Contributing factors for bringing peace in Afghanistan

The Afghan government actions seem to be in conformity with the fact that diplomatic solution with the Taliban is the only way forward for Afghanistan. Although some of the Afghan leaders are of the view that empowering the warlords and certain groups could be beneficial for the future of Afghanistan, but reality is based on the fact that every Afghan needs to be treated justly and equally, irrespective of his ethnicity or religious beliefs. Besides, the traditional setups, historical legends, traditional norms and culture should be implemented and ensured to root down in Afghanistan, so every Afghan should be proud about his dealings and hopeful for the future, taking along his/her identity proudly as Afghan. 

Unfortunately, carving the solutions "out of the box" in Afghanistan have not so far worked. It’s probably high time that their traditions and culture should be respected to regain the intended peace and harmony in Afghanistan. As far as regional and international countries are concerned, they have to come forward more briskly than international countries, because of genuine stakes and immediate emerging threats and its negative impacts in the region. The Afghans also need to carve a way for achieving their destiny by playing a fair role in the international community.

There are certain voices, augmenting the entire blame for instability in Afghanistan on American aggressive policies and lack of their seriousness in bringing peace to Afghanistan. However, there are certain other factors which had contributed for the destruction of Afghanistan and its deteriorating social fibre. History would never forget the negative contributions of the former Afghan President Hamid Karzai who remained a major roadblock for peace talks with the Taliban due to his dual stance and certain self-interests, including nourishing and protecting his brother, well known for his involvement in Narco affairs and human rights violations. He also orchestrated negativity against Pakistan at the behest of India, which ultimately resulted into a pause on Afghan peace talks. Karzai’s indulgence with involving India and alienating Pakistan had somewhat damaged the Afghan peace process.

It is a well-known and undeniable fact that Hamid Karzai had even lost credibility with the United States, thus alienated Afghanistan from the intended recovery from security situation causing the snowball effects on the development and economic progress of Afghanistan. The role of Pakistan in Afghanistan for long has been ill-projected and misled by inculcating sheer negativity orchestrated by the Indian influenced elements within Afghan official, political and diplomatic circles. Experts are hopeful that President Ashraf Ghani seems convinced that peace can only be achieved by initiating positive and progressive interactions with the Taliban along with the facilitation and cooperation of the USA, China and Pakistan.

The Afghan government is seemingly interested in a regional solution of Afghanistan together with Pakistan and other international countries, willing to support the Afghan government. As a way to address some of the country’s structural challenges which have been severely compounded by persisting negativity created by the former president Hamid Karzai and his affiliates, President Ghani staked his early political capital on negotiations with the Taliban. In a bold move, he reached out to seek help and necessary facilitation from Pakistan, while also undertaking  crucial military operations, such as in Helmand, to respond to Pakistan’s requests for Afghan military action in the East. Despite the strong Indian lobby in Afghanistan creating anti-Pakistan sentiments, President Ashraf Ghani’s balancing policy and his outreach have produced positive results.

Besides, the recent past meeting between Taliban members and Afghan government members in Pakistan was a good sign and endorsement of the positive results of the mutual Pak-Afghan government-level efforts. There is also a pessimistic view prevailing that; whenever the postponed talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban would resume, it would likely to last for years. However, governance in Afghanistan cannot persist in the condition of paralysis and continued surrenders of security forces in the face of Taliban successes. Delivery of governance and related improvements is crucial for the sustainability of the Afghan State and the basic political dispensation in the country. It is widely agreed that the decomposition of the Taliban and eminence of Daesh in Afghanistan would not be favourable emergence for Afghan government. The role of the Taliban could be seen as evolving into a mercenary force, which could be utilised to neutralise the destructive forces in Afghanistan. It is generally viewed that the Taliban are not against the very much entity of Afghanistan, whereas the agenda of Daesh encompasses a separate region pompously acknowledged as Khorasan. The situation could compel the Afghan government would need to negotiate with the Taliban; making them agreeable to secure the entity of Afghanistan as one country However, it would be needing a fierce and final battle against Daesh by the Taliban, ensuring their strength would be a win-win situation for any Afghan government. However, happening of such outcome would be requiring serious igniter or happening of event; making the Taliban and the Afghan government sitting together to resolve the negativity of Daesh and its affiliates in Afghanistan.

In addition to the improvement of security situation by configuring certain way forwards, the issue of improving social setups and the very much peace and confidence of Afghan people, the role of improved governance and much needed affection by the Afghan officials towards public is also a major hurdle to overcome by the Afghan government. Better governance buys time, opens up political space for the negotiations, and strengthens the government’s hand in gaining the crucial public support. Even a negotiated deal could not address the issue of inadequate governance for augmenting the peace and prosperity in Afghanistan, hence; parallel to any efforts for stabilising Afghanistan; the issue of governance and its practical impact at the grass root level, must be ensured by the Afghan government for bringing the sustainability to the adopted policies and overall stability in Afghanistan.