Like what you've read?

On Line Opinion is the only Australian site where you get all sides of the story. We don't
charge, but we need your support. Here�s how you can help.

  • Advertise

    We have a monthly audience of 70,000 and advertising packages from $200 a month.

  • Volunteer

    We always need commissioning editors and sub-editors.

  • Contribute

    Got something to say? Submit an essay.


 The National Forum   Donate   Your Account   On Line Opinion   Forum   Blogs   Polling   About   
On Line Opinion logo ON LINE OPINION - Australia's e-journal of social and political debate

Subscribe!
Subscribe





On Line Opinion is a not-for-profit publication and relies on the generosity of its sponsors, editors and contributors. If you would like to help, contact us.
___________

Syndicate
RSS/XML


RSS 2.0

Afghanistan - a threat to Pakistan

By Syed Atiq ul Hassan - posted Tuesday, 1 July 2008


Three major wars and a 60-year-old dispute between Pakistan and India over Kashmir has created much distrust between the two nations. Pakistanis hold India responsible for assisting the independent movement in East Pakistan which led to the creation of Bangladesh. Yet, both Pakistan and India possess a common history, culture and traditions; and above all people in both countries acknowledge that neighbourly relations can provide enormous benefits.

On the other hand, another neighbour, Afghanistan - a Muslim country, shares a 2,500km northern border with Pakistan. Although supposedly a friend it has always created trouble for Pakistan.

Afghanistan is the only country which opposed the membership of Pakistan to the United Nations. Afghanistan always preferred the benefits of being friendly with India rather than supporting Pakistan’s interests. For about 20 years Afghanistan would not accept the Durand (border) Line which divides the two countries and claimed part of North-West Frontier Province (NWFP) as its territory.

Advertisement

From the very beginning Afghanistan has supported anti-Pakistan elements in the northern region of Pakistan. The legendary Pukhtoon leader, Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan - (alias Badshah or Bacha Khan and also known as Sarhadi Ghandi) was strongly opposed the creation of Pakistan and received Indian highest civilian award the “Bharat Ratna” - was backed by Afghanistan.

While a majority of people in the Northern region of a then united India voted in favour of creating Pakistan, Bacha Khan asked his followers to boycott the polls. Then, after partition in 1948, Bacha Khan addressed the constituent assembly of Pakistan and demonstrated his loyalty to the new nation. He announced his support for Pakistan while at the same time he maintained his close links with India and received support from Afghanistan.

Bacha Khan and his followers had total support for their party “Khudai Khidmadgar” from the then Peoples Democratic Party of Afghanistan (PDPA). This is the same party which seized power in Afghanistan in a popular insurrection directed against the dictatorship of President Mohammed Daud Khan and which then welcomed the Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan in 1978.

Smuggling via Afghanistan into Pakistan has always been a problem for which Pakistan has been paying heavy toll in its economy.

During my early life in Pakistan, I never heard of a Kalashnikov (Russian made gun), or of heroin, until I heard about the invasion of Afghanistan by the Soviet Union. Millions of Afghan refugees fled from Afghanistan into Pakistan as a result of the Soviet occupation.

It was Pakistan’s assistance given to the freedom fighters, known as the “Mujahedeen” (or Taliban) that defeated the Soviet Union in Afghanistan. For more than ten years, Pakistan not only supported the Mujahedeen with arms, ammunition and military competencies but opened its doors to four million (Afghan) refugees.

Advertisement

The Afghan refugees were not confined to the refugee camps but allowed to move anywhere in Pakistan. The people of Pakistan opened their hearts to the refugees and through donations, casual jobs, and so on, provided assistance. According to reports more than two million Afghans refugees moved to the major cities of Pakistan: half of these moved to the outskirts of Karachi - the largest commercial seaport of Pakistan.

But what has Afghanistan done for Pakistan and its people?

Taking the advantage of their cultural and linguistic similarities many Afghans obtained Pakistani residency through illegal means and claimed to be Pushtoon (people from NWFP). Many of them travelled overseas using Pakistani travel documents. These Afghan refugees gifted a new culture to Pakistan - a culture of guns and drugs. Those who travelled to other countries brought ignominy on Pakistan because of these illegal activities - particularly in human trafficking and drugs.

  1. Pages:
  2. Page 1
  3. 2
  4. All


Discuss in our Forums

See what other readers are saying about this article!

Click here to read & post comments.

4 posts so far.

Share this:
reddit this reddit thisbookmark with del.icio.us Del.icio.usdigg thisseed newsvineSeed NewsvineStumbleUpon StumbleUponsubmit to propellerkwoff it

About the Author

Syed Atiq ul Hassan, is senior journalist, writer, media analyst and foreign correspondent for foreign media agencies in Australia. His email is shassan@tribune-intl.com.

Other articles by this Author

All articles by Syed Atiq ul Hassan

Creative Commons LicenseThis work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.

Article Tools
Comment 4 comments
Print Printable version
Subscribe Subscribe
Email Email a friend
Advertisement

About Us Search Discuss Feedback Legals Privacy