International Response Will Determine Course of Afghanistan’s Recovery

By: Ali Anser Zaidi*

No state had predicted the pace at which the state and security infrastructure has collapsed in Afghanistan after the withdrawal of foreign troops. However, while many observers had predicted the onset of a civil war, so far, the worst has been averted. To a large degree, the projections about a mass influx of refugees from Afghanistan to the neighbouring states, particularly Pakistan and Iran, have been controverted by the ground reality. However, the situation in Afghanistan is still mired in uncertainty. The terrorist attacks around the Kabul Airport, for which Daesh-K claimed responsibility, have shown that the situation is far from being stable and there is an urgent need for maintaining security and law and order.
Within this paradigm, the interim political setup in Afghanistan is likely to serve as a provisional governance structure that maintains security within Afghanistan and responds to the immediate needs of the Afghan people. Many of the Taliban’s pronouncements have been positive, such as their announcement of conclusion of their war against foreign forces, reassurances to the global community about their commitment and adherence to human rights, declaration of a blanket amnesty to all segments of Afghan society and undertaking that they would not allow Afghan soil to be used against any other country. However, the credibility and acceptability of the new Afghan political dispensation would depend on the international community witnessing the Taliban’s positive statements demonstrated in actions. Ultimately, there would be no alternative to a broad-based, inclusive political settlement in Afghanistan.
It is through recognition of the changed ground realities and of our collective responsibility toward Afghanistan that we can assure the Afghan nation that they have not been abandoned, yet again. The international community must remain focused on stabilizing Afghanistan and resolutely curtailing the role of spoilers in Afghanistan and those engaged in nurturing and perpetuating conflict through proxy wars. Withdrawal of foreign troops should not mean disengagement with Afghanistan in all other areas. It should not inhibit continued and constructive engagement with the new political dispensation to enable Afghanistan to achieve normalcy and political and economic stability. The interventionist role of ‘Spoilers’ in Afghanistan and those who promote regional conflict should be resolutely curtailed.
Given the requirements of funds for running Afghanistan’s state machinery, the release of the frozen financial reserves of Afghanistan in foreign bank accounts is instrumental for enabling the economic recovery of Afghanistan. Only through such measures can the interim political setup be incentivized towards fulfilling its commitments and meeting the expectations of the Afghan people.
Being neighbours of Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iran have paid an enormous price of the four decades of war and instability in Afghanistan. From the outset, Prime Minister Imran Khan had emphasized that there is no military solution to the Afghan issue. Pakistan has also urged protection of the rights and security of the people of Afghanistan, irrespective of their religion, sect or ethnicity, while emphasizing that all segments of the Afghan society are entitled to equal opportunities to prosper individually, and contribute to their national aspirations.
Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi’s regional tour in August 2021, including visits to Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Iran, has been aimed at building consensus toward a common approach of Afghanistan’s neighbourhood for sustained peace and prosperity of the country. The Foreign Minister’s visits paved the way for the subsequent meeting of the Special Representatives and Foreign Ministers of the neighbouring countries on 5th and 8th September 2021 and issuance of a Joint Statement on Afghanistan.
In response to the UN and international aid agency’s warnings about the need for humanitarian aid to address the food shortages and likelihood of Afghanistan approaching a “humanitarian catastrophe”, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi called for provision of unconditional humanitarian aid to Afghanistan. He emphasized that there should be “no strings attached” to humanitarian assistance sent for Afghanistan. Pakistan has also established a humanitarian corridor to dispatch relief assistance to Afghan people. Three C-130 aircraft with food and medical supplies and a PIA flight delivering World Health Organization (WHO) aid have been dispatched. Another flight is expected in the days ahead, along with arrangements for transport of food and medicines through the land routes. Pakistan is also extending its utmost support and facilitation to the UN Mission in the discharge of its humanitarian endeavour in Afghanistan.
At this critical juncture of history, the focus of the international community should remain on ensuring that the mistakes of the past are not repeated in Afghanistan. Going forward, Afghanistan should not have to carry the baggage of decades of war and conflict with which its history has been tainted. After witnessing four decades of war and pervasive instability, Afghanistan is faced with an opportunity to rise above past misfortunes and realize its vast potential to become an economic gateway to Central Asia, Europe and beyond, to attract foreign investment and engage in mutually beneficial trade with regional and extra-regional states.
We look forward to working with the international community, neighbours of Afghanistan, important regional states and especially the brotherly country of Iran for lasting peace, prosperity and stability in Afghanistan.

*Writer is Deputy Head of Mission: Embassy of Islamic Republic of Pakistan in Tehran