KARACHI:
The recent developments in Afghanistan remains ominous, as bomb blasts in schools and hospitals and fierce fighting in majority of the provinces have left hundreds killed and thousands wounded. The US forces, while racing for the exit, have left Afghanistan in a state of quandary. According to the UN special report, the Taliban factions are reuniting across the border. The situation in Afghanistan seems to be worsening and many believe that it will eventually lead to civil unrest. Analysts are of the view that history is repeating itself. The situation in the region is same as it was in the 1990’s.
There are no qualms in the fact that the consequences of chaos and turmoil in Afghanistan will be hazardous for Pakistan. The situation, if it escalates out of control, will definitely threaten Pakistan’s national security because of our tenuous hold on the northern borders. It is also important to note that bilateral relations between Kabul and Islamabad deteriorated after the ambassador of Afghanistan accused the Pakistani government of providing safe sanctuaries to the Taliban, who are now stake holders in the peace process. A proper patch up between the two is yet to be seen.
Another dangling sword is the menace of power sharing. It will be impossible to finalise the rules of negotiations for power sharing until the internal conflicts in the war-torn country are brought to a halt. The radical and conservative Taliban, led by Abdul Ghani Baradar, has insisted on the establishment of an Islamic system of governance with the implementation of strict sharia laws. They have rejected the current system of government, branding it to be one that has been installed by the West.
Afghanistan has been the graveyard of empires but the quest for grabbing the upper echelon of power by the conservative Taliban threatens to bring havoc and catastrophe in the entire subcontinent. In the midst of such uncertainty and political chaos, the masses will once again be the victims of this power sharing game. The situation is dire. Distrust, insecurity and fear are rampant.
Hidayat Nasar
Islamabad
Published in The Express Tribune, July 6th, 2021.
Like Opinion & Editorial on Facebook, follow @ETOpEd on Twitter to receive all updates on all our daily pieces.
