THIS is with reference to the report ‘FM hits out at Afghan NSA over anti-Pakistan remarks’ (June 6). Historically, Afghanistan has always been creating troubles for our country, playing in the hands of our enemies – India, the United States and Israel.

This is despite the fact that Pakistan has been providing Afghanistan resources to feed almost its entire population since 1947 through ‘parallel’ trade, whihc is pure and simple smuggling. Despite knowing about the whole affair, successive governments looked the other way as a favour to a neighbouring Muslim country.

On the other hand, Afghanistan has been allegedly using terrorists to threaten our security officials.

India, using the Chanakya’s theory of befriending ‘the enemy’s neighbour’, incited Afghanistan and raised the issue of ‘Pakhtunistan’ which got some support, but a befitting response by the government of the time set things right.

In order to send a clear-cut message, the government sealed the borders and stopped the parallel trade. Afghanistan was hurt so badly by that temporary stoppage that Kabul promised to mend its ways.

However, when governments changed on both sides of the border, Afghanistan went back on its words. The Afghan government needs to be reminded once again that if Kabul does not restrain these terrorists, we can respond within no time. It is time to once again stop the ‘parallel’ trade as a serious warning to Afghanistan.

Those involved in such trade on the Pakistani side should be fined heavily and their establishments must be sealed.

Sajid Mahmood Ansari
Karachi

Published in Dawn, June 14th, 2021