IT is a debate that eventually must be held if the historical record is to be set right. And if Pakistan is to prevail in the fight against militancy, there must be a consistent, historically accurate narrative. Imran Khan has spoken correctly: creating a culture of jihad and a generation of jihadis to fight the Russians in Afghanistan was a historic blunder. Until and unless Pakistan debates the history of armed jihad in the region, acknowledges the state’s role in fomenting militancy, and formally renounces the idea of jihad as ever again being a part of state policy, the country’s fight against militancy, terrorism and extremism will meander on. Indeed, the caveat offered by Mr Khan — that just as the jihad against Russia was wrong, it was wrong of Pakistan to participate in the US-led war in Afghanistan against the Taliban and Al Qaeda after 9/11 — illustrates the difficulty of maintaining a consistent narrative. The war in Afghanistan after 9/11 was sanctioned by the UN and triggered by Al Qaeda’s transnational war on the US.

In a welcome complement to Mr Khan’s candid remarks, army chief Gen Qamar Bajwa has been quoted by the ISPR as having told the Afghan defence attaché in London that he feels the pain of every victim of terrorism in Afghanistan as much as he does that of Pakistani victims. The general’s comments are important because it signals a shift away from the acrimony earlier this year, especially after the Sehwan carnage and the closure of the Pak-Afghan border. As Gen Bajwa appears to be recognising, language and tone matter; the disputes between Afghanistan and Pakistan are too serious and complex to allow emotionalism, however understandable, to further complicate relations. Pakistan has rightful concerns about anti-Pakistan militant sanctuaries in Afghanistan and the significant gains in the fight against militancy domestically cannot be allowed to be compromised or reversed because of Afghan inaction. Yet, there is a sensible way for Pakistan to press its concerns and a mutually beneficial, cooperative framework can be established. After all, Afghanistan has long-standing concerns and demands of Pakistan and the dictates of geography, history and populations all point to cooperation as the only path to sustainable regional peace.

First, though, an internal reckoning must take place in Pakistan. Between Mr Khan’s candour and Gen Bajwa’s empathy lies a possible response: a combination of reassessing history in light of what are now clear policy mistakes and a people-centric view of security in the region. Afghanistan has been wracked by war almost continuously for nearly four decades now; Pakistan shaken by more militancy and terrorism since the turn of the century. The reasons can be debated, but the connection between peace and stability in Pakistan and peace and stability in Afghanistan is undeniable. All policies of both countries must recognise and positively act on the interconnectedness.

Published in Dawn, April 9th, 2017