Pakistan contemptuous attitude towards Afghanistan?

Pakistan contemptuous attitude towards Afghanistan?

By Dr. Khurshid Alam khurshidalam44@hotmail.com

When the US administration used the term Afpak there was a huge hue and cry in Pakistan. It was considered as diplomatic insult to compare or equate a nuclear power with Afghanistan.

The same feelings were expressed in a diplomatic language by Mahmud Qureshi while having meeting with Hilary Clinton and US envoy to Afpak. In the same breath he asked Americans for mutual respect based on equality. He further requested the US administration to treat India and Pakistan at par.

I see a great paradox in the conduct of foreign relations by Pakistan’s foreign. On one hand equating itself with India and US on the other hand not ready to be equated with Afghanistan. While Afghanistan is a “Watan” mother land of 1000 years old history and existence in some form or the other while Pakistan is a country that has lost its 54% in 22years. Separatist’s movements plague the rest.

Afghanistan has stood the test of the time. Being in turmoil for the last 40 years for many reason but the foreign interventions by neighbouring countries are the main cause. The power struggle between theocracy and liberalism is playing the havoc supported by Pakistan and Iran. It is this tussle being exploited by the unfriendly neighbours. But when it comes to the geographical integrity of the country and national history Afghans are solid like a rock. No doubt Afghanistan is also multiracial country but their history is a binding force.

A person from Bihar has nothing in common with someone from rugged mountains of Khyber Pass rather they are sworn enemies of each other.

After 62 years of its life Pakistan is nonviable state with a failed government. Morally they have gone so low that they are requesting others to respect their sovereignty. On the other hand while Afghans have NATO forces in their land but whenever their national pride is challenged or their history is taken for granted they hit back with same ferocity.

A country or state without national honour has no right to exist. If nuclear capability could deliver strength, honour and superiority USSR would have never bogged down.

It is the national honour that is respected. Have we got any?

So for the nuclear capability is concerned it has become a liability. It is not only the threat from Taliban but also the same mind set in Pak armed forces that is giving sleepless nights to the western world. With that mind set Pak army is not only a threat to the region and world at large but to its own citizen. After the threat by Musharaf followed by the assassination