It is a judicious truism, “Friends may change but not neighbors”. Pakistan and Afghanistan are century old neighbors. Nevertheless, their history records many ups and downs in mutual relations. The Durand line, bone of discontent has served one of the underlying reasons, eroding the trust and confidence in this relation. The Durand Line is the 1893 British-mandated border between the two countries. It is recognized by Pakistan, but not by Afghanistan. Presently this border has turned into save havens for militants and terrorists seeking covert and overt backings.
But relations between the South Asian neighbors have been marked by decades of distrust and outbreak of fighting. Last September, Afghanistan sent extra troops and artillery to the border with Pakistan as tensions rose over a spate of cross-border shelling that allegedly killed dozens of Afghan civilians.
A new strain between the two countries surfaced subsequent to Pakistan’s installment of a security gate inside Afghanistan on the Durand Line near Goshta district of eastern Nangarhar province. Subsequently, another wave of shelling and counter shelling along the border from two sides took place. The wretched incidence claimed lives of two Afghan border policeman wounding two Pakistani soldiers in an exchange of fire along the border, in Mohmand agency.
Afghan officials accuse Pakistan of having a long history of supporting Afghanistan’s Taliban and other insurgent factions. Pakistan has in turn accused Afghanistan of giving safe haven to Pakistani militants on the Afghan side of the border.
Recently, President Hamid Karzai blamed Pakistan for pressurizing Afghanistan for the recognition of controversial Durand line as the formal border between the two nations by creating issues including construction of border gates and other military installations which he turned down. Whilst, the United States wants Pakistan to help Afghanistan to coax the Taliban to the negotiating table ahead of the withdrawal of most NATO combat troops by the end of 2014. The aforementioned allegation may not serve the interest of Afghanistan, keeping in view Pakistan’s cordial assistance, accelerating the peace talks, Afghanistan’s prime issue.
President Karzai’s recent rhetoric has sparked anti-Pakistan sentiments in Afghanistan. People took to the streets in Kabul and other major cities and burned the Pakistani flag.
Last week, Afghan authorities paraded with the body of Mohammad Qasem, an Afghan border police official, in Jalalabad. They claimed Qasem was killed in clashes with Pakistani forces, sparking more anti-Pakistan protests in the city.
Karzai declared his country will never recognize the Durand Line as the international border, knowing well that this stance is not new. The issue is being pressed by the president despite other key issues that need urgent attention.
The timing of border dispute secures vital importance in the future politics of Afghanistan. One of the consipiracy theories statesthe president raises the issue in an attempt to win Pukhtun support ahead of the upcoming presidential elections to earn an influential position and could enjoy patronage in future government.
Seeing at the magnitude of losses and gains, in return for accepting or discarding the recognition of Durand line as international border brings –the future’s political landscape can bepredicted;Afghanistan earns lots of privileges with inclusion to durable peace, stability and free transit via Karachi and Gwadar ports given the Durand line is peacefully resolved with Pakistan.Otherwise, Afghanistan’s future prospects relative to peace, security and stability shall dwindle –that will cost manifold.
Afghan government, without evolving consensus with parties and joint opposition, is presentlytackling this very issue on its own;escalate the worsening of issueleading to delayed solution.The Afghan opposition is encouraging a diplomatic solution to the tensions, are not taken into confidence. Dr. Abdullah Abdullah, head of the National Coalition of Afghanistan said Afghanistan’s problems are piling up without much public support. Haji Mohammad Mohaqiq, a senior Afghanistan National Front (ANF) leader, accused the Afghan government of not coordinating with political circles in dealing with the alleged Pakistani military’s encroachment in Goshta district of Nangarhar.
The Pakistani media has kept mum on the issue, while the military and foreign ministry has issued two brief statements denying the Afghan allegations. Most Pakistanis are unaware of the growing tensions between the two countries, especially as Pakistanis are in the midst of a crucial election.
With emergence of border problems, the already ongoing peace talk is pushed to periphery, the nascent border tension sought precedence. It does nothing except eroding the smooth progression of peace talks-it halts producing the expected outcome.
There are several genuine issues; both countries are facing with exception to border problems listed as unrelenting terrorism, bad governance, corruption etc. Terrorism, undoubtedly, a challenging menace for the two countries has added into the wrecked economies, inflicting worst effects on governance. The endless accusation of terror plots in either country should come to halt and instead information sharing mechanism should be developed and joint counter terrorism initiatives be taken so that none of the terrorists escape the reach of law. Any element causing the breach of trust between the two countries must not spared, be it Taliban or any other terrorist organizations. The insurgents seeking save havens across the borders must crushed with full might. The ties should be developed based on mutual trust, cooperation and trade.
It is precious moments the two neighbors work out an agreed solution to all serious problems including the border problem. Both are required to work strengthening border coordination and also jointly work for installing durable peace. The two countries having cultural and social ties must ease free trade and bridge relationship by encouraging people to people contact.
Both Afghanistan and Pakistan need to reaffirm their compliance to launch a joint venture against illiteracy, poverty, terrorism and extremism. It is vital for two countries to develop long-lasting and endless cordial relationships based on mutual respect, material and technical support and co-operation and coordination as seen in the latest developments occurring. Bridging the untied ties may bring sustainable security and stability in both countries. Afghanistan must seek substantive support from Pakistan in carrying forth the peace talks. The rise of tension of any sortmight not serve the interest of either.