After days of political turmoil, blame games and obscure solutions, Ashraf Ghani was finally sworn in as Afghanistan’s president. This is indeed a welcome development for a country that has witnessed more misery than peace. The presence of President Mamnoon Hussain, along with heads of nationalist political parties at the swearing-in ceremony, is a symbolic gesture of endorsement for the political transition. The Foreign Office in its ritualistic statement informed us that at a bilateral meeting between the two presidents, matters relating to the “political transition in Afghanistan, Pakistan-Afghanistan relations and regional cooperation were discussed”. The Chief Executive Officer of the country, Abdullah Abdullah, was also present at the meeting. All of this was happening while a suicide bomber killed four people in an attack on the airport in Kabul, a reminder that all is not well in that country.
Our relations with Kabul have not been the best over the years. A few days earlier, the outgoing president, Hamid Karzai, had blamed Pakistan and the US for the continued war in Afghanistan. President Ghani’s actual problems have only just begun. The rise of the Taliban in the past year will pose a huge challenge, as indicated recently with the massive attack in the strategically located province of Ghazni. The fear of growing Indian influence and the Bilateral Security Agreement, which will allow for some American presence in Afghanistan, are all factors that will need to be considered by the Afghan and Pakistani leaderships.
All stakeholders need to ensure that the Afghan soil does not become a playground for proxy wars. The presence of our president shows Pakistan’s willingness to back a new beginning in Afghanistan. There has been much debate about Pakistan’s changed foreign policy, with particular reference to Afghanistan. Now is the time to bring about ‘positive’ change and press for cooperation beyond mere statements. The mistrust needs to end now.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 1st, 2014.
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@Ahmed: Salute my true follower of Zaid Hamid.
@Afghan: Just labeling your name Afghan doesn't make you one. Afghan's and Indians have old relationship which was spoiled only by Taliban rules and the perpetual state of war which followed. But a Pakistani labelling themselves as Afghan will never understand that.
Pakistan wishes a stable Afghanistan but it is India that has started using Afghanistan against Pakistan so Pakistan has full right to defend itself by any means !
@ Afghan
I doubt you are an Afghan, if you are an Afghan get off your high horse and appreciate the $ 2 billion spent by India on Afghan reconstruction projects. Afghanistan needs all the help it can get from Pakistan, India and Iran.
Afghanistan is nobody's backyard but it will remain a battle field if we don't adjust our attitude towards neighbors and regional power brokers. Stop living in the past.
'The presence of our president shows Pakistan’s willingness to back a new beginning in Afghanistan'- What a joke.
Do you think Mamnoon Hussain has a voice in Pakistan's Policy or for that matter-the political Leadership...??
Indian influence is limited to reconstruction projects and the training of a small number of ANA officers, which is much appreciated by all Afghans.
Proxy warfare was initiated by Pakistan and as long as Pakistan continues supporting anti Afghan elements, Afghanistan will be compelled to reciprocate in kind.
Come correct and Afghans will act accordingly, until then the status quo shall prevail with devastating consequences for both nations.
@Gp65: As an Afghan, I don't want Indians in our country. Please fix your own country before you dream of making Afghanistan your backyard. And do not forget the 21 times that we visit Mother India.
'The fear of growing Indian presence''
Who is afraid? Not the Afghans - they after all are inviting India to perform a bigger role. If it is something that bothers Pakistan - well time you realized Afghanistan is a sovereign nation.
You say the mistrust needs to end now. How will that happen when Pakistan continues tomproide safe haven to the Quetta Shura and the Haqqanis? Actions speak louder than words. Pakistan foreign office does t realize its credibility is shot to pieces with US,India, Iran, Afghanistan because of the wide divergence between words and actions of Pakistan.
How about actually attacking the Haqqani - closing down the Quetta Shura - and reigning in the ISI who has a history of providing assistance to the Afghan Taliban? Capturing the one eyed Mullah would be a good start.
Now that Mr Karzai has departed, I hope the new leadership stop promoting Indian propaganda and strive to build a meaningful and positive relationship with Pakistan. We Pakistanis wish Afghans only the best.