Despite diplomacy, Afghans wary about improved ties with Pakistan

KABUL: This week’s visit of Pakistan’s army chief, Qamar Javed Bajwa, to Kabul was met with mixed reactions in Afghanistan.
Though the visit has created a sense of optimism, when it comes to Pakistan there is a typical expression: “Don’t trust the one who has failed you.”
Afghan analysts believe that Islamabad is trying to reengage with Kabul following the recent announcement of a new US strategy for South Asia by President Donald Trump, who sharply criticized Pakistan.
Afghan and Pakistani leaders have held numerous rounds of talks in recent years, followed by recriminations and mistrust.
The Afghan presidential palace termed Bajwa’s visit a “new season” in bilateral relations that provides “good opportunities for cooperation.”
The palace said the two sides discussed crucial issues such as regional security, counterterrorism efforts, and political and economic ties.
It added that Pakistan is ready to cooperate with Kabul in counterterrorism efforts, and supports the Afghan-led peace process.
Afghan President Ashraf Ghani spoke of establishing a monitoring mechanism to ensure both sides live up to their commitments.
The Afghan Daily Mandegar newspaper wrote of Bajwa’s visit: “Pakistan is lost after the announcement of … Trump’s strategy, and is under unprecedented international pressure.”
Mirza Mohammad Yarmand, a retired Afghan army general and former deputy interior minister, told Arab News that time and a mutually agreed mechanism will tell if bilateral relations will improve.
Afghan lawmaker Daud Kalakani said: “Unfortunately, our government has always been optimistic. I don’t see any reason to be optimistic here. Has Pakistan closed terrorists’ training camps? Has it handed over their leaders? Has it ceased equipping and funding them? The answer is no, so why be optimistic?”
Wahidullah Tawhidi, head of the Afghan Commission for the Safety of Journalists, said Bajwa’s visit will not improve ties as both sides had tough demands.
“Pakistan demands reduced Indian involvement in Afghanistan militarily, politically and commercially,” he told Arab News.
“Afghanistan can’t accept this because India has helped it a lot in the past 16 years, and is a key ally of the US,” he said.
“Pakistan doesn’t want to drop support for the Taliban, and has managed to garner support for the group from Iran and Russia, which has made the war more complicated than ever.”
One analyst said the US might not come down any harder on Pakistan, fearing this may push it closer to China, which has invested billions of dollars there and is a rival of Pakistan’s arch enemy India.