Professor Brig (R) Waheed Uz Zaman Tariq
The British Empire had decided to not to enter Afghanistan after the second Anglo-Afghan War (1878 to 1880) and play the role of the empire from the safe distance. Having gained supremacy in the region and transfer of a vast territory, which was ceded to Britain, the foreign policy was transferred to Britain and Afghanistan got protection for the territorial integrity of the country. The Third Anglo-Afghan began on 6 May 1919 when Afghanistan invaded British India. It ended with an armistice on 8 August 1919. Afghans won back control of foreign affairs from Britain, and the existence of Afghanistan as sovereign was assured.
The Durand Line was reaffirmed as the political boundary and the Afghans agreed not to foment trouble on the British side. After the creation of Pakistan, Afghans had once again become hostile to their new neighbour Pakistan, which appeared to their Eastern side. They had unilaterally denounced the sanctity of the Durand Line and they do not accept any boundary which divided the Pashtuns. These sentiments had been time and again exploited by the Soviet Union as well as India. The Russian invasion of Afghanistan in 1979, led to efflux of 4.5 million refugees to
Pakistan and then military ruler Gen Ziaulhaq became instrumental in arming all kind of fighting Afghan factions. Pakistan provided then a haven and the country was the key western ally. India had opted to support Russians and had last any kind of influence inside Afghanistan, for those years. The Soviet troops finally withdrew from Afghanistan in 1989.
Afghanistan never had a peace and was divided between the fighting groups. The Taliban appeared in 1994 as a prominent faction under the leadership of Mohammed Omar. From 1996 to 2001, the Taliban held power over roughly three-quarters of Afghanistan and enforced there a strict interpretation of Sharia or Islamic law. Their rule was recognised only by Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Their regime was overthrown after the American-led invasion of Afghanistan in December 2001 following the September 11 attacks. The Taliban regrouped themselves as an insurgency movement to fight the American-backed Karzai administration and the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in the War in Afghanistan. They occupy two third of Afghanistan.
Meanwhile, the rule of Hamid Karzai was established between 22 December 2001 to 29 September 2014, in the presence of the western forces. Despite having enjoyed the hospitality of Pakistan as a refugee, his rhetoric became candid and then malignant against Pakistan. It was followed by a joint rule of Ashraf Ghani as president and Abdullah Abdullah as chief executive, while most of the Afghan territory remained under the control of the Taliban. Ashraf Ghani started his rule, with his determination for reconciliation and good terms with Pakistan. Abdullah’s stance against Pakistan was well known for many years and he had once proposed that Pakistan to be destroyed by an atomic bomb.
Slowly and gradually Asharf Ghani started blaming Pakistan for all his failures on ground and bomb blasts. They wanted Pakistan to fight their war against terrorism and bomb blasts inside Afghanistan. They suggested that such a war should be fought inside Pakistan to save Afghanistan. Fencing on border and immigration control measures taken by Pakistan were not taken in a positive sense and were dubbed as an attempt to divide Pashtun tribes. Durand line was never accepted as a border between two countries.
Meanwhile, Tehrik e Taliban e Pakistan (TTP) had been established to fight against the government of Pakistan and educated Pakistanis, dubbing them as stooges of the west. They were associated with the Afghan Taliban and both groups provided support and safe havens to each other.
Pakistan had once lost Swat and Buner to them and they had claimed a land, just a hundred kilometres away from Islamabad.
They had established their bases in the tribal areas, especially North and South Waziristan, Aurakzai agency, Mohmand and Khyber agencies, with different names. They were targeting civilians and government establishments inside Pakistan, schools, universities, military convoys and even police stations. Pakistan was in a state of war. They were in collaboration with Baloch fighters, sectarian groups and linguistic outfits. By different military operations and establishment of military courts, Pakistan achieved success against them.
The worst situation was over and the nation got a sigh of relief. Afghan wanted to do the same for them as well. In subversive activities against Pakistan, Indian and Afghan intelligence agencies were found to be involved. Even the RAW was operating from Iran and at times, the Iranian attitude too was hostile to Pakistan. Meanwhile, the CPEC was targeted by the enemy forces. Pakistan had to tackle with the nexus of different forces.
It was the time when Pakistan was convinced that peace in Afghanistan would be in the interest of Pakistan. The territory of Afghanistan was shared between the Afghan government protected by the foreign forces as well as by the Afghan Taliban. They had to be brought on one table. Pakistan had been left with a little influence on Afghan Taliban, which it asserted to convince them to talk to the government of Afghanistan, which they never accepted. However, they were ready to talk to the USA. The talks started. Saudi Arabia and the UAE were taken in confidence. Some hope was built for the establishment of peace in Afghanistan. It had always been a difficult country, to bring peace and set terms and conditions for the normal business. There were indications that foreign forces would be pulled out of Afghanistan and few bases would be left there. The fragile government seemed to be incapable to retain its power on a long-term basis. The vacuum needed to be filled by establishing the abroad based government. Everyone hope for a good progress in the process of negotiations, started by the US envoy.
Pakistan has taken many steps to cope with the situation. The foreign minister has visited Afghanistan, Iran, China and Russia in quick succession and tried to take all stakeholders on board. Meanwhile, he has told in the parliament that India would have no role in the peace process of Afghanistan. That was contrary to his earlier statement, when he asked India come forward for restoration of peace in Afghanistan. India is taking the matter seriously as its investment in Pakistan is at stake. The situation may go in the favour of Taliban and Pakistan. The future of RAW led subversive activities inside Pakistan from the land of Afghanistan is doubtful. Different sectarian organisations and Baloch insurgents have established their bases inside Afghanistan as was the case with TTP. Pakistan will not be ready to tolerate their presence there. Pakistan’s border control and integrity of fencing depend upon the will of the future government of Afghanistan. The rule of law must develop in Afghanistan and a broad-based government should be responsible and internationally recognised by all countries. Its land must not be used to launch an action against any other country. No foreign intelligence agency should be allowed to have its offices and posts inside Afghanistan for conducting subversive activities in other countries. Future Afghan government need to adopt moderate policies and ensure human rights, opportunities for job and education for both genders and a fear free society. For Indian think tanks, the developments in Afghanistan might have a serious impact on the regional stability and peace and new strategies have to be devised, accordingly. There must be end of hostilities and settlement of all outstanding issues by negotiations and flexibility in the attitude.
