Former foreign minister and President Hamid Karzai’s political rival Dr Abdullah Abdullah. PHOTO: AFP
Underscoring Pakistan’s key role in the fragile Afghan peace process, front-runners in the country’s upcoming presidential elections are unanimous in maintaining good relations with their eastern neighbour.
Presidential hopefuls in a series of live television debates, media interviews and campaign video messages have highlighted Pakistan’s importance as a neighbour and its strong position for possible political reconciliation and bilateral economic progress.
Former foreign minister and President Hamid Karzai’s political rival Dr Abdullah Abdullah in a live debate recently stressed that enhanced economic, trade and cultural relations can help build trust with Pakistan.
“It is important that we improve our relations with neighbouring countries, including the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, bearing in mind our national interests and common threats,” Abdullah said while speaking at a debate on Tolo TV along with other presidential candidates.
At the same time, he pointed out that “If Pakistan has still not concluded that extremism and terrorism are a threat to their safety, I think it will be making an irreversible mistake.”
Similarly, a former finance minister and one of the leading candidates, Dr Ashraf Ghani Ahmedzai, advocated close relations with Pakistan.
“The two countries must achieve the level of cooperation France and Germany reached after the Second World War,” Ahmedzai said at the same debate. He said he was happy that Pakistan has concluded that its own stability is interlinked with Afghanistan.
Dr Rasoul, who has served as a foreign minister in Karzai’s cabinet and also as his national security adviser, describes relations with Pakistan as a very significant foreign policy issue.
Talking to the BBC Pashto radio in Kabul this month, he said if elected to power, he will order a review of relations between the two countries and maintain a relationship based on mutual respect of each other’s sovereignty.
“If there is no peace in Afghanistan, there will be no peace in Pakistan. I will be willing to work with Pakistan to counter the challenges of terrorism and extremism faced by it,” he said.
Discussing the Durand Line
Although Pakistan insists the nearly 2,640-kilometre border between the two countries, known as the Durand Line, is a closed chapter, for Afghans it is still an important topic. Nevertheless, key presidential candidates have adopted a positive approach on the matter during their campaign and have avoided using it as a political tool.
“We must not turn the issue into a matter of dispute and conflict,” Abdullah said when asked about his take on the Durand Line.
Ghani is also cautious on the issue and has avoided saying anything controversial in a video released as part of his election campaign.
“I am hopeful that the people on both sides will resolve the issue with consensus,” he has stated.
The Northern Alliance, which has traditionally been critical of Pakistan, also has a logical approach on the border issue.
Ahmad Zia Masood, who is now a vice-presidential candidate with Zalmai Rasoul, wants an amicable solution to the issue. “The people of Afghanistan want to have a border that is recognised internationally,” he was quoted by a section of the Afghan media at a recent speech.
Karzai’s anti-Pakistan tirade continues
Although candidates have adopted a cautious approach towards Pakistan, the outgoing president still seems upset with Islamabad’s alleged meddling in its affairs as he did not spare the country during his speech at parliament last week.
On March 15, during his last address at parliament, Karzai accused Pakistan of harbouring the Taliban leadership and killing those who wanted to join the peace process, particularly those aligned with Taliban leader Agha Jan Mutasim. “We know that Taliban leaders are living peacefully in Pakistan and enjoy the state’s protection,” he said.
Afghan analysts believe the remarks were meant as a face saving move by Karzai over his failure to bring the Taliban to the negotiating table during his 12-year-rule as vast swathes of the country are under the Taliban control and their dark shadow looms over Kabul.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 22nd, 2014.
COMMENTS (4)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
1714024018-0/ModiLara-(1)1714024018-0-270x192.webp)
Afghanistan does not want to Destabilize Pakistan, Even Though Pakistan is Destabilizing Afghanistan for 60 Years now Afghan People are more clever. We don't want anymore war in our country, If Pakistan become a honest neighbor to Afghanistan then everything will be Ok. Those Afghan who live inside Pakistan is according to UN we have rights to live there. UN should resolve Pakistan and Afghanistan border Afghanistan does not accept the current border, since Pakistan creation we does not give them our land KPK. Afghanistan give KPK to British India for 100 years and the agreement is signed by Durrend. I want our new Government to be good in relation with Pakistan and also stop our water going to inside Pakistan.
Although Pakistan insists the nearly 2,640-kilometre border between the two countries, known as the Durand Line, is a closed chapter, for Afghans it is still an important topic.
Still discussing the Durand Line? No wonder why these cavemen will never enter the 21st century.
@sterry: I agree; Pakistan should close border with Afghanistan and return the millions of refugees who have destabilized Pakistan. Why should Pakistan carry the burden of Afghani refugees for so long? At least when these Afghanis go abroad to Western countries for asylum, they can live on social assistance because Western countries can pay welfare to unemployed Afghani refugees but Pakistan does not have the resources. All of the Afghani candidates are playing the anti Pakistan card when it suits them to attract voters but then they also want trade and cultural links too.
I think that the Presidential candidate Abdullah Abdallah is repeating the stale Afghan rhetoric of blaming others for their own problems and not looking in the mirror. This is standard Afghan conversation. It's easier to blame others that own up to your own mistakes. I am disappointment by Abdullah's remarks which smack of his continued allegiance to India. Afghanistan has long allowed itself to be used a proxy to destablize Pakistan and create border problems in Baluchistan and KPK. This was clarified by none other than the US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel. Afghanistan has only destablized itself by engaging in this interference for the last 60 years but these same Afghans want to run to Pakistan to live and seek shelter when it suits them. Pakistan has to put its foot down and tell Afghan officials in no uncertain terms that their double dealing will no longer be tolerated. Otherwise Pakistan does not need to engage in trade and commercial relations with Afghanistan at all.