OIC SUMMIT – TIME TO LAUD PAKISTAN’S REMARKABLE CONTRIBUTIONS IN AFGHANISTAN

Dialogues are the only peaceful solution to resolve any conflict. Use of force or other military options cannot be vital option to end any kind of conflict. United States led NATO forces spent almost 20 years in Afghanistan but failed to defeat resurgent Taliban. They used world’s most sophisticated military technology to defeat Taliban but all went in vain. After visualizing its humiliating defeat, they realized that this war cannot be won by using military might hence opted for peaceful negotiation to end its longest military presence outside America. In reaching peaceful settlement with Taliban, American authorities – under Trump administration – turned to Pakistan to get the group on negotiation table. Likewise, Pakistan welcomed the US move and played positive and pivotal role to end bloodshed in Afghanistan. Pakistani government tried its best to persuade Afghan Taliban for peace talks and facilitated peace process.

With Pakistan’s positive role and tireless efforts, both US and Taliban had agreed to end the longest war and signed peace agreement in February 2020 in Doha. Both parties had agreed to reduce violence and bloodshed in the country and peaceful US withdrawal. After the agreement, both parties adhered to the commitments made in deal. However, Western-backed Ghani government showed annoyance and resentment over US-Taliban deal. Ghani government termed the deal ‘US Surrender’ and harmful for Intra-Afghan Negotiations. Moreover, his government’s rigid and egoistic approach led to the lack of trust between Taliban and Ghani government. Due to which, all the points couldn’t be materialized, which ultimately derailed overall peace process. The rigid approach of Ghani government was responsible of all the chaos and mess in Afghanistan.

After the immature approach of Ghani government, Pakistan visualized the developments in greater interest of the region, and sensitized the international community regarding the possible spill-over of the conflict. Pakistan categorically told the world about the spoilers of peace process. So, after fall of Kabul, when Ghani government collapsed and chaos erupted in Afghanistan, Pakistan once again came to help vulnerable Afghans. As US refused to recognize IEA government, the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan worsened. US had frozen all Afghan assets. In this need of the hour, Pakistan helped Afghan people with economic support. It provided Afghanistan humanitarian aid despite limited economic facilities.

Afghanistan is facing worst humanitarian since the takeover of Kabul by Taliban. The situation has led to the economic collapse of the country as international aid has been stopped. The new Afghanistan’s government led by Taliban is struggling hard to meet requirements of people. However, due to lack of funds and having no international recognition, it is becoming difficult for IEA government to help needy people. On the other hand, Pakistan is trying to develop international consensus on the issue of Afghanistan specially to avert humanitarian crisis. In this regard, Pakistan hosted an Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Foreign ministers' meet on Afghanistan. The idea was proposed by Pakistan to host the meeting in Islamabad.

Pakistan’s tireless efforts compelled US to show leniency to ease sanctions on Afghanistan’s banking sectors. After the joint stance of OIC on Afghan issue, US should reconsider its approach towards Afghanistan and allow more smooth economic transactions in Afghanistan to provide more humanitarian aid to vulnerable people. The world cannot abandon young Afghan children. They are desperately looking for international aid to come out of this situation.

Pakistan’s stance Afghanistan is being acknowledged worldwide. Recently former US Generals and senators urged President Biden not to abandon Afghanistan. They also pushed his administration to expedite humanitarian aid to the country. Recently, US Congress also dropped negative reference against Pakistan, which is endorsement of Islamabad’s stance. Now, US should do more to protect humanitarian catastrophe in Afghanistan. It shouldn’t forget that peaceful Afghanistan is key to international peace. If international community abandoned Afghanistan, terrorist organizations such as Al Qaeda and ISIS may take advantage of the situation and Afghanistan may become hub of terrorism again. Any unilateral approach of US will have negative repercussion for regional and international peace.

By holding OIC Council of Foreign Minister summit in Islamabad, Pakistan has once again showed its resolve to find mutual solution for Afghan conflict. As US special envoy for Afghanistan Tom West, UN, Russia and other countries praised Pakistan for holding OIC summit, this is global recognition of Pakistan’s positive role in resolving Afghanistan issue. To avert humanitarian conflict in Afghanistan, de jure recognition of Afghan government is best possible solution. As far as US is concerned, it must continue to support Pakistan politically and economically. It should also not abandon Afghanistan and must initiate the process of unfreezing Afghan assets.