Afghanistan — on road to peace

Pakistan, in its quest for peace in Afghanistan and thus world peace, has, in the past many years, suffered and paid heavily. Unfortunately, our Muslim brother in the West has all along, been an “unfriendly neighbour” to say the least. It was the only country which voted for disallowing our recognition and entry to the world body and international comity of nations. All along the country has displayed a naked iniquity while we continued to follow the policy of accommodation, appeasement and amity. On arrival of General Ziaul Haq in Pakistan at the helm, he made determined and concerted efforts and displayed brotherly love and affection for the Afghan nation and its people. He extended a cordial invitation for Sardar Daud to visit Pakistan. The Afghan leader showed reciprocity and similar welcome overtures. He agreed to and paid a visit to Pakistan in 1978. The Sardar was extended all the niceties, pleasantries and grandeur of a monarch and an honored guest which pleased and impressed him a lot.

A grand civic reception in his honour was hosted by the citizenry of Lahore. The affection showered by the Pakistani nation made him appreciate the necessity for Muslim brotherhood and unity of the Islamic Ummah and the need to woo it-away from the communist yoke. As a result measures to consolidate the bonds were initiated and many concessions and improvements made in the Transit Trade Agreement. Unfortunately, he was soon assassinated in April 1978.

Mr Noor Muhammad Tarakai succeeded President Daud in Afghanistan. A Non-Aligned Movement Summit Conference was held in Havana, Cuba in 1979, which was attended by both president Ziaul Haq and president Noor Muhammad Tarakai. Both the presidents gathered at a private Villa (without Aides) for a frank and heart to heart exchange of views. In this fruitful discourse, both agreed to forge deep and durable mutual relations. However, the communist leader was killed too in October 1979.

The Soviet army, numbering some 100,000 soldiers, rolled into Afghanistan in December, 1979 and remained there till February, 1989. The Afghan resistance consisting of all the warring factions of Tajiks, Uzbeks and Pashtuns put up a formidable struggle to defeat the Soviet army and forced its withdrawal in 1989. Throughout this period of historic war Pakistan was subjected to many threats to its own existence. A two member delegation (the president and foreign minister of Pakistan) which went to Moscow to condole the death of President Chernenko was treated very harshly against all norms of Inter–State relations and Diplomacy.

The Soviet Union did not hide its intentions of its centuries old desire to reach the warm waters of Arabian Sea. Whenever approached for negotiated settlement of the Afghanistan issue, the Soviets rejected outrightly any such move and instead insisted on discussing the “situation around Afghanistan” and not “situation inside Afghanistan”.

In parallel with these developments, the Soviets demanded of Pakistan to allow them “shipping facilities” in Balochistan, accompanied with the threat that refusal by Pakistan to such an arrangement would be considered an “unfriendly act”. The Soviets threatened us of further division and disintegration of Pakistan into four Pakistans. Wires went to Washington which worked well and next morning the English dailies in Islamabad carried the caption “Hands off Zia, US warns USSR”.

At this point in time, in Pakistan, the government of Junejo was installed. As the Jihad progressed in Afghanistan, the inclusion of US stinger missiles in the munitions turned the tide in favour of the Mujahedeen and ensured the complete defeat of the Soviet army in Afghanistan. The Soviets wanted to withdraw/retreat as early as possible, as their leader President Gorbachev described the Afghanistan situation as a “festering wound”.

The Soviets wanted to leave Afghanistan in a hurry and so did Washington as it suited their objectives as well. Pakistan had its reservations as it felt that such an abrupt exit and retreat of the Soviet army will not bring peace in Afghanistan. The government of Junejo could not see through the prism and on Washington’s express desire and persuasion gave in to sign a peace accord. President Zia wanted Pakistan to hold fast and had to himself take to the podium to plead with the Pakistani legislators to stick to their guns and get a better bargain. Alas, the Geneva Accord was signed in haste and as a result Pakistan was denied any benefits of the long drawn war and continues to suffer ever since.

President Ziaul Haq in his perfect wisdom did his best to convince the all simple minded Junejo government (which was being pampered by Washington) not to act in haste. The president had visualised and reached the conclusion that unilateral and abrupt withdrawal of foreign troops without establishment of a consensus government in Kabul would plunge Afghanistan into a fierce civil war with unpredictable possibilities. Afghanistan would be left all alone to fend for itself. Pakistan would face further influx of refugees and pressure on its economy. He wanted Pakistan to wait for a while, both Moscow and Washington would be compelled to form such a stable government in Kabul acceptable to all the factions which could guarantee internal peace in the war torn territory.

A Mujahideen/Pashtun led government (friendly to Pakistan) would bring stability and internal peace in the country. However, the Geneva Accord was signed in haste and hurry, leaving Pakistan high and dry. Thus Pakistan committed, not a tactical mistake but a strategic mistake which continued to take its toll. The recent pronouncement by the prime minister that ‘Strategic Depth’ for Pakistan is “no longer a policy” has, therefore come as a complete surprise. It suggests that this has been a policy in the past which is not correct. ‘Strategic Depth’ in its broader terms has never been a policy of the government of Pakistan in the past except for a brief period under Sardar Daud and Tarakai, all the governments in Kabul have been inimical towards us. We cannot abdicate our age-old national interests. It seems that the statement is primarily for foreign consumption only in order to achieve a better barter and bargaining position at the parleys!

Following the footsteps of the Soviet, the US army and its allies are on the run and are due to leave Afghanistan by September. The time left to cater for the alternate arrangements is short. We are once again at the crossroads of history. Another miscalculation similar to the Geneva Accord can once again lead to a fierce infighting and bloodshed in Afghanistan with a spill over in Pakistan. Post 9/11 has already sacrificed over 80,000 lives and billions of dollars in economic loss. Decisions taken at this critical juncture will have long term and far reaching implications. For this the world needs visionary leadership. We are optimistic that our leadership will demonstrate the quality.

Pakistan cannot afford to have two hostile neighbours simultaneously on both flanks. Only a consensus government in Afghanistan consisting of all warring factions and led by a majority instead of the present minority government, can bring stability and internal peace in the country and region. This is the reality of ‘strategic depth’ that we need. The current situation including the, Qatar dialogue, the efforts of Zalmay Khalilzad and his precise agenda is shrouded in mystery.

The writer is President of Pakistan Muslim League (Z)