Where Pakistan matters
It is not very often that the head of state and chief of army staff fly off to Washington one after the other. But these are not normal times; not just for Pakistan but the entire South Asian region. And no doubt Pakistan’s internal issues – like the nuclear arsenal, progress of Zarb-e-Azb, fate of Haqqanis, etc – will come under the microscope. However, considering America’s commitments and problems in the area, the most important talks are likely to centre around Afghanistan. And that, at least, means that Pakistan still figures prominently in the arrangement of things.
The recent Murree process – regardless of its breakdown – proved once and for all that Islamabad holds at least enough leverage with former Taliban heavyweights to help arrange and initiate crucial talks with the government in Kabul. That the Americans, Chinese and NATO partook in the talks was significant. Of course, nobody was too pleased when it turned out that we had been hiding Mullah Omar’s death for a good couple of years. But it did prove that despite the long years of war, both sides were willing to give genuine peace a serious try.
Kabul, of course, has ruled out any talks for the future. But that is not how other crucial stakeholders view the process. The Americans have already said publically that they prefer talks out of the present impasse. And the Chinese, too, because of their revolutionary Silk Route initiative – which requires peace in the continent – are willing to go the extra mile to ensure the Afghan government and Taliban at least sit down to negotiate one more time. That gives Pakistan renewed significance even as its own position is somewhat cramped. There is the war against TTP and there is Indian’s unprecedented belligerence under Modi. That Islamabad is still willing to help solve Afghanistan’s problems simultaneously will definitely win it important points internationally. Unfortunately, there is talk of conspiracy and civ-mil tension just ahead of Gen Sharif’s tour, which is regrettable. It would be better if all institutions are in sync, at least for the time being, so Pakistan comes out stronger once the chips fall.
