Daily Times

When Abdullah Abdullah, the Chief Executive of Afghanistan, took to the podium at the UN General Assembly the focus was naturally on terrorism.

And as expected, there was talk of existing sanctuaries and the illicit funding of this menace. As well ponderings over how “to render terrorism impotent as a policy tool used by some to further specific agendas”. In fact, this country was the only one that was named when outlining how Kabul had called on all regional neighbours to help targeted societies, including their own, counter the prevailing threat. There was even mention of “extraneous agendas” preventing the regime from replicating a second ceasefire with the Taliban.

For many pundits here at home, this will be reason enough for a belligerent response. On the grounds that this is no way to refer to a nation that has also been thrust on to the frontlines of someone else’s war. Not least one that is tasked with getting the Taliban to the negotiating table. Similarly, there will also likely be disappointment at the way Mr Abdullah completely skirted the issue of American military withdrawal; which remains the overriding pre-condition for peace as far as the Taliban are concerned.

Yet all that being said, it is hoped Pakistan’s policymakers avoid a knee-jerk reaction. The time for mutual retribution has long passed. Indeed, neither side has gained from such an approach. What is needed now is strategic cooperation and general good neighbourliness. This, after all, is in everyone’s interest. That is, if the region is to view the defeat of terrorism as a collective effort with widespread wins. Thus Islamabad should concentrate on moving forward with Kabul under the Afghanistan-Pakistan Action for Peace and Solidarity (APPAS) framework.

The leadership here must therefore do its best to recognise this as not an entirely Pakistan-centric address. But, rather, one whose resounding message was of Afghanistan’s commitment to nation-building; reinforced by calls for the international community to play its part. In short, the country is preparing for the post-conflict scenario. Hence the push for the parliamentary elections to go ahead as scheduled next month. Ditto when it comes to next year’s presidential polls. Indeed, this is why pledges to protect hard-earned safeguards, regardless of who trumps at the ballot-box, such as freedom of expression, human and gender rights as well as the sanctity of the Constitution are being prioritised. Where major powers and the UN are needed is on the humanitarian front. Such as providing relief for those who will be impacted by “impending drought, refugee resettlement and internal displacement caused by climatic and natural abnormalities”.

In short, Mr Abdullah’s speech should be a cause of Pakistani optimism.  For what does planning for the post-conflict environment mean if not American withdrawal? Thus what still needs to be thrashed out is whether or not this will be a pre-condition to peace. It is a matter that ought to be resolved at the earliest.  *

Published in Daily Times, September 28^th 2018.