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Solving the Afghanistan Crisis

Imran Khan - 12/12/2011

Yet another inconclusive international Conference on Afghanistan held in Bonn, Germany has concluded recently. In last 3-4 years much has been said about United States past betrayal against Pakistan, Pakistan’s double standards against US & NATO in the ongoing fight with Taliban and Afghanistan government’s inabilities to run the country. But so far it looks that things are moving in a circle without finding a way-out. It is the right time to push the reset button and make a way-out, because failure is not an option for anyone. Few suggestions are as under:-

1. Alienating majority Pashtuns from the power was a big mistake and last 10 years snail’s pace progress have showed that peace in Afghanistan could only be achieved if all parties work together. Northern Alliance may take share in Power but Pashtuns must also get their due share. Otherwise war in Afghanistan would spread even more. If in Iraq, Bosnia Herzegovina people from different religions or sects can share power then why not in Afghanistan? Why neither USA nor NATO ever tried to make a power sharing formula for all stakeholders in Afghanistan?

2. Afghanistan is a mix of tribes and imposing western style democracy is not a solution there. People are used to live according to their religious believes and customs. Even in West not everyone follows the modern way of life and rules, Amish, Ultra orthodox Jews still live according to their centuries old believes and reject to mix with the modern world. If West can accept these people in their societies then it is necessary they should respect the Afghan life style also. Afghans are simple people and bringing gradual improvement in their tribal system would be beneficial for all.

3. It is said that Pakistan military created various militant groups to fight in the name of Islam. But if they have created those groups then what was the real reason? The biggest reason is Kashmir, a dispute which is still needed a solution from 60 years and remained a major flashpoint of confrontation between India and Pakistan. Many militant groups mainly involved in fighting with Indian Army in Kashmir and Talban are one product of those groups. So if it is said that solution to Afghanistan problem goes through Kashmir then it is not totally wrong.

It is not uncommon but amazing that how politicians around the world emphasis one thing during their political campaign but for some reasons forget it when they have the power. Mr. Obama, many a times during his presidential campaign stated clearly that Kashmir issue needs a solution, but because US needs a power to challenge China’s rising status in the region and India is more then willing to do so, when he become president of the United States his priorities and views about Kashmir solution vanished. Anyone would hardly hear a word about it from his administration. It is extremely important that people in Kashmir get what they desire and there should be a solution of this long standing issue between two nuclear-armed rivals. If Kashmir problem is solved it will bring two counties closer. More importantly it will gradually eliminate the Militant groups and Pakistan Army would not need to support or make any new militant groups to fight proxy wars. Fundamental problems like Kashmir have to be solved for lasting peace in the region and it will have a big effect on Afghanistan.

4. During a TV interview to a Pakistani News channel Mr. Hamid Karzai, the Afghanistan President, was asked that Pakistani intelligence agencies have provided evidences of the presence of a top Baloch Insurgent leader in Afghanistan, he did not deny it but said that if there is no peace then the land of both countries would be used against each other. Pakistan claims that Indians are fueling and aiding the Baloch insurgency in Balochistan, the biggest province of Pakistan and US, NATO or Afghan government are not doing anything about it. The same is said about Pakistan that it is supporting Taliban to maintain its influence in Afghanistan when NATO forces leave the country. United States want to leave Afghanistan soon but wish to have its permanent military bases to maintain its influence in Afghanistan and in the region. US also like to have good presence of India in Afghistan so that in future Pakistan’s influence could be curtailed. On other hand Russia, China, Pakistan and Iran does not want American permanent military presence in there neighborhood.

These are all hidden underhand games but in front there is only thing visible that to fight against Taliban and bring peace in Afghanistan for the safety of the region and of the whole world. It clearly shows that there is no transparency in doing things and that’s why all are suffering. Just blaming each other but no one is ready to show its clear ambitions and that’s hurting badly and it is one of the biggest reason for failures in Afghanistan so far.

5. Ironically Western countries solve their issues themselves and mostly remain on same page on critical world issues. Why Asian or other countries can not have the same strategy? Why India would like to act as a Western tool against China’s rise and why Pakistan needs to work as a military hand of China to holdback India? Pakistan and India would be better-off if they are not used by others. Afghans should also sit together and say it forcefully that their country is not a playing ground for other powers proxy wars against each other and they can solve the issues by themselves.

6. United States, Pakistan and Afghanistan should sit together and chalk out a transparent plan that is acceptable to everyone, stop underhand activities against each other and then involve other neighboring countries in it.

Hypocrisy, double standards and mistrust have lead to this failed situation where everyone seems to be fighting for the same cause but secretly acting against each other. Peace in Afghanistan can still be achieved if all parties work with honesty and sheer will. Otherwise we would be seeing many more fruitless conferences in the future and effects of Afghanistan failure would reach to its neighbors and eventually to the all world.