Ashraf Ghani's visit to Pakistan

Pakistan’s geostrategic position in the region has attracted many foreign players across the world; on one hand, this geo-strategic position has been a major advantage to us whereas, on the other hand, it has created many problems both externally and internally. This strategic position compelled both the greater powers of the time to approach us after we got independence in 1947. Pakistan became part of the American block under SEATO and CENTO agreements and since that time Pakistan has remained in the western block in one shape or the other. The fall of Soviet Union at the hands of Afghans and the American invasion of Afghanistan changed the landscape of the region, in which Pakistan proved to be an ally of America.

America has now spent more than 15 years in Afghanistan but didn’t bring any good to that country. Pakistan tried its best to bring Afghan Government and all the fighting factions on the table to create an atmosphere of peace in Afghanistan and in the region. Due to these efforts, Gulbadin Hikmatyar, the leader of Hizb-E-Islami struck a peace deal with the Afghan government.

The negotiations with Taliban were going on in a cordial manner when NDS and RAW leaked the news of the death of Mullah Umar, the spiritual head of Taliban. The broken peace talks started again but same was the fate of these talks because of the American drone attack inside Balochistan to kill Afghan leader, Mullah Akhtar Mansoor. Now after the failure of talks with Taliban, Ashraf Ghani is toeing the same Indian line which his predecessor used to toe. Pakistan needs to talk to the Afghan Government and stressed upon them that only talks are the solution of the problem.

The Eastern front of our borders is experiencing a high degree of tensions. Modi, a hardcore Hindu Extremist, is igniting the region with his aggressive postures towards Pakistan in terms of Military, diplomatic and proxy wars. On the border, heavy Indian firing and shelling on the common public have a become formality and the example of such firing is the martyrdom of seven soldiers a few days ago. On the diplomatic front, he is trying to isolate Pakistan in the region. The postponement of SAARC conference in Pakistan due to non-participation of regional countries under Indian pressure is a clear example of this.

He is also waging a covert war with his terrorist supporters inside Pakistan by providing arms and ammunition. The arrest of Commander Kulbushan Yadav is a glaring example of this covert war. Pakistan too needs an aggressive diplomatic posture in this regard. We must raise Kashmir issue and Indian brutal oppression on the international forums. We must also approach our regional partners to put diplomatic pressure on India to solve the issue of Kashmir.

The regional proxy war between Saudi Arabia and Iran is another major reason for concern. The sectarian nature of this proxy war can cause sectarian differences to further increase inside our own country. This is evident from the recent sectarian violence in the economic hub (Karachi) of the Pakistan.

Last but not the least, CPEC is of prime importance to us as well as to the whole region but is also a major of concern for many neighboring countries including our so-called friends like Iran and UAE. They are also trying to fuel unrest in our Balochistan province so that this project could not be succeeded. However, the inauguration ceremony of Gwadar proved these efforts to be futile.

Still, we should be careful while dealing with our enemies because they can go to any level for their vested interests. The horrific bomb blast at Shah Noorani darbar exposes their nefarious designs against Pakistan and Balochistan. Our government needs to take all the countries into confidence regarding this project because CPEC can change the economic fate of not only the whole region but of the whole world.