2 weeks Ago By Malik Muhammad Ashraf
Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, who also holds the portfolio of foreign minister, visited Kabul last Saturday and, reportedly as a consequence of his interaction with the Taliban leaders, both sides agreed to strengthen bilateral relations and enhance cooperation in areas of mutual interest, including security, transit trade, connectivity and people-to-people exchanges. A commitment was also made in regards to sustained diplomatic engagement and regular committee meetings to resolve contentious issues. Before the visit of the foreign minister, Pakistan’s special envoy for Afghanistan had also visited Kabul to prepare the ground for the foreign minister’s visit.
Though the desired bonhomie may still be far away but the visit indeed is an auspicious development and can rightly be regarded as an ice-breaking interaction between the two countries. The areas that were discussed for enhancing cooperation between the two countries are of crucial importance for both countries. The security issue is of utmost importance for both of them.
Pakistan has been enduring a spate of terrorist acts by TTP and BLA operatives based in Afghan soil who have been using the weapons left of the USA in Afghanistan during their assault on security posts and law enforcement agencies. While trying to neutralize these terrorists, Pakistan has been persistently urging Afghan authorities to fulfill their commitment under the Doha agreement and not to allow these terrorist entities to use its soil against other countries but all these requests had gone unheeded so far. Therefore, the reaffirmation that neither country would allow its territory to be used for terror-related activities is quite reassuring.
India can’t terminate Indus Waters Treaty unilaterally: Governor Probably under mounting pressure from the international community and Pakistan on the Afghan Taliban over the unchecked proliferation of US weapons, a realization has started sinking in their minds that they could not afford to remain oblivious to these concerns. The Washington Post has recently reported that fifty per cent of the arms left by USA have been sold on the black market, and the terrorists have easy access to them. It is pertinent to mention that weapons seized from the BLA terrorists during the Jaffar Express attack were also USA-made.
President Trump has already asked the Taliban to return those weapons to USA. Another consideration might have been that abandoning their support for TTP and BLA and ending safe havens for them could also prove beneficial for them in regards to enlisting support of the international community for rebuilding the devastated infrastructure and ending their isolation. It is an undeniable reality that the peace of the region hinges on peace in Afghanistan.
It is also pivotal to regional connectivity, which promises a win-win situation for all the countries in regards to shared economic prosperity. People of Afghanistan have endured war and instability for nearly five decades and they do deserve peace and tranquility in the country. Taliban owe it to them to establish peace in the country and work with unruffled commitment for their economic emancipation.
That is only possible when they fulfill their commitments with the international community and also cooperate with the regional countries, particularly Pakistan, to end their isolation. Two outlaws killed in police encounter Although it would be rather premature to hope for immediate dividends as a result of Dar’s visit to Kabul, because the Taliban in the past also have made similar announcements without actually implementing them but one can always express guarded optimism in this regard in view of the recent developments. The important thing is that the two sides have agreed to sustained dialogue, and an Afghan delegation is scheduled to pay a reciprocal visit to Pakistan.
The Taliban have recently expressed their disapproval regarding the forced expulsion of Afghan refugees and the issue also came under discussion during the talks between Ishaq Dar and Afghan rulers. Ishaq Dar reportedly informed them that the government of Pakistan had made key decisions regarding the repatriation process and assured them that the refugees would be sent back with dignity and respect and further that the government had not issued any orders to seize Afghan-owned territories. Three women die in Burewala road mishap I am sure with both sides maintaining regular engagement with sincerity of purpose, all issues between them can be resolved amicably.
Perhaps it would be appropriate here to specifically mention some of the benefits of peace in Afghanistan for itself, Pakistan and the region. It will facilitate the completion of trans-regional projects like CASA-100 and TAPI and go a long way in establishing regional connectivity pivotal to exploiting the available avenues of economic prosperity. Although the entire region will harvest the advantages of connectivity but Afghanistan will be its biggest beneficiary.
Pakistan and the regional countries which are also affected to some degree from the terrorism emanating from Afghan soil will surely help Afghanistan in the process of re-development of the infrastructure of the country and making investments there with the advent of peace. Geographical realities cannot be changed. Continued hostility and strained relations between neighbours are mutually destructive as is proven by history of the world.
The countries that were involved in World War II and caused unimaginable destruction and loss of human lives are now comrades in development because of peace that was established after the Second World War. It has come due to the realization that as neighbours, they could not afford hostility and war with each other. Vehari admin holds ceremony to honour alumni Pakistan has borne the burden of millions of Afghan refugees and has also extended support to the Taliban.
It was among the three countries that recognized the Taliban regime in Afghanistan before 9/11, and even during their fight with the USA and NATO has been playing a positive role for an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned solution to the conflict and ultimately also helped in concluding Doha Agreement between the Taliban and USA. Pakistan would be the last country to think of harming Afghanistan in any way. That is why it is justified to expect reciprocal sentiments of brotherhood and harmony from Afghanistan.
It was time that the Taliban recalibrated their stance on relations with Pakistan and fruitful engagement with regional countries and the world community. It was the only way forward for them. Malik Muhammad Ashraf The writer is a freelance columnist.
He can be reached at [email protected]. Hassan Iqbal assumes charge as DPO Bahawalpur Tags: ice breaking interaction.
