Periodic Commentary
Last evening, Pakistani fighter jets conducted airstrikes on the Barmal district of Paktika province near the Durand Line, marking a clear violation of international laws and human rights. This incident occurred while a Pakistani political delegation, led by Sadiq Khan, Pakistan’s special envoy for Afghanistan, was in Kabul engaging in discussions and negotiations with Afghan government officials. The airstrike once again highlighted the dominance of a specific faction within Pakistan’s military over the civilian government.
While Pakistan’s political leadership is striving to enhance relations through diplomatic channels, a circle within the military is contradicting these efforts by causing harm to innocent civilians. This demonstrates the hypocrisy, illegitimacy, and recklessness of this particular circle, which has unfortunately become a recurring trend.
This particular circle prioritizes its personal interests over the welfare of the nation and its citizens, taking actions that not only breed instability in the region but also bring about international censure, disgrace, and internal turmoil for Pakistan and its populace.
Through the attack on Afghan territory, this circle has made it evident that it intends to impede any earnest, positive, and authentic endeavours towards peace and reconciliation in the region. Disrupting negotiations between the TTP and the Pakistani government was another instance of the faction’s successful disruptions. Military officials who advocated for peaceful conflict resolutions faced unfounded accusations, forced exile, or unjust imprisonment.
The casualties of this recent attack encompassed numerous refugees displaced by military operations in Pakistan who had sought asylum in Afghanistan. In response to Pakistan’s concerns, Afghani authorities had established refugee camps distanced from the Durand Line and relocated many refugees there. However, targeting innocent civilians on Afghan soil is not only unethical and unlawful but also a blatant violation of international statutes.
The actions of this faction within Pakistan’s military reveal its belief that war and instability are essential for its survival and economic interests. Deliberately executing such attacks undermines the economic progress of both Afghanistan and Pakistan, aiming to drag both nations into further conflict.
These activities indicate the circle’s lack of desire for peace and stability in the region at any cost. If peace prevails, their military and political significance would diminish, and their war-based economy would suffer.
Pakistan’s current internal situation reflects the outcomes of these policies. The country is grappling with severe political and economic crises, largely due to this faction’s interference in every matter. They treat the country as their personal estate, where weakening political leadership, imprisoning politicians, censoring the media, and oppressing and disappearing ordinary citizens have become routine practices.
Both Pakistan’s politics and economy have fallen victim to the failed strategies of this circle, causing immense harm to the public and even depriving them of their basic rights.
The assault on Afghan territory further unveils how this circle exploits foreign aggression to divert attention from their domestic shortcomings. Such actions not only isolate Pakistan internationally but also contribute to regional instability and conflict.
In furtherance of bolstering their war-driven economy, this circle adopts measures that may enrich military leaders but further impoverish and destabilize the nation and its people. Consequently, Pakistan is now increasingly viewed as an irresponsible entity on the global platform—one lacking in the rule of law, human rights reverence, and adherence to global norms.
Over the past decades, the military has manipulated Pakistan’s domestic and foreign policies to serve its interests, besmirching its reputation and undermining opportunities for regional peace. Attacks on Afghan soil, whether under the pretext of combating supposed threats or other excuses, are part of this faction’s policies aimed at safeguarding their economic interests—despite the loss of thousands of innocent lives.
The populace of Pakistan must ask how long this circle will continue to pursue such irresponsible policies and when will a system emerge that prioritizes human life and complies with international statutes?
The Pakistani public must understand that this military clique opposes efforts to bring the two nations closer together. It fosters distrust and manipulates sentiments to advance foreign agendas within Pakistan and the region.
Afghanistan is now under strong leadership capable of delivering effective and bold responses to any aggression. No attack or incursion by Pakistan will go unanswered. If the region is pushed into conflict due to Pakistan’s irresponsible military policies, the consequences will be borne by the people of both nations.
There is still time for the Pakistani public and politicians to address the seriousness of this issue and curb the unnecessary interference of this uncontrolled military clique. Doing so will ensure the protection of Pakistan, Afghanistan, the region, and the world from the adverse effects of their actions.
