Hafiz Kamran Ahmed _ CSID # 4706068

Current Affairs Presentation Report

Title: Afghan Peace Process: Role of Pakistan
History of Afghanistan:
Once Afghanistan was a progressive and liberal country. Since 1979, Aghanistan became a
breeding ground for terrorists in the wake of attack of Soviet Union. Taliban and other terrorist
groups got the support of Pakistan and USA. After the fall of Soviet Union in 1988-89, USA left
the region which brought drastic impacts for the whole region. In 1996, Taliban came into power
with help of covert support of Pakistan. After 9/11 attacks, Afghanistan again became a battle
ground. Now, after 18 year long war and 8200 causalities in first nine months of 2019 . So, it has
never experienced stability on permanent basis since 1979.

Afghanistan conflict has brought sufferings for both countries that is Afghanistan and Pakistan
over the last forty years. Now, after a long time, the Afghan peace process presents a historic
opportunity for peace and stability in the region. In the past, Pakistan supported specific groups
like Taliban, Haqqani Network etc in Afghanistan to further its interests in the region. That
policy of strategic depth, back fired and posed serious problems for the internal and external
security of the country. At the present moment, Pakistan is fully supporting the peace process to
bring peace and stability in Afghanistan. It is of the opinion that Afghans will themselves decide
upon the future of their country. Pakistan implores all parties to recognize the importance of the
moment and seize it. In short, the role of Pakistan is decisive for the on-going Afghan peace
process.

A bird eye view of History of Afghan Peace process:

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Afghan peace process was initiated in 2008 to bring peace and stability in Afghanistan. It was
stalled on different occasions but it got real impetus in 2018 when Donald Trump agreed to have
direct talks with Taliban for peace settlement. For this, Pakistan is playing the role of a facilitator
currently. However, in the past, Pakistan supported certain factions in Afghanistan which created
problems for it. Now, it has adopted the policy of promoting the negotiations to maintain peace
and stability in Afghanistan. Afghanistan remained a main concern in Pakistan’s foreign policy
since 2001. As, according to the words of Chief of Army Staff, Pakistan General Qamar Bajwa
said,” Peace in Pakistan is directly linked with the peace and stability in Afghanistan”. That’s
exactly the policy that Pakistan is pursuing to bring warring groups on negotiations with Afghan
government and America.

Since 2001, United States of America has suffered around 2400 military fatalities. While
Pakistan has lost around 130 billion Dollars of GDP and sacrificed the lives of around 70,000
humans including civilians as well. Despite all these human and capital losses, Afghanistan is
still battling with civil war including different terrorist groups like Al-Qaeda, TTP, ISIS etc

Since 2018, America has showed willingness to have talks with Taliban, the main stakeholder in
Afghanistan, which provided an opportunity to Pakistan to play a decisive role in Afghan peace
process. The talks facilitated by Pakistan, America got the opportunity to make a plan for with
drawl of troops from Afghanistan and to have a political settlement with Taliban.

Current Situation of Afghanistan:

Afghanistan has been going through a pivotal but highly uncertain time. As all parties recognize
that a military solution is not achievable, increased war fatigue has shifted Afghan and

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international attention towards a possible political settlement to the on-going 18-year war.
Grassroots peace movements and a three-day cease-fire between the Afghan government and the
Taliban in June 2018 demonstrate Afghans’ widespread desire for sustainable peace. Despite
some promising developments, many issues lay ahead that must be resolved before a sustainable
peace process can be undertaken, and numerous spoilers could possibly derail this process.

President Donald Trump appointed Zalmay Khalilzad as the special representative for
Afghanistan reconciliation in September 2018 for the direct talks with Taliban. At this critical
time, Pakistan is extending full support to the recent continued negotiations between America
and Taliban although these talks have seen some ups and downs during this course of time.

Objectives of Afghan Peace Process:

1. A Taliban guarantee that it will not allow foreign armed groups and fighters to use
Afghanistan as a launch pad to conduct attacks outside the country;
2. The complete withdrawal of US and NATO forces;
3. An intra-Afghan dialogue
4. A permanent ceasefire

Pakistan’s role in Afghanistan in context of history:

Since 1947, Pakistan’s relations with Afghanistan have been largely characterised by mutual
mistrust and devised through a narrow security prism.

In 1980s, the term “Strategic depth” gave a new dimension to Pakistan to use Afghanistan as
refuge in case of attack from India and maintain a strong influence in Afghanistan.

During the invasion of Soviet Union in Afghanistan in 1979 -1988, Pakistan supported the Pro-
America Taliban to defeat Soviets and defied United Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) access
to warm waters.

In 1990s, Pakistan supported Taliban for establishment of an Islamic government in Afghanistan.

After 9/11 attacks, Pakistan continued to its covert support for Taliban and other groups in order
to further its interests.

Recently, Pakistan is committed to fully support the Political settlement continuing between
USA and Taliban.

Pakistan’s Role in Afghan peace process:

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According to the Foreign Minister of Pakistan, Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Pakistan is committed
to facilitate a negotiated end to the 18-year-old Afghan war, and needed help of other regional
countries.

Pakistan should provide assurance to USA to not allow its territory being used for terrorist
attacks in Afghanistan.

Pakistan should continue to invest in different sectors in Afghanistan for the projection of its
positive image there (1 billion dollar up to date).

Pakistani authorities should use all resources for an intra -Afghan dialogue for the sustainable
peace process and they are supporting the current Afghan peace process.

PR No.178 STATEMENT OF THE PRIME MINISTER Islamabad:

April 25, 2019
Afghanistan conflict has brought great suffering for both Afghanistan & Pakistan over last 40
years. Now, after a long wait, the Afghanistan Peace Process presents a historic opportunity for
peace in the region and Pakistan is fully supporting the process including the next logical step of
Intra Afghan Dialogue wherein Afghans will themselves decide upon the future of their country.

Different Forums for Pakistan to bring peace in Afghanistan:-

1. Direct Talks of Taliban with USA and Pakistan as a facilitator
2. Heart of Asia-Istanbul process (14 members, 2011)
3. Trilateral dialogue ( Afghanistan, China, Pakistan, 2017)
4. Moscow Plan ( Russia and other stakeholders excluding USA)
5. Quadrilateral Group ( 4 members, Afghanistan, China, Pakistan and USA, 2016)

What Pakistan can do?

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Pakistan is a part of every forum formulated to bring peace in Afghanistan which speaks itself of
its importance. The country can actively participate in every opportunity provided for
reconciliation in Afghanistan. In February, 2019, Pakistan joined other members in Moscow
Peace Summit for stability in Afghanistan. Recently, Pakistan convinced USA to resume talks
with Taliban after these were cancelled by USA last month. Pakistan participated in meeting of
Trilateral group last month to expedite the peace efforts in Afghanistan. In the same way,
Pakistan can play a pivotal role for durable peace in Afghanistan by using these forums.

Major Stake Holders in Peace Process:

1-Taliban:
By many measures, the Taliban are in a stronger military position now than at any point since
2001. The group controls the forty-three per cent of area of the country. So, they want their share
in power through political settlement with the help of United States of America and regional
Players especially Pakistan.

2- America:
Since 2001, United States of America has suffered around 2400 military fatalities and lost
billions of dollars. Now, USA wants to get out of this war theatre by any means. That’s why, she
is trying for settlement with major warring parties in Afghanistan. For this, In September 2018,
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo appointed former U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan Zalmay
Khalilzad to the newly created post of Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation.
Since then, Khalilzad met several times with Taliban representatives in Doha, Qatar (where the
group maintains a political office). He also had consultations with the Afghan, Pakistani, and
other regional governments. For almost a year, Khalilzad held a near-continuous series of
meetings with Taliban representatives, along with consultations with the Afghan, Pakistani and
other regional governments.

3- Pakistan:
Pakistan’s stakes are higher in Afghan Peace process than any other country. The reason is
obvious that it is the most affected country ( loss of more than 60,000 human lives and around
120 billion dollars economic loss) from war on terror . Moreover, Pakistan is heavily investing
on tightening the security of western border along with Afghanistan ( around 2430 kilometers) .
So, it is in the country’s interest to support the on-going Afghan peace process to bring stability
and peace in its neighbour.

4- Other Stakeholders:

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Afghan Government, China, Russia, Iran, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, India and Qatar
have their own interests to extend support for the Afghan Peace Process.

Pakistan’s interests:
Peace and stability in the country is directly connected with the prevailing situation in
Afghanistan.

Pakistan wants to stop the cross-border movement of terrorists based in Afghanistan. For this
purpose, the country is also using other options as well. For example fencing on the border
started in 2017

The country does not want to see the growing influence of India on the cast of their interests in
Afghanistan. Currently India’s investment is about 11 billion $ in different sectors in
Afghanistan.

Peace in Afghanistan is pivotal for China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and other
projects of OBOR. There is a chance of making Afghanistan a partner in CPEC.

Pakistan can raise its international image at regional level by taking proactive role in on-going
Afghan Peace Process.

Pakistan recognizes, Afghanistan is a gateway between South and Central Asia , as well as its
potential to serve as a regional roundabout.

Conclusion:
Merely the signing of the agreements cannot yield the desired results especially in case of
Afghanistan. It is only the beginning of a complicated matter. The biggest challenge in the case
of Afghan peace process, would be to manage the power vacuum after with drawl of forces and
make a win-win situation for all the stakeholders.

In this scenario, Pakistan’ role is critical to bring America and Taliban on negotiable terms and
create verifiable enforcement mechanism for the application of the agreement. Pakistan can also
facilitate an Intra-Afghan dialogue to include Afghan government and other groups in the peace
process.

In short, Pakistan’s constructive role is the backbone of this Afghan Peace Process.

Recommendations:

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 In order to make Afghan peace process a successful one, Islamabad needs to adopt a wise
strategy that is

 Not to support a specific group on Afghan soil.

 Provide assurance to Afghanistan of Pakistani soil not to be used for terrorist attacks in
the region.
 Make substantive developments regarding Afghanistan-Pakistan Action Plan for Peace
and Solidarity (APAPPS)
 Making a favourable environment for an intra-Afghan dialogue
 Convincing afghan government to take steps curbing the illegal cross-border movement
 Releasing prisoners but after consultation with Afghan Government
 Seek assurance from Afghan government that Afghan soil not to be used against Pakistan
 Settling the matter of 2.7 million Afghan refugees

Bibliography
https://www.crisisgroup.org/asia/south-asia/pakistan/resetting-pakistan-s-relations-afghanistan

http://newsofasia.net/taliban-official-half-of-us-troops-to-leave-afghanistan-by-may-1/

https://www.usip.org/publications/2019/05/current-situation-afghanistan

https://herald.dawn.com/news/1398779

https://www.militarytimes.com/flashpoints/2019/01/17/us-peace-envoy-in-pakistan-seeking-end-to-17-
year-afghan-war/

http://pid.gov.pk/site/press_detail/10853

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/feb/06/taliban-say-they-have-no-plans-to-seize-
afghanistan-by-force

https://www.voanews.com/east-asia-pacific/pakistan-takes-unilateral-steps-toward-afghan-border-
security

https://tribune.com.pk/story/1532600/quadrilateral-meeting-begins-oman-hope-peace-afghanistan/

http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2018-12/16/c_137677645.htm

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/430678/Pakistan-China-Afghanistan-hold-second-trilateral-
dialogue

https://www.usip.org/index.php/publications/2019/11/will-prisoner-swap-taliban-push-afghan-peace-
process-forward

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https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/in-a-first-moscow-prepares-to-host-afghan-talks-
between-taliban-and-kabul-envoys/2018/11/08/1adffc42-e2a4-11e8-b759-3d88a5ce9e19_story.html

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/taliban-talks-shift-to-moscow-with-possible-us-brokered-deal-
on-table/2019/02/05/85f4b544-2945-11e9-906e-9d55b6451eb4_story.html

https://tribune.com.pk/story/1988937/1-pak-afghan-huddle-today-review-action-plan/

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