Afghanistan opportunity for Pakistan

[unhappycamper]

http://atimes.com/atimes/South_Asia/SOU-01-040313.html



Afghanistan opportunity for Pakistan
By Tahir Nazir
Mar 4, '14

Speaking Freely is an Asia Times Online feature that allows guest writers to have their say. Please click here if you are interested in contributing.

In the backdrop of the drawdown of United States and North Atlantic Treaty Organization forces from Afghanistan, key regional players are competing to secure their interests in Afghanistan. Countries such as Pakistan, India and Iran are attempting to align supporters to enhance their bargaining positions inside Afghanistan, allowing them to gain political and economic advantages after the reduction in presence of the US and the International Security Assistance Force this year.

The Afghan end-game is offering a golden opportunity to Pakistani decision-makers to rethink and make a fresh beginning with Afghanistan by forgetting the hard memories of the past. The fresh start should be based upon the notion of mutual respect, non-interference and mutual prosperity.

Pakistan must facilitate the US and NATO drawdown. The steady reduction of foreign troops will undermine the narrative that fuels the insurgency in Afghanistan. Consequently, it will end the perpetual agony of the Afghan people, after 30-year of continuous warfare. This is the best thing Pakistan could do for Afghanistan, and it should seize this historic opportunity, which is knocking at its doorstep.

It is also an appropriate time for Pakistan to mend its ties with the Northern Alliance and other ethnic groups in Afghanistan. This will give an extra edge to Pakistan in the post-2014 scenario.