Afghan elections and Pakistan

Pakistan has always played an important role in the world due to its geostrategic location. Warriors like Alexander the Great and other Mongol rulers have come to India via the Western border from Central Asia. The first great game between the Russian czars and the British was also fought on this land. Now, Pakistan is the centre of the second great game between Soviet Russia and the US.

It is Pakistan’s location that has given it importance in the world community, but at the same time, this location has created problems. In the war between the US and Russia in Afghanistan, millions of Afghans had become refugees on Pakistan’s turf — which is not only a burden on Pakistan’s economy but also creates a law and order crisis here. Similarly, the US invasion of Afghanistan after 9/11 created militancy issues here. More than 50,000 Pakistanis lost their lives in the war on terror initiated by the US on Afghan land. Millions of Pakistani tribesmen have become IDPs in their own country, which has created serious problems for Pakistan’s economy.

Now the US has announced a withdrawal from Afghanistan and the election in Afghanistan is a ray of hope for Pakistan. Till now, the Afghan election results show that Dr Abdullah, an opthamologist by profession, is leading the race. Abdullah belongs to the former northern alliance, considered anti-Pakistan. But, as of now, he has changed his mind and has stated many times that his policy with Pakistan will be friendly and also that he will settle all issues, including that of the Durand Line, in peaceful ways.

Pakistan’s foreign ministry spokesperson has said that Pakistan has no favorite amongst Afghan presidential candidates and will have friendly relation with all. Afghan President Karzai, in the past, had blamed Pakistan for infiltration and said that Pakistan will sabotage the Afghan election. But Pakistan, on the other hand, sealed its Western border during the Afghan elections and deployed extra forces in the wake of Karzai’s blames.

Now the election result is due to announced. One can change their friend but cannot change their neighbor — and both Pakistan and Afghanistan are not only the neighbours but are similar in many respects. Above all, millions of Afghanis are now settled in Pakistan, and friendly relations between both countries will bring prosperity to them. Blame games only help destroy countries.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 23^rd, 2014.