The regional peace is associated with situation in Afghanistan and so is the future of the regional economy. When anything happens in Afghanistan, its repercussions are heard in Pakistan and other parts of the world. Afghanistan was attacked to curb terrorism, but it provoked more terrorism in the region and the result is that a wave of death and destruction still continues in Afghanistan as well as in Pakistan. It is easy to occupy Afghanistan, but it is difficult to leave it and that is the experience of the old and modern history of that country.
At a time when economy dominates every region, the war in Afghanistan sees no ending. If the United States wants to leave Kabul, India is ready to step in. India has no stakes in that country, but it wants to occupy its economy and defense to browbeat Pakistan. Islamabad cannot simply ignore it.
There are voices of concerns in Pakistan who genuinely want peace in the region and do not want the Pakistani Army to have stakes in Afghanistan. But there are other voices who have Indian funds in their mouths to speak India’s language against Pakistan within Pakistan. They want to bow down Pakistan before Indian hegemony for vested interests. As far as peace is concerned, the problem is not in Afghanistan or Pakistan but in New Delhi which is adding its share in chaos in Afghanistan and insurgency in Balochistan province.
During his interview with a foreign paper, former dictator General Pervez Musharraf correctly pointed out India’s role in Afghanistan which must be blocked either by the United States or Afghans themselves.
If there is no peace in the region, there will be no economy in the region. Pakistan will suffer, Afghanistan will suffer and India will suffer. Ironically, the United States advocates a greater role for India in Afghanistan but the ball is in Afghan President Ashraf Ghani’scourt. Pakistan is willing to offer cooperation in economic, trade and defense fields, but the leadership in Kabul is reluctant reply in positive manners.
The US and its allies’ have lost their interest in the war on terror and their combat troops want to pack home — many of them have already flown back, leaving behind power vacuum in that country. If India wants, there can be an economic coordination between three countries, Pakistan, India and Afghanistan. Why don’t the leaders of the three countries meet together and decide to establish soft boarders and free trade is a million dollar question.
