The landlocked Afghanistan relies on Pakistan for its trade with the world. Although Pakistan has resumed transit trade facilities and bilateral trade at all its border crossings with Afghanistan, the decision to resume and restore transit trade with India through the Wagah border is still awaiting approval, since much is at stake.
Apart from attempting to curtail the spread of the deadly Covid-19 virus, one should not ignore that the fractured relationship between India and Pakistan due to former’s atrocities in the disputed Kashmir valley and its hegemonic designs in the region might be one of the more plausible reasons for halting the transit trade. Conversely, Pakistan’s affirmation with Afghanistan will reinforce Islamabad’s political and economic ties with Kabul which are largely dominated by a degree of mistrust and suspicion. This means that once the transit trade has been fully restored, Afghanistan can pump some life into its ailing economy which has been marred by the painful history of war and conflict. It will be a win-win situation for all the stakeholders who will enjoy their piece of the pie through regional prosperity and development. However, it is imperative that ground-level realities should be evaluated with prudence.
It is necessary that all the stakeholders aim for the greater good and not let their vested interests and reservations stand between the economic potential of the sub-continent. India should realise that skirmishes and disputes with neighbours will threaten the stability and peace of the entire region. While on the other hand, Pakistan should synergise its geo-strategic position with wisdom so that it can mend ties with Afghanistan and avail the possibilities of progress.
Hadia Mukhtar
Karachi
Published in The Express Tribune, July 17th, 2020.
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