Karzai’s statement on Durand Line meaningless

While understanding the background of Pakistan-Afghanistan relationship, it can be observed that the major spoiler in relations between the two countries over the years is the former Afghan president Hamid Karzai. On Sunday, Karzai once again in a tweet declared Pakistan had no legal authority to dictate terms on the Durand Line. He stated: “While we wish freedom for the people of [the Federally Administered Tribal Areas [Fata] from Frontier Crime Regulation [FCR] and other repressive measures, we remind the Government of Pakistan that Afghanistan hasn’t and will not recognize the Durand line.”

Earlier, Karzai had termed the formation of Durand Line a “result of British imperialism” in the region. He had claimed that “Pakistan government has taken some steps on Durand Line which are angering Afghans”. When he was asked as to why Afghanistan does not approach the UN or International Court of Justice over the Durand Line issue, Karzai claimed it was not an international issue but ‘inheritance of imperialism’ and only the respective governments of Pakistan and Afghanistan could resolve this issue. But there is no issue to resolve as the Durand Line is here is to stay. And stay it will.

Courtesy Karzai, the Taliban are on the offensive in Afghanistan. During his presidential years, Karzai was unable to mount an effective challenge to the militia and as a result of his weak leadership, the security in the country has now largely deteriorated with considerable chunk of land going to the Taliban. It seems there is little that President Ashraf Ghani can do now.

At the same time, not to be understated is the Indian nexus with TTP leaders, especially the covert role in the APS incident, exploitation of Baloch sub nationalists, Ajeet Doval’s offensive-defensive doctrine, support for Daesh in Afghanistan and the opposition against the China Pakistan Economic Corridor are known. Former US defence secretary Chuck Hagel had admitted: “India for some time has always used Afghanistan as a second front, and India has over the years financed problems forPakistan on that side of the border. And you can carry that into many dimensions, the point being (that) the tense, fragmented relationship between Pakistan and Afghanistan has been there for many, many years.”

The unending instability in Afghanistan has significant effects on the region while Mr Karzai wants to keep the pot boiling and increase the uncertainty in the region.As it is, Pakistan as a sovereign state can lawfully fence its side of the border without Afghanistan’s consent or close the border if its security is threatened.