Editorial A fence mending visit to Pakistan On Friday, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani arrived in Islamabad for a first-ever two-day visit to Pakistan. The Afghan President, accompanied by a high-level delegation comprising senior leaders, cabinet ministers, high-ranking officials and business representatives, will hold top-level meetings including the president and Prime Minister of Pakistan. For last two years or so, the bilateral relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan plunged into a new low amidst widening differences over border disputes and counter-terrorism. The two governments are continuously engaged in exchange of allegations. Islamabad’s relations with Kabul, which have historically been tense and complicated, plummeted to new lows over the past couple of years due to reignited border disputes, counter-terrorism differences and exchange of allegations. Historically, the states never enjoyed cordial relations yet they remained allies in war on terror. Having the US backing, the Afghan government took a harsh stance with Pakistan over its inabilities to cope with the situation arising out of the resistance to the war on terror and infighting amongst various Afghan factions, thus it persistently accused Pakistan of siding with particular group. In its own backyard, Kabul harbored anti-Pakistan elements. In the given political scenario, differences based on mistrust are bound to grow. Notwithstanding with the trust-deficit the two states are pitched in, the two states must come to terms of ground-realities. None of the two can establish durable peace and stability sans mutual cooperation and understanding. Foreign forces fighting in the region have their own agendas and interests. Their political endeavors are not meant to benefit the people of the region. Hence to mend the loss Pakistan and Afghanistan faced in the war on terror, two governments should realize the need to build mutual confidence to rectify the follies of the past, revisiting the external and internal policies. Indigenous goodwill on the both sides is imperative to forge peace. No outside forces including the US or India, no matter how long they stay in Kabul or how much investment they make in there, can guarantee prosperity till the people of two states extend support to the policies governing the region. There are many unfulfilled expectations on both sides, yet the need of the hour is to transform the bilateral relationship acceptable to the peoples of the two states. The peaceful transition to the unity government in Afghanistan after the elections this year and the US drawdown by the year-end has provided the two countries a unique opportunity to put the diplomatic wheels in motion leaving behind the legacy of mutual distrust. Over the decades, the two states have seen the worst violence that had left thousands dead and millions homeless & orphans. Enough of blood of innocent people has down the drains. There is a dire need to put the bombs and guns to rest, giving peace and stability a chance to prevail in the region wherein the peoples of the both states can breathe free without fear of being killed in the streets. The region has sufficient resources to develop itself economically—this may well sound a wishful thinking at this point in time. Sooner or later, geo-politically interlinked states had to join hands to give the people a healthy lifestyle that they deserve more than anything else. We whole-heartedly welcome the Afghan president in Pakistan, hoping that his visit will mend fences with Islamabad to build the region worth living place for all human-beings. Ultimate goal may be difficult but, for sure, it is not impossible provided the political leadership demonstrate a strong will and wisdom on the negotiating table. The states should grab this opportunity with both hands to move forward in an atmosphere of peaceful co-existence.
Posted on: Sat, 15 Nov 2014 05:53:57 +0000
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