Regional realities

We hope that Afghanistan would be allowed to act independently and without outside intervention.

Islamabad’s past policies in Afghanistan have been one of the reasons for the various problems we face, including that of militancy. In this context, the assurance given by the Adviser to the Prime Minister on National Security and Foreign Affairs, Sartaj Aziz, while speaking in Islamabad at a conference hosted by a local think tank, that Pakistan would be pursuing a policy of non-interference in Afghanistan and had no intention of ‘playing favourites’ is welcome. We need now to see these words enacted on the ground. There is as yet too much suspicion that Pakistan intends to attempt to keep up its interests within Afghanistan following the drawdown of US forces later this year, in pursuit of the ‘greater game’ it has played in the region for so many years.

What we need most of all is stability in our part of the world. This, indeed, is essential to peace in both Afghanistan and Pakistan. We hope then that Mr Aziz’s words will indeed be reflected at a wider level and by all state institutions, with Afghanistan allowed to act independently and without outside intervention. Alongside Pakistan, other countries need to learn this lesson too; there has been too much interference, too many unwise attempts to manipulate the affairs of Afghanistan over many decades. But as a country which shares a long border with Afghanistan, as well as many common issues, Pakistan in particular needs to detach itself from its neighbour to the west.



The prime minister’s adviser has spelled out many of the reasons why this would be beneficial very clearly. He has also mentioned an improvement in ties between the two countries over the past seven months. This process is important. Islamabad and Kabul need to work together, but they can do this effectively only if there is trust and a confidence that Islamabad is genuinely willing to allow the people of Afghanistan to work out their own destiny and walk along a path they have carved out for themselves. This basic right needs to be accepted, not only in words but also in actions.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 12^th,  2014.

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