After 20 years and a trillion dollars, the US Military Industrial Complex (MIC) has experienced a déjàvu. Refusing to learn from the historical imperialist follies of the past, Vietnam, Iraq, Syria and Libya, are the tip of the iceberg. These misplaced military interventions have brought grave instability to entire regions, peoples and countries, who have had to pay the price in terms of terrorism, economic and political retardation, as well as, social and societal upheavals.
The American failure in Afghanistan has put the Pakistani state on test. As the Taliban make moves internally, regionally and on the international chessboard, the Pakistani government needs to build a national narrative on the fundamentals of “Terms of Engagement with Afghanistan and Issue Relating to National Security”. The bedrock of such a narrative must be, Pakistan’s sovereignty will be safeguarded, Pakistan’s nuclear programme and assets, including its safety and security, cannot be compromised, the guidelines for “Revised Terms of Engagement with USA/NATO/ISAF and General Foreign Policy,” dated 12th April, 2012, unanimously adopted by a joint sitting of parliament.
As a member of parliament, I should be making these proposals on the floor, as is the past practice, for that is the only place to build a national narrative. But as the parliament is ebbed out, the columns of a beleaguered print media become my crutches. The “Terms of Engagement with Afghanistan and Internal Security” need to cover issues, such as engagement with Afghanistan, internally displaced persons, internal security and relations with the USA and other coun
It is too early and the situation too fluid, to rule out the possibility of the Afghan internal conflict emerging violently, Pakistan must be prepared for this contingency, therefore, it should
The Taliban’s military success, reports of splinter TTP groups based in Afghanistan reuniting backed by transnational militant groups will increase militancy, religious extremism and terrorism in Pakistan. There are also reports of transnational militant groups stepping up their activities along the Pak-Afghan border.
The issues identified are the peri of a complex situation that engulfs the region. The concepts of encirclement of China, containment of Russia, Pakistan’s nuclear programme and hegemony of India can be the long term objectives for the region. Therefore, national narrative and political consensus are required. Such policy formulation is only possible through standing committees and parliament.
This article originally appeared in the August 25, 2021 edition of daily The News. It can be accessed here