Relations between US and Pakistan got tense when Osama bin Laden was killed in Abottabad of Pakistan back in May by US forces. Does the growing tension between these two important countries have negative impacts on the economic, political and security conditions of Afghanistan? There have always been controversial views both in the West and Afghanistan over the role of Pakistani government in combating terrorism.
Although it is maintained by many that the US government has made a big mistake by trusting Pakistan, certain high authorities of US think the other way – Pakistan has been an important ally of US in countering terrorism and without cooperation of Pakistan it would be difficult for US to carry on the operations in Afghanistan and capture certain important figures of Taliban and al Qaida.
To Karzai administration, Pakistan is a brotherly country. Yet there are voices in Afghanistan blaming ISI for backing Taliban and other groups of terrorists in launching attacks on NATO and Afghan forces. Afghanistan is in dire need of assistances from regional countries and other members of international community for its security, reconstruction works and overall economic and social development.
Therefore, any damage in the relation between US and countries close to Afghanistan will have negative impacts on wellbeing of this country. Optimal efforts should be put not to let Afghanistan be sandwiched.
"A stable Afghanistan is in our interest." That is what the Pakistani authorities have been maintaining since long. The same words are repeated by Pakistan Premier, Yousaf Raza Gillani each time he is asked about Afghan issues. But Pakistan itself is being burnt by the flames of terrorism.
The insurgency and sectarianism have had quite a rapid growth over the last few decades which, in one or the other way, has been harmful for stability of Afghanistan. Therefore, we need Pakistan to be stable as a stable Pakistan is in the best interest of Afghanistan.
In other words the wide number of commonalities the two countries have has made their issues interlinked and correlated. The current situation prevailing in both these countries is not in their favor. Only cooperation based on mutual respect and trust can lead Afghanistan and Pakistan overcome the security and all other challenges they face in common.