The writer seems to be somewhat ill-informed about Afghanistan and Pakistan and their interdependence on each other.
BOSTON: This is with reference to the article “Leave Afghanistan to the Afghans” (September 10). The writer seems to be somewhat ill-informed about Afghanistan and Pakistan and their interdependence on each other. Pashtun populations live on both sides of the Durand Line and have maintained very close relationships for as long as one can remember, regardless of what the boundaries of the empires imposed on this area have been. To imagine that the closeness that exists, and has existed since Pakistan came into being, between Quetta and Kandahar socially, culturally, religiously, economically, commercially is going to change in the near future is really a fantasy.
The same is true about Peshawar, Jalalabad and Kabul. Whatever happens on one side of the Durand Line will impact the other side. The solution, which has to be a lasting one, will have to be negotiated with Pakistan and Iran included in it. It has to be a regional solution with every stakeholder involved. Trying to ignore history and impose a solution suited to the needs and requirements of Western and/or Eastern powers is going to lead to continuous instability and conflict.
Shahid Jamil
Published in The Express Tribune, September 11th, 2013.
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