By Muhammad Latif
Clouds of mistrust are finally dissipating giving a way to the rays of hope and
mutual trust between Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran and Russia. For a friendly
diplomatic relationship in the region it is essential to mobilize its true
economic, political and social potential especially for the Central Asian
states. The world known diplomatic proverb that “there are no permanent friends
or foes in the international politics or relationship” is now fast becoming as
true. Non diplomatic and aggressive policies of the Trump administration are
proving key to the upcoming change.
Sequel to the 9/11 events, the US invaded Afghanistan ousting the Taliban regime
to bring the perpetrators of attacks in the US to the task. Pakistan was forced
to join the so called “Global War on Terror”causing hundreds of billions of
Dollars’ loss to its economy and over 87,000 lives to its nationals; while
injuries are in addition. While the bulk of Pakistan Armed Forces including
Pakistan Air Force have remained deployed on its western borders to fight the
war of Americans for the last one and a half decades, the successive US
administrations have always treated Pakistan with mistrust and rhetoric of “Do
More”.Of late, the US has cut $800 million military aid and also withdrawn
training facilities to Pakistan Armed Forces. The United States is also
influencing world’s monetary organizations to deny any bailout package to
Pakistan.
Russia which was once considered a staunch enemy during the Cold War era has
gradually opened up to Pakistan. During the past few years there have been
frequent exchanges of high level diplomatic and military visits. The Bajwa
Doctrine envisages peaceful relationship with its neighbours,especially
Afghanistan, Iran and Russia acrossthe Central Asian Republics. While Pakistan
Army is already an unwritten guarantor of the CPEC further fortifying
Pakistan-China relationship, Pakistan is meeting approximately 70 percent of its
defence needs from China. Russia has also gradually opened its defence market to
Pakistan, training programs for Pakistan Armed Forces and joint exercises have
changed the status of Russia from enemy to a friend and no more a threat to warm
waters rather a partner in development of Gwadar Port.
Pakistan is in the process of integrating its Federally Administrative Areas to
mainstream abolishing the buffer zone kept by the British Raj to guard against
the possible Russian invasion across the Durand Line. Pakistan has also been
able to convey its sincerity to promoting peace to the Afghan government.
America to its dismay has lost control over the large part of Afghanistan, and
the Taliban are controlling over 60-70 percentof Afghanistan. With the mutual
agreement Pakistan is also in the process of constructingfence along the Afghan
border which will also address the longstanding issue of demarcation of
Pak-Afghan international border.
There is also a visible change in relationship between Iran and Pakistan. There
is a growing trust level between the two countries. Pakistan has been able to
convince Iran that the Taliban are the actual power to be reckoned with in
Afghanistan and prolonged stay of Extra Regional Forces in Afghanistan is
detrimental to the regional peace and security. Growing US sanctions against
Iran are also forcing it to look for diplomatic and economic avenues in the
region.
Prime Minster Imran Khan in his opening speech impressed upon the need to have
good bilateral relations with all ourneighbours including India. He also offered
to begin dialogue on peaceful resolution of long outstanding Kashmir issue.
During recent visit of US Secretary of State, to Pakistan it was amply made
clear that Pakistan has had enough of its share on “War on Terror” and that
there were no terrorist sanctuaries in Pakistan and therefore “NO MORE” to “DO
MORE”. While addressing Defence andShuhada Day celebrations in the General
Headquarters,the Prime Minister assured all ranks of Defence Forces that
Pakistan will no more fight for other’s war.
It is a good omen that all elements of National Power, perhaps for the first
time in the history of Pakistan, are on one page of each and every issue
confronting the nation may it be foreign policy, Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad, water
crises, corruption and so on. In this scenario, when China, Russia, Iran,
Afghanistan and Pakistan are almost at consensus to solve the Afghan problem
through dialogue with Taliban, US will be left with no option but to resume
talks with Taliban, the process which the US has probably already initiated.
Let’s hope and pray that Afghan issue is resolved under the umbrella of Regional
Powers, peace and prosperity comes back to the region and full potential of the
region is utilized to make it truly a Century of Asia. India will be left with
no choice to reconcile its policy to accrue benefits of CPEC, regional
integration and access to the Central Asian Republicans. Is about time for
change?
(The writer is a defence and security analyst based in Islamabad)