Pakistan is in the middle of the end game between the United States and its operations in Afghanistan. It means a great deal to us as we have suffered most in the war against terrorism. The peace talks between the US and Taliban can help us conclude that after so many lives lost in terms of collateral damage the two adversaries are negotiating terms for pulling out the American troops. This means that the US might have failed gravely in the war against the Taliban. A war is won if the defeat is so befitting that the enemy fails to resurface. In this condition, the enemy of the US has not only survived the war but has forced them to negotiate with some stringent conditions. International and Pakistani experts on Afghan affairs state that the Taliban will not be as strong as they used to be. This is the achievement of The United States of America. However, this can be an overstatement. Taliban may eventually come out strong; the power of putting the US on a negotiating table means a great deal to the extremists.
Afghanistan has evolved with an active media, international investments to reconstruct the land locked country. Afghanistan bears steaks of Pakistan, Iran, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and China regionally. All Afghan neighbors wish for peace so their borders remain secure. However, Pakistan and China are closely watching the end game between the US and Afghan Taliban.
The End Game and CPEC are directly related. Pakistan has been building a relationship with China based on huge investments, any problem on the western border can result in an economic setback for Pakistan. US has always considered Pakistan an ally and China as an adversary. The ‘ally’ relationship is based on interest and once interest is faded away the relationship of Pakistan in perspective to CPEC can become more adversarial by the US. Is Pakistan ready for containing such trouble? Taliban aren’t good or bad, they are extremists and if they are Pakistani or Afghan Taliban, the common denominator is ‘Taliban’. They have more in common than dividing factors. The only difference is their interest? Their extreme interest is the imposition of strict Islamic Law, power and authority. They might have lost power but they remain an authority in Afghanistan as the US is negotiating with them. Afghanistan will become a proxy in the war between Pakistan and India. If the US troops leave, the covert war will come to life between the two nuclear-armed nations. Most likely, Pakistan will win the proxy war, as the resources and geostrategic locality is an advantage for it. India was playing its dirty proxy game based on the presence of US troops. Once the US troops are pulled out, then India might become limited to constructing ‘Libraries’ as President Donald Trump has rightfully stated.
It is in the interest of Pakistan and the US to have a cordial relationship and remain allies for the betterment of this world. We cannot bleed more, the end game should not become a new game for Pakistan. War might be a game for the Americans but it is certainly not a game for us
Government of Pakistan has desired a political solution, but it should keep its interest at the forefront of the deal between Afghan Taliban and the US. We don’t want to be abandoned, how and where will the military equipment be disposed off, who will bear the brunt if such equipment ends up in the hands of extremists, what will be the condition of different factions and tribal elders in Afghanistan, when will the troops leave, is the Afghan army capable of withstanding any threats to democracy in Afghanistan by the warlords or the extremists? Pakistan should be clear on all terms before the US troops leave. How will the Afghans who have been displaced return to Afghanistan? Can the US leaving Afghanistan have any plans for Afghan refugees in Pakistan? US leaving Afghanistan means a great deal to us as Pakistanis. The End game should also provide a solution for the Afghan refugees in Pakistan. We are a poor country and we have faced economic pressure due to refugees; we should not be humble to offer our services for refugees, as we have faced security issues. If the Americans feel that Afghanistan is secure enough for them to leave, then they should help the refugees back in Afghanistan and then leave.
In conclusion, one believes that Pakistan should think decades ahead before any support for the US desire to leave Afghanistan. It is in the interest of Pakistan and the US to have a cordial relationship and remain allies for the betterment of this world. We cannot bleed more, the end game should not become a new game for Pakistan. War might be a game for the Americans but it is certainly not a game for us.
Published in Daily Times, January 30th 2019.