Author: Omar Afghan
Pakistan, having acquired significant experience in the crises of Afghanistan, is endeavoring to adopt the same hostile political stance following the establishment of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, akin to its actions over the past four decades.
When communist forces began their endeavors in Afghanistan and their occupation attempts came to a close, Pakistan seized a favorable opportunity to directly interfere in Afghanistan’s internal affairs under the pretense of aiding the country’s Mujahideen.
Pakistan achieved success in this endeavor with the support of America and Western nations that backed the Afghan Mujahideen.
Now that peace and stability have reached Afghanistan for the first time after several decades, Pakistan gives itself the right to intervene in the internal affairs of Afghanistan as it did in the past.
There exists evidence and substantiated claims that certain nations, both near and far, perceive their own prosperity and advancement in the instability and devastation of Afghanistan and the suffering of Afghans, with Pakistan being one of these neighboring countries.
These nations appear incapable of tolerating Afghanistan’s swift progress and tranquility, apprehensive that with Afghanistan’s progression towards enduring stability, a formidable Afghan government may inevitably renegotiate borders and historical interests with these nations. Consequently, they have resorted to propaganda and adversarial strategies against the Islamic Emirate through deliberate schemes.
This article aims to shed light on the primary factors and rationales underlying Pakistan’s adoption of such a policy:
• The lingering dispute of the Durand Line between Afghanistan and Pakistan;
• Pakistan regards Afghanistan as its strategic depth;
• Afghanistan is viewed by Pakistan as its market of consumption;
• Pakistan plays with the world using Afghanistan’s interests;
• Pakistan believes it possesses the ability to handle crises;
• Pakistan perceives it can simultaneously assume two conflicting roles; playing with fire and water;
• Pakistan aspires for an Afghanistan whose foreign policies align favorably with Pakistan (opposing India and supporting Pakistan’s stance on Kashmir).
How should the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan respond to these policies?
• Pakistan utilizes Afghan refugees as leverage; hence, the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan should establish a systematic plan to resettle all Afghan refugees within the country;
• Afghanistan’s foreign policy should not succumb to the dictates of the East and West but should uphold neutrality, equilibrium, economic focus, and be rooted in Afghanistan’s national interests;
• Pakistan must be persuaded through various means that the progress and prosperity of Afghanistan equate to comparable gains for Pakistan;
• Emphasis should be placed on bolstering Afghanistan’s institutions, notably in water management and healthcare, to emancipate Afghanistan from dependency on Pakistan;
• The Islamic Emirate ought to engage directly with the world and neighboring nations so that Pakistan does not seize the opportunity to engage the world regarding Afghanistan;
• Pakistan talks about crisis management and playing contradictory roles, but gaining the satisfaction of the great powers in international politics and direct interaction with them gives the Emirate the opportunity to get rid of this hostile policy of Pakistan;
• A conducive environment for national reconciliation amongst Afghans, both within and outside Afghanistan, should be fostered by the Islamic Emirate to foster enduring peace and stability in Afghanistan, precluding the utilization of Afghans as pawns for armed endeavors against Afghan government in the future.
Conclusion:
The opportunity given to the Islamic Emirate to rule Afghanistan again in contemporary Afghan history has rarely occurred. The Islamic Emirate must initiate a long-term and meaningful dialogue with Pakistan founded on mutual interests to address Pakistan’s genuine concerns through collaborative endeavors. Consequently, Pakistan should comprehend the present realities of Afghanistan in line with the principles of good neighborliness and relinquish this adversarial policy.
