The recent high-level exchanges between Pakistan and Afghanistan indicate that leaderships of the two countries have succeeded in overhauling the decade-long estranged relations. Officials in Pakistan recognise the shift in the policy of the new Afghan leadership towards Pakistan and the recent steps taken by Kabul against the hideouts of the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in Kunar and Noristan provinces as well as handing over Latif Mehsud, the second-in-command to Hakimullah Mehsud, to Pakistan.
"Pakistan's and Afghanistan's constructive engagement since formation of the Afghan government of national unity has increased mutual understanding and co-ordination," Foreign Office spokesperson Tasnim Aslam told Business Recorder. Pakistan's role as facilitator in reconciliation with the Taliban is being recognised by the Afghan leadership as President Ashraf Ghani in a statement on Friday appreciated Pakistan's recent efforts in paving the ground for peace and reconciliation. "We welcome the recent position Pakistan has taken in pronouncing Afghanistan's enemy as Pakistan's," the Afghan presidential palace quoted President Ghani as saying in the statement.
On the Afghan reconciliation process, the Foreign Office spokesperson told her regular press briefing on Friday that peace and stability in Afghanistan are very important for Pakistan and any reconciliation process has to be Afghan led and Afghan owned.
"Pakistan, as a neighbour and as a country that has vital stakes in peace and stability in Afghanistan, is ready to provide whatever assistance we can. We are ready to facilitate the reconciliation process to the extent possible," she said, adding Pakistan believes it is for the Afghan government to lead the efforts for reconciliation in Afghanistan.
The then Karzai government was even reluctant to send Afghan cadets to get military training in Pakistan. But sending a group of Afghan cadets recently by the new Afghan leadership to get training in Pakistan was also welcomed by the Foreign Office spokesperson.
"The induction of the cadets is a step in the right direction which will strengthen co-operation between the militaries of the two countries," Afghan Ambassador Janan Mosazai said. According to security analysts, the relationship between both the countries is now coming on the right track due to the recent confidence building measures from both the sides and because of the positive approach of President Ghani.
The mistrust on military level has greatly been removed due to the recent visits by Army Chief Raheel Sharif and Director General ISI Lieutenant General Rizwan Akhtar to Kabul. "The recent positive gestures from both the sides clearly indicates that the estranged relationship is on the road to recovery," said Brigadier Mehmood Shah (Retd), a senior security analyst and expert on Afghan affairs.
He said that the Afghan leadership has acknowledged the steps being taken by Pakistan against the militants without any discrimination due to which the Afghan government is also taking action against the TTP hideouts across the border. He argued that Afghan government is initiating the dialogue process with the Taliban and Pakistan, as a facilitator, can play a pivotal role in the reconciliation process in Afghanistan. "All these initiatives are very positive steps, which will help in further increasing bilateral ties," he added.