Not something Pakistan can afford
Over the last two years there has been a complete agreement between the civilian government and army that good relations with Afghanistan alone can create stability in the region and ensure the security and integrity of Pakistan and Afghanistan. For this significant moves were undertaken to remove the differences. The development enjoyed full support of friendly countries having stakes in the region. Things seemed to be going in the right direction till early August when the Afghan Taliban launched a series of deadly attacks in Kabul. This naturally evoked a strong reaction from President Ashraf Ghani. The attack on Badhaber base led Pakistan to complain that the attack was planned in, and directed from, Afghanistan. If so, this would imply that all the efforts undertaken during the last few months to improve ties have gone waste.
While in London, on his way to the US, Nawaz Sharif once more reiterated his commitment to the improvement of ties with Afghanistan. There is a perception in Afghanistan that Taliban leaders direct the war from Pakistani soil, and send gunmen and suicide bombers, weapons and money across the border every year for the summer offensive. What is more, this is happening despite Pakistan’s influence over the Taliban. The only way Pakistan can stop the deterioration of relations with Kabul is to persuade the Afghan Taliban to stop the offensive. In case they refuse, Pakistan will have to join hands with Kabul to jointly take on all terrorist groups including Al Qaeda, Haqqani and Fazlullah networks. Is Pakistan ready for this? Pakistan cannot however launch surgical operation inside Afghanistan on its own as this will set a bad example in the region.
In case Islamabad doesn’t join hands with Afghanistan against common enemies, the Kabul government will look the other way as Mullah Fazlullah, Al Qaeda and TTP splinter groups launch deadly attacks inside Pakistan. Pro-RAW elements in Afghanistan might even support Pakistani terrorist networks inside Afghanistan. What is needed is a timely decision. Pakistan cannot afford losing Afghanistan’s friendship.