ABDULLAH MUSTAFVI
Would there be restoration of durable peace in South Asian region ; for which Pakistan is significantly striving hard on all fronts. Positive endeavors on diplomatic front were visible to whole world during conduct of Afghan dialogue process and a very promising acknowledgement of Pak efforts , during recent tour of PM Imran Khan, by none other than top leadership of USA with President Trump at top of the list of admirers .
Besides diplomatic moves , Pakistan is playing an extra ordinary role in war against terror and its blood soaked episode surfaced recently once 10 valiant sons laid their precious lives while combating terrorists in Balochistan and North Waziristan.
Political and military leadership has rightly responded by reminding the world community about responsibilities related to shared goals in war ridden Afghanistan. It would be unfair on part of international community to sit back in a relaxed portion and watch silently the bloody game being staged by global players and venomous neighbor India.How the recent developments would affect the regional dynamics in the longer run? This question deserves due deliberation, with a serious head on shoulders, by all regional stake holders .
Obviously , list of regional stake holders consists upon China, Russia, Pakistan , India , Afghanistan, Iran , all small members of SAARC and Central Asian states. In any terms , regional canvas does not portray a peaceful scenario as most of the countries listed above are facing serious challenges in the form of terrorism and proxies. Prior to repeating the well known grey areas, it seems appropriate to recognize the bitter fact that smaller and weaker countries are suffering in the hands of big wealthy players ! Local stakeholders paying the price of manipulation and treachery imposed upon them by foreign players ! Afghanistan and IOK remain at top of the list of trouble spots where human lives carry no worth . Since the Russian invasion in the decade of 70s , Afghanistan is facing nothing but unrest, bloodshed, corruption and massive violence in the hands of warlords.
Only change visible on Afghan soil is that, over a period of time, Russian boots were substituted with American and NATO boots . Bitter reality bites with full force ; how one should visualize the presence of USA in war ridden lands of Afghanistan? Thousands miles away from her main heartland, USA with NATO countries , have spent almost one and half decade in Afghanistan .
What for? What are the achievements ? What are the losses? Above all, What is the justification for such a long distance off shore military led adventure which now apparently seems to be more of a misadventure! Two puppet Afghan governments , under Hamid Karzai and Ashraf Ghani , are enough evidence of American mishandling . Every brand of corruption and bad governance creeped further deep in Afghan society under the puppet regimes. Having no control on her more than 70% territory , Afghan government mindlessly accepted the lethal plans of anti Pakistan proxies architected by India . While willingly failing to deal with her internal fire of violence and unrest , Afghanistan’s undeterred resolve to perpetuate terrorism in Pakistan has put the peace of whole region at stake . Undoubtedly, this disorder in Afghanistan adds to the worries of Pakistan on many accounts.
Historic fight of Pakistan against foreign sponsored terrorist net works brought a visible pleasant change of peace in country which might get jeopardized as a result of persistent madness on part of Afghan government. Though, Pakistan maintains an appreciable positive policy stance of no interference in Afghan matters which was forcefully reaffirmed by PM at many occassions , but this gesture has neither been well received in Afghanistan as usual nor likely to be reciprocated in same coins. Recent terrorist attacks on Pak troops were planned and executed from Afghan soil and further confirmed that troubles are not over yet so one sided peace gestures of Pakistan alone are not enough to bring a change of heart across the Western border . Obviously, this all is taking place in Afghanistan with full connivance and support of India in the presence of USA . Under such harsh times , now USA has expressed her trust on Pak mediatory efforts in stabilizing the situation of Afghanistan through dialogues.
Treacherous setting of chessboard gets more complicated with the worsening situation in occupied Kashmir where Pakistan directly confronts India . Dealing with hawks of BJP under existing complex scenario demands a delicate combination of patience and aggression in all responses of Pakistan. Fabricated allegations of cross border terrorism were being pressed against Pakistan jointly by India and USA for the understandable reasons. Now, the USA is extending mediation on Kashmir issue against all the apparent wishes of India.
Chinese connection of Pakistan has added burden on our diplomatic shoulders which can only be carried along with the support of trusted allies. Recent past visit of Pak PM to Iran was another major step towards rehashing our relations with neighboring countries. Both Iran and Pakistan are, at the moment, dealing with a hostile and much irritated USA which habitually applies allegation of terror sponsoring on every opponent. Same has happened with Iran whose revolutionary Guards were declared terrorist by American authorities. Iran didn’t waste a single moment in reciprocating to this unprecedented move and immediately labelled American forces as terrorist.
This exchange of allegations in superlative tone is likely to stretch beyond words. So is the case of terrorism! Is it a coincidence that ghost of terrorism surfaced in Iran and Pakistan at a time once both regional players are in cross hairs of USA. Both are being threatened to be declared sponsor of terror by USA and her all weather allies.
Pakistan simultaneously engaging Iran , KSA , Russia , China , USA and Afghanistan through diplomatic channels. It is not an easy task to live peacefully while dealing with players who possess conflicting interests in the region. Internal stability and political unity is essential to sail through such troubled waters. Political leadership should realize the nature of problems hovering at our heads. Undoubtedly, for Pakistan, striving for peace under such troublesome circumstances is not an easy task. A change in tone and mood of USA appears as a significant diplomatic success for Pakistan so far. But a lot more has yet to be achieved to survive in highly troubled waters of South Asia.
