Missed opportunity?
Pakistan needs international support on its present dispute with the US. It also has to convince the world that the solution it has about the future of Afghanistan is the best way out of the imbroglio. The Bonn conference offers an opportunity to achieve both the objectives. After ruling out a military solution to the latest dispute with the US, the only way left for Pakistan is to settle the mater through diplomacy. The decision to boycott the Bonn moot comes, therefore, as a surprise. Here is a forum where Pakistan can forcefully present its case on the killing of Pakistani troops in Mohmand, continuing drone attacks and disregard for its territorial sovereignty. It can seek an in-house debate and hold talks on the sidelines of the conference to vindicate its position. A protest registered at the moot would be far more forceful than a decision to opt out of the talks.
The Bonn conference is scheduled to take important decisions regarding post-2014 Afghanistan which is of vital interest to Pakistan. Islamabad is considered a key player in the efforts to bring peace to Afghanistan because of geographical proximity, historical ties with Kabul and a close association with the events since the 1980 Soviet military intervention. The appeals made to Islamabad to attend the moot by Afghanistan, the US and a number of European countries indicate they recognise Islamabad’s clout. Only by an active participation in the talks can Pakistan ensure that no measures are endorsed which are likely to harm its long term interests. By boycotting the moot Islamabad would be painting itself in the corner. It would provide an opportunity to its opponents to maintain that instead of being a part of an international move to resolve the issues peacefully, Islamabad prefers to use some of the militant groups to further its interests in Afghanistan.
The destinies of Pakistan and Afghanistan are intertwined. Peace and stability in Pakistan is dependant on the end of militancy in Afghanistan. Realising the fact, Pakistan had joined hands with the US in the fight against terrorism. There is no other way out than continuing the fight together meanwhile keeping mutual differences within manageable limits.
