PAKISTAN has paid a heavy cost for being neighbour of Afghanistan. When the Taliban took control of Afghanistan, Pakistan, along with Saudi Arabia and the UAE, had to recognise the Taliban regime. After Sept 11, 2001, international pressure forced Pakistan to reassess its relations with the Taliban regime and support the US and international coalition in operation enduring freedom to remove the Taliban from power.

Since then, Pakistan has supported the Kabul regime and has been sharing global efforts for a durable peace in Afghanistan. In fact, Pakistan has suffered more in terms of refugee influx, the socio-economic burden and rampant terrorism. Recently, in the aftermath of Zarb-i-Azab and Rad-ul-Fasad operations conducted by the Pakistan Army, all safe havens and sanctuaries of the militants have been destroyed. Now the terrorists take advantage of the porous border, use the Afghan soil and conduct attacks on Pakistan.

Pakistan’s problems have been aggravated by the growing Indo-US nexus, giving India a strategic advantage. Now, for peace in Afghanistan, the US should keep India from Afghanistan as India uses it to destabilise Pakistan.

Hanifullah

Bajaur

Published in Dawn, October 17th, 2017