Karzai and Pakistan
By Rizwan Ghani

KARZAI's statement accusing Pakistan of having plans to use Afghanistan as its base has been strongly dismissed by Pakistan’s spokesperson as unfounded. It is nothing more than a figment of imagination.

If Karzai has done that to shift international attention to Pakistan to hide his waning control over country’s security situation, it is a poor reflection of his statesmanship. The latest reports of over 100 deaths as a result of insurgent attacks show that ground realities in Afghanistan are fast changing from bad to worse.

And it time Kabul and it is friends do more than blaming others.

Pakistan has supported Afghanistan for last three decades. Even today over three million Afghans are living in Pakistan. Despite huge international economic assistance Kabul has failed to rehabilitate them back in Afghanistan.

Those Afghans who have returned to Afghanistan are openly cherishing their stay in Pakistan. It is still a challenge for international authorities to convince Afghans living in Pakistan to return to their homeland. It shows that Pakistan has been a good host despite its own economic limitations.

Afghan leadership instead of reciprocating the feelings of such Afghans is peddling disinformation campaign which is based on lies to undermine Pakistan’s efforts to restore peace and security in the region.

Pakistan was justified to ask for fencing of Pak-Afghan border as part of confidence building measure and to control cross-border movement. Karzai’s refusal to allow the same has complicated the situation.

If Afghans don’t have faith in what all help Pakistan is extending to help stabilize Afghanistan then it is about time that Pakistan unilaterally fences the border. Pakistan has had enough of living with a war-torn failed State.

It has the right to take steps that are necessary to bring an end to blame-game and ensure its internal security. Pakistan has recently announced aid package worth 250 million dollars for Afghanistan. The reason is simple. A stable Afghanistan serves economic and security interest of Pakistan.

It means possibility of realization of import of electricity from Turkmenistan. It could mean more gas pipelines in the region. It could mean increase in trade volume through land link to CAR and beyond. In short it could initiate the entire chain of economic activity that experts believe could bring economic boom in the region. But without stable Afghanistan nothing could be realized.

Then what makes Karzai think that Pakistan is spoiling the show in Afghanistan. The fact of the matter is it is the lack of people’s representation in Kabul that is fanning discontentment across Afghanistan. Time and again experts have warned that Karzai Government needs to do lot more to engage all segments of Afghans to ensure lasting peace in the country.

But up till now Karzai has only managed to extend half-hearted offers to estranged power centres in the country. His failure to pay heed to national and international opinion has resulted in further discontentment at local level and chances of reconciliation with estranged factions are growing slim.

If Karzai is serious to bring stability in Afghanistan and see the back of the occupation forces he needs to engage with all political parties in dialogue. He needs to provide large amount of jobs so that people are involved in constructive activity instead of being exploited by warlords for want of money.

There are numerous opportunities for doing exactly that. Afghanistan needs to rebuild, and for that it needs all kinds of manpower. It needs to restore its infrastructure for that it needs workforce.

All these areas need people and by initiating this activity Karzai can absorb 90 per cent of Afghan work age male population. This will automatically deprive anti-State elements of much-needed manpower for their vested interests. Karzai is a smart man. He knows that rebuilding and construction activities depend on some 20 industries. And all this could mean thousands of jobs.

America beat its economic recession in 50’s with same strategy. Karzai can use it to unite its war torn country. But this is only possible if Karzai has the will to do it.

Pakistan would very much like to be part of this process. However, a lot depends how Kabul behaves in coming weeks. If it continues to maintain current atmosphere of blame-game, things are least likely to take a turn for better and both countries are likely to loose the much needed revenue that could have been earned through rebuilding activity in Afghanistan, trade and other economic activities.

There are concerns in Pakistan over growing influence of neighbouring States with vested interests in Afghanistan. Karzai needs to take necessary steps to ensure that such concerns are addressed. In this respect it needs to take Pakistan into confidence over sensitive issues. Issuance of irresponsible statements in media especially those related to use of Pakistani land for terrorist activities, and running of training camps should immediately be stopped.

Those people who are waging wars since decades need no training. They are already trained and present in Afghanistan. Pakistan, as time and again reiterated by different officials and representatives, has nothing to do with internal situation of Afghanistan.

The fact of the matter is Pakistan has taken exhaustive steps to secure its border with Afghanistan. It is time Afghans use their resources to do the needful to secure their side of the border.

Both governments could find a way out. Many proposals have been given by Pakistan to secure the border. Like fencing, electronic monitoring, patrolling, drones, posts etc. Afghan Government needs to respond to bring an end to a situation that is adversely affecting relations of both countries.

From Pakistan’s point of view it is rather frustrating that despite extending all kinds of moral and material support still Afghanistan is not happy.

It is something that has raised question marks over Musharraf’s policy of supporting international policies in the region. It is believed that Karzai, his pro-Western policies are in fact the root cause of current deteriorating security situation in Afghanistan.

And blaming Pakistan is part of diversion tactics to cover failures in Afghanistan, after Iraq. Whatever the cause may be! Pakistan has nothing to do with it.

It is therefore time that Karzai and others wholeheartedly acknowledge wholesome contributions of Pakistan to help Afghanistan stabilize in all areas may it be financial aid, securing of border, or hosting Afghans for decades. Karzai also needs to bridge the current trust deficit that is more of his own doing.

Pakistan is a friendly country and has always tried to maintain good relations with its neighbours. Afghanistan is a brother Muslim State and enjoys special place in the hearts of the people of Pakistan. Like always Pakistan’s leadership is likely to welcome moves to bridge the trust deficit.

But for that Karzai and his supporters need to shun policy of false accusations and adopt policy of dialogue and information sharing at appropriate level. This will help to normalize relations in the long run.

Needless to repeat that Pakistan has been and still is friend of Afghans. It can still be of great help in rebuilding stable Afghanistan. Those who believe that ignoring Pakistan in the region is a way forward are looking in the wrong direction.

Finally, Pakistan despite having economic constraints has taken all necessary steps to secure its side of the border with Afghanistan. But if still it is felt that the steps are insufficient then it is time Pakistan takes necessary steps in accordance with its policy to secure its borders even if it means fencing the Pak-Afghan border.●

© 2006 Rizwan Ghani