Written by: Professor Abdul Salam Obaid
The ongoing crisis between Pakistan and Afghanistan has cast a deep shadow over the future of regional security, political stability, and people-to-people relations. At a time when a ceasefire had been established by Qatar and Turkey and efforts were underway to open further avenues of understanding, the airspace of Afghanistan was once again violated by Pakistan and innocent civilians were targeted in Khost, Kunar, and Paktika. These reckless actions by Pakistan demonstrate that the intentions of a specific circle within the Pakistani military are misguided.
The Afghan government has shown patience and political tolerance several times out of respect for negotiations. Afghanistan prevented the escalation of violence to avoid harming the mediation and negotiation process, but the behavior of a specific malicious circle within the Pakistani army showed that they interpreted the meaning of tolerance as weakness. Neither did the Pakistani side understand the value of dialog, nor did they take the need for peace in the region seriously. If these provocative actions by this particular circle continue, the Afghan government will also take serious measures to protect its people and country, and this is also its legitimate right.
The political and social realities within Pakistan shed light on another aspect of this crisis. People, politicians, religious scholars, and civil society have long concluded that the region’s crises are caused by the policies and irrational actions of Pakistan’s military circles. The circles that make the regime’s core decisions always seek their advantage in the continuation of pressure, interference, and security problems.
Interference in Afghanistan and other neighboring countries, violation of their airspace, closing borders under various pretexts, deteriorating political and economic relations, forced expulsion of refugees, and creating conflicts with neighbors are a historical part of the wrong decisions made by a specific circle within the Pakistani army.
The Pakistani army uses politics as a tool to divert the public’s attention from real problems. All responsibility for internal failures, economic collapse, political conflicts, and government instability is shifted onto other countries under the guise of an “external threat.” Any soft response from Afghanistan serves as another pretext for them to cover up their mistakes.
After negotiations in Qatar and Turkey, international mediators have clearly understood that the Afghan government is willing to resolve problems thru dialog and wants to prevent the escalation of the conflict. However, the Pakistani military regime is creating an atmosphere of pressure instead of a political and diplomatic atmosphere with unreasonable demands. Their behavior is not only detrimental to Afghanistan but also severely harmful to the people of Pakistan, as long-term conflict always leads to the destruction of civilian life.
The fundamental question is why the Pakistani army consistently prioritizes conflict over peace? The answer is simple; because they prefer conflict, as it ensures the military circle’s continued power. Every time political turmoil increases in the country, the military’s role expands with it. Every time violence in the region increases, the military presents itself as the only “necessary force.” This is the permanent flawed logic that the Pakistani people are sacrificed to, while the military strengthens itself thru it.
The people of Pakistan, scholars, politicians, and all local leaders must realize that the biggest reason for the deterioration of relations between the two nations is the Pakistani military and the intelligence mindset that sees its survival in the continued production and repetition of crises. If people don’t understand this, problems will take on new forms every year and the region’s stability will be further weakened.
Afghanistan has largely tried to reduce the rifts in relations thru dialog, respect, and tolerance, but this does not mean it will remain silent or unresponsive to anyone’s aggression and transgression. It is essential to understand that the future of the region can only be bright if Pakistan changes its current calculations and takes the path of cooperation, equality, and mutual respect.
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