Pak-Afghan mess

• The only way out

Pak-Afghan relations have reached such a low ebb lately that unless APAPPS (Afghanistan-Pakistan Action Plan for Peace and Solidarity) secures concrete and quantifiable pledges from both sides, they might not be salvaged at all. The initial exchange in Kabul, despite Afghanistan’s overly accusatory posturing, was positive, which means that should both sides bring something actionable to the table in the next two rounds, scheduled for February 9 and 10, there might just be hope for a meaningful turnaround this time. Afghan President Ghani’s sudden offer of talks to the Taliban, just when US President Trump ruled them out, is interesting and instructive. Perhaps the right give and take at the right time can get the peace process on track after all.

Yet we have already been to many such crossroads before; only to be let down. First both sides talk and make commitments. Then neither follows through on any of the promises and they grow apart; only to restart the process when one or both are drenched in blood all over again. Now there seems the faint realisation, on both sides, that this absurdity has gone on for far too long and claimed far too many lives.

Kabul and Islamabad need not look further than the last few weeks’ mayhem to realise that the situation where one houses the other’s insurgents is simply unsustainable for both now. They must, therefore, immediately agree to fence the border – making crossings, and subsequent blame game, impossible – and share intelligence that can then be seen dismantling terrorist outfits in both countries. A combined effort will not only choke and destroy terrorists more effectively, it would also encourage many to lay down arms and embrace sanctuary; making a lot of further fighting unnecessary for all parties. This is the only solution to the Pak-Afghan mess and surely both countries appreciate the high cost and tight deadline.