ACCORDING to a report by the International Crisis Group, Afghanistan: The Long Hard Road to the 2014 Transition, “Afghanistan is far from ready to assume responsibility for security when the US and Nato forces withdraw in 2014.”

This lack of preparedness by the Afghans makes it difficult to go through a shift of power through the electoral process as ‘a repeat of previous elections’ chaos and chicanery would trigger a constitutional crisis, lessening chances the present political dispensation can survive the transition.

Considering the current state of unrest in Afghanistan, it is surely evident that the political structure is not strong enough to withhold the extra pressure that the transition would thrust upon it. ‘Plagued by factionalism and corruption’, Afghanistan is sure to move towards a civil war as the incompetence of the current political system amply exemplifies its inability to maintain law and order needed for a smooth transition phase where a new political setup may emerge to take charge of the Afghan affairs, while the US/allied forces withdraw by transferring security duties to the Afghan forces.

Inherent corruption and rivalries between state institutions, the established incompetence of the independent electoral commission and the electoral complaints commission have led to a further weakening of the system, making it extremely fragile.

The Karzai government seems to be looking for means of protecting its own presence which is being stated as yet another factor that may lead to further instability. Karzai is found criticising the US forces for not doing enough in curbing terrorism in neighbouring Pakistan, while blaming Pakistan for aiding terrorism in the region. This hostility among key stakeholders creates mistrust and leads to more instability in the already terror-infected region.

Answering back, Leon Panetta says: “It would be helpful if the president, every once in a while, expressed his thanks for the sacrifices that have been made by those who have fought and died for Afghanistan, rather than criticising them.”

Pakistan, too, has been suffering for sharing a long and porous border with Afghanistan and keep on doing in case of a civil war as the fallouts are likely to be borne by it equally.

Despite being aware that resolving the electoral administration and related constitutional disputes is the only means to strengthen the system, Karzai seems too preoccupied with safeguarding his own office. The Afghan government would do its people a great favour by immediately announcing a date for the presidential election and taking all steps to ensure transparency during the process.

Constitutional defects need to be rectified and the state institutions need to be realigned with each other. Security needs to be enhanced and rule of law to be reinforced throughout the country so that chances of rigging during elections are reduced. Surely, that is the minimum that the Karzai government should do to play its role in the region instead of pointing towards others for not doing enough.

LUBNA UMAR Islamabad