Uncertain future

This refers to the news report ‘Kabul seeks Pakistan help to bring Taliban back to table’ (July 10). Pakistan was already making efforts to facilitate the power-sharing arrangement between the Taliban and the Afghanistan government. One can predict, with reasonable certainty, what the situation in Afghanistan will be in future. The confusion and expressions of uncertainty expressed at various forums is incomprehensible for those who are familiar with the Afghanistan issue. Power-sharing is only possible if the parties concerned agree on the type of future democratic structure. There are early signs of the emergence of regional militias under different warlords, and the likelihood of a civil war cannot be ruled out. The neighbouring countries, too, are likely to find themselves pushed into the conflict. The spillover of instability and the influx of refugees is an unpleasant, but a highly probable, outcome of the conflict. Pakistan has to look into this situation in advance and seek the help of the neighbouring countries to face the possible challenge.

Dr Najeeb A Khan

Seattle, USA

*****

Almost every country is concerned about the future of Afghanistan once US troops leave the country after more than 20 years. Our government has said that it will accept any democratic setup. Pakistan’s political leadership, however, has not provided any definitive answers to the Afghan crisis itself. As the situation stands, the Afghan Taliban are in control of almost 80 percent of the country. The moment they occupy Kabul, the Taliban-led government will have the right to re-establish diplomatic relationships with other countries. The Taliban have already declared that they will convert Afghanistan into an Islamic emirate and discontinue with the democratic setup which is currently in place. There is also the likelihood of massive refugee flows – as it occurred two decades back.

In view of the deeply complex nature of the Afghan situation, it is important that we have a serious national debate in parliament to discuss the issue. Should we go along with the international community and consider what America wants us to do?

Cdre (r) Sajjad Ali Shah Bokhari

Islamabad