Describing suggestions regarding border fencing and renewal of the Durand Line agreement with Afghanistan as a hogwash, former interior minister Naseerullah Khan Babar feared such statements would further vitiate the already tense relations between the two neighbouring countries.
"The fencing proposal is impracticable and unacceptable to thousands of tribals living on both sides of the 2,400-kilometre porous Pak-Afghan border," Babar said in an interview with an Afghan news agency.
Naseerullah Babar said the border fencing would restrict free movement of the Shinwari, Momand, Afridi, Bangash, Kakar, Achakzai, Baloch and Wazir tribes, hence they would not accept it.
Lashing out at authorities for their lack of knowledge about Durand Line agreement, he said it was renewed by the then governments of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Sardar Mohammad Daud Khan in 1976. At that time, both sides agreed to maintain the status quo for the time being.
He said such statements would further sour relations between the two governments as well as prompt a backlash from people who would be directly affected by such a step.
Deliberating on the sharp rise and fall of Taleban in Afghanistan, the former interior minister said Afghans were fed up with years of war and civil strife. They wanted peace and the student militia ensured stability, he added.
As far as their fall is concerned, it was because of their narrow-mindedness, he observed, adding Taleban refrained from sharing power with other ethnic groups like Tajiks, Uzbeks and Hazaras and no one came to their rescue in difficult times.
Regarding their origin, Babar de-linked himself from the extremist militia arguing they were the product of widespread lawlessness, injustices and highhandedness of warlords and commanders.
Ruling out his role in creation of Taleban, Babar said he had only advised the Hizb-i-Islami and other outfits not to resist them. "It was because we wanted them to restore peace to the war-devastated country."
About the clout, he enjoyed in Afghanistan during the rule of Taleban, Babar said it was because his government used to give them fruitful advice on promotion of trade, diplomatic and military ties with the neighbouring countries.
About relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan, he said relationship worsened due to the failed policies of General Ziaul Haq.
He also termed the late general responsible for an extended internecine bickering among various Afghan groups as he did not want the mujahidin leaders to unite on a single platform.
He said Pakistan always tried to hold talks with all leaders and governments in Afghanistan for improved relations between the two countries. He said last effort was made when they invited Dr Najeeb for talks to Pakistan but later the negotiations were held in Geneva.
Asked about the US invasion of Afghanistan, Babar described it an effort on part of the world sole super power to establish its hegemony in the region. The United States also wanted the Taleban to sign the gas pipeline agreement with Unocol instead of Bridas, he pointed out. The 2001 US invasion, he said, was a war to realise its economic objectives, which was still going on.
Asked about the long-term presence of the US-led coalition in Afghanistan, the former interior minister said it was impossible as the situation might further worsen after the parliamentary elections.
Babar expressed dissatisfaction over the existing relations between the two neighbours and said Afghanistan enjoyed closer ties with India than Pakistan. He added it was due to the failed Afghan policy of Pakistani government.
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