Pakistan and Afghanistan have a lot in common, but their bilateral relations suffer from mutual distrust and non-congruence in their perspectives on bilateral and regional security. The difficulties in their relations suggest that shared history and culture, and linguistic-ethnic overlap, do not necessarily guarantee a friction-free relationship unless the concerned countries develop a shared political agenda and a common vision of regional security.
Both view each other as problematic neighbors that disregard each other’s security sensitivities. Kabul blames Islamabad for all anti-government violence in Afghanistan, claiming that the Afghan Taliban and its affiliate, the Haqqani network, operate from “safe havens” in Pakistan.
While designating Pakistan as the culprit for suicide and truck bombings, Afghan officials conveniently ignore the fact that a large part of Afghan territory is not under firm government control.
Islamabad has also prepared a catalogue of complaints that talks about the Pakistani Taliban’s “safe havens” in Afghanistan, which are used to plan and execute terrorist activity in Pakistan. These elements are not challenged by Afghan or US troops, Pakistani officials claim. Another major Pakistani complaint pertains to India’s active presence in Afghanistan, which — according to Pakistani intelligence reports — enables New Delhi to extend financial support to the Pakistani Taliban and Baloch dissident groups.
Afghanistan is opposed to Pakistan’s ongoing efforts to enhance security on their border by increasing security posts, improving surveillance and building a fence. Pakistan maintains that these measures will restrict unauthorized movement of people and goods in both directions across the border. Islamabad also warns that more than 2.5 million Afghan refugees based in Pakistan should be returned home.
There was a little hope in January-February 2018 that Pakistan and Afghanistan would make a renewed effort to improve their relations. But Afghan President Ashraf Ghani’s offer on Feb. 28 of unconditional talks with the Afghan Taliban has engendered hope that diplomacy may be prioritized over violence in the next couple of months.
Islamabad and Kabul need to cooperate on intelligence sharing when it comes to the activities of militant groups — especially those of Daesh in Afghanistan — mutually agreed arrangements for the return of Afghan refugees, and cooperation to make sure the Afghan Taliban does not blend into the refugees.
Dr. Hasan Askari Rizvi
He offered to accept the Afghan Taliban as partners in the country’s future, provided it responds positively and the talks produce a mutually acceptable framework for political action. Ghani also expressed his government’s desire to hold talks with Pakistan on contentious issues. Islamabad welcomed the offer because it has argued time and again that dialogue, rather than war and political bickering, offers an enduring basis to peace and stability in Afghanistan.
It is difficult to tell at this stage if the Afghan Taliban will respond positively to the offer of dialogue. But Pakistan welcomed Afghanistan’s offer, hoping that it will provide a new opportunity to overcome the current strains in their relations.
As the movement of militant groups is in both directions, these two countries will have to work together to control unauthorized movement of people and goods across the border. Pakistan has so far fenced 160 km of the border, increased the number of security posts, and dug a deep trench to secure parts of it in the Balochistan-Afghanistan sector.
Islamabad and Kabul need to cooperate on intelligence sharing when it comes to the activities of militant groups — especially those of Daesh in Afghanistan — mutually agreed arrangements for the return of Afghan refugees, and cooperation to make sure the Afghan Taliban does not blend into the refugees. Pakistan’s real or imaginary concerns about the increased Indian presence in Afghanistan should also be addressed.
The improvement of relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan, as well as dialogue between Kabul and the Afghan Taliban, can be facilitated if China, Russia and the US use their diplomatic clout. Islamabad should also encourage the Afghan Taliban to opt for talks.
A peaceful, stable Afghanistan connected closely with its neighbors offers a better future to its people, and promotes regional peace and good relations with Pakistan. Given the porous Pakistan-Afghan border, peace and stability in both countries is interlinked. Cooperation between them will be extremely useful in containing religious and cultural extremism and intolerance in the region.
— Dr. Hasan Askari Rizvi is a Pakistan-based political analyst. Twitter: @har132har
