Abdullah Mustafvi
abdullahmustafvi70@yahoo.com
No one can deny the necessity of peace for war weary people of Afghanistan. QCG has set desired objectives and momentum of progress seems satisfying so far. Despite all right steps, fog of uncertainty still blurs the future scenario. Expeditious break through is neither possible nor should be expected. Formulation of common agenda between parties having conflicting interests was not an easy task but it was finally done and Pakistan played a significant lead role in this whole affair. Bigger challenges are yet to surface in forthcoming sessions of direct dialogues between Afghan government and Taliban. Expectations from Pakistan are extremely high. America is anxiously pressurizing Pakistan to bring Taliban on table without realizing the fact that requisite influence for this wishful dream is not available. Another complication is related to Afghan Unity Government which at present comprises of elements applying maximum force in pulling legs of each other. Recent Taliban strikes resulted in rapid dramatic but very much expected defeats of Afghan forces. Resultantly, now Afghan government will most probably be holding a much weaker position in upcoming dialogues. obviously, it is an undesired situation for Afghan ruling regime. Avoiding the dialogues on any pretext remains a likely option for afghan unity government and likely escape routes are not much difficult to assess. Objection on any faction of Taliban or non-stop armed attacks might surface as likely reasons to derail the process at any moment . Bundle of problems multiplying complications for pakistan. There exists a sheer trust deficit with Afghanistan and matter remains irreparable due to persistent Indian intervention. Ashraf Ghani being the president holds least authority and faces powerful opposition from Abdullah Abdullah group mostly string controlled by India. While showing patience and restraint to Afghanistan’s negative stance, Pakistan faces extreme difficulty in absorbing this bitter reality that masterminds of abhorrent terrorist acts affiliated with TTP and Baloch Separatists are present at Afghan soil under joint umbrella of RAW and NDS. Active presence of ‘Daish’ and allegiance of few Taliban factors with this organization is another factor capable enough to spoil the spade work done for dialogues. Obviously, this regional game is much complicated than a chessboard. A focused view zooms in few more influential pieces of this tricky mosaic. Both Pakistan and Afghanistan should review the situation with positive bilateral approach. Russian invasion and subsequent American policies pushed this region into quagmire of violence and instability. No one else has suffered in this region except these two neighbors. A clarity must prevail about the role of America as fresh wave of violence aroused in Afghanistan due to violent use of force since 2001.During UNGA session Barrack Obama admitted failure of American policy of using force in Iraq as it gave birth to ISIS. This policy has failed in Afghanistan and Syria as well. There are even more serious questions about America’s dubious role. What success American have got against militants since 2001? Who is responsible for failure of Afghan forces? Afghan unity government has failed to deliver due to internal divide primarily carved out by America after electoral dispute between Ashraf Ghani and Abdullah Abdullah? Striving for restoration of peace under existing intriguing environment is not easy for Pakistan.There is no dearth of complications for Pakistan at internal and global canvas. At internal front Zarb-e-Azab is moving in full momentum towards final phase. Despite all odds, Karachi operation is still on track with few ‘big shots’ behind the bar. Extension of anti terrorism cum corruption drive in Punjab is expected to deliver a big jolt. CPEC is accelerating appropriately but Indian designs and American concerns can not be ruled out easily. In addition to conventional military threat, India has triggered 5th generation warfare against Pakistan.At global canvas Pakistan is being assessed by Arab world as a counter weight to Iranian expansionist designs. Despite cautious diplomatic response, Pakistani troops participated in 34 countries Coalition exercise ‘North Thunder’. Our friends in Middle East do have high hopes with Pakistan. Biased analysts still frame allegations against Pakistan for maintaining double standards towards terrorists. A simple reply to such allegations can be found in these two questions First, Who has failed in eliminating terrorism from Afghanistan even after wasting one and half decades? Second, Who is responsible for wide scale spread of ISIS? While setting high hopes and exaggerated blames ,Afghan government, USA and our friends in Middle East should realistically assess the problems whirling at Pakistan’s end. Undoubtedly, Pakistan is battling against an intriguing web of interconnected complications.
