Facts or facade?

This refers to the article, ‘Cousinly ties’ (Sept 29) by Saleem Safi. He is right when he says Pak-Afghan relations swing between love and hate. This opinion stems from the historical baggage of untruths and half-truths. It is commonly said that Afghanistan did not recognise Pakistan’s independence in 1947 but is it a truth? According to some literature, Afghanistan denies this. However Afghanistan’s claim on western regions and contested nature of Durand Line override this. On the contrary, Iran was the first country which recognised Pakistan at the UN, but our relations with Iran were influenced by other interests.  Surprisingly, Pakistan has been maintaining good relations with the decidedly non-religious China, Buddhist-dominated Sri Lanka and Nepal while there is an inveterate enmity with its immediate neighbours. There is nothing wrong in having congenial relations with any state until they pose threat to the country’s interests.

Pakistan should reach out to all major political forces in Afghanistan. Soft power must give way to coercive measures. Spreading infrastructure, cultural exchanges, military training, and intelligence sharing and networking must be prioritised on war footing. In order to counter India’s hegemonic designs, Afghanistan and Iran should be made partners rather than rivals in the CPEC. This move can deter India’s ambitious plans of developing Chabahar as a rival to Gwadar. This will help bring peace to war-stricken Fata and insurgency-infested Balochistan and will pave the way for better border management.

Saeed Ullah Khan Wazir

Islamabad