Reema Shaukat
Handling the burden of over millions of refugees, disputed border, absconding of militantsfrom dubious borderline and to accusations of instability in each other’s state of affairs, Pak Afghan relations have never enjoyed a honeymoon period. There is a complicated history on border which is still a bone of contention between two states. Though Durand Line is accepted as a marked boundary by UN,Afghan Government on 26 July, 1949 unilaterally declared that it considered the Durand Line as an imaginary line and that all previous Durand Line Agreements are therefore invalid. However, Pakistani governments have continuously maintained that the Durand Line is the legal border between the two countries due to international law principle of Uti possidetis juris.It is also opposed by some Afghans that as the Durand Line Agreement spells out respective spheres of influence it was never intended to physically divide the border. However, as per Pakistan stance, Article IV and V of the initial Agreement and later agreements make it very clear that border was to be demarcated and Afghanistan regularly received subsidies, thereby accepting it as a de facto border. Afghan Pashtun elites argue that the line splits up their tribes and that 21st century border management would threaten their way of life. During Partition, Pashtuns were given a limited choice: to join either Pakistan or India. As a result, time and again, Pashtun leaders have cited the violation of the “right to self-determination” of Pashtuns on both sides to argue against the line’s legitimacy. Today Pashtuns are not only clustered around the Durand Line but they are possibly the largest tribal society in the world, with a population of more than 42 million people in several countries, comprised of an estimated 60 distinct tribes with approximately 400 sub-clans. Even the Pashtuns that live along the Durand Line are organized in many separate tribes and clans, and are not as closely knit as often stated.
Afghanistan being a land locked country depend on Pakistan for most of its livelihood needs.Thousands of people cross the Chaman and Torkham border points daily, which include legal immigrants, traders, personnel from NGOs and NATO assets. Besides, this hundreds of illegal crossings take place daily using both frequented and unfrequented routes. Apart from giving a place to refugees during Soviet invasion of Afghanistan and living in Pakistan for decades, these Afghan nationals are not willing to return to their homes. Well, Pakistan had to pay a huge price for being generous and offering its land to Afghan refugees during hard times. In return it was blessed with gifts of border skirmishes and Taliban insurgents. During the last few year’sterrorist sanctuaries and cross border attacks have emerged as serious issue. The terrorists from TTP are hiding in and operating from their sanctuaries in Kunar and Nuristan provinces of Afghanistan since 2010. Foreign fighters like Uzbeks, Chechens also use this less-than-well managed border for penetration in Pakistan and carry out terrorist activities. The presence of Indian Consulates along the border are contributing towards destabilising Pakistan by providing material and financial support to terrorists and sub nationalist groups.
Recent skirmish on border began when Pakistan last month decided to fence the border to control illegal movements but Afghanistan objected on this move by Pakistan. Afghanistan strengthened its security forces along the border thus compelling Pakistan to send tanks and troops in armoured carriers to the Torkham border. Rigiditiesamplified between the two neighbours when Afghan border security forces prevented Pakistani security forces from installing barbed wire fences along the border. However issue was resolved when Afghan ambassador called on Pak Army Chief.Pakistan benevolently handed over Angoor Adda check post to Afghanistan but later the tension escalated with exchange of fire from both sides. Pakistan is constructing a gate to check movement of terrorists and monitor illegal crossings through Torkham, but the firing by Afghan forces provoked situation and clearly indicated that they were aimed to disrupt construction of gate inside Pakistani territory.
Pakistan considers vigilance on border as an effective method to control infiltration of miscreants. Following the traces of Charsadda University attack to kidnapping of two high profiles from Pakistan and many other evidences of militant acts in Pakistan, this border was used by terrorists an easy way out to reach Afghanistan. When President Ghani took the charge of his office in Afghanistan, a ray of hope emerged between the two countries better relations. But with the passage of time, Afghan officials started accusing Pakistan for instability in Afghanistan and particularly named Haqqani network from Pakistan for acts of violence in Afghanistan. For Pakistan, Afghan intelligence agency NDS seems to be a troublemaker as whenever relations between two neighbours starts restoring a misfortune occurs. For instability in Pak Afghan relations, alone border management is not the hot debate but US and NATO troop’s presence on Afghan soil, growing Iranian influence and Indo- Iran nexus for Afghanistan in terms of trade and economy and top it all presence of India’s sympathisers in Afghan government and security agency are enough to topple Pak Afghan rapports any time. Pakistan has gone a long way to improve security inside its land from terroristsand simultaneouslyhas always raised voice for regional peace and stability. Particularly when Operation Zarb e Azb is near completion with flying colours such border escalation seem to be an act of restiveness by its foes.Pakistan has moved for fencing the border by seeing the sluggish response from Afghan officials in keeping a check on terrorists’ penetration in adjoining areas of border and later their attempts to carry out any heinous militant act.
The only way forward for long term improved relations between two states lies in bringing restoration of dialogue process and the value of reaching a final agreement on Durand line to be recognized by Afghanistan as an international border. Pakistan look towards a stable Afghanistan in future for regional peace and this fencing of border can be a first step to stop infiltration of extremists causing instability on both sides. Instead of thrashing old wounds this border screening should be considered an enclosure of old border hostilities and a canopy of two friendly neighbours sharing rich cultural affinity based on same religion and humanitarian grounds.
