GEN Raheel Sharif has warned that the “contours of future wars” in the region are changing, presumably referring to the potential for both state-sponsored and non-state terrorism to demoralise nations and destabilise states. The proxy game, however, is an old and dangerous one in this region. Pakistan may not have invented the genre, but it has certainly been an enthusiastic proponent. First, explicitly against the Soviets in Afghanistan and later, the support for militancy in India-held Kashmir being an open secret. But other countries have certainly played their part. In the regional context, there is no proxy fight with greater potential for disaster than the sectarian one between Saudi Arabia and Iran. Pakistan with its multi-ethnic, multi-sect population effectively became a giant battleground between Saudi-inspired intolerance and Iran-inspired pushback. Even today, the scale of interference in the social fabric of Pakistan by Saudi Arabia and Iran can only be guessed at — there having been no attempt to either map or control external influences.

India, too, has played a significant role in Afghanistan and, as alleged by the security establishment, inside Pakistan, particularly in Balochistan but also in Fata and other parts. So Gen Sharif is timely and correct in stating that “Pakistan is opposed to using proxies against other countries and will also not allow any other country to use proxies against Pakistan”. Where Gen Sharif and the political government that has marginalised itself in matters of national security and foreign policy appear to be failing, however, is in providing broader solutions. While it may be necessary for the military to locate proxies on Pakistani soil and act against them lawfully, such actions do little to address the underlying conflicts fuelling proxy fights. Perhaps what the military and political leaderships should also be looking at is to bring together the relevant regional powers to discuss such matters frankly and in the spirit of putting an end to them.

Diplomacy has not lately been a strong suit of Pakistan, but a formula for the possible ratcheting down of regional proxy fights, at least those involving Afghanistan, India and Pakistan, may lie in Gen Sharif’s formulation: simultaneously pledge to not use proxies while demanding that others cease using their own proxies too. A verification mechanism can be developed to ensure all sides abide by the promises they make, but that is for later. The first step is to create goodwill. The security establishment is deeply concerned about the direction that regional power dynamics are headed in — just as Pakistan’s neighbours are concerned by the choices they perceive this country is making. Gen Sharif has established himself as an important figure who can both promise and deliver and who has a few legacy-creating months left in office. To prevent future wars, Gen Sharif could move to try and end present conflicts.

Published in Dawn, June 26th, 2016