Muhammad Irfan Abbasi
Much has been said about Pak-Afghan relations lack of trust between two important South Asian neighboring countries. Pak-Afghan relations remained tumultuous amidst decades of ongoing wrangling of super powers who dreamed to get control of the strategically important land in order to have supremacy over the world’s economy in 21st century.
There had been minor differences between the two countries but it never turned into hostility. In reality, Pakistan never wanted to meddle in Afghan affairs as internal issues and a by-born enemy India are enough to deal with. Soviet attack on Afghanistan left Pakistan with no option else than keeping Soviet forces at bay in one or the other way. A developing country of South Asia which already was facing regional animosity had to plunge into the war of monsters for the sake of own security. Nevertheless, despite difficult situation; Pakistan welcomed millions of Afghan Refugees and many of them are still present in different parts of Pakistan.
There is no example of hosting such huge number of refugees for such a long period by any nation of the world. Post-Soviet withdrawal era witnessed an internal conflict in Afghanistan among warlords that gave much room to the intelligence agencies of the world to nurture their proxies to accrue their interests in the region. In such a situation, no country can remain oblivious of own security, same was the case of Pakistan as it had to utilize all sources to protect own interests and ensure security from the threats emanating in the backyard. It was a brief sigh of relief; then Pentagon planned to reinforce its losing grip in the South Asia;, whether or not, 9/11 was a terrorist attack or CIA plan to make an excuse to attack Afghanistan, this resulted in US led NATO invasion to Afghanistan.
Twenty years of US lead coalition presence in Afghanistan and funding billions couldn’t change the ground realities of Afghanistan i.e Afghan Taliban. Soon after announcement of withdrawal and Taliban-US agreement, fragility of the Afghan government was obvious. Summing up the saga, post US withdrawal, Taliban led Afghan government again witnessed an economic quagmire that was further augmented by US by freezing assets of Afghanistan. Situation led to another looming humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan. Despite claiming to be champion of human rights, western nations forgot that they actually have to help Afghan public without discussing the recognition or non-recognition of Taliban government in Afghanistan.
Pakistan, being the immediate neighbour once again played leading role to engage the regional countries and take them in confidence on Afghanistan issue. Besides, Pakistan tried its best to convince the US led western world to look at Afghanistan from a humanitarian point of view and these untiring efforts are still underway. Pakistan at every forum is fighting for Afghan public’s issues. Despite sending back to back humanitarian goods to different areas of Afghanistan within own limited resources, Pakistan also allowed Indian humanitarian aid passing through its land despite security concerns. Hosting OIC special session for Afghanistan to garner maximum support to avoid the looming humanitarian crisis and participation from across the Globe is indeed appreciable for both Pakistan and participating nations.
OIC session proved fruitful enough as it was followed by the UN unanimous resolution calling for humanitarian aid for Afghanistan and US concessions in sanctions for the business community involved in legal business in Afghanistan. Bottomline of entire treatise is that Pakistan not only hosted millions of Afghans refugees in past, but also is helping Afghan public in post coalition forces withdrawal scenario while entire world is very cautious about it.
Pakistan’s efforts for Afghan brothers are untiring and constant. There is need to look at the efforts of Pakistan from the prism of humanity, instead of preoccupied rhetoric of the alleged meddling in Afghan affairs. Millions of Afghan women and children are at the risk of starvation. As actions speak louder than words, Pakistan lead role to end the isolation of Afghanistan is not only got appreciation globally but leading western nations also started realizing the situation and getting involved. It’s time for regional countries to unite and utilize all sources to imbue resilient stability in the land that witnessed decades of meaningless war. Afghans are in need of aid this year, but they should not be in need next year. Starvation if persists not only devastates any civilization, but also turns the starved people into monsters that are ready to go to any extent for a meager provision.
Writer is an Islamabad based media analyst and freelancer, can be contacted fani1892003@gmail.com
