These days, the bilateral relation between Kabul-Islamabad has once again encountered a sudden decline that will possibly leave officials of both countries distant from each other till it harmonizes back to normal. Series of diplomatic initiatives by some countries had indeed improved the mutual relation to an extent that could have been counted on. But once again the accusations and verbal clashes show that both countries are still far away to take a clear-cut policy towards each other.
On Thursday, Islamabad accused Kabul of overreacting after Kabul cancelled a military visit to protest cross-border shelling, saying such joint activities were crucial for building trust between the two countries. Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry, the spokesman of foreign Ministry, criticized Kabul over previously scheduled military visit. “Cancelling of the visit by Afghan military officials seems to be an over-reaction. Such joint activities are meant to build trust and confidence and promote relation”.
On Wednesday, Afghan officials announced that they had called off the previously scheduled military visit over unacceptable Pakistani artillery shelling of parts of Kunar province on last Monday and Tuesday. However, regarding the shelling, Mr. Chaudhry said that Pakistani troops had responded to some intrusion from the Afghan side.
In addition, Kabul accused the neighboring country of wrecking efforts to end the Taliban’s 11-year of insurgency. Spokesman to Afghan President said that Pakistan had abandoned the peace process and set impossible pre-conditions on any further discussions that would encourage militants to lay down their arms and joint peace process.
Aimal Faizi said that Pakistan demanded to cut all ties to its arch-enemy, India; send army officers to Pakistan for training, and also sign strategic partnership with it, the conditions which are viewed as impossible. On the other hand, Islamabad quickly rejected the claim, saying that it never asked Kabul to snap its ties with India.
Perhaps, the sudden storm was not the result of shelling of Kunar. If it was, the officials on the two sides could easily solve the problem in a mature way. In other words, both could have
investigated the claims of each other and meanwhile let the bilateral relation continue its own pace without throwing dust on the meal of other.
Indeed, the problem lies how both countries view each other. Deep down in the hearts of officials of both countries, they are worried about assumed hidden knife. Till such distrust continues, no matter how the relation look normal, minor move from one side will disturb the entire structure of mutual relation.