Zakhilwal to mend “broken relations”

Zakhilwal  to mend “broken relations”

Dr. Jassim Taqui

The Afghan-Pak relations are multidimensional , interdependent and unique. The two nations co-existed for thousands of years. However, they  presently suffer from “broken relations” syndrome due to many factors. They suffer from trust deficit. Pakistan is viewed by Afghanistan as the least country while Afghanistan is viewing Pakistan as the second least country. Because the relations are unique and special, they require special attention. Afghanistan looks forward to obtain substantive  help from Pakistan to stop the ongoing civil war in Afghanistan. Afghanistan is bleeding as a result of the civil war, which kills daily 200-250 persons most of whom are civilians.

Those were the highlights of a lecture by His Excellency Dr. Omar Zakhilwal, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Embassy of the Republic of Afghanistan. He was speaking on Afghanistan-Pakistan relations as a guest speaker of The Oxbridge Lecture of March, 2016.

Zakhilwal dilated on all aspects of the bilateral relations in a bold and authoritative manner. He was in full control during a marathon over  two hours lecture and Question-Answers session . Exercising commendable self-restrain, Zakhilwal was undeterred by some hostile questions and comments by a house full audience representing the elites of the civil society. He went to the extend to proclaim that he was an “envoy” of Afghanistan to Pakistan and not a diplomat. Therefore, he set aside diplomatic necessities to speak up his mind and soul; making the audience receptive to his presentation by loud applause.

Zakhilwal welcomed the formation of QCC but maintained that the inclusion of United States and China in QCC could not bring about pressure on either  countries. His point was that Pakistan and Afghanistan needed to resolve their problems bilaterally and through direct dialogue. However, he was not compromising on the issue of the sovereign rights of Afghanistan to establish relations with any other country. He pointed out that Afghanistan had never taken anti-Pakistan stance during her wars with India.

He dismissed the notion that the Afghan Government was aware of the whereabouts of TTP  chief  Mullah Fazlullah. He reminded a questioner that the TTP leader Mullah Fazlullah  proclaimed full support of Afghan Taliban and that Afghanistan was unable today to stop the advance of Taliban, “How can Afghanistan know the whereabouts of Mullah Fazlullah when it is fighting  Taliban and when  the  two outfits support each other?,” he asked.

The last part of Zakhilwal’s lectured was confined to the “need to take genuine attempts to mend the broken relationships.” In this regard, he noted:

·       The continuation of war by Taliban made Afghanistan unstable, giving rise to the notion that Taliban was nurtured in Pakistan.

·       The deep mistrust is due to misconception and negative media role in both countries.

·       The international community is held responsible. The comity of the nations is required to play a positive role to ensure genuine and frank dialogue between Afghanistan and Pakistan.

·       The Afghan war damages the image of Pakistan internationally and economically. Now, Pakistan suffers from huge debts.

·       Afghanistan and Pakistan are one family suffering from a broken relationship and missed opportunities. The solutions should be from within and not from outside.

·       Afghanistan appreciates the burden Pakistan has taken to accommodate 5 million refugees. This has happened and is continued to be happening due to the nature of special ties between the two countries.

·       Peace in Afghanistan is number one priority of Pakistan and vice-versa.

·       Pakistan needs to convince Afghanistan that it respects its sovereignty. Afghanistan has the right to establish relations with any other country so does Pakistan.

·       APTA could not been reached though  the two countries initiated talks on the issue since 2003.However, Zakhilwal took only 2 hours to convince both countries to sign it in 2010.

·       Afghanistan is  Pakistan’s gateway to Central Asian Republics. Similarly, Pakistan is Afghanistan’s gateway to South Asia.

·       Both countries should cooperate to implement TAPI and CASA projects.

·       Afghanistan has made it clear that it would never permit anyone to use its territories against Pakistan. Furthermore, Afghanistan’s benefit is not at the cost of Pakistan.

While some members of the media and audience were visibly annoyed with the extra-ordinary openness of Zakhilwal, as evident from their questions and comments, Dr. Irshad Ullah Khan, a senior Rotarian, Rhodes Scholar and the nominee to Nobel prize for Literature, was smiling. I immediately realized that Dr. Khan had taken his verdict on the guest speak of Oxbridge. My impression was authenticated when Dr. Khan paid rich tributes to Zakhilwal and his presentation, describing him as a friend of Pakistan. 

Towards the end of the event,  a member of the audience whispered, “ When Pakistan  could accommodate 5 million Afghan refugees,  and the relation is so unique , why would the two countries don’t consider  forming a confederation ?” Dr. Irshad Ullah Khan  responded affirmably while forecasting that Zakhilwal would be the next foreign minister of Afghanistan.