The rebooting of the relationship between Pakistan and Afghanistan is much to be welcomed, and signals a potential win-win for both countries. Relations for much of the last decade were soured by a consistently negative attitude towards Pakistan displayed by former president Hamid Karzai. The Karzai government was dogged by a narrowness of vision and an adherence to paradigms long past their sell-by date. By contrast, President Ashraf Ghani was ready to draw a line under the ‘relationship of suspicion’ and move towards one based on a shared economic dependence. A visit to the GHQ in Rawalpindi was significant quite aside from its symbolism. For the poison to drain from our relations, there has to be a shaking of hands at the highest military level, and the civilian governments on either side need to be sure that their military men are on the same page in terms of any mutual improvements in the overall climate.
President Ghani did something his predecessor would never have done — he tweeted. And in doing so, revealed a vision of the future:
PAK's security lies in the security of AFG & vice versa. 10yrs from now, v want to be n a France-Germany type of relationship with Pakistan.
— Ashraf Ghani (@ashrafghani) November 15, 2014
The France-Germany economic relationship is one of the great success stories of modern times, a model of post-war reconstruction and rehabilitation. As the ubiquitous ‘unnamed security official’ said, “it is time to move beyond the bickering”. The deck is now clear for some quick reform, with Pakistan lowering tariffs and accelerating the clearance of Afghan goods under a bilateral trade agreement. The seal on a new beginning was made at a press conference attended by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and the Afghan leader. The body language was relaxed, the smiles and handshakes warm and the reboot a reality. It is now vital that there be no backsliding from this newly established forward position. Now, both states need to move quickly to make good on their promises if they are not to drift away on the wind — but all in all, the Afghan president’s visit is a most positive development in Pakistan-Afghan relations in more than a decade.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 16th, 2014.
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Unlike Hamid karzai,who was in direct talk with politicians ,Ashraf Ghani has realized where the gravity of power is and who are behind the real problem. The answer is GHQ.
The comparison with France and Germany males me wonder why this comparison tells us anything. Germany invaded France and occupied it until the end of WW2 when allies won. The interesting part starts after the war. Saarland, a province was French, although many German speaking people lived there at the time, but in 1955 it allowed a referendum there- Over 55% of the people opted for Germany. France immediately handed over the province to Germany. WE still see many French speaking names in Saar. In fact last Chief Minister was called La Fontaine, which is a French name. My view is that a good friendship means give and take and a common approach to economic progress. A few decades after the war, Germany is more powerful and yet has good relationship with France. So if Afghan Pakistan needs a new turning, it must also base its efforts which benefit both countries.
I don't think that relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan can really change until Afghanistan stops being a base for Indian adventure against Pakistan. Afghanistan has been a willing puppet for India since the British left the region and successive regimes in Kabul have put more effort in serving Indian interests than helping their own people. The result has been the destruction of Afghanistan and its people sumggling themselves all over the world as refugees. The PM should demand that Afghanistan agree to renounce being a base for Indian agencies which was even pointed out by US Defense Secretary Chuck Hegel. They should also agree to fence and mine the border to prevent the movement of criminals back and forth. Kabul should also agree to taking back millions of Afghan refugees living in Pakistan. Only with these conditions can the two countries move forward.
Hamid Karzai was a realist whose perception was shaped by the situation on the ground. Ashraf Ghani is an idealist who has yet to show his ideas work. I remember similar high hopes when Karzai government came in 12 years ago. Photo ops of politicians shaking hands and signing agreements do not solve the world's problems.
Afghan President is wise guy ,he knows where the Real Power in Pakistan lies,so He went to GHQ -the Military Head Office to short out the relation with Pakistan,