When Afghans Look to Border With Pakistan, They Don’t See a Fixed Line

[xyxmt]

once we get Kashmir back from India then we will give all the land claimed by Afghans. I promise

 

[muse]

once we get Kashmir back from India then we will give all the land claimed by Afghans. I promise

It's not about Kashmir - lets keep our focus - If it had the will, Pakistan can take entire Afghanistan, but what would be the point?? Afghans are a proud people and want to be proud of their histories (not just one version of it) - Whatever the ethnicity, they have all contributed and want that contribution recognized and want a more egalitarian society, certainly when it comes to the question of political participation and social acceptance --- Since before they can remember the peoples of the border region have crossed what are now borders, not from malice or a desire for theft, but because of the seasonal nature of they livelihood - the best way to ensure that the border remains and that Afghanistan develops her own societies, is by helping further integrate her economies into the economy of Pakistan.

Some Afghans resent this reality - but it's reality, there's no point to resenting it. Look at a map Afghanistan, note the ring road (highway 1), you will see that it actually connects to neighboring countries rather than to the interior of Afghanistan- Is this some conspiracy? Is it that the ring road is a malicious design?? No, friends, the reality is that mountains make communication (cost of doing business) prohibitive -- Just imagine if Afghanistan could bring her produce to Pakistani and Iranian markets - that requires agreements, good relations - Right now, the hard working Afghan cannot make a living producing traditional crops because all the neighboring countries have relatively developed agriculture and also state subsidies, how does it make sense to grow wheat for instance, when wheat can be brought for less than what it would cost an Afghan to grow it?? On the other hand, Agricultural production that fits as a supply to industrial processes in the neighboring countries make sense and provides hard working honest Afghans a life of dignity.

We might think or rethink some security paradigms.