SIKANDAR NOORANI
NEWS coming from Afghanistan are not satisfactory from many perspectives for Pakistan and all the peace loving quarters. Obviously, most of the Afghanis fall in that category which des- perately awaits restoration of durable peace in their blood soaked homeland! Deadly sui- cidal attack on a Sikh Gurdwara in Kabul, which took 25 precious lives, reminded all stake- holders about the deep reach of peace spoil- ing forces. By claiming the responsibility of two major terrorist attacks in Kabul, within a span of a month, Islamic State has sent a frightening challenge to major stakeholders in the loudest possible tone. Crux of the message is obviously clear that foreign-sponsored peace spoiling forces are fully operative in Afghanistan. Attacks on Hazara and Sikh communities precisely aimed at igniting sectarian and religious sentiments for subsequent derailment of peace process. Response of Ashraf Ghani and AbdullahAbdullah to such a devastating challenge would define that how much they prefer the collective interest of Afghan people while being pitched against each other over presidency dispute. Reported involvement of an Indian national, KhalidAl Hindi, in Sikh Gurdwara attack has added more complication to rapidly worsening state of affairs. It is no more a secret that deactivation of anti-Pakistan assets in Afghan arena would be an unbearable blow to New Delhi. Exploitation of sectarian and linguistic fault lines of Pakistan is part of grand Indian coercive scheme, as explicitly divulged by Kulbhushan Jhadev in his eye opening confessions. Same weapons have been applied in Afghanistan as well. Sikh factor has badly mounted on nerves of Indian Establishment after unexpected opening of Kartarpur Corridor by Pakistan. Growing bondage between the Sikh and Muslim communities has caused significant mental irritation for decision makers in New Delhi . Poor track record on human rights violations in East Punjab during the peak time of Khalistan Movement keeps knocking at the back of mind that Sikh community would rise for freedom at any opportune moment. Indian Establishment’s grim concerns proved true to a great extent once Sikhs expressed solidarity with oppressed Kashmiri masses after revocation of Article-370. While protesting for the rights of Kashmiris, now, the Sikhs from all over the world are demanding freedom from Indian State. Denial and conspiracy are the two most destructive policy principles available with India to deal with undesired issues. As far as New Delhi is concerned there has never been any humanitarian issue either in Kashmir or in any part of India with any minority including the Muslims and Sikhs except Pak-sponsored unrest. With such a deadly combination of denial and conspiracy, Indian deep state keeps pumping the terrorism in target countries. Attack on the Sikh shrine in Kabul through an Indian Muslim, apparently affiliated with ‘IS’, successfully leaves multiple spoiling signatures. First, it will contribute to create a gulf between the Sikhs and the Muslims who are rapidly coming close now-a-days. Second, a fabricated Kashmiri connection will help in maligning the ongoing freedom movement with terrorism. Third, derailment of peace process in Afghanistan will serve a fresh lifeline to rapidly sinking Indian assets primarily created to hit Pakistan at the choosing of New Delhi’s timing. As the violence perpetuates in Afghanistan, both claimants of presidential throne, Ashraf Ghani and Abdullah Abdullah, are getting badly exposed as ineffective political entities. Mike Pompeo’s outburst on both presidential claimants, immediately after his Kabul visit and one billion dollar cut in Afghan aid was a clear indicator that political rift in Kabul is one of the major hurdles in rocky path of intra-Afghan dialogue. Continued fighting and attacks reported from Afghanistan portray as if there no peace deal was ever signed by any one. Unrest and violence in ill-governed folds directly benefit those powers that are eager to play the dirty game of proxies. Pakistan cannot afford continuation of war-like situation in western backyard. So is the case with common Afghan masses who have been facing the worst consequences of prolonged violence since four decades. Recent accusations from Taliban spokesperson Zabeehullah Mujahid, on Afghan government and US for violating the peace deal, clearly reflect the level of dissatisfaction prevailing on their side. Apparently, Taliban have been sufficiently provoked with unnecessary delay in prisoners’ swap and recently reported brutal torture on detainees in Bagram jail. Taliban, while expressing deep concerns over frequent attacks on civil areas by Afghan and US forces, have warned that peace deal is at the verge of breaking point. Though, US officials have rejected the Taliban accusations but peace still remains a far cry in Afghanistan. Non-stop violence , attacks from both sides and unusual non-flexibility on the part of Kabul power players are the ingredients of a perfect recipe of disaster. Continuation of fighting or bloodshed may be a business as usual for contesting sides and power grabbers but it is tearing apart the hearts of common Afghan masses. The US should step forward and assert its maximum influence to save the rapidly deteriorating peace deal.Who else is in a position to guard the peace deal any better than the US? —The writer is a free lancer who often contributes in national newspapers.