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Evolving Afghan Dynamics & Bearing on Pakistan

Asif Haroon Raja

 

 

 

 

 

 

General

 

Afghanistan is connected with South Asia, Middle East and Central Asia. It

shares 1400 km border with Pakistan and its 42% of Afghan Pashtuns share

religious, ethnic, linguistic and cultural ties with 15.2 million Pakistani

Pashtuns. Pashtuns living in close vicinity of Durand Line have blood relations

and the border has never acted as a barrier in their cross border movement.

Pashtuns from both sides have been jointly fighting all foreign invaders and are doing

so even now.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Afghanistan has traditionally remained friendly to distant neighbor India and

unsympathetic to next door Pakistan since 1947. It opposed Pakistan’s membership in

the UN, laid claim on Pakhtun populated areas of Pakistan and raised the stunt of

Pakhtunistan, and also questioned the validity of Durand Line. It has been off and on

carrying out border violations and has been giving shelter to Baloch rebels. The only

time it was friendly with Pakistan and unfriendly with India was during the five-year rule

of Taliban from 1996 till 2001, but the Taliban also refused to recognize Durand Line

and laid claims on Mohmand agency.

Pakistan-Afghanistan relationship has been a prey to differing interests. The two have

never been at ease with each other and deep doubts have persisted in bilateral ties.

Pakistan has never exploited its vulnerability of being land-locked and has considered it

as its natural ally. It played a key role in pushing out Soviet forces from Afghanistan

and has been hosting over 3 million Afghan refugees since 1979. But its wish for a

friendly government in Kabul has never materialized. Pakistan has behaved maturely

despite Afghanistan’s provocations and extended all kinds of support.

Incident of 9/11 Blown up. 9/11 was projected as the biggest catastrophe ever

happened and Al-Qaeda blamed for the vile act. Whole world shed tears of sympathy

and condemned the perpetrators against whom no proofs had been gathered. Force

mobilized to invade the most impoverished, war torn and sanctioned country far

exceeded the threat. Afghanistan was encircled by establishing military bases in

Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan in the north, making Pakistan a coalition

partner and frontline state, taking China, Russia, Iran and Arab world on board and

obtaining UN approval. India offered all out support. War was justified to fight terrorism

but terrorism was never defined. 

US Stated Objectives. The US stated objectives of invasion of Afghanistan included:

Rooting out terrorism by killing/capturing Osama bin Laden, disrupting, defeating and

eliminating Al-Qaeda network; destroying Taliban or making them ineffective;

democratization of Afghanistan; empowerment of women. 

US Hidden Objectives. The hidden objectives were to assert American dominance in

the regions surrounded by energy-rich Eurasian region, consolidate Afghanistan as a

neo-colonial US protectorate and a staging post for further intrigues in Central/South

Asia, Middle East, contain China, make India bulwark against China, a key player in

Afghanistan, and stem resurgence of Russia.

Pakistan Specific Objectives.

Initially befriend Pakistan to occupy Afghanistan.

Later, work towards destabilization, de-Islamisation, denuclearization, and

balkanization of Pakistan and making it a vassal state of India.

Installation of Puppet Regime.

Drums of victory were beaten in November 2001

and a puppet regime of Northern Alliance under Hamid Karzai installed in Kabul. During

his over 13 years rule, Karzai allowed the occupiers to ruthlessly persecute the Afghan

Pashtuns. He adopted pro-India and anti-Pakistan stance and permitted Afghan

intelligence agency (NDS) grouped with five foreign agencies to use Afghan soil for

undertaking massive covert war against Pakistan in FATA and Baluchistan.  

Resistance War by Taliban. Taliban regime under Mulla Omer was wrongly removed

from power and then consistently hounded and oppressed. The Taliban after carrying

out a tactical withdrawal to regroup, started guerrilla war to free their homeland from

foreign occupation. No amount of force could break the indomitable will of Afghan

Taliban or divide them. By 2008, resistance forces were running shadow governments

in 33 of Afghanistan’s 34 provinces with core fighters of about 30,000 and potential

fighters 500,000. ISAF suffered heaviest casualties in 2009 and there on, number kept

increasing. 2015 was the most costly year for Afghan forces and the people.

Stalemate – Victory of Taliban

Failing to defeat the Taliban in the longest war after spending billions of dollars and

using excessive force/torture as well as underhand tricks to divide the Taliban, the US

was left with no other option but to call it a day. Operation Enduring Freedom which

commenced on 07 October 2001, ended on December 28, 2014 and Armies of 35

countries exited without achieving any of the stated and hidden objectives. Learning a

lesson from its unwise decision of abandoning Afghanistan in 1989, the US has left

behind a Resolute Force Group of 12000 under Bilateral Security Agreement till end

2016 to give heart to Afghan forces.

Stalemate was victory for Taliban since Taliban could continue fighting and occupiers

could not. Unlike in 1980s when the Afghan Mujahedeen fought and defeated the

Soviet occupying forces duly helped by Pakistan and the free world, this time the

Taliban under Mulla Omar performed the miracle single-handedly and under much

adverse conditions.

Mistakes made by USA. Major mistakes made were insincere designs, distrusting

Pakistan, relying on India, weak military leadership, drug trafficking, marginalization of

Pashtuns, opening of torture chambers, dependence upon corrupt/inept Karzai regime

and non-Pashtun heavy security forces, hiring of greedy NGOs/security contractors in

thousands; bending situation according to its own whims, farcical political prong aimed

at dividing Taliban, keeping Taliban out of peace talks till 2013. Last but not least

opening 2nd front in Iraq.

Afghan Unity Government. The incumbent unity government was formed in October

2014 after controversial elections, which is more inefficient and corrupt than warlord

heavy Karzai regime. The flaw in this setup is the forcible marriage of convenience mid-

wifed by John Kerry between President Ashraf Ghani and Chief Executive Dr. Abdullah

after their prolonged estrangement. Abdullah heading Northern Alliance is heavily tilted

towards India and he controls 50% of cabinet ministries including NDS. As a result,

influence of India’s RAW in Afghanistan has not diminished. RAW and NDS patronise

Tehrik Taliban Pakistan (TTP) runaways Fazlullah and Omer Khalid Khurasani based in

Kunar and Nangarhar respectively. 

Ghani’s Pro-Pakistan Stance. To start with, Ashraf Ghani tilted towards Pakistan as

a result of outstanding success achieved by Operation Zarb-e-Azb in North Waziristan

(NW) which not only pushed out anti-Pakistan militants, but also Haqqani network (HN)

and Hafiz Gul Bahadur militant group. The other thing was Pakistan going an extra mile

in removing Kabul’s security concerns. Ghani was also mindful of his weaknesses

because of lack of political roots. Understanding with resurging Taliban was the only

way for him to survive. 

Reasons behind Patch up with Taliban. One reason behind frantic efforts to

negotiate with the Taliban is not-so-happy operational preparedness of the US-UK

trained and equipped Afghan National Army (ANA) to confront the Taliban challenge. It

may not be possible for the US to continue dishing out $4.1 billion per year for the

upkeep of Afghan security forces for long, particularly if they fail to deliver. Other

reason is inherent weakness of unnatural unity government engaged in power tussle.

Most of cabinet ministers including four women are pro-west and have little experience

of governance. Ghani leaned on Pakistan hoping it will persuade Afghan Taliban to talk

and reach a political settlement. 

Ghani’s Changed Foreign Policy. With these considerations, Ghani while

enumerating his foreign policy priorities, placed Pakistan, Iran and China well above

India. He undertook his maiden visits to China and Pakistan. He also cancelled arms

deal and military training agreements with India and instead sent cadets to PMA Kakul

for training for the first time. ISI-NDS intelligence cooperation deal was inked. Both

sides took practical measures to improve defence cooperation and intelligence sharing

to tackle common threat of terrorism. Pakistan arranged meetings of Taliban and

representatives of Ghani regime in Beijing and other countries. 

Indian Anxieties. Fast improving Pak-Afghan relations, China’s decision to invest $46

billion in Pakistan for the construction of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and energy

projects and Pakistan sailing past the turbulent patch worried India immensely. India is

getting highly vexed since her sinister plans set against Pakistan are falling apart like

nine-pins. Her plan to fill up the security vacuum left behind by the withdrawing US-

NATO troops and to complete encirclement of Pakistan is in jeopardy. Her strategic

alliances with Afghanistan and USA are becoming inconsequential. All the three

conniving partners in crime today find themselves in hot waters. Kautilya’s book offers

no remedy to the prevailing situation since all games of intrigues, coercion and

bloodshed have failed to cow down resilient Pakistan. 

RAW Activated.

In desperation, India allocated $300 million to its notorious

intelligence agency RAW and mandated it to further destabilize the troubled regions of

Pakistan and to scuttle CPEC at all costs. Hamid Karzai was given $50 million to

rejuvenate cross border terrorism from Afghan soil and to keep weak-willed Ghani

under pressure and force him to shift his tilt from Pakistan to India. Karzai has teamed

up with RAW influenced NDS, Abdullah and Northern Alliance heavy Afghan Parliament

as well as ANSF to spoil Afghan-Pakistan relations. Indian National Security Adviser Ajit

Doval is personally pursuing anti-Pakistan agenda.

Ghani’s Dilemma.

Ghani is caught between the rock and a hard place. On one hand,

he has to bear the pressure from segment of his government led by Abdullah and

backed by Karzai led faction of Pashtuns, and on the other is the surging Taliban who

enjoy influence over 80% of Afghan territory. After their ouster from NW, HN has

intensified activities in northern Afghanistan where eight provinces are under its control.

Most of Helmand province is also in control of Taliban. Taliban’s 2015 spring offensive

has rapidly changed the situation in their favor. 2016 Spring Offensive in April may

decisively turn the tide. Under pressure from the US, unity government is trying to

patch up with Pakistan. It has taken resignation from the NDS head Nabeel and sacked

8 officials in NDS. Some improvement in Pak-Afghan military relations is discernible.

Obama’s Second Thoughts. The US military felt that with the dismantlement of safe

haven in NW, it had become easier for the Afghan National Army backed by US

airpower/intelligence support to deal with the militants in eastern Afghanistan and thus

defeat them. However, when no success could be achieved at their end and the Taliban

continued to strike targets at will in all parts of the country, the option of dialogue was

renewed. To appease Taliban, Obama struck off Afghan Taliban from the category of

terrorists and termed them as insurgents fighting for their rights. He also declared that

US troops would not fire at Taliban unless provoked by them. These reconciliatory

moves were aimed to induce the Taliban to negotiate and arrive at a political

settlement. Obama had announced that by mid-2015 he would withdraw 50% of

residual force, but now the US seems to be having second thoughts on gradual

reduction of troops on account of Pentagon’s pressure and Da’esh (ISIS) threat.

Two Pronged Negotiations. The US was forced to patch up with the Taliban whom it

had all these years been projecting as uncivilized, crude terrorists deserving no mercy.

Initial effort to induce Taliban for talks was based on two prongs, one prong led by

Ghani and the other by the US and in both cases, Pakistan was asked to assist. China

was also given a green signal to play its role in restoring peace in Afghanistan. Ghani

kept urging the Taliban to join the unity government, and this was one reason of 106

days delay in forming the 16-member cabinet duly approved by Afghan parliament, but

the Taliban didn’t agree. 

Presumed Pakistan’s Influence over Taliban. Both the US and Afghan regime

carry the impression that Pakistan is in a position to bring the Taliban to the negotiating

table. While it is true that Pakistan does have some influence over Taliban leaders since

quite many were in its custody all these years, it doesn’t control them and is not in a

position to make them agree to the terms sought by the US. It can also not give any

guarantee to the Taliban that Afghan regime will abide by the terms of agreement

arrived at. Pakistan and China are however trying hard to create conducive conditions

for talks. Pakistan is playing a key role in creating goodwill space for China in

Afghanistan and in mending its relations with Taliban. 

Peace Talks. As a consequence to these silent efforts, the wheels of talks started to

churn slowly in Doha and the Taliban in principle agreed to open their political office

there for the initiation of formal political dialogue. Murree talks held on July 7, 2015

between representatives of Taliban and unity government, and US and China’s

representatives sitting as observers raised hopes of a settlement for the first time. On

July 29, eight members of Taliban Shura had reached Islamabad to participate in

second round of talks on July 31 to further speed up the reconciliation process.

Death of Mulla Omar Exploited

Ill-motivated and ill-timed announcement of death of Mulla Omar by the National

Directorate of Security (NDS) on July 29 was aimed at derailing peace talks, straining

Pak-Afghan relations and dividing Taliban. The news was later confirmed by Taliban

Shura. Election of Mulla Akhtar Muhammad Mansour as next Ameer was announced by

Afghan Rahbari Shura on July 30. Sirajuddin Haqqani and Haibatullah Khanzada were

appointed deputies.

Mullah Omar’s departure from the scene has altered the whole dynamics of nascent

peace negotiations with the Taliban. His deputy Mulla Mansour was part of the Taliban

movement from the start and has effectively been in charge as de facto commander

since 2013. He faces a huge challenge in trying to unite a movement that is already

showing signs of fragmenting and questions about his legitimacy at the highest echelon

of the Taliban has made his position awkward. 

Rifts in Taliban Two rival camps got engulfed in war of succession; one led by

Mansour and the other by Omar’s brother Mulla Abdul Manan and Omar’s 26 years old

son Mulla M. Yaqub backed by Mullas Mansur Dadullah, Hasan Rahmani, Abdul Razaq,

Rasool Akhund and Qayum Zakir. Fadayee Mahaz headed by Haji Najibullah is another

opponent of Mansour who accused him of poisoning Omar to death. Head of Taliban

political office in Doha Tayyab Agha resigned, but has so far remained neutral. Taliban

are also divided on the issue of talks, one faction favoring and the other opposing it.

Sinister Objectives of Detractors Accomplished. Spoilers sprang into action to

accentuate the rift and succeeded in achieving their sinister objectives by disrupting

peace talks. Several woven stories about circumstances, place and date of Omar’s death

created tension among rank and file of Taliban and impacted their unity. This internal

rift is to the liking of India and other spoilers who are busy widening the rift by

supporting the opponents of Mansour. The US is also a spoiler. It is not in favor of

Pakistan mediated agreement since it will benefit Taliban and Pakistan. It has made the

position of Pakistan and Mansour favoring talks difficult. Pak-Afghan relations that had

begun to improve have again become frosty. However, the biggest loser is Kabul itself. 

Efforts to Heal the Rift

Five members of Council of senior Taliban Ulema tried to bridge the rift. They met on

August 21, 2015 to resolve the differences, but Mulla Yaqub and Manan refused to

contest the post of Ameer since they knew they didn’t enjoy popular support among the

Taliban. Had Mansour not met them, the Council would have appointed Maulvi

Muhammad Ahmad from Kandahar belonging to Kakar tribe as next Ameer. Currently

Mulla Rasool is the main opponent of Mansour and is anti-peace talks.

Mullah Mansour’s Assertiveness

In order to consolidate his position and to win over support of opponent camp, Mansour

stiffened his stance by asserting that there will be no talks without meeting their basic

demands of complete withdrawal of foreign troops and replacement of US tailored

constitution with Islamic constitution. He also stepped up attacks in all parts of

Afghanistan and raised his stature after capturing Kunduz. He did this to dispel the over

optimistic impression that after the death of Mulla Omar, Taliban are in disarray and

resistance has weakened, and that Taliban will be negotiating from position of

weakness. Taliban hold sway over 127 districts of the country. Latest news is that on

February 12, the opponents of Mulla Mansour have decided to forge unity and reunify

the Taliban movement.

Negotiated Political Settlement

Negotiated political settlement leading to broad based government with Taliban, given

representation as per their demographic strength will be an ideal arrangement since it

will prevent civil war and benefit Afghan Pashtuns, Pakistan and China but may not be

that beneficial for non-Pashtun Northern Alliance since its power base will shrink. It will

also not suit India since balance of power will shift towards Pakistan friendly Afghan

Pashtun. Iran and USA will also not be happy. 

While Pakistan and China are playing an active role in making Afghanistan peaceful,

both are clear that arm twisting of Taliban will prove counterproductive. In case a

settlement is reached without giving a bigger share in power to the Taliban, the

implication is that there will be strong resentment among the rank and file of the

Taliban and other resistance forces. It will become very difficult for Mullah Mansour who

has become controversial to control the dissenters. 

Threat of Da’esh. Da’esh (ISIS) has gained toeholds in Nangarhar and Farah

provinces and has also colluded with Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU) in Northern

Afghanistan. India and probably USA are discreetly facilitating their entry. Weakening of

Taliban will create more space for Da’esh in Afghanistan, which will be more hazardous

for the whole region, since Da’esh is vying to re-establish ancient Khurasan State

comprised of parts of Central Asia, Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan. Collusion of Da’esh

with TTP leaders based in Afghanistan assisted by RAW and making Nangarhar as main

base of operation is a dangerous development. Extension of hand of friendship by Al-

Qaeda chief Zawahiri to Mulla Mansour if reciprocated will add to the complications of

regional security. It will result in prolonged bloodshed and destruction spread over

decades, as predicted by Obama.

Iran-Saudi Tiff.

Growing tiff between the two ideological rivals is casting its shadow

on Syria and Afghanistan and if not diffused in time will have bearing on Pakistan as

Indian Military Involvement in Afghanistan.

Indian military which had refused to join the US led coalition in Afghanistan to fight

terrorism in 2001 has now decided to barge into Afghanistan. India has renewed its

defence deal with Afghanistan and is now supplying arms and ammunition to ANA since

last January. Indian Military Attache in Kabul Sojeet Narain stated that India has started

assisting the Afghan military in their fight against militants and this support will

continue till victory. 400 trucks carrying arms have been transported to Kabul for ANA

via Chahbahar. It includes MGs, LMGs, rocket launchers, grenades and ammunition.

India’s Russian built MI-35 attack helicopters flew from Bagram air base to support

ANA’s ground operation in Helmand on January 20. Gen John Campbell appreciated

Indian effort. On February 1, Indian military cargo planes unloaded weapons and

equipment at Kabul airport. India is already imparting training to Afghan police and is

now likely to train ANA.

During Modi’s last visit to Kabul, an agreement was signed allowing Indian citizens to

travel to Afghanistan and back without visa. Taking advantage of this facility, India has

inducted large numbers of retired armed forces officers and undercover officers in

Afghanistan in order to consolidate Indian military’s presence and to keep western

border hot and to gain control over Wakhan corridor. This ingress will help India in

interfering with CPEC.

Fallout of Turmoil in Afghanistan

Negative fallout of the disarray in the Taliban ranks is not good news for the peaceniks

including President Ashraf Ghani, Washington and Islamabad. Another obvious corollary

of the disharmony in Taliban ranks is that erstwhile Taliban factions will join Da’esh in

bigger numbers and pave the way for Da’esh to emerge as the most powerful entity.

Turmoil in Afghanistan will be to the big disadvantage of Pakistan, since there will be

spillover effect. Pak Army is already tired fighting the war for 13 years and cannot

afford to further prolong it. It will also adversely impact China’s economic aggression in

the region and its plan to connect Gwadar with Afghanistan. 

Preventive Act. In order to prevent the chaos, US, China, Pakistan and Iran should

collectively help the intra-Afghan dialogue to proceed smoothly till comprehensive

political settlement benefiting all factions of Afghans irrespective of ethnic divisions.

Role of unity government is however critical since Taliban offensive has rattled Ghani,

and he has begun to speak Karzai and Abdullah’s language. War lords are once again

getting stronger and cases of desertions from ANSF to private militias are increasing as

had happened in 1990/91. 

Quadrilateral Talks

Three sessions of quadrilateral talks have been held in Islamabad and Kabul in which

representatives of Pakistan, Afghanistan, China and the US took part to evolve a

roadmap for peace talks. Afghan unity government has prepared a draft for next

meeting in Kabul on February 23. So far no breakthrough has been achieved since the

Taliban have not joined it. However inclusion of two heavy weights and Russia’s support

has given strength to peace process. Russia favors striking off names of Taliban from

UN black list. Pakistan is insisting that spoilers should be restrained, Afghan regime

should cooperate, and all factions of Taliban and Hizb-e-Islami should be invited and

use of stick avoided. Afghan government wants use of force against those refusing to

hold talks. Taliban, HN and Fidai Mahaz have been asked to prepare their list of

demands, while Hizb-e-Islami is also being approached through elders of tribes in

Paktia.

The four have urged the Taliban to attend the next meeting in Kabul on February 23

but the Taliban have made their participation subject to fulfilment of their demands

here under:

A. Take off Taliban leaders from the UN list of terrorists.

B. Release of prisoners.

C. Remove restrictions on travel.

D. Unfreeze their accounts in foreign banks.

E. Intimate exact date of departure of Resolute Support Force.

Determinants 

Although analysts are busy painting doomsday scenario, saying it marks the end of

Taliban movement, but knowing their resilience and unmatched sacrifices, it will not die

down and someone else will carry forward the baton; although none will fit in Mulla

Omar’s shoes. Their position has eroded a little due to internal rifts, but Mulla Mansour

commands the largest and most powerful faction. Yet the 36 years’ war has fatigued

them and their 3-4 generations have got affected. They also want the war to end. The

country too badly needs a break.

Pakistan has suffered the most on account of instability in Afghanistan. Pak-Afghan

security is inter-linked and it is a geo-strategic compulsion for both to remain friendly.

While Pakistan realizes it, Afghan leadership doesn’t. Earlier the Afghan leaders

recognize this reality and take practical steps to restore peace, better it will be for the

region. 

Till such time anti-peace elements led by India, Abdullah and Rashid Dostum are reined

in, and the US stops its double game, peace will not return in Af-Pak region.

Unless Kabul gets out of perverse influence of India, cooperate rather than distrust

Pakistan, and opts for a home-made formula, sooner than later unity government would

crumble and ANA would splinter and pave the way for dreaded civil war.

In real-politick terms, stability in Afghanistan and regional harmony among all countries

surrounding it would contribute in the fast-paced development of the region.

Implication is that this region cannot develop economically as long as Afghanistan

remains unstable. 

With hostile India on its east, Pakistan can ill-afford to have pro-India and anti-Pakistan

regime in Kabul posing a twin threat to its security.

History of Afghanistan teaches an important lesson that peace and stability in

Afghanistan is possible only after complete withdrawal of foreign troops. And all

stakeholders within the country are ready to accept each other and arrive at a common

arrangement. This was true in the past and is valid today. 

All depends whether the US after abandoning Afghanistan would forsake its declared

and hidden objectives for which it came, spent trillions and suffered heavy casualties

besides losing face and prestige as a sole super power, or indirectly continues with its

proxy war?

The US having lost the war, would like as a minimum to have friendly government in

Afghanistan to be able to pursue its mercantile interests in Central Asian region. 

Only joint and collaborative efforts can tackle terrorism and not blame-game.

Ultimate solution to Afghan imbroglio will have to be found by the Afghans themselves.

Others can at best facilitate dialogue.

Lastly, key to peace is with Taliban and none else. Best course for people of

Afghanistan is to honor the colossal sacrifices of the Taliban and let them form the

future broad-based government without outside interference.

Recommendations

Pakistan should grant ‘Most Favored Nation’ status and land access to India through

Wagah border with due prudence. This should be linked with resolution of core issues.

Pakistan should assert and exert its geo-strategic position and significance and extract

its due share rather than following a self-defeating policy of appeasement.

Pakistan should continue to convince the US and Afghan government to limit India’s

role in Afghanistan since it is the chief trouble maker.

Concerted efforts be made to counter Indian propaganda in Afghanistan aimed at

poisoning the minds of Afghans against Pakistan and remove their misperceptions.

Imaginative themes should be coined to win back friendship of estranged Afghan

public, particularly Afghan non-Pashtuns.

Pakistan should be mentally and physically prepared to handle post 2016 explosive

scenario in Afghanistan.

Pakistan should help China in further expanding its influence in Afghanistan to

neutralize Indian influence.

At behest of USA, Pakistan betrayed Afghan Taliban and suffered a great deal. They

must not be ditched again.

Conclusion

To conclude I would say that Pakistan has remained under the deceptive magic spell of

the US for too long without any gains. Pakistan helped the untrustworthy USA to occupy

Afghanistan and remove a friendly regime and replace it with anti-Pakistan regime. It

has been ceding ground to win the friendship of India but couldn’t change the mindset

of Brahman rulers who have not reconciled to Pakistan’s existence and has missed no

opportunity to harm Pakistan. Unity government in Kabul is wholly in the grip of USA

and India and will continue to prefer India over Pakistan. It is continuing to help India

to destabilize Pakistan. Notwithstanding the need to maintain friendly relations with all

the three, this fatal affection must not be at the cost of national interests and dignity of

the nation. Policy of appeasement should be replaced with policy of upholding our self-

esteem. It is Pakistan’s strategic compulsion to have a friendly government in

Afghanistan and it must strive hard for it using all its diplomatic skills.

The writer is a retired Brig, war veteran/defence analyst/columnist/author of five books,

Director Measac Research Centre, Director Board of Governors Thinkers Forum

Pakistan. [email protected]