Afghan bureaucratic mindset

There have been meteoric changes not only on the Afghan political landscape recently but also on the battleground Afghanistan. It has been finally confirmed that Mullah Omar passed away two years ago and there is a change at the top with Mullah Akhtar Mansoor taking over the reins. Also, it seems that the US has been unable to make up its mind to leave Afghanistan in the presence of the emerging threat of Daesh, which is a far deadlier force than the Taliban. Moreover, the Ashraf Ghani government, whatever precarious state it may be in, has so far survived internal threats. Then, the Murree round of peace talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban apparently heralded a new era of negotiations that may finally end up in long-sought-after peace in the country.
What nonetheless seems to be missing is a new and positive mindset among the Afghan politicians and bureaucratic circles towards the new emerging changes that in all probability are here to stay. It is apparent that the old Afghan frame of mind in Kabul has to give way to a positive attitude that should encompass and comprehend the regional situation in its true perspective. The lingering mistrust should give way to affirmative action, helpful and encouraging developments. The Afghan army chief's recent visit to Pakistan and his presiding over the passing-out parade in Kakul was no run of the mill feat; it signaled a deep-seated and fundamental new approach by Islamabad towards the Afghan government based on positive action.
For one thing, Hamid Karzai, the former Afghan president, instead of criticising the improving relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan, should help resolve the irritants and nuisances he failed to address during his long era of presidency. Instead of displaying political opportunism, he should help the beleaguered national unity government of President Ghani move towards lasting peace in the country instead of harbouring political rivalries and mounting anti-Pakistan propaganda.
It is time the Afghan bureaucracy and government circles adopted a constructive approach not based on blaming Pakistan for the terror attacks in their country, discouraging cross border militancy, ending sanctuaries to terrorists like Mullah Fazlullah involved in killing thousands of people on the Pakistan side of the border besides other measures. Also, it would be a fallacy to think that Pakistan has been in an undeclared war with Afghanistan since 9-11 or the problem is fundamentally about peace between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
One hopes the trust deficit in the Afghan-Pakistan relations will end soon and the Ghani's government's new approach towards Pakistan will deliver. The recurring episodes in conflict should now give way to a sense of purpose for achieving peace. As it is, a positive Pak-Afghan relationship will draw maximum economic dividends for the future generations of the two countries.