In a new setting
The one-step-forward-two-steps-back scenario is not new to the Pakistan-Afghanistan relationship, especially in the long years of the war on terror. And once again diplomatic progress has led to terror attacks in both countries; the typical reflex-action of the usual suspects to thwart any advances. Usually this would lead to finger pointing from both sides, and the only assured outcome would be suspension of whatever talks were taking place.
Yet much is changed in this new setting. Both Nawaz and Ghani have overcome internal and external forces to keep their strong friendship and resolve intact. The Americans also realise that peace is essential for them to finally wrap up their longest war in history. And if a deal is not clinched now, Washington will have to cave into Pentagon demands for yet more troops to control a strengthening insurgency The Chinese, too, require an end to the fighting for their New Silk Route project to take off properly. And the Taliban know that no matter how strong their offensive gets, they will never get anywhere near Kabul again, not without a power-sharing arrangement. The chips, therefore, are in place for a historic deal. All that remains is the will.
That is why the reaction from Kabul, particularly, is different this time. It recognises that the attack outside the Pakistani consulate in Jalalabad came from ‘enemies of both countries’, not just Afghanistan. It seems, finally, that all sides have overcome playing into terrorists’ tactics by calling off talks whenever there is an attack. This will deprive the enemy of a far more potent weapon than its bombs and bullets. But once the blame game is over, a far more difficult part of the process will present itself; how to bring groups with such diverse ideologies to agreement, for example. All parties must, therefore, redouble their efforts in light of the recent attacks.
