Pakistan’s special envoy to Afghanistan Muhammad Sadiq Khan’s prompt or in “hurry” trip to Kabul could be seen as an act for “immediate” response to US acts ignoring Pakistan in recent developments of establishing direct links with Taliban governing Kabul for the second term since August 15 2021. Prior to Sadiq Khan’s comprehensive trip to Kabul, high powered US officials have made the first ever formal trip to Kabul and held detailed talks with Afghanistan’s foreign minister.
Ironically, both the developments took place soon after high power discussion on National Security issues in parliament, whereas apparently Prime Minister Shehaz Sharif was the most important figure but internally the whole session was dominated by Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Gen. Asim Muneer. First with help from its most trustworthy Qatar, a US team headed by Ambassador Adam Boehlar visited Kabul and got the release and air lifting of George Glezmann, an American airline mechanic to the United States via Qatar Doha. And on the next day, Sadiq Khan, considered most effective and popular in Afghanistan, landed in Kabul for a three day visit.
Though no further details of Sadiq Khan’s engagements in to Kabul is ascertained but a brief statement, is appearing in Rawalpindi-Islamabad controlled media which states, “Pakistan and Afghanistan on Saturday vowed to sustain their diplomatic engagement to address ongoing bilateral challenges, including trade, security and the status of Afghan refugees in Pakistan.” Through such statements, Pakistani officials confirmed only Ambassador Muhammad Sadiq’s meeting with Afghanistan’s Acting Foreign Minister, Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi.
Is there any discussion over the prolonged controversial issue of Durand Line
No one can deny the fact that since the return of Taliban into power in mid of August 2021, Pakistan is a head with a stock of confusions. On one hand like of Mullah Muhammad Omar Akhund, his successor Mullah Haibatullah is reluctant to change mind on prolonged controversial issue of Durand Line and on the other the policy makers in Rawalpindi-Islamabad corridors are going towards isolation as the major global players like US, China, Russian Federation and even European Community succeeded in establishing direct links with Kabul. Pakistan is no longer dependent on the global community in handling issues and matters with Kabul.
Soon after his first ever trip to Kabul after August 15th 2021, former US special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad who was part of Ambassador Adam Boehlar has criticized the Pakistan Army. Through this latest statement, Khalilzad cautioned Pakistan’s government and military, emphasizing that time is running out to prevent further turmoil. It is his second criticism against Pakistan after May 9th 2023 whereas he had backed the deposed Prime Minister. Now the situation is very clear as Zalmay Khalilzad’s status in US society especially in the ruling Republic is very clear. Almost all Afghans, especially his (Khalilzad) long time friends and familiars are now very clear about his next assignments or agenda.
Another stressful issue is the Torkham crossing for trade in Central and South Asian countries
Besides soon after US team’s trip to Kabul, Pakistan has not only ordered reopening of Torkham border, considered most important corridor between the two neighbouring countries but Sadiq Khan in Kabul and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi in Peshawar received joint delegations of traders involved in bilateral trade. A report from Kabul revealed, “officials of the Chamber of Commerce and Investment have met with Pakistan’s Special Envoy for Afghanistan Muhammad Sadiq and Obaidur Rahman Nizamani, the head of the Embassy of the country in Kabul and discussed bilateral trade relations and the problems in this area. According to the Chamber of Commerce and Investment Newsletter, Muhammad Younis Momand, Deputy Chief of the Chamber, stressed the importance of the Torkham route for trade in Central and South Asia, which route can connect with other countries in the region like Afghanistan and Pakistan. They have created an increase in grants and by the way, the lockdown can also cause a big loss to the economy of both countries.”
On certain issues, especially Afghans maltreatment, frequent closure of Torkham, imposition of taxes on transit and bilateral trade. Controversial Durand Line and others, Islamabad and Kabul are at loggerhead with each other.
Though nothing in detail regarding Pakistan’s stance on the issue of terror during his talks with Foreign Minister Mutaqqi appeared in media but Governor Faisal Karim Kundi in his chat with traders repeated, “terrorists are incurring from Afghanistan into Pakistan.
Afghanistan not only explored alternate trade routes but its sitting rulers made more friends and sympathizers like the US, China and Russian
Compared to other civil-military officials, Sadiq Khan has long had a realistic approach towards issues with Afghanistan. He believes in talks and dialogues. Unfortunately, high ups occupying important offices in the Rawalpindi-Islamabad corridor are stuck to British colonial rulers’ inherited expansionism based policies towards Afghanistan. Unless and until honouring the importance of talks and consultations and remaining neutral in intra Afghan issues, it could be hard to earn the hearts of Afghans which is a must for tackling the situation that erupted with direct jumping of US and others in the region.
Compared to the past, the regional situation is different. Earlier Pakistan was dealing matters with Afghanistan like a landlocked and under developed country wholly solely depending on Karachi sea port. But now Afghanistan has not only explored alternate trade routes but its sitting rulers made more friends and sympathizers like the US, China and Russian Federation. After the empowerment of Donald Trump, now Washington is making ways and means for converting long time hostilities in friendship with Russia. Similarly growing influence of terror, especially presence of IS-Daesh militants in certain parts of the country, especially along the Pak Afghan border is also much more harmful to the very interests of Pakistan. Instead of remaining hostile to its failed “STRATEGIC Depth” policies inherited by successive military generals, Pakistan must follow the realist politico-diplomatic approaches towards Afghanistan and other neighboring countries.
