Quantitative changes lead to qualitative jumps
The Pak-Afghan-China Trilateral Practical Cooperation Dialogue along with re-opening of the Chaman border and an agreement to play bilateral cricket matches are positive, though, minor steps towards improving relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan. At a time when significant military and civilian moves towards improvement of relations are over taken by incidents that open fresh chapters of mutual hostilities, there is a need to undertake, along with major initiatives, small measures that reduce the vast reservoir of doubts and suspicions that continues to poison mutual relations.
The meeting in Beijing despite its capital letters was a relatively lower level exercise attended by Director Generals from the FO’s of China and Pakistan and DG Ministry of Commerce from Afghanistan. The three sides thrashed out practical measures to promote trilateral cooperation. There was also an agreement to organise workshops, seminars and forums. The dialogue, we are told, will continue. Even if turns out to be no more than a talk shop Pakistan needs to pursue it to remain in touch with Kabul.
The 22 days long closure of the Pak-Afghan border at Chaman was hurting the common man on both sides thus adding to mutual grievances. The border was opened ahead of the Ramazan on humanitarian grounds we are told. Earlier, Afghanistan had been insisting that Pakistani troops deployed along the border should be withdrawn. Pakistan has however made it known that its troops would continue to maintain their positions in Killi Luqman and Killi Jahangir on Pakistani side of the border. The basis of the dispute thus remains in place. Still the resumption of trade between the two sides is a step in the right direction.
The PCB and ACB have agreed to hold bilateral matches between the cricket teams of Pakistan and Afghanistan at all levels, thus rejecting the BCCI’s policy of mixing sports with politics. The PCB and the ACB have agreed in principle to organise two friendly T20 matches between the two countries with each side touring the other country in the near future. One can only hope the agreement would hold keeping in view the law and order situation in Afghanistan.
