How can Pakistan make peace with its neighbours?

[azeemfslbd]

Assalamu Alaikum I am Azeem, a new member here...

As you all may know, Pakistan doesn't have great relationships with our neighbours... India has always been against us since 1947... the U.S. is influencing Afghanistan to be against Pakistan, on YouTube many Afghans call us dogs etc, and I read a survey documented by a Muslim (not sure of nationality) that 91% of Afghans find Pakistan unfavourable (link: Afghanistan – Truths and Lies).... Iran has close relations with India and i read that they helped India against us in UN meetings/wars etc and Iran criticizes Pakistan for persecution of Shias and terrorist attacks in Iran.... Tajikistan is also helping India with airforce bases.... Sri Lanka the government there is pro-Pakistan but also pro-India.....n China well, you may consider it a friend but i dont because i believe Uighurs should be freed as they r not Chinese or Buddhist or anything like that, like Kashmiris in India and Palestinians.....(i will make another thread for this) Arab countries well we always trust them but only Saudi Arabia help us in wars but even now they have good relations with India

So brothers how do you think we can improve our relations with our close neighbors and make peace?? I hope only Pakistanis will write here and that many write here....


Pakistan Zindabad !!

 

[jha]

Just my feelings which are not meant to offend you in any ways..

In almost each and very relationship you mentioned the most notable word was INDIA..i guess that should give some hint...

 

[AgNoStiC MuSliM]

Build interests with every nation concerned, towards which we have started taking steps.

The IPP with Iran, if implemented, goes beyond mere economic benefits, it builds Iran-Pakistan interests and therefore pushes Iran into a more 'neutral position' with respect to the India-Pakistan dynamic, especially as India continues to dither on energy trade with Iran. Assisting Iran in the capture of the leader or Jundullah, Rigi, was also another major step in this direction, and should be followed up with continued cooperation on Jundullah, that just carried out terrorist attacks in Iran.

The Saudis have little need for Pakistan militarily anymore, since barring an overthrow of the royal family, they will not be fighting the Israelis in any war, and even if there was an overthrow, its a bit of a tossup whether they'll take on Iran or Israel first. In fact, the main Foreign Policy concern for the Saudis currently is arguably Iran and Iran's nuclear program. The Saudis may therefore wish to keep Pakistan in their good books to avoid the build up of an Iran-Pakistan relationship that strengthens Iran.

As far as the CAR's are concerned, again, building economic ties with them by assisting in stabilizing Afghanistan and ensuring that we do not see a repeat of the Taliban taking over and persecuting the other ethnic groups (but at the same time working towards reconciliation with the Taliban and greater Pashtun representation) will automatically balance out the relationship with the CAR's vis a vis India.

There is nothing here that is not manageable, even without addressing anything with India.

 

[ramu]

Afghanistan - Pakistan equation is not something that will get back to normal or to the heights of pre 9/11 any time soon. Many Afghans consider Pakistan as a destabilising factor and I am simply saying about public opinion.

India - Pakistan equation is even more damaging considering the on going peace talks that almost reflect hate than peace.

Iran - Pakistan is the only silver lining. IPI can go a long way but Pakistan is not in a position to go against America in the international stage given the tight control of its political class by Uncle Sam.

Pakistan - Saudi relations are on the decline given the neutral stand taken by Saudis on many instances and the growing India -SA relations.

 

[AgNoStiC MuSliM]

The Afghan-Pak relationship has never really been 'good' or 'normal'. The Afghans opposed the creation of Pakistan in 1947, and they subsequently sheltered both Baloch insurgents and attempted to incite a rebellion against Pakistan in the FATA.

If anything, with the increased international focus on Afghanistan, the need to rebuild Afghanistan and increasing trade with Pakistan, those kinds of stunts by the GoA may be a thing of the past, especially if Pakistan plays its cards right in terms of facilitating peace in Afghanistan. And an Afghanistan that will not resort to its old ways of undermining Pakistan is exactly what Pakistan wants, regardless of whether such an Afghanistan also pursues friendly ties with India.

 

[ramu]

The use of Afghanistan in the sense of Strategic depth is a thing of the past.

 

[AgNoStiC MuSliM]

The use of Afghanistan in the sense of Strategic depth is a thing of the past.

An Afghanistan that refrains from playing the destabilizing role it did in the past does contribute to Pakistan's 'Strategic Depth'.

You continue to misunderstand the issue - strategic depth was never about basing the military in Afghanistan or retreating to it (illogical arguments both, and addressed in the Strategic depth sticky) - Strategic Depth was about ensuring that Pakistan faced no conventional or proxy threat from its Western border, as it had in the past.

 

[ramu]

An Afghanistan that refrains from playing the destabilizing role it did in the past does contribute to Pakistan's 'Strategic Depth'.

You continue to misunderstand the issue - strategic depth was never about basing the military in Afghanistan or retreating to it (illogical arguments both, and addressed in the Strategic depth sticky) - Strategic Depth was about ensuring that Pakistan faced no conventional or proxy threat from its Western border, as it had in the past.

The meaning of strategic depth is different for people within Pakistan. I am a carefree observer and I have just read this article that makes sense. Make what you think it to be but do try and understand that your view is not Pakistan military view.

DAWN.COM | Columnists | Defining ?strategic depth?

 

[Spitfighter]

Build interests with every nation concerned, towards which we have started taking steps.

Except us, of course.

The IPP with Iran, if implemented, goes beyond mere economic benefits, it builds Iran-Pakistan interests and therefore pushes Iran into a more 'neutral position' with respect to the India-Pakistan dynamic, especially as India continues to dither on energy trade with Iran.

Hardly.

You overestimate Pakistan, as always. Even from a purely economic standpoint, Pakistan's energy market isn't, and never will be anywhere near ours. Then again, no one can guarantee the safety of the pipeline. I believe Balochi militants have attacked gas pipelines on at least four separate occasions this year alone.

Indian and Iranian interests also converge on important issues like Afghanistan and the Taliban. Some reports suggest a change in Iranian policy, however given their religious sect I think they too realize the dangers of pursuing relations with such groups.

BBC News - Iran mosque 'suicide bombers' kill 27

Iran holds an especially important place in our long term strategic interests so I would only expect our relations to improve further.

Assisting Iran in the capture of the leader or Jundullah, Rigi, was also another major step in this direction, and should be followed up with continued cooperation on Jundullah, that just carried out terrorist attacks in Iran.

Yet another terrorist group traced back to Pakistan.

The Saudis have little need for Pakistan militarily anymore, since barring an overthrow of the royal family, they will not be fighting the Israelis in any war, and even if there was an overthrow, its a bit of a tossup whether they'll take on Iran or Israel first. In fact, the main Foreign Policy concern for the Saudis currently is arguably Iran and Iran's nuclear program. The Saudis may therefore wish to keep Pakistan in their good books to avoid the build up of an Iran-Pakistan relationship that strengthens Iran.

I doubt such a relationship would ever manifest, but in any case given the current environment it is Pakistan that needs to keep itself in Saudi good books.

As far as the CAR's are concerned, again, building economic ties with them by assisting in stabilizing Afghanistan and ensuring that we do not see a repeat of the Taliban taking over and persecuting the other ethnic groups (but at the same time working towards reconciliation with the Taliban and greater Pashtun representation) will automatically balance out the relationship with the CAR's vis a vis India.

I don't see how Pakistan would reconcile with the Taliban and prevent a take over. I expect this war to drag on for at least another five years. Plenty of strategic and economic repercussions to come. We'll have to wait and watch.

 

[Spitfighter]

An Afghanistan that refrains from playing the destabilizing role it did in the past does contribute to Pakistan's 'Strategic Depth'.

You continue to misunderstand the issue - strategic depth was never about basing the military in Afghanistan or retreating to it (illogical arguments both, and addressed in the Strategic depth sticky) - Strategic Depth was about ensuring that Pakistan faced no conventional or proxy threat from its Western border, as it had in the past.

aka Taliban right?

 

[AgNoStiC MuSliM]

aka Taliban right?

In the perceived absence of any other faction that looked capable of controlling the entire country at the time, why not? There were no associations with terrorism at that time (of the Taliban) nor was there any sign of the direction they would take in terms of ethnic violence and religious intolerance (Bamiyan Buddha's etc.).

Of course if a democratically elected GoA can stabilize Afghanistan (which ensures our trade links with the CAR's and stability in our own border areas), and not return to the days of old that I mentioned, then there is little more that Pakistan can ask for in terms of 'Strategic Depth'.

 

[ramu]

In the perceived absence of any other faction that looked capable of controlling the entire country at the time, why not? There were no associations with terrorism at that time (of the Taliban) nor was there any sign of the direction they would take in terms of ethnic violence and religious intolerance (Bamiyan Buddha's etc.).

Of course if a democratically elected GoA can stabilize Afghanistan (which ensures our trade links with the CAR's and stability in our own border areas), and not return to the days of old that I mentioned, then there is little more that Pakistan can ask for in terms of 'Strategic Depth'.

that is unlikely ...and what you expect given the public sentiment is wishful thinking.

 

[AgNoStiC MuSliM]

Except us, of course.

We also don't have the kinds of disputes with the other nations that we do with India, and both Iran and Afghanistan (by virtue of energy transit from the CAR's) offer direct energy trade that is essential for Pakistan, which India does not.

Hardly.

You overestimate Pakistan, as always. Even from a purely economic standpoint, Pakistan's energy market isn't, and never will be anywhere near ours. Then again, no one can guarantee the safety of the pipeline. I believe Balochi militants have attacked gas pipelines on at least four separate occasions this year alone.

Indian and Iranian interests also converge on important issues like Afghanistan and the Taliban. Some reports suggest a change in Iranian policy, however given their religious sect I think they too realize the dangers of pursuing relations with such groups.

BBC News - Iran mosque 'suicide bombers' kill 27

Iran holds an especially important place in our long term strategic interests so I would only expect our relations to improve further.

I am not overestimating Pakistan's leverage, you are overestimating India's. All Pakistan has to do is maintain enough economic interests with Iran to balance them out, and that is all we need. The fact of the matter is that Pakistan is currently progressing on the IPP (or making a very public effort at attempting to do so) while India has dithered.

Billions in oil and gas sales to Pakistan and cooperation on anti-terrorism with Pakistan is not something the Iranians can ignore, even if India buys billions more. You, in overestimating India's influence, appear to think that Iran will give up billions in sales to Pakistan for your sake. In overestimating Indian influence (as always) you ignore the fact that India NEEDS Iranian oil and gas to fuel its growing economy, and to attempt to use it as a bargaining chip would only damage Indian interests, and the Iranians know that. They will, pragmatically, sell to both India and Pakistan, and so long as Pakistan does not seek a return of complete Taliban rule in Afghanistan, will not undermine Pakistan.

India's penchant for focusing on zero-sum games is only going to end up making it look like a laughing stock and waste opportunities for engagement with other nations regionally.

Yet another terrorist group traced back to Pakistan.

Lets not troll please - the Iranians appear to be focusing most of their ire on the US on this issue. Pakistan has its own Baluch terrorist groups it is fighting with.

I doubt such a relationship would ever manifest, but in any case given the current environment it is Pakistan that needs to keep itself in Saudi good books.

Such a relationship is manifesting right now, with the IPP, cooperation on Jundullah, and Turkey-Iran-Pakistan road and railway links.

I don't see how Pakistan would reconcile with the Taliban and prevent a take over. I expect this war to drag on for at least another five years. Plenty of strategic and economic repercussions to come. We'll have to wait and watch.

If the road to 'reconciliation' was apparent, it would have happened already. Reconciliation and power sharing is a potential goal, how it comes about and if it comes about is something only the future will tell.

 

[AgNoStiC MuSliM]

that is unlikely ...and what you expect given the public sentiment is wishful thinking.

What is unlikely? That Afghanistan refrain from covert or overt destabilization of Pakistan? Given the heebee jeebies the West has over Pakistan's nuclear program, they will not be funding any such Afghan effort. Many analysts in the West are already talking about Afghan stabilization as a means to ensuring Pakistani stability, which implies than the primary goal has now shifted to ensuring Pakistan's stability.

Afghanistan needs foreign aid for reconstruction and 'rising from the ashes' and it needs Pakistan to for trade. A democratic government that has to deliver on governance and economic growth will, logically, refrain from taking on Pakistan. Yes there will be the occasional warlord that continues support for the Taliban on either side, but governmental support for destabilizing activities in Pakistan, with stability in Afghanistan, is likely a thing of the past.

Wishful thinking is this 'clutching at straws' to try and somehow come up with a losing scenario for Pakistan as things develop in Afghainstan - like I said, India's 'zero-sum game' attitude will make Indians a laughing stock, as nations act pragmatically and deal and trade with everyone that benefits them.

 

[azeemfslbd]

well.. great going here... definitely through IPP, iran-pakistan relations can grow... when USA leaves afghanistan, pakistan can have more control over there and maybe can re-assert major influence... and when we have good relation with iran and turkey then saudi arabia has to make good relations with pakistan!!

but just to give some food for thought here... do you (pakistani/indian/whatever) support East Turkestan freedom movement?? i do, and many Pakistani netizens criticize me for that... well... I want to say then that if they support Kashmir, Palestine, etc and not Uighur then they are just licking Chinese a$$... I am a supporter of all foreign Islamic liberation movements because Islam can only survive in its most appropriate form if it is not being forced over by a government that does not understand it (e.g. Chinese government... did you know many MOSQUES for Uighur and Han Muslims have been destroyed n that religion is, if not banned, looked down upon in China).... to all my Pakistani brothers and sisters who say "Long Live China!!" please hear this... CONSIDER THE UMMAH FIRST, THEN OTHERS.. WE ARE MUSLIM FIRST, THEN PAKISTANI!! that means our priority should be UIGHUR freedom not continued CHINESE illegal occupation of MUSLIM land.....i hope you respect my opinion which may seem outland....thanks