Pakistan has been in the eye of the storm as its prescription on Afghanistan was underrated at large. But the trajectory of history has proved that Islamabad’s approach while dealing with the fissures in Kabul is far-sighted in essence. This is why Pakistan had been calling for a political solution in the war-weary country, and advocating a dialogue with the Taliban. Now with the exit of foreign troops and setting-in of a cabinet by the Taliban, Pakistan is being singled out for allegedly playing a military role. As rightly replied by the National Security Adviser, Moeed Yusuf, “it is preposterous”.
Allegations of Pakistan’s interference in Panjshir, enabling the Taliban to rout the Northern Alliance, and meddling in government formation are nothing but figments of imagination. In an age of 5G and Artificial Intelligence, it is ridiculous to see the audacity to pitch Photoshop content, and blame Pakistan for hobnobbing. This is nothing but biting the dust over their myopic vision in Afghanistan, and scapegoating Pakistan for their own fallacious policies. It goes without saying that the nervousness in India over their faux pas in Afghanistan is reflected in a sham media campaign against Pakistan.
It’s time for regional stakeholders as well as major powers, especially the United States, to listen to Pakistan, and collectively come to the aid and assistance of Afghanistan. Moeed Yusuf had already made it clear that helping Afghanistan is tantamount to furthering regional peace and prosperity. It has dividends in the long run. No point in indulging in blame-game at a time when a collective strategy is needed to defeat the remnants of terror, and marshal a long-term socio-economic engagement with the landlocked state.
The world should stop seeing Pakistan as a problem, and generously value its contribution to brokering a political solution after two decades of revulsion and warfare. The least that is needed is to engage with the new government in Kabul, in an attempt to help rebuild it and address the simmering humanitarian crisis. Recognising the Taliban interim set-up will encourage the regime to broaden its base in an inclusive manner. Opting for a policy of Pakistan-bashing is unwarranted.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 13th, 2021.
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