Pakistan and Afghanistan: bilateral ties

That the people to people contact between Pakistan and Afghanistan has always been considered as a means of linkage is more than obvious. This transnational bondage has always defied the existence of physical boundaries and divisions between both countries. That the Afghans have always been entertained by Pakistan is more than evident in the case of housing millions of refugees during the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. The lack of employment opportunities had also compelled many to seek their livelihood across the border. Being linked by an approximately 2600km long boundary with the landlocked Afghanistan, Pakistan has also served as its major trading partner with at least 80% of Afghanistan’s trade depending upon its neighboring Pakistan.
This age-old bondage however is not enough to enhance the bilateral relations between both countries, for which further steps and initiative ought to be taken by the respective governments. To reach the next level there is a need to develop a joint pre and post conflict strategy as both stand facing a direct blow from terrorism upon their respective territories. And the eventual drawdown of the US forces from Afghanistan and its visible aftermath will be shared by both. As both had borne the brunt of a war three decades back will again be left alone to lick the wound inflicted by this decade long war with a horde of extremist groups at their hands to de-radicalise and reintegrate into the society, accompanied by a colossal pressure from the international community and human rights organisations for not handling things correctly. This reintegration process may take another decade to kick-off as things in the South Asian continent move with a painful slow speed.
Instead of focusing unfairly upon what Pakistan has allegedly unleashed upon Afghanistan, a few truths need to be remembered. That Afghanistan has served as a graveyard for superpowers is the fanciful myth that exalts the Afghan identity as heroic warriors. Surely, the fact that an unsuccessful decade-long training of the Afghan National Security Forces contradicts such loud claims to reveal their inabilities and slothful attitudes. The analysis put forward by experts also suggests that Afghanistan is most likely to sink into civil war if US forces were to withdraw. Pakistan has always been the one silent force behind the Afghan strength to fight both the Soviets and the terrorists. Without Pakistani help, where would Afghanistan be is something that Afghanistan needs to ponder upon.
AYAANA MALIK
Islamabad