Geneva Talks for Soviet Withdrawal – (1982-1986):

Pakistan didn’t recognize the puppet afghan government therefore she refused to hold direct talk with her. At last both sides agreed to hold indirect talk through UN secretary general. This third round of UN sponsored indirect talk in Geneva between Pakistan and afghan held in august 1984, ended without any progress.
Infact the issues were inter-linked. The soviets were reluctant to announce a time table of withdrawal under international guarantees were furnished and the US refuse to offer any guarantee prior to withdrawal. The situation was further stalemated because international guarantees were not forthcoming despite Pakistan‘s efforts to obtain them. The soviets insisted that the refugee issues should be tackled separately but Pakistan insisted an integrated approach. The situation therefore represented mistrust between the super powers. This situation continued till 1986, when USSR suggested a partial withdrawal.

Babrak Karmal wanted direct talks with Pakistan but Installation of Dr. Najeeb’s government in 1986, eased the situation. Dr. Najeeb agreed on indirect talks. In 1987, Gorbachov manifested his desire to promote friendly ties with Asian countries and announced unilateral withdrawal without giving any time table.

Geneva Agreement 1988:

Since 1986 to 1988, diplomatic efforts from all quarters continued to resolve the issue. Observers from many countries payed visits and propounded many proposals to make Geneva talk successful.
At last, after 8th round of rigorous talks, four countries signed an accord in April 1988, in Geneva and these talks achieved success.
The UN sponsored agreement under which Soviet Union started pulling out its 115,000 troops from Afghanistan on May 15 was signed on April 14, 1988, acting as guarantors joined Afghanistan and Pakistan in a series of agreements aimed at ending a bitter nine years old conflict in the land-locked Muslim country Afghanistan.
The soviet foreign minister Edward Shevardnadze and the US secretary of state, George Sheelt for the two super powers, foreign minister Abdul Wakil for Afghanistan and minister of state for foreign affairs Zain Noorani for Pakistan signed the agreement. UN secretary general Javier Perez DC presided over the historic ceremony in the council chamber of old League of Nations headquarters, the palace de nation.

Following were the main point’s f Geneva accord for an afghan settlement.

1. Only half of the troops will be withdrawal by august 15, 1988 and the withdrawal of all the troops will be completed within nine months.
2. No interference will be made in the internal affairs of Afghanistan and Pakistan.
3. US and USSR made an agreement of guarantor to avoid interference in the affairs of Pakistan and Afghanistan.
4. Pakistan and Afghanistan made a bilateral accord on the voluntary return of afghan refugees.
Late president Zia ul Haq in an exclusive interview with a panel of NPT editors and senior correspondents spoke in detail about the conditions prevailing in Afghanistan following the Geneva accord and its aftermath. He made it clear that Pakistan had not accepted any dictation with regard to signing of accord and had firmly maintained its principled stance. The main objectives of the accord from the Pakistan’s view point were the withdrawal of soviet troops from Afghanistan, the return of refugees to their country with honor and dignity and setting up of a government in Afghanistan which was acceptable to all sections of people.

Pitfall of Geneva Accord and Its Aftermath:

1. Afghan mujahideen:

Afghan mujahideen did not accept Geneva accord because they were not a party to the agreement. The Geneva accord was not binding on afghan mujahideen.

2. The Symmetry Provision:

The Geneva accord was not binding on afghan mujahideen since the Soviet Union had thought it fit to adopt a negative scpnusetry rather than a positive one which meant that the soviet could wage supplies of defense equipments to the government in Afghanistan and American were free to make available arms to mujahideen.



3. Soviet allegations on Pakistan :

During the second half of the 1988 the Soviet Union had been very vocal in accusing Pakistan of violating Geneva accord. USSR accused Pakistan to assist the afghan mujahideen who had waged a relentless war against the soviet occupation and Nijib’s government. However, Pakistan reiterated her commitment to Geneva accord and her determination to obscure the agreement in letter and sprit.

Afghan Interim Government and Pakistan’s Support:

The afghan interim government was established. As Pakistan soil in early 1989, but could not achieve wide international recognition even among the Muslim countries.
After prolonged negotiations among various factions of afghan mujahideen, sibghatullah mujadidi was nominated as the president of AIG and Abdul Rub Rasool Saggaf as PM and Gulbadin Hykmatyar as Foreign minister.

War among Rival Factions:

Afghan interim government still lacked a strong and identifiable territorial bone, it excluded the eight party alliance of afghan mujahideen based in Tehran and it also did not enjoy the confidence of such important non Pakhtoon military commanders like Ahmad Shah Masud based in Panjsher valley or Ismail khan, operating in Herat. Ahmad shah masood forged critical alliance with the militia forces in the north and after defeating the afghan army went beyond the UN plans which had proposed the take over by neutral interim setup.
In 1991, a mujahideen leader Jalal-ud-din Haqqani attacked and captured Khost. This success jolted the Najib’s government.

Pakistan‘s Opposition of Najeeb’s Government:

President Najeeb blames Pakistan in interfering Afghan’s internal affairs. Pakistan refused to hold dialogue with Najeeb’s government and demonstrated from UN to install some other acceptable person in place of Najeeb. UN representatives started discussing proposals on making interim government in Afghanistan with Pakistan, Iran and factions in afghan.

Peshawar Accord 1992:

Communist president had to resign on 16 April, 1992. On 24th April, 1992, in governor house Peshawar, held a ceremony including leaders of almost all rival factions of afghan mujahideen agreed on a framework of an interim government. In their talks. Pakistan played and important role and PM Nawaz Sherif held dialogue with six organizations of afghan mujahideens. As a result they agreed upon the names of president and PM and other officials of the interim government and were chosen are: professor sibghat ullah mujadadi was made President for an interim period of two months. He took over the government in Afghanistan. PM Nawaz Sherif with a high level delegation visited Kabul and congratulated afghan president on assuming the president ship.
Pakistan sent 10,000 tons of wheat as a gesture of good will, as assistance. With the help of Pakistan, Afghanistan joined ECO in September 1992.

Failure of Peshawar Accord, Civil War and Pakistan’s Efforts:

Hizb e islami leader Golbadin Hikmatyar rejected Peshawar accord because he did not participate in it. As a result civil war started. Pakistan tried to bring a sort of compromise among rival sections but Junbash e Mili’s leader Rasheed Dostum refused to accept and chaos went on.

Islamabad Accord (1993):

With the combined efforts of Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, Islamabad accord took place in 1993 to resolve all disputes among afghan factions and bring peace in Afghanistan. Following are the main points:

• Burhan ud din Rabbani was made president for nest 18 months and Gulbadein Hikmatyar was made PM. It was agreed that rest of the cabinet would be chosen by the consultant on both, PM and president.
• An election commission would be made to hold elections in Afghanistan in 8 months to elect legislature.
• Legislature would formulate a constitution.
• A defense council will be made with members from all parties.

Though in start. This accord helped in bringing peace in Afghanistan but later a tug of war for power took place between president and PM, and civil war again started in which thousand of people were killed.

Anti Pakistan activities:

Seeing such a bloodshed and volatile situation in Afghanistan. Pakistan started supporting Hikmatyar. This created a feeling of animosity among the factions lead by Burhan ud din Rabbani and he sought a secret assistance from India. India started backing Rabbani and Indian influence started increasing in Afghanistan. With this anti Pakistan activities started in Afghanistan on large scale which culminated into burning up of Pakistan embassy in Kabul and high jacking of school bus in Pakistan.
Pakistan, who had made so many sacrifices for the resolving afghan issue and bringing peace in Afghanistan, and bringing a Pakistan friendly government in Kabul, could not see India taking away the fruit of her sufferings. Moreover, with Indian involvement in Afghanistan, Pakistan dreams to make an access to CAR’S could not have come true. Thus Pakistan had to revise her afghan policy once again to handle the situation and to make her western borders safe.




Rise of Taliban:

In a war torn Afghanistan, a new powerful element came to the scene in 1995 who were called as Taliban, lead by Mullah Omer. Taliban started making victories and by 1995 they had took hold of many provinces. At last, in 1996 they took hold of Kabul and established a government based on fundamentalist principles.

Pakistan’s Support to Taliban:

Being a neighbor, peace and stability in Afghanistan was of direst interest to Pakistan and Taliban had successfully established it. There were the factors on which was standing the whole building of Pakistan afghan policy.
Pakistan was fully supporting Taliban. Pakistan was the only country who recognized Taliban government and established ties with them. Even relations with Taliban affected Pakistan’s relations with Iran who was opposing anti-Iran fundamentalist Taliban government. With the passage of time Taliban got control of a large part of Afghanistan and consolidated their hold on them. Later Saudi Arabia and UAE too recognized Taliban government.
Pakistan was fully supporting Taliban, which created a lot of bad blood in anti Taliban forces, northern alliance against Pakistan.

Sanctions against Taliban Government and Pakistan’s Opposition:

Over the time western powers blamed Taliban on harboring terrorism and supporting al-qaeda. International community also condemned Taliban on violating human rights against women and minority Shia Muslim community. However, Pakistan kept on supporting Taliban’s government.
In 2000, UN Security Council imposed sanctions against Taliban government and Pakistan opposed these sanctions because Pakistan believed that these sanctions would badly affect poor Afghans people. However, UN recognized Rabbani government and US blamed Taliban for supporting terrorism. UNSC demanded that Taliban should immediately cease fire and surrenders Osama bin Ladin to US. Taliban turned deaf ear to these demands.

Differences between Pakistan and Taliban:

In the mean while government of Pakistan got some evidence which revealed that the Taliban were involved in terrorist activities inside Pakistan. Pakistan demanded Taliban to immediately stop supporting such activities but Taliban did not listen to the friendly advice and this created differences between the two neighbors.
Pakistan policy was to support a stable government but when Taliban got involved in religious terrorism, it created a wide chasm between the two governments




Post 9/11 Pakistan’s Afghan policy:

Pakistan has to revise once again its afghan policy in the after math of terrorist attack on September 11, 2001 on US. The first visible response of Pakistan to US call was the abandonment of a decade long efforts by Pakistan to turn Afghanistan under the Taliban regime. In addition to abandoning its support to Taliban, Pakistan stood at the fore front of the US coalition by providing a range of assistance to the US, including the use of military base and airports, logistic and intelligence support etc. the ultimate result was the collapse of Taliban regime in the second week of December and subsequently a new UN backed government came into power in Afghanistan.

New Afghan Government and Pakistan’s Full Support:

Boon (Germany) conference under the UN umbrella took important decisions regarding the future afghan government in 2002. Pashtoon leader Hamid Karzai was made president who later was chosen for the next term of another two years by “Afghan Jirga” to formulate a new constitution. ISAF forces are present in afghan to consolidate Karzai’s government.
Pakistan fully recognized the Karzai’s government and fully supported it. Pakistan is extending a full cooperation for the consolidation of afghan government and reconstruction of war torn country.

Difference between Pakistan and Afghan Government:

Even after the installation of Karzai government by the US in afghan. Peace has been rather precarious. Neither Osama bin Ladin nor Mullah Omer has been apprehended. Resistance against the coalition forces has continued. The Taliban are part of the resistance. President Karazi blames Pakistan for treating Taliban elements in Pakistan with leniency. Afghan government blamed that the terrorist conducting such activities take safe refuge across the border in Pakistan and Pakistan government willfully over looks their presence. Afghanistan has given a list of top Taliban leaders who is believes are hiding in Pakistan and whom it wants apprehended and extradited. On the contrary oak has vehemently denied such allegations and claims to have arrested many high ranking al-qaeda figures and handed over some of them to US.

Pakistan Long Term Interests in Afghanistan:

• Political interests:
Pakistan’s foremost political interest is to see strong, stable and united Afghanistan with a Pakistan friendly government giving the pashtoons their due share in power.

• Economic interests:
A peaceful Afghanistan that enables the laying oil and gas pipeline from CAR’S, through afghan terrority to Pakistan. Moreover, CAR’S represents a huge market for Pakistani goods. Afghanistan is a landlocked county and Pakistan can give access to its harbors.

• Security Interests:
A stable and united Afghanistan with a Pakistan friendly government will result in a secure western border. Both countries want to eradicate terrorism from their countries to bring stability in Afghanistan.
• Reconstruction of Afghanistan:
Pakistan wants to participate in reconstruction of Afghanistan and want to see Afghanistan stable and prosperous country.

Divergence of Interests:

Following are a few areas of divergence;

1. Islamabad is faced with the nightmare of a failing neighbors, damaging Pakistan’s long existing friendly relations with Iran and hindering, instead of facilitating access and cooperation with CAR’S.
2. There is legacy of mistrust and hostility between Afghanistan and Pakistan due to many incidents in the past.
3. Durand line remains an irritant between both countries.
4. Influence of external players.
5. Afghanistan blames Pakistan of Taliban elements who want to destabilize Afghanistan government.
6. Increasing Indian influence in Afghanistan and opening of Indian consulates in many cities of Afghanistan.


Pakistan-Afghan Relations (2010):

The misunderstanding between Pakistan and Afghanistan should not be attributed to the policies of Kabul alone. Our abrupt changes in the foreign policy in tackling the situation in Afghanistan after the US attacks and the subsequent fall of the Taliban have contributed to the Afghans hostility towards Pakistan.
If Islamabad and Kabul avoid misunderstanding in future. To avoid any problems, Afghanistan and Pakistan must establish trust on each other; discuss all issues on bilateral level, without any third party mediation. Such a policy may push the US, India and Iran out of the equation and pave the way for durable friendship between the two countries.
Karzai should also realize that Afghanistan’s problem stems from persistent foreign interventions. Karzai needs to hold direct talks with the Taliban and mist satisfy their demands including the demand for outer of foreign forces from the Afghanistan.
Pakistan has legitimate interests in Afghanistan and as such, karzai should heed Islamabad’s call for the protection of Pakistan interests. Reciprocally, Pakistan must support him to play a positive role in the development of reconciliation between Taliban and Kabul.
The geopolitical and geo-strategic enviourment of Afghanistan of the next decade will be determine by the converging interest of its neighbors, i-e Russia, china, Iran, the central Asian states and the US. If we are looking for a peace in Afghanistan we have to accommodate the interests of other. And therefore Pakistan needs to “recalibrate its position on afghan. It means harmonizing Pakistan’s geo-strategic interests with Afghanistan and regional neighbors and real accommodation of some US and NATO interests.”