan and Afghanistan do not inch beyond the rhetorical statements expressing the will of the leaders from the two countries for better relations with each other.
Over the past few weeks, suicide attacks and bomb blasts in Afghanistan have terrorised the country, whereas Pakistan itself is wriggling its way out of not only its internal governing crisis but is also trying to strike a balance with its international stakeholders, particularly the US and India.
As the two countries, that is, Afghanistan and Pakistan face similar crisis, similar strategies to deal with them will be equally helpful for the two that needs to be devised as early as possible.
Sameen Sheikh
Published in The Express Tribune, February 3rd, 2018.
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