It is said that in his last moment of life, Richard Holbrook, US Special Envoy for Pakistan and Afghanistan had told his doctor that they must stop war in Afghanistan. In fact most of the world wants the same but the question is that how it would be possible and who has to play the key and vital role?
Kabul, the Capital City of Afghanistan and centre of all political activities and centre of power, has the uncertainty, even after nine years of ISAF presence and era of development. Kabul is very different from other parts of the country. The Capital city has all facilities and has a good infrastructure. The roads are good and have traffic jams during peak hours. Most of the Afghans, who have witnessed the thirty years long instability, consider the situation as temporary and says that anything could happen any time. It's not a fear which is a result long war on their soil but they have a solid and strong logic behind it.
One can see the busy life in Kabul at public places. Construction is underway over almost every road of the city. Newly and large residential and commercial buildings have increased beauty of the Capital.
Although foreigners (both combatants and non-combatants) are not normally seen at public places but every interested local and international player has started playing his game secretly and behind the closed doors. Foreign involvement in the country is the biggest open secret and ill fortune of Afghans. No matter who is responsible for this but in fact it's the root of all miseries.
One of the main differences between the Soviet and American wars in Afghanistan is that in case of former the aggressors were from one State while in later Nato has been involved and the matter has been successfully universalized. The result of both wars is not very much different but the number of players on the Chess Board has been increased. For example in today's Afghanistan, India has become a major player. India has eased visa for them and started billions of dollars investment in the country. Airlines have daily direct flights from Kabul to New Dehli and back. Indian manpower has a vital role in private sector. It is not just a Pakistani perspective but the whole world including Afghans are well aware of the fact that what the Indian interests there are?
Iran as a neighboring State is very much concerned with affairs of the country. Iran has aching memories of Taliban regime in past. So Iran is also taking great interest in matters of Afghanistan. Iran is backing the large Shia Muslims in Kabul. Farsi language has a great influence over Dari these days.
It is often said (and rightly said) that situation in Afghanistan has a direct impact over Pakistan from the very first day of Soviet aggression. There are different perspectives on the matter of Pakistani role in Afghanistan but no one can deny importance of Pakistan. Both the countries are attached in historic, religious and cultural relations. But besides all these if some one has any concern about Pakistani involvement in Afghan affairs in past, they have justification. But if someone want to severe the two nations, then its impossible. For example, even today while the anti Pakistani wind is blowing in the Kabul, all Afghans have warm wishes for Pakistan in almost rest of Afghanistan. 95 per cent of Afghans from their President to a Laborer have spent some of his time in Pakistan. Most of those Afghans now serving their great nation have studied in Pakistan. They called Pakistan their second home.
No State, including Pakistan, has any right to interfere in Afghanistan's affairs. All the regional and international powers must respect its integrity and autonomy of it.
Most of the Afghans are against any involvement of any other State in their internal matters but they are seen helpless while talking about some powerful Afghan decision makers, who have vested interests.
United States and Nato have announced their withdrawal plans and they want to hand over the control to Afghan government. It is the time for the whole world to play an impartial role in construction of a new Afghanistan. All the neighboring nations of Afghanistan with international power must sat together and promise to help Afghanistan in standing over its own feet. Moreover, no State will use Afghan soil for their vested interests and against any one.
On the other side, the Afghans have to play very important task. They have to build their nation and must avoid the self interest game. In view of most of Afghans, Hamid Karzai is best choice as a leader in their country. (Karzai's weep during his speeches has a great impact over Afghans). All those Afghans with real representations of their people, must sit together to formulate a strategy for the future. No one knows better than the Afghans that war is not a solution of any problem. If any Afghan has reservation about the presence or involvement of any foreigner in their country, then a just political system and unity of all Afghans can stop it. Political struggle with good diplomacy is a great power in today's world and no State can occupy other State in presence of it.
Although those kinds of suggestions look like impossible and some one might call it "A Fool's Paradise," but in fact any international platform with an open discussion and accepting the ugly and stinging realities, with mediation of neutral States like Switzerland etc, its quite possible. Afghanistan and Pakistan as main victims of terror and evils must take initiative for this purpose.
In absence of any such peace initiative, the situation might be more deteriorating. The foreign occupied forces with vested interest have to leave Afghanistan one day, but country will witness yet another situation of post cold war era, which is not in the interest of the whole world, particularly the three decades war affected Afghans.
