Analysts seek constructive engagement between Pakistan, Afghanistan to resolve bilateral challenges

Pakistani flags (C) and Taliban flag (R) flutter on their respective border sides as seen from the Pakistan-Afghanistan border crossing point in Chaman on August 18, 2021. (AFP/File)

• Last week, an Afghan government spokesperson said his country was hoping for good relations with Pakistan
• Pakistani analysts recognize security challenges emanating from Afghanistan but seek continued business and trade

PESHAWAR: Following a statement by the Afghan interim government’s spokesman that his country wanted improved relations with Pakistan, analysts urged Islamabad on Wednesday to constructively engage the administration in Kabul since the issues facing the two estranged neighbors were complex and required negotiations.
Last week, Zabihullah Mujahid, the spokesperson for the Afghan administration, said his country was looking for good neighborly relations all countries, including Pakistan.
Responding to the development, Defense Analyst Brig. (r) Said Nazir said the main source of contention between the two countries was the presence of the outlawed Tehreek-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) on Afghan soil, creating a trust deficit between both sides.
He noted that Pakistan was forced to close its border with Afghanistan and suspend bilateral trade several times in the past to put pressure on Afghan authorities who did not address the TTP issue, leading to major militant attacks in Pakistan.
He maintained time was ripe for the new Pakistani government to reach out to the Afghan authorities to resume talks and settle disputes without further delay to improve the bilateral trade situation and benefit ordinary people.
“Both Kabul and Islamabad should now bury the hatchet and move forward,” Nazir said. “Once Afghanistan reins in the TTP, I believe the rest of the issues will be settled automatically. Tackling the TTP problem is an issue of national security for Islamabad and Kabul should ponder over this.”
Former ambassador Ayaz Wazir told Arab News Pakistan and Afghanistan should take suitable measures to restore bilateral trust and strengthen their businesses and economies.
Wazir noted said that countries, such as India and China, had border issues, but they did not allow these disputes to affect their normal working relationship and bilateral trade.
“Unfortunately, most of the time a minor issue flares up into a serious dispute between Kabul and Islamabad, suspending businesses and passengers’ movement between the two countries,” he added.
Political analyst Aamer Raza said the vicious cycle of violence unleashed by militants posed serious security threats to Pakistan, saying that Islamabad should engage the Afghan Taliban to help mitigate the scale of that looming threat.
“There are a number of challenges when it comes to TTP’s relationship with the Afghan Taliban,” he noted. “There are ideological similarities and past partnership. Any cooperation between the two will continue to pose a challenge.”
“The new government in Pakistan can certainly repair ties with Afghanistan,” he continued. “The PML-N is traditionally known as a party that puts economics before politics when it comes to foreign relations. The same approach might help repair some of the damage to Pakistan’s relations with Afghanistan.”
Last year, Pakistan launched a deportation drive against illegal foreign immigrants, mostly Afghan nationals, after a surge in militant attacks, including deadly suicide bombings, which claimed hundreds of lives.
Pakistan’s newly appointed information minister, Attaullah Tarar, did not respond to requests for comment on how his government wanted to deal with the country’s bilateral relations with Afghanistan.