Sikandar Noorani
HOPES are high that finally a peace deal will be inked between US and Afghan Taliban by the end of this month. If it happens, as claimed by both sides, will be a big breakthrough towards restoration of peace in the region. Despite positive signs and pleasant claims, nothing can be said with conviction about success of the recent peace process due to the past disappointing episodes. Peace process was reversed or rolled back to square one, in the past on many occasions, after reaching closer to final phase of the deal. Failed attempts were as usual attributed to the mysterious major attacks claimed by unknown spokespersons of Taliban! Hopes for success are stronger this time because experts of Afghan affairs believe that Zalmay Khlailzad entered the diplomatic arena in Doha with greater authority and above all clear mandate from US President Donald Trump. So it is perceived that the US has adopted a clear stance about Afghanistan.
If it is the case then US President definitely deserves applause at least for being much clearer and assertive as compared to his predecessors. Fragility of the process can be rightly gauged from the fact that Afghan Taliban have partially agreed for a ceasefire of ten days duration. Like past, occurrence of undesired incident or unexpected development affecting any of the either sides might jeopardize acceleration on the path of peace. A reversal or deadlock will equally affect both Afghanistan and Pakistan. Apparently, if a deal is eventually inked between US and Taliban, the next phase of Intra- Afghan dialogue will begin. Leaving aside the troubles attached to the US-Taliban dialogues, this will surely be the most challenging and complicated phase in itself! Afghans have a vast but disappointing history of violent disagreements and deadlocks. No one can forget the years long bloodshed which took place in Afghanistan after Russian withdrawal .
It was not only Russia, which had to leave under multiple compulsions, but the USA as well which vanished from Afghanistan after playing their mischievous games and left the region in a shambles without accomplishing the essential stabilizing work. No one came forward to heal the wounds of Afghanistan except Pakistan. No one can deny this fact that Pakistan shared the burden of crisis while heavily bleeding itself on many accounts. Refugees, in millions, spread all over the country are the biggest proof of Pak sincerity and sacrifices. These sacrifices are spread over the pages of 40 years long history. This has been openly acknowledged by the UN Secretary General during the recent conference hosted by Pakistan on the subject of Afghan refugees. Antonio Gueterres was fair enough in pointing out the poor contribution of the international community in dealing with the massive challenge of hosting the refugees. Pakistan did this all tough work with utmost sincerity while battling multiple internal problems which actually got accentuated due to Afghan unrest.
It will be much better, if UN chief succeeds in transforming his good thoughts in practical steps. Crisis in Afghanistan is the outcome of foul play between global players! Russia and USA, though played their dirty games in Afghan arena but left the poor masses unsupported to face the consequences. It was USA which left the Afghanistan unsupervised after Russian withdrawal. If it happens again and America leaves the Afghanistan at the mercy of disunited groups then hoping for peace is not less than living in a fool’s paradise. UN chief is right that the world has not played the due role in healing the wounds of Afghanistan and Pakistan. He should be more clear in fixing the responsibility by reminding the US about the catastrophe caused by its past follies. Pakistan, as usual, has played a tremendous but tricky role of bringing the rival sides on the dialogue table. What else can be done more than this under such turbulent times?
Pak concerns about Afghan unrest are serious, sensitive and undeniable! Hardcore TTP terrorists, including the master minds of inhuman APS attack, have been freely moving in Afghanistan. Roots of all major terrorist attacks were traced back in Afghanistan with undeniable Indian signatures. It is a fact that peace in Afghanistan is conditioned with two aspects. One, US should be fair in intentions to restore peace in Afghanistan by playing its due role towards Intra-Afghan dialogues. Two, Intra-Afghan dialogues should be given a top priority as any laxity or delay on this account might spoil the whole process. Delayed announcement of results of Afghan presidential elections have laid foundation of another dispute. Though, Ashraf Ghani has surfaced as the winner with a little more than fifty percent votes but the runner up Abdullah Abdullah is not in a mood to share the pie with him as it happened in the past. Peace deal will only be considered a success if all Afghan stakeholders unanimously agree on governing the war-ridden land through non-violent means. Pakistan also looks forward for a friendly and proxy-free Afghanistan.
—The writer is a free lancer who often contributes in national news papers.
