Kamal Arshad Khan
Afghanistan has been witnessing turmoil and instability since last two decades as the country is confronted with an unending “war of attrition” between the Afghan government in Kabul and un-subdued Afghan Taliban. The prolonged conflict has induced many regional/global players to check prowess in augmenting their strategic interests, thereby turning Afghanistan into a “chessboard for great game”. Being immediate neighbor, Pakistan has remained a most important stakeholder and vulnerable to the emanating dangers, strategic perils, cob- webbing scheming by the different stake holders and continued insinuations amid augmenting pressures to “do more”. Unfortunately, the adopted attitude of the world community in general and the USA in particular vis-à-vis Pakistan in “Afghan imbroglio” or “War on Terror”, has mostly remained sham and full of cosmetics if weighed with the supreme sacrifices, of all forms, rendered by Pakistan. Through continued evil scheming by the enemies of both the countries, sizable Afghan population has also been infected with a syndrome of so-called blinkered role of Pakistan aimed at generating mongered malice between the public of both the countries. Recent escalation of tension at Pak-Afghan border can also be viewed in the same context. However, despite of all the surrounding negativity being carved by the enemies, there are lot of ways to follow the path towards peace and prosperity.
Idealizing the most favorable and most desired environment for achieving the Peace and prosperity for Afghanistan would definitely require sincerity and strong will to move forward ,without letting own interests to dictate and sidelining the others. Afghanistan has witnessed indescribable miseries and cry of humanity, but unfortunately the Afghanistan’s soil could not cry enough to cascade the attention of the humanity and even could not cry louder enough to be heard by the community ,who apparently claim to be the champions of Humanity. clamming to be the friends of humanity, but in reality are the horrific examples of human enemies. In the hope of peace, the peace talks in Afghanistan has taken several shapes and formation, besides, have crossed and suffered almost every fall and rise of the progress. Experts opine that the potentially disruptive factors also includes Afghanistan negative perception of Pakistan’s support to Afghan Taliban. Conversely, there is a strong perception against Afghanistan in Pakistan; duly based on facts like hosting of Mullah Fazullah in Afghanistan and Afghanistan’s lack of action against elements involved in subversive activities in Pakistan, interplay of ideology and money in sponsoring terrorism. Besides, the evolution of radical organizations in the region, possible escalation of violence, the earlier anticipated spring offensive, the politicization of the refugees issue have further deteriorated the situation and mistrust between the two countries. In addition to achieve the security stability in Afghanistan and move forward as an independent and sovereign country, there are drastic steps to be taken to survive as a country ,as it needs to follow an irreversible course towards stability and increased prospects for economic prosperity of Afghanistan. It has always remained a constant stance of Pakistan that peaceful, prosperous and progressing Afghanistan is essential for the general development of Pakistan. The desire for peace in Afghanistan has been continuously expressed by the successive leadership and people of Pakistan at all levels, hence it would be unwise to think that Pakistan in any way is interested in destabilizing Afghanistan, the elements of spreading such rumors and propagating the negativity to deteriorate relations between the brethren countries needs to be given defeat.
Given the significance of free media, and with the aim of orienting bilateral relations in a positive direction, the institutions and think tanks of both sides must jointly conceive media projects and organize exchange of journalists while underscoring the need for long term cooperation. Experts believe that there is a dire need of taking steps to highlight and promote the urge to enhance Pak-Afghan Bilateral Ties, Role of Pakistan, Role of Afghanistan, Media and Civil Society Engagement. Education Cooperation, Private Sector cooperation, concessional tuition fees for enhancing cooperation in the field of education, Opening up of model schools in Afghanistan by leading Pakistani school chains and State to State cooperation including scholarships, fellowships and faculty exchange programs are the few steps toward achieving the good will for both the countries. The educational collaboration is also crucially important, both governments need to develop a comprehensive and transparent program for scholarly exchange between two countries. These may include scholarships up to PhD level, visiting scholar programs and alumni networking on both sides, through engagement of credible and reputable educational institutions. Even, discussion on economic cooperation, key connectivity related infrastructure projects, reviewing the mutual targets set during the already held joint economic commission meetings would also suffice the positive efforts.
There is also a need to emphasize on the need for improved economic relations between the two countries, while facilitating the business visa regime, increase trade through facilitation of transit routes, and expeditious completion of all infrastructural projects to which Pakistan has already been committed and many steps have been taken to meet that end. Unfortunately, all positive efforts are forced to get aside by the sorrowful incidents in Afghanistan , which seems very corroborated and time picked events to derail any positivism being conceived by both the countries. There is a strong need and will required to help and shape the prevailing negative narratives against each other in both the countries into a positive and mature relationship through people to people contacts and effective role of civil society towards confidence building measures. Increasing bilateral trade and expeditious completion of Pakistani infrastructural projects in Afghanistan could be conducive to improving Pak- Afghan economic relations.
It is pertinent to mention here that Pakistan is the biggest Muslim donor country contributing generously to finance socio-economic uplift of Afghanistan. Pak, so far, has spent over 385 Million $ for development, education and infrastructure building in Afghanistan. Present Government has added over 500 Million $ more to this list.
There is a need to take indiscriminate actions in Afghanistan as Pakistan did , against the elements involved in deteriorating bilateral peace and relations between the brethren countries. Besides, there is a dire need to promote cultural ties by building on existing historical linkages organizing seminars, cultural and literary events, concerts, exchange of visits of writers, students, opinion makers, developing films and documentaries, which could provide the basis for moving forward and develop better understanding between the two brotherly countries. It would also help to aim the creation of a conducive ambiance for people to people relationship and strengthening impulses for peace, stability and cooperation between the two brethren countries.
