According to latest reports, the number of Afghans fleeing the country to seek asylum in the West has increased. UN statistics show that over 30,000 Afghans applied for asylum worldwide from January to November last year. It shows a 25 percent increase compared to 2010. This increase shows a shocking reality that as we get close to the deadline of withdrawal of international troops from Afghanistan, there is a widespread feeling of uncertainty among ordinary Afghans about future of this country.

The number of those who can manage to pay to human smugglers and get out in hope of a better future to western countries is increasing, while the rest are left in utter ambiguity about everything from poor governance, security to economy and political stability in a downward spiral. As 2014 get closer, the picture about a stable Afghanistan beyond that deadline gets more blur.

This perception of insecurity and uncertainty among common Afghans is caused by several factors, including poor governance, rampant corruption, favoritism, slow and corrupt judicial system, unemployment and increasing insecurity. Particularly this trend of hopelessness about future has increased among Afghans after the announcement of withdrawal deadline of foreign troops, and unclear efforts of peace talks with insurgents which will lead to nowhere with the current exclusive approach of the Obama Administration and failure of corrupt government in Kabul.

One fatal mistake of the current process of peace talks on parts of all sides—the US, Afghan Government and insurgents—have been the secret process. Public does not know what has been going on behind the curtain. There is an increasing perception among ordinary Afghans that the withdrawal announcement of US troops by Obama Administration and Karzai's repeated calls of talks with his "angry brothers" shows a victory of insurgents and the situation leading to a scenario where return of Taliban is being feared.

There is no shortcut to avert this flow of Afghans abroad in hope of asylum and better future. It has been caused by the missed opportunities of the last ten years, which is being seen to go in vain with the current withdrawal strategy narrative. We were left on the mercy of our neighbors by the US when they finished their Charlie Wilson wars and Soviet Union withdrew from Afghanistan.

There was no interest about Afghanistan once the Soviet Union collapsed. Afghans went through more than three decades of crisis of civil war and conflict that has left many uncertain about a peaceful and politically stable future even today.

The international community has to avoid a repeat of history in Afghanistan. We cannot afford another era of civil war and bloodshed. The current withdrawal strategy, if continued with the same hurry, will unfortunately leave our fate hanging once again at the mercy of time.