THE Joint meeting between Russia, China, Iran, Pakistan on the sidelines of United Nation is a landmark meeting with a profound impact in the geostrategic milieu in future to counter terrorism. The series of attacks on Chinese and on security forces indicate the urgency. Afghan attitude towards Pakistan? Sabotage activities in Pakistan have increased manifold. There is no doubt there are home-grown elements on-board in these activities. The linkages go back down to Afghanistan and the terrorist organizations. The issue is complex and multi dimensional. The Afghan attitude and factors govern their attitude. The terrorists have safe havens in Afghanistan regardless of Afghan denials and commitments at Doha. Their victory both against USSR and USA could not have been possible without the Pakistan support. Beside major groups, like TTP, Daesh, Al-Qaeda there are almost sixty terrorist outfits worldwide with tentacles inside Afghanistan.
Pakistan’s younger generation feel frustrated the way Afghans behave towards Pakistan. The disillusionment is further compounded due to the confused attitude of Pakistan, the state policy and divergent voices in political parties, especially parties of the Right. The question is why Pakistan is keeping three million plus refugees while Afghan Taliban claim they are more stable as compared to Pakistan . Why the Afghan government’s behaviour is so hostile that they are not ready to accept their own nationals back home. The issue is complex. There are multiple dimensions in this attitude. Afghan refugee policy is subservient to multiple pressers both external as well as internal. They are source of earning for Afghan Government. The earning of Afghanis in Pakistan is repatriated to Afghanistan. It is a drain on Pakistan’s foreign Exchange as they buy it from black market pushing up demand. Spread all over the country they provide sleeping cells for the elements creating sabotage. There are political, ethnic and religious dimensions to support their stay. Afghan Intelligence, RAW, Mossad and even CIA has their foot prints among them. Ironically, our agencies consider they are their assets.
To judge Afghan approach is governed by three factors. First, Political and DNA of Afghans. It is unique in the world, majority has Y chromosol, with central European streak. The Indian steak is around 15 %. Second, most important is the lack of cohesion and divergence within tribes. There are four major identities, Pashtuns, Tajiks, Uzbeks and Hazara. Then there are various sub-tribes. An Afghan basically is an independent soul. He considers himself the superior race and not ready to accept subordinate role .For that Afghanistan has never been one country till Abdali managed to club them in a loose federation. Third, their bondage to traditions (RAWAIAT) also govern their behaviour. In 1947 Congress, in NWFP (KP) forced British for the referendum on the issue to join Pakistan or India under the Partition Act India. It was the will of the people of Frontier Region who opted to join Pakistan. Afghanistan was the only country who opposed Pakistan’s entry into the United Nations. Defeated the congress supporters instigated Pashtoon elements in Pakistan to raise Pashtunstan issue. They also started disclaiming the Durand line drawn after protracted negotiations between the British India and then legitimate Afghan government. Historically there were tribal fiefdoms ruled by the tribal leaders of different creed even languages. They normally remained at war amongst. It is a fact of history that Afghanistan’s major part has been under the sovereignty of the Indian rulers, be it the Mughals, Sikhs and later British .Even today different regions of Afghanistan are divergent in history, culture, customs and political orientations. These are the major causes of the failure of first Talban Government. They agree to disagree.
The communist revolution (SAUR Revolution) with the support of the Soviet Union was turning point. It was the beginning of turmoil in Afghanistan, and still continue. The Soviet anti Pakistan approach was well known. The war pushed million of refugees into Pakistan. Pakistan had no option under the Geneva Convention but to accommodate them. By the time. Martial Law in 1977, four hundred thousand refugees were in Pakistan, during Bhutto era. A marathon meeting lasting over 10 hours was held in Pindi under CMLA and President Zia to explore the implications for Pakistan. All possible scenarios were explored. Finally, a combined policy was adopted. Afghan Commissionerate was created under a Brigadier, Commissioner Afghan Refugees.
Inter Service Intelligence was given the task to formulate the type of support Pakistan could extend to Afghan people. Pakistan extended full support to the people of Afghanistan in their struggle against Soviet occupation without any international involvement for almost two years. There were only three choices. First. To accommodate the refugees. Two, send them back to fight, the third was to keep the families and the older lot and the able bodies were to go back to Afghanistan to fight the Soviet Union. The camps were set up for the elderly, the women and children. Eventually Pakistan became the host to almost 4 million Afghan refugees and consequent economic, social and military implications for Pakistan .In the initial meetings, foreign office was apprehensive. Agha Shai in early meetings held in Pindi, then Foreign Secretary, remarked when elephants fight the grass underneath is trampled. President Zia remarked , if they make love even then grass is trampled. It was then Agha Shahi was replaced and Sahib Zada Yaqub took over as Foreign Secretary.
In the early stages USA was not interested. Pakistan during Bhutto era and later under Zia singly supported the Afghans. During last year of President Carter (probably end of 1979) around 200 million defence and economic assistance was offered. It was rejected by Pakistan, terming it Peanuts. It became Buzz word at that time. Easy to criticize almost over forty years after the event whereas, the ground realities were very harsh and entirely different at that time.
Pakistan was prime factor in the defeat of Soviet Union. An acknowledged fact internationally. Pakistan’s policy was to deny war to spill into the Pakistani borders. Time has proved the wisdom of this policy. As the war in Afghanistan dragged on Soviet Union was defiant. In flak Pakistan suffered human and economic losses. Soviet Union prompted India to open second front. It was the induction of Stinger Missiles that altered the course of operation in Afghanistan. The cost of war became formidable for the Soviet Union. The signs of fatigue economically and socially were emerging thus, behind the scene talks commenced.
The negotiations initiated between the Soviet Union and the warring parties were assisted by Pakistan. It dragged on for many years. The Geneva accords were eventually signed. It facilitated the withdrawal of Soviet Union from Afghanistan after 10 years of disastrous defeat.
It is internationally acknowledged but for Pakistan’s army and its resilience to support the Mujahideen struggle in Afghanistan, there would not have been any victory. Russian defeat altered the geo strategic map of Eastern Europe and Central Asia. Afghan presently try to portray it was they who won singular victory, it is not so. President Zia was very clear that Geneva Accords be signed only, when a broad-based government agreement was agreed, consensus built to avoid inter Afghan faction’s civil war.
On becoming Prime Minister and lifting of Martial Law, Mr Jonejo ignored President Zia advice and commitment. In a hurry, purelyat the behest of other political leaders pressures and political opportunism, in a follow up to a round table conference of political parties, he signed the Geneva Accords. It was the main reason for the down fall of Mr Junejo.
The Mujahideen factions were not ready with the framework of the government to be installed after the withdrawal of Soviet Union. It resulted in infighting among Mujahideen factions. It took shapofs a civil war between various groups. It was disastrous and damaging not only for the Afghan infrastructure and the people of Afghanistan but also Pakistan where refugees continued to pour in. Consequent to civil war, Pakistan’s effort was during all this turmoil to bring in peace amongst the Afghans factions.
It was not so. It resulted in the creation of Taliban who rose from the Madrasas of Pakistan and eventually captured Kandahar. They later spread their operations throughout the Afghanistan. The victories were easy as warring factions and people were peace hungry. Eventually Kabul was captured to pave way for the Taliban Rule in Afghanistan till 9/11.
I have no hesitation in saying that Pakistan people and the government helped Afghan brethren in those dark days to establish a stable government. Pakistan was the first country to recognize. However, Pakistan was let down by the Taliban who never considered Pakistan’s request to ensure that Afghan soil is not used for the terrorist activities against Pakistan country. The 9/11 followed when all talks with Mullah Omar had failed from Pakistan side. Pakistan used its best efforts to ensure agreement between the United States and Mullah Omer but futile.
The twenty years war that followed engulfed millions of lives and innumerable problems for Pakistan. The war spilled over in to Pakistan after US operations. FATA space provided virtual creation of state in tribal area. It eventually necessitated full scale military operation of unprecedented ferocity to evict them.
In the light of legal status of Pakistan born refugees and others a comprehensive intelligence, operational and social based polices be framed. Pakistan born refugees will never go back, a political reality. Their management will be a major challenge. Diplomacy and firmness is key.
—The writer is a senior researcher and analyst. He regularly contributes to the national press.
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