Abdullah Mustafvi
Post UNGA activities of Pak Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi mostly revolve around dialogues with American top officials including US Secretary Of State Mike Pompeo. Dialogues in a highly tense environment might not succeed in melting the rock hard frozen ice thoroughly or sweetening the rotten bitter pie of bilateral relations but expectations for a better beginning would never be optimistic. As expected, Afghanistan takes center place in all diplomatic engagements between Pakistan and USA. Unrest in Afghanistan is multi dimensional and extra ordinarily complex. Apparently, terrorism and decades long deterioration of socio – economic infrastructure has turned the country into a vast unmanageable territory. To a great extent, this reality is oversimplified narration of a deep rooted crisis. It is not easy to form a unanimous opinion over definition of a terrorist and a freedom fighter in Afghanistan? Likewise, justification for foreign military boots on Afghan soil is a much harder job. Much of the Afghan sufferings are credited to foreign players. Obvious lethal intrusions of major global players need no further description. Pakistan enjoys a unique connection with Afghanistan. It is a strange combination of historical, socio- cultural, religious and tribal cum linguistic knots. It is a complex knot and over a period of time started causing troubles at both ends. To some analysts, Pakistan has added to the crisis due to flawed policies. To some others, Pakistan stands as a major sufferer of the Afghan unrest. Both sides can articulate bundle of arguments. Unfortunately, old biases too influence the process of analysis which eventually converts the whole effort into a non-productive battle of point scoring. Why not to shelf the past and take a new start to repair the damages in Afghanistan. Pakistan and USA are two important stake holders in Afghanistan. Both share a common past too, once they stood on same side of the court. Today’s Afghanistan puts a serious question mark on the conscious of international community in general and the active stake holders in particular. It is about time to give up the violent pursuance of extended interests for the sake of humanity. Why Afghanistan should suffer for the unjustified interests of a powerful country? There has to be an end to the infinite human sufferings. A durable solution is only possible with joint acceleration of real stake holders. Pak – US collaboration may fetch rich dividends. Idea seems extra ordinarily optimistic in the present regional scenario but carving a possibility out of rock hard impossibilities is the real job expected out of great leaders. A chain of frank and open minded dialogue aimed at restoration of peace will definitely help in achieving the desired results. Pak – US diplomatic engagement is the key to open the decades long deadlock. A realistic identification of existing irritants has to be done by all stake holders. Surprisingly, Afghan government has failed in displaying any seriousness towards country’s core interests. Afghan leadership should realize the true nature of regional situation and must differentiate between her national interest and Indian coercive deigns. A negligent response will add to the troubles. Joint positive approach of USA, Pakistan and Afghanistan is an unavoidable pre-requisite for smooth sailing on troubled waters. Anti – Pakistan hype in Afghan media and official circles is not good at all. Many a times in the past US top officials’ statements about precarious regional situation were artfully twisted against Pakistan by Afghan media. Such actions reflect an obvious Indian manipulative influence, Anti Pakistan coercive mode will drag all the stake holders away from the peace. Indian pervasion in Afghanistan is one of the major irritants in regional dynamics. Besides it, there are many more too. Differentiating between a terrorist and freedom fighter will prove another tough task. Status of NATO and US troops is questionable for majority of Afghans who grade them equivalent to an invading force. Afghan government’s confession regarding absence of any control on areas bordering FATA adds multiple concerns to Pak security. Many such like complex irritants warrant in-depth analysis with positive intent. It is a compulsion for Pakistan and Afghanistan, but for America, it is more than obligation and a writing on wall as well. For India, it is a tough test of wisdom specially once she is being led by ‘Hindutva’ driven trigger happy leadership. Regional stake holders China, Russia, and Pakistan apparently enjoy a common vision over Afghan crisis. Afghanistan is as usual biased, influenced and indecisive. India is actively coercive and Pakistan centric with all violent tricks in hat. USA should not prefer, anymore, her long term interests over Afghan masses. A joint Pak – US approach can guarantee the restoration of peace. Iran is also a major player in Afghan arena, with many dubious interests. Wisdom and mindfulness, unlike the past, will be better for Iran too. A constructive rehashing of Pak – US bilateral relations must be pursued for regional peace and collective stability. Let’s see how much good comes out of recent efforts of Pak foreign office.
