Why Pakistan MUST consider Afghan civilians as its own

[CriticalThought]

ظفر آدمی نہ جانیئے گا اسے، ہو وہ کتنہ ہی صاحب فہم و ذکا
جسے عیش میں یاد خدا نہ رہا، جسے طیش میں خوف خدا نہ رہا

Transalation:
Zafar, don't consider him a man, no matter how erudite and learned
Who forgets God in luxury, who fears not God in temper

Comprehension of Hadith of Holy Prophet Sallallahu 'Alaihi wa Aalihi Wasallm
The stronger man isn't the one who can submit another. The stronger man is the one who can control his temper.

The recent rocketing of Afghan territory by Pakistani forces is deeply disconcerting. Such acts establish Pakistan as a bully and hegemon in the minds of ordinary Afghans, who are already down-trodden and pummelled from all sides. And it provides the enemies of Pakistan the perfect opportunity to come in and proclaim: we are the best friends of Afghans, we can make this stop.

Having seen many online posts, I can surmise there is a widespread belief amongst Pakistanis that we can somehow dissociate ourselves from the Afghan mess. That, the border can be somehow tamed and a line drawn to keep the unwanted on the other side. This belies the ground truth and the reality of the situation. The topography of the Durand line makes a mockery of any attempts at establishing and enforcing a border. But even more importantly, it is the deep seated desire of people living on either side of the Durand line to be able to navigate freely across it, as they have done for centuries. And because the people's will is so, thus it shall be so, even if it takes centuries to become so.

The multiple failures of international powers at controlling and taming Afghanistan indicate clearly that the local population will never submit to them en masse. Yet, not even the Taliban can deny that development in the form of infrastructure, industrialization, education, and governance is the need of the day. The only worldly power that can provide this to Afghans is Pakistan. Thus, Pakistanis MUST remain cognizance of their status in the region and proceed accordingly. Establishing the tenet that every Afghan life is as precious as a Pakistani life, based on both religious and human grounds, would cost us little, yet increase our prestige in the eyes of the common Afghan. And for Pakistan, an understanding and welcoming Afghan population provides a much needed strategic depth that we shall never find in Iran. I am amazed how this simple point is lost to everyone, top down.

What cannot be conquered through guns and missiles, can always be conquered with pure love. The question is, are our hearts big enough for tough love?

 

[TheBlackCoat]

The best solution is Pakistan annexing the southern region of Afghanistan and stabilize the region under Taliban control.

 

[Mrc]

Laatoon k bhot baatoon say nahi mantay.... and who says shelling was on civilians??? Aap dushman say bhi barh jaatay ho ilzaam laganay main...

These afghan thugs use our hospitals our schools our lands... half of their populace lives here... and haramkhars thinks they are genetically superior ( under foreign rule since I was born) ... they have no hospitals... no industry... no dams ... no electricity... no colleges ... no universities... and they love delhi.... ? They are keeping our terrorists... cooperating with enemies... and want to annex our lands .... I say we give it to them

 

[khanz]

ظفر آدمی نہ جانیئے گا اسے، ہو وہ کتنہ ہی صاحب فہم و ذکا
جسے عیش میں یاد خدا نہ رہا، جسے طیش میں خوف خدا نہ رہا

Transalation:
Zafar, don't consider him a man, no matter how erudite and learned
Who forgets God in luxury, who fears not God in temper

Comprehension of Hadith of Holy Prophet Sallallahu 'Alaihi wa Aalihi Wasallm
The stronger man isn't the one who can submit another. The stronger man is the one who can control his temper.

The recent rocketing of Afghan territory by Pakistani forces is deeply disconcerting. Such acts establish Pakistan as a bully and hegemon in the minds of ordinary Afghans, who are already down-trodden and pummelled from all sides. And it provides the enemies of Pakistan the perfect opportunity to come in and proclaim: we are the best friends of Afghans, we can make this stop.

Having seen many online posts, I can surmise there is a widespread belief amongst Pakistanis that we can somehow dissociate ourselves from the Afghan mess. That, the border can be somehow tamed and a line drawn to keep the unwanted on the other side. This belies the ground truth and the reality of the situation. The topography of the Durand line makes a mockery of any attempts at establishing and enforcing a border. But even more importantly, it is the deep seated desire of people living on either side of the Durand line to be able to navigate freely across it, as they have done for centuries. And because the people's will is so, thus it shall be so, even if it takes centuries to become so.

The multiple failures of international powers at controlling and taming Afghanistan indicate clearly that the local population will never submit to them en masse. Yet, not even the Taliban can deny that development in the form of infrastructure, industrialization, education, and governance is the need of the day. The only worldly power that can provide this to Afghans is Pakistan. Thus, Pakistanis MUST remain cognizance of their status in the region and proceed accordingly. Establishing the tenet that every Afghan life is as precious as a Pakistani life, based on both religious and human grounds, would cost us little, yet increase our prestige in the eyes of the common Afghan. And for Pakistan, an understanding and welcoming Afghan population provides a much needed strategic depth that we shall never find in Iran. I am amazed how this simple point is lost to everyone, top down.

What cannot be conquered through guns and missiles, can always be conquered with pure love. The question is, are our hearts big enough for tough love?

Yeah right been there done that ! afghanistan sure as hell don't reciprocate the same feelings when it comes to pakistan. I feel bad for innocent afghans but the writer of this article can f uck right off.

 

[Ace of Spades]

Humanity is a beautiful thing until and unless it's not based on blood of innocent Pakistani citizens. There is no compassion if it's putting Pakistan's integrity at stake. Let it be Afghanis or Indians; we haven't forgotten the role of Afghanistan in trying to bring Pakistan down and spreading chaos. From killing of first prime minister to not recognizing Pakistan until after many years of it's creation, from pashtunistan to taliban and not recognizing international border! We know the reality of it; may be a bit too much. So please spare us from brotherhood, umma and what not this Islamic emotional trickery is.

As soon as these outstanding issues are resolved i fully support non violent means of issues. And to further add; our war is not against common citizens but the militias and proxies. And as Pakistani; i fully support whatever our forces are doing. Actually, in my opinion it is too little, we have to go all out with much more force against these terrorists.

 

[Azadkashmir]

I had first hand taste of afghan hatred of pak in my uni days, the ego is way up there and racial.
Strange people, they live in the past.

 

[Kambojaric]

Problem is not with the people of Afghanistan. The problem lies with the central identity of the nation of Afghanistan. The idea that their "original" country was much bigger is an idea their establishment is fixated with, and they have literally driven their country into disaster in search of this elusive "greater Afghanistan".

Even the "pro Pakistan" Taliban never recognized the border with Pakistan because they knew the major stakeholders in their country would denounce them as traitors and weaklings. One can be loving and peaceful only to the extent that there is a basic level of reciprocity.

That is not to say that we should engage in extreme hostility towards Kabul. Annexing parts of Afghanistan as some members suggest is something out of the question in the 21st century, unless the majority of the populace in a region supports the change in borders. Such acts would only worsen the situation.

However to command basic respect you have to set some basic rules. Our land is our land, full stop. Pakistan has adopted a "loving" approach for the past 60-70 odd years, and how far has that gotten us with Afghanistan. If anything as the gap between our nations has widened, their jealousy and envy has only worsened the situation. Trust me I have been to Afghanistani mosques here in Europe, and they openly denounce Pakistan in their Khutbas, so shamelessly have they intertwined religion with illusions of ethnic grandeur.

The Pakistani state from the very beginning has hidden the hostility of Afghanistan from Pakistan civilians, in the hope that Kabul would grow some sense eventually and decide to move on from the 17th/18th century. However in the age of the internet, nothing can be hidden from the general populace, which is why many Pakistanis are now reacting the way they are.

 

[MultaniGuy]

Well Those Afghanistanis who have grown up in Pakistan, could get Pakistani citizenship.

 

[CriticalThought]

@Mrc @khanz @Ace of Spades @Azadkashmir @Kambojaric

Gentlemen, we need to distinguish between the anti-Pakistan elements in Afghanistan, and common civilian Afghans. In indiscriminate shelling/rocketing, how can we ensure the safety of the common people? Would we do the same in Pakistani areas with civilians around?

The fact is, overwhelming show of force is just that: a show. It is a feel good mechanism that has not produced results in the past, and will not do so in the future either. We need a vision, and a strategy towards that vision. The vision MUST be the unification of Afghanistan (or at the very least, Pashtun majority areas) as a protectorate/province of Pakistan, with corps raised under the auspices of the Pak Army. In order to attain this vision, we simply CANNOT afford to alienate a very proud population who do not forget injustice for multiple generations.

In order to establish ourselves as a responsible power, we need to adopt mechanisms that ensure swift and powerful justice against exactly those who are the culprits. Such a strategy can involve monitoring, video surveillance, drones, sniper fire, drone attacks, special forces etc.

But there is one more, extremely disturbing element to this. Is this shelling being done as part of an anvil and hammer strategy in sync with NATO forces? If that is indeed the case, then we are only shooting ourselves in the foot. Foreign forces would love to create hostility against Pakistan in the minds and hearts of people all over the region. Any request for Pakistan to attack with overwhelming force and risk innocent lives MUST be seen through the lens of high suspicion.

In this regard, it is insightful to look back at the Mongol invasion. A Christian priest actually ingratiated himself in the court of Genghis Khan, and was given much authority in planning. This cunning man devised a plan in which Muslim towns would be surrounded and besieged. After some time, a messenger would be sent, proclaiming the besieging forces would like to send a fact finding mission to see if there is enough water supply. If so, they wouldn't waste their time any more and go away. Under this pretext, they would come in and measure water reservoirs using sticks that were hollow in the inside, and would inject poison in the water supply. This would weaken the defences and the town would be captured. But most importantly, the prisoners from these towns would then be made to fight against Muslims of the next town.

Let us now review the situation today. An extremely well off and developing Muslim country, i.e., Iraq, was pushed into war with another Muslim country Iran, preoccupying them with war for many years. International powers made money supplying weapons to both sides. And then made even more money, supplying not just weapons to Arabs, but also putting their own forces in their countries. Over the past few decades, we see a repeated pattern, which in recent times is showing itself through an escalation of hostilities between Saudi Arabia and Iran.

In this context, Pakistan MUST choose its battles very carefully. It is said that battles and won and lost in the planning. Just because we can pummel a country with overwhelming force, doesn't mean we MUST or that we SHOULD. We MUST ensure we are NOT making new enemies, and work effectively against the ones who really are.

@Khafee @Goenitz

 

[HannibalBarca]

One solution...
the "Right" or "interesting" minds outthere in Pakistan with some included in PDF... should work their a ss off... To climb the ladder of Hierachy in whatever institution they may work with... take that seat of power and change things around... Till then... no need for long debate...

Debate is only usefull when in it...there is power...

 

[El Sidd]

If they can afford to give jizya to the Pakistani state and accept the Constitution of Pakistan as their living code.

They can stay in Pakistan.

Otherwise ship them to Kabul via Chahbahar.

 

[CriticalThought]

If they can afford to give jizya to the Pakistani state and accept the Constitution of Pakistan as their living code.

They can stay in Pakistan.

Otherwise ship them to Kabul via Chahbahar.

Jizya is only for non-Muslims.

 

[El Sidd]

Jizya is only for non-Muslims.

Jizya is just a tax. A protection tax just like zakaat for native citizens.

Afghanistan has its own culture language history and social structure very different to Pakistan.

After living here for the past 40 years they have not been assimilated into the Pakistani nation.

The only strategic depth commonly Pakistanis should care about is the diplomatic depth. Stop inviting everyone to your country and stop solving problems which do not effect you.

I can understand with your Muslim background you have the symptoms of the chumma of the ummah.

When average Pakistani goes to school he finds out that Afghanistan was the only nation to deny the newborn country at the united nations.

I am getting tired of this rented out Pakistani syndrome. Be it Turkey Iran Saudi Arabia UAE Afghanistan or Yemen Jordan or Iraq. We don't care about them nor should we.

 

[Sugarcane]

Move the Durand line westwards if you want to accommodate people, but it should be fenced and mined, you can't ensure the security of your house without walls and access control.

 

[Zarvan]

ظفر آدمی نہ جانیئے گا اسے، ہو وہ کتنہ ہی صاحب فہم و ذکا
جسے عیش میں یاد خدا نہ رہا، جسے طیش میں خوف خدا نہ رہا

Transalation:
Zafar, don't consider him a man, no matter how erudite and learned
Who forgets God in luxury, who fears not God in temper

Comprehension of Hadith of Holy Prophet Sallallahu 'Alaihi wa Aalihi Wasallm
The stronger man isn't the one who can submit another. The stronger man is the one who can control his temper.

The recent rocketing of Afghan territory by Pakistani forces is deeply disconcerting. Such acts establish Pakistan as a bully and hegemon in the minds of ordinary Afghans, who are already down-trodden and pummelled from all sides. And it provides the enemies of Pakistan the perfect opportunity to come in and proclaim: we are the best friends of Afghans, we can make this stop.

Having seen many online posts, I can surmise there is a widespread belief amongst Pakistanis that we can somehow dissociate ourselves from the Afghan mess. That, the border can be somehow tamed and a line drawn to keep the unwanted on the other side. This belies the ground truth and the reality of the situation. The topography of the Durand line makes a mockery of any attempts at establishing and enforcing a border. But even more importantly, it is the deep seated desire of people living on either side of the Durand line to be able to navigate freely across it, as they have done for centuries. And because the people's will is so, thus it shall be so, even if it takes centuries to become so.

The multiple failures of international powers at controlling and taming Afghanistan indicate clearly that the local population will never submit to them en masse. Yet, not even the Taliban can deny that development in the form of infrastructure, industrialization, education, and governance is the need of the day. The only worldly power that can provide this to Afghans is Pakistan. Thus, Pakistanis MUST remain cognizance of their status in the region and proceed accordingly. Establishing the tenet that every Afghan life is as precious as a Pakistani life, based on both religious and human grounds, would cost us little, yet increase our prestige in the eyes of the common Afghan. And for Pakistan, an understanding and welcoming Afghan population provides a much needed strategic depth that we shall never find in Iran. I am amazed how this simple point is lost to everyone, top down.

What cannot be conquered through guns and missiles, can always be conquered with pure love. The question is, are our hearts big enough for tough love?

Afghan problem is not ending soon so let's start by giving nationality to those Afghan Muhajireen who are interested in getting it