ISLAMABAD, Oct 18: Pakistan should accept the fact that Afghanistan has always been a sovereign nation, and should stop meddling in that country’s internal affairs.
This was stated by Sherwali Wardack, a member of Afghan Parliament, while speaking at a seminar “Shaping the future of Afghanistan and Pakistan - policy recommendations” oragnised by a German foundation, Konrad Adenauer Stiftung, at Marriot Hotel on Thursday.
German Ambassador Dr Cyrill Nunn, German minister for economic cooperation Stefan Oswald, member of Afghan Parliament Golali Nur, MNA Humayun Saifullah Khan and were also present.
Mr Wardack maintained that the military relations between both the countries were not truly bilateral and there was a “trust deficit” between the intelligence agencies. He said Afghanistan was a sovereign nation that had the right to pursue its interests, adding Kabul wanted good relations with both India and Pakistan. The mistrust has to be eradicated by enhancing border security and coordinating counter-terrorism operations, he added.
Journalist Imtiaz Gul said the ruling elite in both the countries had eroded the rule of law, allowing foreign powers, especially America, to interfere in their countries. He said on the one hand America was pressing Pakistan to attack the Haqqani group but on the other was willing to talk with the Taliban. “This double policy has created a state of confusion in which Pakistan is unlikely to initiate any operation in North Waziristan,” he added.Dr Cyrill Nunn said improved relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan were pivotal and Germany was willing to support the crucial relationship.
MNA Saifullah added that Pakistan was seeking peace in Afghanistan and both the countries had to listen to each other to mitigate the instability.
Other speakers highlighted the mistrust between both the nations as the main issue hindering bilateral relations. An Afghan speaker said lack of maturity among politicians was exacerbating the mistrust. She quoted Pakistan’s interior minister as saying that the attackers on Malala Yousufzai had come from the Kunar province of Afghanistan. “Such statements add to the mistrust in both the nations,” she remarked.
A Pakistani speaker said President Karzai had also made several controversial statements, adding civil societies should focus on improving relations.
Despite its main objective, the seminar failed to focus on all the issues creating a rift between the two nations. The role of the US and other powers in the region and issues such as terrorism, cross-border drug trafficking and ‘mudslinging’ by politicians on both sides were only lightly touched.
Instead, the speakers focused on politically docile statements, saying both countries should focus on their commonalities.
Pakistan needed Afghanistan for a route to Central Asian States, bilateral trade and eradication of extremism while Afghanistan needed Pakistan for social, economic and political stability.
Although Pakistan was suggested to work with the international community to stabilise Afghanistan, avoid interference in its internal affairs, relax visa policies, provide trade facilities and enhance people-to-people relationships, there were no recommendations on how to address these issues.
Similarly, Afghanistan was asked to avoid the ‘blame game’, de-radicalise the nation, improve people-to-people relations and stabilise its government. Such measures are easily recommended but implementing them is extremely arduous. For example, deradicalising a nation where Islamists have penetrated since the Soviet War is not easy.