Strategic, governance-driven policy emphasised for better Pak-Afghan ties

Islamabad:Restructuring Pakistan-Afghanistan relations requires a departure from short-term policy fixes toward a comprehensive, strategic, and governance-driven approach, panellists said during a roundtable on Monday.

They insisted that since the erosion of the rule of law and the spread of divisive rhetoric fuelled mistrust and instability, that approach must prioritise mutual recognition of sovereignty, the rejection of polarising narratives, the restoration of the rule of law, public ownership in law enforcement, and institutional integrity.

The event, titled ‘Geopolitical Imperatives: Redefining Pakistan-Afghanistan Relations in a Post-Taliban Era,’ was organised by the Institute of Policy Studies here. The speakers included IPS chairman Khalid Rahman, defence analyst Brigadier (r) Said Nazir, policy adviser at GIZ Noorul Ain Naseem, associate professor at the University of Tromso, Norway, Dr Farhat Taj, former ambassadors Syed Abrar Hussain and Ayaz Wazir, expert on ex-FATA affairs Dr Lutfur Rehman, and other academics, former officials and policy experts.

Khalid Rahman emphasised that the blame game was counterproductive and didn't resolve longstanding Pak-Afghan issues. He said poor governance lied at the heart of bilateral challenges, and without addressing this fundamental issue, policy measures would remain ineffective.

‘Projecting a positive narrative, focused on mutual strengths, is critical.’ Rehman urged both countries to prioritise good governance, institutional stability, and a well-defined national narrative to foster regional stability and cooperation

In a keynote speech, Pakistan’s former special representative on Afghanistan Asif Durrani argued that geopolitical challenges in Pak-Afghan relations, such as the complex tribal dynamics, cross-border trade issues, and refugee management, cannot be managed through conventional diplomacy or a garrison approach.

"A governance-driven approach rooted in mutual recognition of sovereignty and an inclusive understanding of regional complexities is needed for lasting stability in all dimensions of this bilateral relationship," he said.

The former envoy identified the erosion of the rule of law, amplified by the war economy of the 1990s that disrupted centuries-old trade and communal ties, as a key destabilising factor in Pak-Afghan relations.

He warned that governance failures, corruption, and mismanagement in areas like refugee policies, border security, and transit trade had further deepened lawlessness, making institutional restructuring imperative.

"To restore stability, there is an urgent need for institutional reforms, strengthening law enforcement through an empowered police force, and fostering public ownership of governance mechanisms." Durrani also highlighted the detrimental impact of political narratives that fuel mistrust, with visible implications in people-to-people contact and economic cooperation.