The latest assertion by Afghan President Ashraf Ghani that Pakistan had been waging an 'undeclared war' against his country for the last 14 years, was disappointing for relevant quarters dealing with Pakistan's policy on Afghanistan. They believe such statements may undermine the efforts initiated by the leadership of the two countries to start a new era of bilateral relationship free of blame-game.
The concerned officials at the Foreign Office remained tight-lipped and would not publicly comment especially on statements by Afghan President Ashraf Ghani but on condition of anonymity stated that Ghani's statements may be for public consumption following widespread criticism in Afghanistan after the signing of the agreement between National Directorate of Security (NDS) and Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).
The officials said that building close co-operative relations with Afghanistan is a high priority in Pakistan's foreign policy and a vital component of the Prime Minister's vision of a peaceful neighbourhood and he has personally remained constructively engaged with the Afghan leadership to rebuild mutual trust and understanding.
There is a lobby on the Afghan side as well for developing a comprehensive and enduring partnership with Pakistan, move away from blame-game, overcome the past, and build a forward-looking relationship based on trust and understanding. The statement came days after the Afghan President wrote a letter to the government of Pakistan, requesting it to 'prove' its commitment to peace by taking certain steps.
It was coincided with the Taliban's spring offensive launched across Afghanistan that killed dozens of Afghan security personnel and civilians. The recent attack on the Afghan parliament was also blamed in Pakistan by the Afghan spy agency, NDS. However, Pakistan rejected the allegations and also strongly condemned the attack. "The allegation falls within the familiar pattern of certain spoilers whose objective is to disrupt the improving relations between the two brotherly nations. We are sure that neither the Afghan people nor the international community would be misled by these motivated allegations," the Foreign Office said in a statement, adding Pakistan has always supported a strong and sustainable democratic system in Afghanistan and condemned all cowardly acts of terrorism.
With the new government in Afghanistan in place in September 2014, the sources said that the blame-game during former President Karzai's era had almost come to an end but allegations at the senior level were 'disappointing'. The latest Afghan position, the sources said will not hamper Pakistan's efforts to build good co-operative relations as well as its resolve to facilitate the Afghan government's talks with Taliban leadership.
Pakistan facilitated a recent meeting between the representatives of Afghan government and the Taliban leaders in China and the Foreign Office said last week that the government was ready to facilitate another round of talks. According to analysts, the foreign militants pushed out from Pakistan as a consequence of the comprehensive operation Zarb-e-Azb have all established bases in northern Afghanistan, giving a tough time to the Afghan National Army who, for the first time, is confronting insurgents after major Nato/ISAF combat forces withdrew from the country.
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