Keeping Af-Pak Ties on Track

Sarah Khan

Since Pakistan’s independence in 1947, Pakistan – Afghanistan ties have been problematic and remained characterized by recurrent mutual suspicion, devised through a narrow security prism which sometimes manifested in policies of interference and even attempts at destabilization. While it will require considerable effort to end deep-seated animosity, both countries share close ethnic, linguistic, religious and economic ties. The relations remained worse during more than decade long tenure of Afghan ex- President Hamid Karzai. He not only propagated anti-Pakistan sentiments in Afghanistan but also provided strategic space to India inside Afghan territory in order to provide her access to Baloch sub nationalists and Taliban splinter groups to further boost insurgencies inside Pakistan.  

This situation continued until Afghan Presidential Elections 2014. After ouster of Karzai government, and the formation of the National Unity Government headed by President Ashraf Ghani in September 2014, relations with Pakistan saw an unprecedented improvement, raising hopes of peace talks with the Afghan Taliban. The incoming Afghan President Ashraf Ghani has offered to expand bilateral ties, providing Islamabad fresh opportunities to improve the relationship. On the Pakistani side, Pak Chief of Army Staff and his intelligence agency’s new chief took huge steps to improve security ties with Afghanistan. Since then, there has been a fair amount of activity aimed at repairing the damage that had occurred in Pakistan’s relations during Indian backed Karzai regime.

Despite moving on positive track and a visible improvement in bilateral relations, most of the remnants of Karzai regime continued to criticize Pakistan for alleged intervention and support to anti-Afghanistan Taliban. Ghani’s critics have called him naïve for trusting Pakistan. Mohammed Umer Daudzai interior minister of Afghanistan from August 2013 to December 2014, and previously Afghanistan’s ambassador to Iran and Pakistan opined that “in its wishful attempt to make progress with the Taliban, Kabul is gambling precious political capital on superficial tweaks in Pakistan’s policy.”

Ghani remained under a lot of pressure from the Afghan parliament and the Afghan bureaucracy who are mostly against Pakistan. Remnants of Karzai regime in present Afghan government argue that so far, Ghani has received little in return for his conciliatory efforts. Afghan Taliban-led violence has drastically increased following the April 2015 launch of the most vicious and geographically dispersed Taliban spring offensive since 9/11, with spectacular attacks against Afghan police, army, government officials, and civilians. It is important here to note that after withdrawal of US/NATO troops from Afghanistan, many regional experts and think tanks’ reports had noted that there will be tremendous increase in Taliban insurgency in Afghanistan after troops withdrawal because Afghanistan National Security Forces are not yet able to control the security situation. The Taliban summer offensive was very much anticipated at least a year ago and there is nothing to do with Pakistan. The security vacuum is created by withdrawal of US/NATO forces. It is not Pakistan backing Taliban inside Afghanistan, in reality they are not facing any potential force to counter their activities which is a weakness on part of ANSF largely trained by India.

The bilateral relations suffered a huge setback on June 22, when Afghan parliament was attacked by Taliban. Soon after the attack, Afghan intelligence services spokesman Hassib Sediqqi alleged that an officer in Inter-Services Intelligence helped the Haqqani network to carry out the attack outside parliament in Kabul. He also added that car used in explosion was assembled in Peshawar. This blame game has resulted in straining of ties between Afghanistan and Pakistan which has ruined the huge strides taken by President Ghani and Pakistan Army Chief General Raheel Sharif. Pakistan Foreign office has rejected the allegation as baseless. But the statements and bashing by Afghan officials suggests that anti-Pakistan sentiments are deep rooted in Afghans and may remain key spoiler in bilateral relations in coming days.

Despite Pakistan bashing and baseless allegations by Afghan officials, on 07 July Pakistan arranged meeting of Afghanistan’s High Peace Council Representatives with Taliban in Islamabad. The meeting was also attended by Chinese and US representatives. Pakistan’s foreign office has announced that talks will restart after the Islamic holy month of Ramadan ends in two weeks. It was the first time such a senior-level Afghan delegation has met face-to-face with Taliban representatives. This step taken by Pakistan was highly appreciated by US officials. In fact, US President Barack Obama had acknowledged Pakistan’s constructive role in Afghanistan reconciliation during General Raheel Sharif’s visit to US in November last year. President Obama reiterated his remarks during President Ashraf Ghani’s visit to US this year.

After decades of mistrust and sufferings, leadership in Afghanistan and Pakistan have realized that peace in the region is not possible without each other’s cooperation and both states need to work hand in glove in order to eradicate Taliban led militancy especially when ISIS is making inroads in the region. Instead of issuing inflammatory statements and continuing the blame game Kabul and Islamabad should continue their efforts to improve bilateral ties by enhancing counter terrorism cooperation. Afghan officials must understand that Taliban is increasingly split, with field commanders unwilling to accept orders from a leadership based outside Afghanistan. The perception that Taliban are entirely under Pakistan’s control needs to be corrected.

In this regard, there is a need to practically implement the Memorandum of Understanding signed between Inter Services Intelligence and National Directorate of Security. In addition to this, Islamabad should work with Kabul to expand economic ties, including by upgrading and expanding infrastructure, like road and rail links connecting the two countries, reducing cumbersome security measures, combating corruption and beginning talks on a free-trade agreement. Last but not least, in order to keep Af-Pak ties on track both states need to identify and weed out the elements trying to sabotage improving ties between Pakistan and Afghanistan and overall peace and stability of the region by providing arms, ammunition, and training to militants in the region.

The writer can be reached at ardent.jingo@gmail.com