Pak-Afghan relations post-US withdrawal

Pakistan’s military leadership brief the parliamentarians on the emerging landscape in the region

On July 1, Pakistan’s military leadership briefed the parliamentarians on the emerging landscape in the region, specifically the post-US withdrawal situation in Afghanistan. In the session, policy options for Pakistan are reported to have been discussed comprehensively. The meeting was scheduled in the backdrop of the US pressuring Pakistan to provide it bases to monitor the region.

While analysing the situation it is clear that Pakistani lives cannot be taken for granted. The US has always asked us to “do more” but now is the time to respond with “no more”. No other country sacrificed for another like Pakistan did for America. Instead of appreciation, we were criticised by the US. Under the present civil-military leadership, it has been decided that Pakistan will not compromise on its sovereignty. As US forces pull out rapidly from Afghanistan, the country has plunged further into anarchy.

After the demand to host US forces, Prime Minister Imran Khan, in an interview given to Jonathan Swan, stated that Pakistan would “absolutely not” allow the US to use any Pakistani base for any action inside Afghanistan. The message by the PM was loud and clear and was heard across the globe.

It is a fact that the increasing violence in Afghanistan may lead to a new civil war in the country, with serious consequences for the region. Pakistan would be directly affected by this crisis as it is located at the centre of a geopolitical standoff.

In the past, Pakistan was wrongly claimed as a safe haven for Afghan Taliban, fighting against the foreign forces. However, Pakistan’s armed forces ended the menace of terrorism from its territory after massive sacrifices. In the present scenario, Islamabad had some bargaining chips to bring the Afghan Taliban to the negotiation table with US officials as some family members of the Taliban live in Pakistan. But this influence seems to be affected by the withdrawal of US troops.

It must be understood that there is no military solution to the Afghanistan issue and using force can complicate things further. Both the Taliban and the Afghan government must find a peaceful solution to Afghanistan’s issues. Pakistan has learnt a lesson from the past and it will not side with any particular group. It will continue supporting the group which enjoys the trust and confidence of the Afghan people.

It is a well-known fact that Pakistan hosts over three million Afghan refugees. If the situation further deteriorates, this figure will increase massively. Pakistan has also taken a big step by fencing the border completely in order to avoid any illegal cross-border movement. Pakistan has already sacrificed over 70,000 lives in the War on Terror. The aid given by the US was meagre as the economy has reportedly suffered losses in excess of $150 billion. The collateral damage led to suicide attacks on the Pakistani army, which killed more soldiers than the US lost in Iraq and Afghanistan combined. Pakistan was unable to develop its tourism sector while foreign investors remained reluctant to invest. Our tribal belt has still not recovered from the horrors of the Taliban invasion. Moreover, allowing US drone attacks only created extreme hatred within the Pakistani and Afghan public for the US.

Presently, Pakistan cannot afford to host US bases. Pakistan understands that if the US, with the help of Nato forces, remained unsuccessful in Afghanistan even after 20 years, then it is unlikely to achieve its objectives through a few bases in Pakistan. Pakistan wants economic development, peace, stability and trade growth in Afghanistan and will be ready to help the Afghan government by all means. It will always play its part to make Afghanistan a peaceful and prosperous state because Islamabad knows that we can change friends but cannot change neighbours.