British Prime Minister, David Cameron, arrived in Afghanistan on Wednesday, July 18, on an unannounced trip. The main purpose of the visit is to discuss the withdrawal of the British troops and to ensure Britain's help for Afghanistan even after the withdrawal of international troops from Afghanistan. The British Prime Minister is going to meet Afghan President Hamid Karzai today, at a lunch party in Kabul. The Pakistan's new Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf is also expected to join the party as he, along with his delegation of important Pakistani officials, is going to arrive at Kabul.
The Pakistani delegation includes Rahman Malik – Advisor for Interior Affairs to President of Pakistan, Hina Rabbani Khar – Foreign Minister, Abbas Khan Afridi, Minister of State for Commerce and Zahir ul Islam – Newly appointed DG ISI.
It is Raja Pervaiz Ashraf's first visit to Afghanistan and it is interesting to note that he is going to meet Afghan opposition groups, as well. The role of the political opposition parties and coalitions is immense in reconciliation and reintegration processes. However, that role has been denied by Afghan government. It has to be understood by Afghan government that without their involvement, its claim of inclusive reconciliation process will never be accepted.
According to the planned schedule Pervaiz Ashraf's first meeting will be with Afghanistan National Front's (ANF's) leadership council that includes Ahmad Zia Massoud, Haji Mohammad Mohaqiq and Syed Noorullah Sadat. His second meeting will be with the leader of the National Coalition of Afghanistan, Abdullah Abdullah and the third will be with Hanif Atmar – the leader of Right and Justice Party. And then he will meet President Karzai and head of High Peace Council, Salahuddin Rabbani. Pakistani Prime Minister will also inaugurate the new building of Pakistan Embassy in Kabul.
The visit of Pakistani Prime Minister comes at a time when there are certain concerns regarding the AfPak relations. There has been a comparative restoration of optimistic relations after the reopening of NATO supply route; however, there are unresolved matters regarding the issues of war against terrorism and reconciliation with Taliban. Both the countries need to go through much before they can reach to a position where they can fight together for mutual interests, which is the eradication of terrorist networks from the region.
Taking advantage of the opportunity, the authorities from both Afghanistan and Pakistan can make commitments to resolve the issue of refugees and the support of Pakistan, which has been the matter of controversy for some while, for the reconciliation process during the ongoing transition and after the withdrawal of international troops.