Current Situation in Afghanistan

On November 30, 2010, an in-house session on ‘Current Situation in Afghanistan’ was held with the aim of understanding recent developments in the war-torn country and its implications for Pakistan and the region.

On November 30, 2010, an in-house session on ‘Current Situation in Afghanistan’ was held with the aim of understanding recent developments in the war-torn country and its implications for Pakistan and the region. Dr. Fakhar-ul-Islam, Associate Professor at Pakistan Study Centre, University of Peshawar, was the key note speaker.

Dr. Fakhr mentioned that the calm and quiet situation in the capital city seemed to be a lull before the storm adding that Karzai had consolidated his position and he would like to preserve the status quo. “Erstwhile Jehadi leaderships are united in parliament and in good terms with Karzai,” he noted. Dr Fakhar further argued that due to North-South friction, the success for peace council did not seem in sight.

He, however, observed that Taliban was a dominant force and most of the Afghan people wanted them to be a part of the future dispensation. The learned professor noted that amidst some problems for Pakistan, there are a number of prospects available for it as well. “Islamabad has the opportunity to cope with these problems and remove the mistrust between Afghanistan and Pakistan,” he maintained.

Identifying the prospects, he recommended that Pakistan should try options other than military ones, including education and reconstruction arenas to remove mistrust. “Enhanced engagements between the two countries including exchange visits especially cultural, religious, educational, and tribal; giving Afghan students admissions in Pakistani institutions; signing MoUs with universities especially KPK universities; establishing Pakistan centres/corners in universities and libraries could be a few of many areas to manipulate for better relations between the two  countries,” he explained.

   
Concluding the session, DG IPS said that Afghanistan and Pakistan were two countries but one nation and added Pakistan should win hearts and minds in Afghanistan to cement the relations between the two countries.