Iranian government rejected any understanding with the US on Afghan since American strategy in Afghanistan was to undermine Iranian interests in its neighbourhood. This was stated by Iranian scholar Dr Kayhan Barzegar on the second day of the conference on Transition in Afghanistan: Post-Exit Scenarios.
The conference was organised by Islamabad Policy Research Institute (IPRI) in collaboration with Hanns Seidel Foundation (HSF) on Thursday. Iranian scholar opined that Iran-Pakistan relations could be adversely affected by Pakistan's approach towards the Taliban on which Iran differed as the Taliban had an ideological agenda. American scholar Dr Brian Katulis blamed the US-led intervention in Afghanistan for repeating mistakes and expecting different results.
He thought that the 2014 deadline could be extended over the decade. The US was in no rush and neither interested in a new game, adding its behaviour could be governed by the impending economic crisis in which the present war has a big contribution. "The regional approach which is being promoted should also be spelled out and we need to know the contents of the game plan", he added.
To a question, he endorsed that Muslim countries or neutral countries could pit in place a peace keeping force in Afghanistan which would replace the international forces. Combat forces from Turkey, Jordan and UAE have been engaged in some of the conflict areas of Afghanistan but hardly got any attention from the media, he said.
Professor Hasan Askari Rizvi said that indulgence in proxy wars was a dangerous practice and reliance on terrorist groups was a sure remedy for disaster. Militants cannot be relied upon. About Pakistan's role in Afghanistan he said Pakistan has no need to play any role that the Afghans did not want. Instead after the withdrawal of foreign forces Pakistan should focus its attention on the Tribal areas where the conflict has spilled over.
He said military operation there has failed to achieve primacy without which there can be no peace. He said that time has come when Pakistani people start changing their mindset about the Afghanistan. A new need-driven policy on Afghanistan is needed without foreign support.
Dr Christian Wagner, a German scholar speaking on responsibilities of the international community in rebuilding Afghanistan said that the role of the world agencies would continue beyond 2014 and this role will be larger than the regional stakeholders as their role would be marred by clash of interest. "Afghanistan would be relegated in their scheme of things and the western countries will have greater interest in the Middle East after withdrawing from Afghanistan", he said.
Lieutenant General Kamal Matinuddin (Retd) described the history of the conflict since Daud's fall. He said the post-exit scenario depended on four actions. One, the Taliban who were the most important, two, the Afghan national army which is being built to face the Taliban, three, the Haqqani network and four, the US troops that will remain behind.
Pakistan's role in the war on terror will continue even after the US drawdown. The best scenario would be if the Taliban surrendered and the worst if they don't and start a civil war. In such a situation Pakistan would do best to stay away from the internal conflict.
Former ambassador Rustam Shah Mahmood rejected the 9/11 story and said the attacks on the Twin Towers was the work of CIA and Mossad to provide an excuse for the action against Afghanistan and get a foothold in the region. He said Fata remained peaceful throughout the war against the Soviets. All trouble broke loose after 9/11. The solution in his view lay in vacation of foreign forces from Afghanistan and allowing Afghanistan to settle its affairs without outside interference.
During question and answer session, Hashim Babar of ANP said Pakistan needed a paradigm change from its focus on India, Mahmood Khan Achakzai said the system of governance in Fata needs to be changed. General Asad Durrani (Retd) asked how can the US which has lost the war in Afghanistan put conditions on the victor; General Hameed Gul said the concept of strategic depth was never articulated by the Pakistan Army.
In his concluding remarks Mr Afrasiab Khattak summed up the findings of the conference in three words ie non-interference in Afghan affairs, regional support in economic matters and continued constructive role of the international community. In the major recommendations of the conference include that Pakistan must revisit its foreign policy and adopt a positive approach towards its neighbours. It should focus on its internal development instead of meddling in the affairs of others.
The conflict needs to be approached through a regional perspective. However, the regional context does not mean including only regional countries; it means to include regional as well as trans-regional countries that have interests in Afghanistan. The US must figure out how to reduce its centrality to the conflict in Afghanistan. The US needs to have crystal clear objectives that it wants to achieve.
Building of democratic institutions in Afghanistan is vital for a stable Afghanistan after the troops withdrawal. Given the geographical position, thinking of development in Afghanistan without help from Pakistan has to be re-considered. Pakistan has a lot of infrastructure and human resources to help reconstruct Afghanistan. Pakistan should assert primacy in its tribal areas and it can use military means, take political steps, and offer economic opportunity. Pakistan has to come with a positive thinking. A positive and comprehensive approach is the answer.
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