Only permanent interests
To come out of the isolation Pakistan faces in the region, the country needs to approach its neighbours with an attitude marked by realism. It is simplistic to divide countries into black and white, ignoring the many shades of grey. It has to be realised that in inter-state relations there are no permanent enemies or permanent friends. The test of diplomacy lies in reducing the number of enemies and increasing that of friends. India should be treated as a test case.
Islamabad has to treat neighbours like Afghanistan and Iran with magnanimity. Minor irritations from these countries should be ignored. It was totally irrational to react so strongly to the Chabahar Port agreement signed by India, Iran and Afghanistan, calling it a conspiracy against Pakistan. A more sensible attitude was that of China who welcomed the move rejecting the notion that it was in any way an unfriendly act. While there is a need to improve border management between Pakistan and Afghanistan, the condition of visa for everyone entering Pakistan from Torkhum has caused problems for hundreds of students and medical tourists who come to Pakistan daily from Afghanistan. Such people can act as ambassadors of peace between the two countries. There is therefore a need to take measures to reduce their hardships. The search of Afghan Consul Generals’ vehicle in Peshawar was a short-sighted act that has led to the closure of the Consulate which would cause frustration to numerous Pakistani citizens in need of Afghan visas -including businessmen and tribesmen who want to visit relatives in Afghanistan.
Nawaz Sharif acted sensibly by inviting Hamid Karzai for talks despite Karzai having sought Indian weapons for Kabul and having issued numerous unfriendly statements. The invitation has led Karzai to publicly own that cordial relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan were in the interest of both the neighbours. At a time when anti-Pakistan sentiment runs high in the corridors of power in Kabul, Karzai’s statement could make some to revise their stand.
