Instead, hostilities between the two neighboring countries are fueling with each passing day as Islamabad and Kabul are stick to its inflexible stances and reluctant to accept each other’s autonomous and sovereign status. Pakistan along with recognition of controversial Durand Line as a permanent International border also forcing Taliban (Emirate Islami Afghanistan) to take action against banned Tehrik Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants or to surrender them. But despite their staunch stance on own interpretation of Islamic doctrine, Taliban are firm to defend Afghanistan historical traditions of hospitality, “saying banned TTP militants are guests and guests are not forced to return or will be handed over to their enemies.” Taliban rulers are suggesting Pakistan to go for reconciliation with TTP instead threatening them of dire consequences.
Amidst hectic preparation on the part of UN sponsored third Doha Conference on Afghanistan scheduled to be held, the Taliban regime yet to get support from other countries especially those having direct or indirect stakes in the long awaited conflict. Earlier Taliban have not only got but Pakistan worked like its attorney in both the previous held conferences in Doha. But this time Pakistan is attaching or making conditional its support to Afghanistan. Most recently Pakistan’s high level team headed by Interior secretary had visited Kabul and held series of talks with the Taliban ministers but the results seems disappointing. On return of interior secretary lead delegation from Kabul, Pakistan has stimulated further security measures along with Pak Afghan border. Similarly terrorists also intensified its attacks and threats to tribesmen, especially in Kurram region. The extra ordinary activism on the part of security forces in different merged tribal districts portray something else.
Reginal countries are in direct talk with the Taliban and Pakistan needs to learn from this.
Whatever might be strategies of Pakistan but one thing is very clear. Compare to recent past, situation is different in Afghanistan. Like of former Peshawar manufactured Jehadi groups. Almost top Taliban leaders are also made disheartened. Instead Rawalpindi-Islamabad, now major stake holders i.e. US lead allies are engaging Taliban through Qatar, whereas China and Russian Federation succeeded in establishing own links with Kabul and Kandahar. Saudi Arab is completely reshuffling its internal and external policies. On such grounds instead becoming sentimental, Pakistan must review its failed even flopped policies towards Afghanistan. In the wake of poor or even “BIG NO” response from Taliban regime, Pakistan instead, has declared, “no more talks with TTP.” But it doesn’t resolve the issue. The issue could easily be resolved through peaceful and political means. Instead dictating Taliban (Emirate Islami Afghanistan) like masters, Pakistan needs to behave like friend and contemporary, if it really wants settling its own scores in that war ravaged country.
No one deny the fact that Pakistan suffered a lot on its involvement in prolonged conflict in Afghanistan but its trade and diplomatic relations remained satisfactory even during the hostile or unfriendly regimes in Kabul. But now when Kabul is governed by Pakistan backed Taliban, clashes between and across the border encounters, closure of border for bilateral trade and pedestrians and war of words between the two neighboring countries become a routine matter. Almost Afghan traders have diverted trade and business affairs from Karachi Port to Bandar Abbass Iran and other Central Asian countries. Construction of Railway track with technical and logistic support of India likely to smash dreams of Pakistan regard establishing and dominating consumer markets in CAR states through Afghanistan. Pakistan’s most sincere friend also seems disappointed as it has established direct links with Afghanistan. In such a circumstances, Pakistan must realize gravity of ground situation and remain careful regarding insisting on Zia-Hameed Gul framed strategic depth policies in Afghanistan.
Afghans could easily be controlled through friendly attitude be not possible through sticks and guns.
“Afghans could easily be governed and controlled through friendly attitude but seems impossible to be controlled through sticks and guns,” it is the most readable and circulated proverb. Long standing conflict in Afghanistan is a political issue and could easily be settled through political means. Unfortunately since along the main stake holder-US lead allies remained reluctant to let resolve or let political awareness and unification in Afghanistan for settling the issue through political means. Whatever may be claims but anger and hate against Taliban is stimulating day by day. Pakistan as immediate neighbor can play a vital role in permanent and durable solution to the conflict.
Pakistan deserves peace and tranquility as its leaders are ahead with huge issues of governance, security, poverty, unemployment and deteriorating economy. Unless and until return of complete peace and tranquility in Afghanistan, it could be hard for Pakistan to put its own house in order, therefore, Pakistan needs to play a rule as a “mediator” instead of a “partisan.” Pakistan could easily convince Taliban for transferring power to an inclusive interim government, which go for strengthening of political process before holding of elections. Only a democratically elected political government may be capable of settling the long standing conflict in Afghanistan. And this democratically elected government may be in interests of Pakistan.
