In the teeth of fierce opposition from its domestic political foes over the past 10 months, the Afghan government has been in an all-out endeavour to mend its oft-tense relations with Pakistan. On the face of it, the long-frosty bilateral relationship has started thawing, but the equation remains far from stable or cooperative.

Fundamentally, efforts to boost ties between the neighbours have failed for two principal reasons: Pakistan’s continued support for the insurgency and viewing Afghanistan, particularly the bloody bombing in Shah Shaheed neighbourhood.

Delegation’s achievement

As a result of the militant-linked assaults, the Ashraf Ghani administration was forced into sending a high-level delegation to Pakistan. Led by Foreign Minister Salahuddin Rabbani, the team urged the Pakistan government to designate the Haqqani network as terrorist groups. The delegation also asked Islamabad for dismantling terrorist hideouts, denying militants medical treatment on its soil and handing detained insurgent leaders over to Kabul.

In response to the demands, Pakistan floated two proposals: Cooperation with the peace process and support for the campaign against militants. In fact, this assurance is a reiteration of the commitment Pakistan has repeatedly held out over the last 13 years. However, such vows were never honoured. Given the military power, ascendency of its intelligence and no meeting between the delegation and the Pakistan Army chief, we can safely assume the proposals have come from the General Headquarters (GHQ) through civilian leaders.

For its part, the Afghan government is pursuing a two-pronged strategy: Making peace with the outfits that are inclined toward reconciliation and pressing on with military operations against those intent upon fighting. This stance has been staked out time and again by President Ashraf Ghani and other administration officials. Unfortunately, the Pakistan government has not yet played ball on either front.

Political analysts, pointing to the authorities’ silence, believe Islamabad clings to its old ambiguous policy — a game that is damaging of Afghanistan’s core interest. With the government yet to comment on the outcome of the visit, one tends to conclude that sharing Kabul’s concerns including documentary evidence of Pakistan’s complicity in recent attacks with Islamabad is the only concrete agenda item discussed.

Whatever the result of the trip may be, the national unity government has discharged its duty as a good neighbour. Now it will have every justification for taking its case against Pakistan to the United Nations Security Council and other international fora. And Islamabad no longer has any cause for complaint if Islamabad exercises this option. However, it remains unclear whether or not Afghanistan produces any evidence in support of its claims.

Pakistan’s position

Pakistan vehemently denies aiding the insurgents, refusing to take the recent carnage in Kabul seriously. Prime Minister’s Advisor on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz renewed cooperation promises, alleging some circles were out to damage Kabul-Islamabad relations. Although he did not elaborate on the circles, the advisor arguably referred to India’s quest for influence in the landlocked country.

We can draw two inferences from Aziz’s statement. One, India is behind the Ghani administration’s latest stance against Pakistan and Kabul is making new demands on Islamabad at New Delhi’s instigation. Two, a clear message has been sent to Afghanistan to halt Indian activities on its soil. This propositions is patently in conflict with Afghanistan’s interest.

What to do?

Regional countries and the world against the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan, Pakistan has been able to become a key American ally. It also cultivated robust links with other powerful countries, playing an important role in implementing their strategic plans.

Based on ground realities, Afghanistan is left with two stark choices: To present the UN Security Council and other global organisations with evidence of Pakistan’s involvement in aiding terrorism on its soil; and to convince China, the US and other powers of its strategic value. At the moment, American forces are still deployed to Afghanistan and a strategic cooperation pact has been signed with China. Our relations with NATO states are good. But still Pakistan is a more valuable ally for these countries.

Through its clear position and strategic location in the region, Afghanistan can enter into direct dialogue with Pakistan to force the latter into abandoning support to terrorists in the interest of peace.

The views expressed by the writer, a Kabul-based analyst, are his own and don’t reflect Pajhwok’s editorial policy.

Views: 2