Every country’s most important relations are with its immediate neighbors. Pakistan is one of those few countries that has problematic ties with both its neighbor to the east – India- and its neighbor to the West – Afghanistan. For decades, the Pakistani state believed that if an Islamist group held power in Kabul, it would solve all of Pakistan’s regional problems. Unfortunately, as critics warned, that has turned out to be wrong and ever since the return of the Taliban to Kabul, Pakistan’s internal security has worsened and relations with Afghanistan are in free fall. The latest sign of this is the resignation of Asif Durrani, Pakistan’s special representative on Afghanistan.
As an editorial in Dawn noted, “ever since the Taliban takeover of Kabul, Pakistan has struggled to come up with a coherent Afghan policy that sufficiently addresses its concerns about terrorism, and at the same time outlines a roadmap to improve ties with Afghanistan.”
According to the editorial it is important that “Pak-Afghan ties should not be seen solely from the security and militancy lens; there are many other factors affecting this relationship, including economics, geopolitics and humanitarian concerns. A wider debate is needed to frame a workable Afghan policy, and no particular state institution should have the sole discretion to formulate and execute this policy. There needs to be input from parliament, the Foreign Office and area experts.”
In conclusion the editorial states, “A fresh approach is needed, where Pakistan’s security is prioritised, and a decision taken to improve ties with Kabul. Of course, the Afghan Taliban also need to respond in kind; the biggest confidence-building measure can come in the form of Kabul ensuring an end to cross-border terrorism.”
