Concrete measures need to be taken
Afghanistan and Pakistan have agreed to create mechanisms to resolve their border issues. That the understanding was reached only after drawing blood and a lot of jingoistic hype goes to the discredit of the decision makers on both sides. The statements issued by the two on Sunday have identical content and similar almost wording. We are told that the talks were held in a cordial atmosphere marked by a mutual desire to amicably resolve border related issues. Both have decided to work in the spirit of good neighborliness marked by cooperation. What remains to be seen is whether the two sides will really abide by what they say and take concrete measures to settle their differences. This is supposed to be done when Sartaj Aziz and Afghan Foreign Minister meet on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in the next couple of days.
What is needed is that both sides stay clear of elements with a hawkish approach. In Pakistan two former Defence Secretaries characterised Chabahar port agreement as an “alliance” between India, Afghanistan and Iran which constituted a security threat to Pakistan. This was followed by a statement by Pakistan Ex-Servicemen Association (PESA) criticising the Foreign Office for extending invitation to Afghan Foreign Minister as premature. In Afghanistan elements with equally unrealistic thinking and motivated by a morbid hatred for Pakistan are duly represented in the Afghan intelligence agency, media, warlords and government.
Neither Pakistan nor Afghanistan can afford a policy of hostility. This will only strengthen the terrorists the two countries are fighting. Pakistan cannot get power or gas from Central Asia bypassing Afghanistan. The extent of Afghan market’s dependence on goods from Pakistan was indicated by the hue and cry in Kabul in the wake of the closure of Torkhum border. Pakistan still hosts over a million of Afghan refugees. Realism requires that both the countries treat each other with consideration and resolve their disputes peacefully.