Peace and prosperity don’t have to be elusive

Despite a growing anti-Pakistan sentiment in Afghanistan, a strong bond of friendship still exists between the two peoples, writes Ajmal Shams

Afghanistan strongly believes Ashraf Ghani’s vision of regional economic integration is a win-win strategy. Shah Marai / AFP

Ever since Ashraf Ghani became Afghanistan’s president in September 2014, relations with Pakistan have been through many ups and downs.

Pakistan has consistently maintained claims of its sacrifices in the fight against terrorism.

For its part, Afghanistan recognises the loss of lives and the many sacrifices made by Pakistan in the battle to defeat extremism.

Yet, it questions why its neighbour continues to differentiate between the “good” and the “bad” Taliban.

It is no longer a hidden truth that Pakistan fights the insurgents that target it, which it terms as the “bad” Taliban.

On the other hand, it provides sanctuary to those conducting militant operations in Afghanistan, calling them the “good” Taliban.

As Mr Ghani has repeatedly emphasised, the sincerity of Pakistan’s fight against terrorism will be looked at with mistrust unless all terror groups are dealt with in a similar manner.

Afghanistan believes Pakistan turns a blind eye to the fact that it has benefited from the presence of international security forces in Afghanistan in the form of the Coalition Support Fund.

Additionally, Pakistan was the main beneficiary of billions of dollars of trade with Afghanistan, as the former was a major market for supplies to facilitate the operations of the international community.

Despite this, Pakistan has consistently viewed international engagement in Afghanistan as unhelpful.

Pakistan accuses Afghanistan of supporting the Baloch insurgency. Pakistan is also unhappy about Afghanistan’s cordial relationship with­ ­India.

Unlike Afghanistan where the political leadership has control of international relations, Pakistan’s foreign policy is strongly influenced by its military establishment.

Recognising this, Mr Ghani reached out to Pakistan’s army chief soon after assuming office, but his gesture was not reciprocated.

It may be true that anti-Pakistani sentiments are gathering force in Afghanistan.

By tradition, however, Afghanistan is not an ungrateful nation.

Afghans believe a strong bond of friendship still exists between our peoples. Afghanistan strongly believes Mr Ghani’s vision of regional economic integration is a win-win strategy for every country in our part of the world.

Mr Ghani advocates shared interests and opportunities. If Pakistan can reciprocate Afghanistan’s political courage, there is every reason for the people of both countries to witness an era of peace and prosperity and a bright future.

Ajmal Shams is president of the Afghanistan Social Democratic Party and lives in Kabul. He was a policy adviser to Ashraf Ghani when he chaired the security transition commission