Pakistan is currently evaluating merits and demerits of the recently signed US-Afghan strategic partnership agreement envisaging US presence in Afghanistan until 2024, which has triggered concerns among the regional powers, it was learnt.
The agreement, signed by US President Barrack Obama and his Afghan counterpart Hamid Karzai in Kabul, allows US troops to stay in Afghanistan until 2024, besides engaging in a wide range of 'nation building' tasks, including co-operation on transit, energy and trade infrastructure projects and pursuit of a 'market economy' to build a "strong financial system needed to sustain private investments" in that beleaguered country.
Analysts argued that a long-term presence of the US in Afghanistan would translate into even greater pressure on Islamabad to reopen the ground route of Nato supplies blocked in the wake of last year's Salala incident. To avoid 'isolation' coupled with the recent threat of sanctions, Pakistan would have no other option but to restore the supply line of the Nato/Isaf troops stationed in Afghanistan. The critical question is when?
It is being speculated that the Defence Committee of Cabinet (DCC) meeting on May 15, which would be followed, by federal cabinet meeting on May 16 would take a decision in this regard. Sources further revealed that an important corps commanders meeting is scheduled to be held on May 16, which would also endorse the restoration of Nato supplies. These events predate the Chicago summit, scheduled from May 20-21, to be hosted by US President Obama by five days and thereby pave the way for an invitation for Pakistan.
Chicago summit will be attended by 60 heads of state from across the world to discuss future of Nato forces in Afghanistan and President Asif Ali Zardari is keen to attend the summit, sources further revealed. Foreign Office spokesman Moazzam Ahmad Khan while talking to Business Recorder said that Pakistan had no 'problem' with the strategic partnership agreement between US and Afghanistan and made it clear that Pakistan would support any effort that focuses on peace and stability, with clear cut goals and objectives.
He, however, neither denied nor confirmed that Pakistan was engaged in evaluating US-Afghan strategic partnership agreement at any level. The agreement, which extends US presence in Afghanistan until 2024, has triggered concerns within the region including in Russia, China, India, Pakistan and Iran. The spokesman added, "We actually believe that it is for the people and government of Afghanistan to decide as to what kind of relations they want with any other country". But pointed out that the purpose of any such effort should be focused on clear-cut objectives: restoration of peace and stability in the neighbouring country.
Pakistan has, however, yet to find answers to some thorny questions raised by analysts on some of the clauses of the agreement, including one which states that the US "recognises that Afghanistan's stability contributes to the development and stability of South-Central Asia, and, therefore, the United States affirms that 'it shall regard with grave concern any external aggression against Afghanistan.
Aggression as envisaged by the US would be forthcoming from either Iran or Pakistan. And given Hillary Clinton's statements with respect to the Quetta Shura, Hafiz Saeed and indeed charges of complicity with the Taliban by our establishment and the do more mantra it is clear who the aggressor feared is in the clause, analysts add.
Informed sources further told Business Recorder that concerned authorities were evaluating each and every aspect of the US-Afghan strategic partnership agreement. They said that the source of concern was that if the large number of troops under the umbrella of Nato and Isaf were unable to restore peace in Afghanistan despite the passage of 10 years of war with Afghan insurgents, then how will the desired objective be accomplished by a small number of US troops that would be staying until 2024.
Sources further revealed that Nato allies would give their response to the recent strategic agreement in the upcoming Chicago conference scheduled for May 20-21, as many major countries have indicated that they would withdraw their troops after 2014.