Kabul’s deep suspicions against Islamabad
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The belief that Pakistan has been interfering in the internal affairs of Afghanistan is ingrained in the psyche of Afghans all across the country. It transcends all ethnic barriers and is deeply embedded in the thinking of Afghans. So deep is the acrimony that it will not go away by a visit or by expressions of goodwill.
How ironic that this vital dimension of Afghanistan’s attitude toward Pakistan is so completely overlooked in Islamabad’s formulation of policy. And no effort is made to understand the motives or the rationale for such deep suspicions. That is the bane of Pakistan’s policy.
Not very long ago, the army chief paid an official visit to Kabul and held meetings with the Afghan President as well as the head of the reconciliation team, Dr. Abdullah. It appeared a broad convergence of perception existed between the two countries on ending the conflict. And then came the statement of President Ghani making allegations against Islamabad... no holds barred.
In an interview with a German magazine, Der Spiegel, last month, Ashraf Ghani claimed that Pakistan operates an organized system of support for the Taliban. He went on to state that Taliban’s decision-making bodies like the Quetta, Miranshah and Peshawar ‘Shouras’ are all named after Pakistani cities.
It has to be acknowledged however, that behind these bizarre allegations there is a history of strategic blunders that Islamabad has committed in responding to the situation that evolved after the Soviet invasion of that country in 1979. But that is now history.
Rustam Shah Mohmand
The existence of Taliban’s Quetta Shoura is not in dispute. But the question is: Has Pakistan been manipulating the Shoura for its own goals in relation to Afghanistan or for promoting the cause of reconciliation?
The allegations reveal the mindset of Afghan leaders. No matter what gestures Islamabad makes in conveying an impression of cordiality, the fissures are deep and apparently unbridgeable.
It has to be acknowledged however, that behind these bizarre allegations there is a history of strategic blunders that Islamabad has committed in responding to the situation that evolved after the Soviet invasion of that country in 1979. But that is now history.
As if such accusations coming from President Ghani were not enough, fast on the heels came another tirade of Pakistan’s alleged ‘hypocrisy’ in dealing with Taliban.
On May 15, the national security adviser of Afghanistan visited the eastern Nangarhar province. In a statement there, Hamdullah Mohib said Pakistan was sacrificing the Taliban ‘for its own war.’
This was too much to ignore, and soon after Pakistan severed all official lines of communication with the Afghan NSA. The remarks of the national security adviser have left scars behind that are not going to heal any time soon. It is this strongly embedded erroneous perception that needs to be addressed by short and long-term measures if the trajectory of relations has to be corrected and warmth and cordiality restored.
The coming few months are crucial in determining the future contours of governance in Afghanistan as foreign forces depart. Whether the intra-Afghan talks will deliver, whether there would be agreement on a transitional government and whether Ghani’s government will agree to be sidelined-- are all important issues needing resolution.
Pakistan, like some other countries in the region, have to play a role in the grand scheme of reconciliation. Whether Pakistan will be able to play such a role in view of the suspicions about its designs that exist in Kabul, is an important question. Policy-makers in Pakistan will need to navigate the path of reconciliation very carefully.
Islamabad has to move vigorously to create an impression it is not seeking any favorites in Afghanistan. It must also dispel the widely held belief that Pakistan’s policy is just India-centric. At the same time, it must also make clear it is not opposed to or favorably inclined toward any group whether it is the Taliban or somebody else. This will require diplomacy and a deeper understanding of the dynamics of the complex political environment in Afghanistan.
The task is by no means easy but it can be handled successfully if there is clarity of vision and consistency in policy.
- Rustam Shah Mohmand is a specialist of Afghanistan and Central Asian Affairs. He has served as Pakistan’s ambassador to Afghanistan and also held position of Chief Commissioner Refugees for a decade.
