I saw interview of the Pres. Ashraf Ghani at the GEO TV “Jirga” last night. I have to admit that some of the Afghan President’s complaints have merit.
Dr Ghani quoted the example of Mulla Mansour. It does not take a rocket scientist to conclude that it is not possible for a known Taliban Leader, to have Pakistani Passport and to travel in & out of the country a number of times without the connivance of Pakistani officials.
Dr Ghani also pointed out that he was assured by the GOP as well as by the Pak Military during his visit to Pakistan in 2014 that Pakistani territory would not be allowed to be used to harm Afghanistan. These were empty words as the promises were not acted upon.
Being a politician, he clever sidestepped the issue of RAW activities and of BLA. About TTP leader, he claimed that Afghan forces carried out 11 attacks but somehow Fazlullah always managed to escape. On the other hand Dr Ghani declared that Taliban strongholds in the Quetta are well-known; he could even give the addresses. However GOP has not taken any action. That is why he (Dr Ghani) considers Pakistan the real cause of unrest in Afghanistan.
One of his statements that struck the cord in me was his assertion that regardless of the sympathies of the population, the State must not react emotionally and that all State’s’ actions should be based upon larger national interests. This is the sign of a maturity, something severely lacking in Pakistan, especially in the PTI’s Imran Khan. Pray tell me; what did Imran Khan achieve by blocking the ISAF supplies thru KPK?
Drones did not stop. Instead Imran Khan caused a substantial part of the NATO supply business; which was heretofore exclusively with the Pakistan Transporters; move to Central Asian countries. Imran Khan also re-inforced the West’s view that Pakistanis sympathize with the terrorists because they neither eliminate the terrorists themselves nor want the terrorists killed by the US drones.
Dr Ghani of course would never admit that without the US & outside help, there is a serious chance of Taliban re-capturing most of Afghanistan; at the least all of the Pashtun belt. Consequently, Pakistan cannot afford to completely alienate Haqqani net-work.
Without doubt Afghanistan, in addition to voting against Pakistan's joining the UN; has been for a long time sponsoring anti-Pakistani movements. Since I am also a Philatelist, I have an Afghan postage stamp commemorating Pasthunistan issued in 1954. However Afghanistan is also our neighbour and we have to liver her. Just as Pakistanis feel furious when BLA terrorist with safe haven in Afghanistan; drag Punjabi workers out of the buses and kill them; Afghanies feel similar anger against Pakistan when Afghan Taliban based in Pakistan do that in Afghanistan.
It is an undeniable fact that without peace in Afghanistan there can be no piece in Pakistan. Therefore, while military action against Haqqani group may not be in Pakistan’s best interest; Afghani Taliban should be persuaded to vacate the Quetta area and issuing Pakistan Passport to known terrorists, Taliban or any other kind, must STOP.