Tough road ahead for new govt as Afghan challenges loom large

FO officials prepare recommendations for incoming govt on how to tackle problems with neighbouring country

ISLAMABAD:

The new government will have its work cut out in dealing with the plethora of challenges facing Pakistan. Among these challenges, Afghanistan is listed as one of the top priorities in terms of foreign policy.

The relationship between Pakistan and Afghanistan, under the Taliban government, has only deteriorated. The chief reason has been the unresolved issue of banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

Despite many efforts, there has been no substantive progress to sort out the problem. Pakistan is upset with the Taliban government to the extent that it is no longer advocating Kabul’s case at the international forums.

On the other hand, the de facto authorities of Afghanistan are looking for alternatives to lessen dependence on Pakistan. Against this backdrop, the Foreign Office (FO) officials have prepared recommendations for the new government on how to tackle the problem.

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The recommendations were firmed up during the three-day envoys' conference held in the first week of January. Attended by Ambassadors and high commissioners of Pakistan posted in key world capitals, the envoys discussed the contemporary challenges and suggested a way forward.

On Afghanistan, sources said, despite simmering tensions with the Taliban regime, Pakistan must pursue diplomatic options. “This will be the key suggestion for the incoming government,” according to sources.

They said the people within the FO believe that given the complexity of the challenges, there is no other option but to stick to the diplomatic process.

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As things stand, the new government is almost certain to be led by PML-N’s Shehbaz Sharif, who dealt with the issue of Afghanistan firsthand during his 16 months in office.

His government did make an effort to ease tensions with Afghanistan when it dispatched a high-powered delegation led by then-defence minister Khawaja Asif to Kabul in February 2023.

Accompanied by the DG ISI and other officials, Pakistan sent a clear message to the Taliban government to choose between the TTP and its neighbour.

Pakistan hoped that the unambiguous message would prompt the Taliban to change its policy. However, the situation worsened as TTP attacks intensified in Pakistan while the Taliban government remained reluctant to take action against the terrorist outfit.

The situation deteriorated to the extent that Pakistan had to resort to other measures to exert pressure on Afghanistan. In November, Pakistan began repatriating undocumented Afghans.

Simultaneously, Islamabad opted to eliminate visa-free movement for Afghans and implemented a single-document regime. Additionally, Pakistan tightened its policy on Afghan transit trade, which it believed was being exploited by Afghan importers.

All those measures were aimed at pressuring the Taliban government to fulfil their promise of eliminating the TTP threat. However, Kabul did not take action, further straining bilateral ties.

There was a glimmer of hope for reconciliation when, before the election, JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman travelled to Afghanistan and held a rare meeting with Taliban chief Haibatullah Akhundzada. However, despite being labelled as a “private trip”, it failed to yield any breakthrough.

Some observers perceive a potential new opportunity for both sides once the new government assumes office. However, others remain sceptical due to the stance taken by the Taliban government regarding the TTP.