The future of Afghanistan is still uncertain and there is no surety for long term peace and stability in the country. The main reason behind concerns among the people is the withdrawal plan of NATO countries. Different NATO countries that have sent their military forces to Afghanistan have set different dates of withdrawal from Afghanistan. However, the general idea about the drawdown of international forces from Afghanistan and the transfer of defense responsibilities to Afghan security forces is that both these two processes will be completed by the end of 2014.
What will be the fate of Afghanistan beyond 2014? From the statements and commitments of high authorities belonging to the NATO member countries and a number of conferences that have been held to discuss and commit for the future of Afghanistan, one can easily judge that Afghanistan will not be left alone and contribution to promote peace, security, reconstruction and development will persist even beyond 2014.
Afghans have always welcomed the international community's support aimed at securing their life and putting their country on the path to prosperity, development and reconstruction. Also, the people of Afghanistan hope the international efforts will continue until Afghanistan is able to stand on its own. However, serious concerns among the Afghan population exist as the security is getting worse and the process of handing over the security responsibilities to Afghan forces is continuing and security tasks of more than half of Afghanistan are already under Afghanistan National Security Forces (ANSF).
The question that circulates in every one's mind is whether the Afghan security forces will be able to defend Afghanistan on their own. Today Afghan army is the most trustable and creditable organization in the eyes of the people of Afghanistan. It is the source of hope for the future of Afghanistan. Afghan soldiers are 24/7 ready to give sacrifices for defense of their county against enemy. There is no doubt in that. But keeping in view the capabilities and equipments in the hands of Afghan security forces, one cannot say with full surety that they would be fully able to defend Afghanistan, once NATO is completely out.
It is feared that a premature withdrawal of international forces from Afghanistan would lead to a chaotic situation in the country which will waste all the gains so far achieved. If NATO is to withdraw from Afghanistan, it should double the pace of training and equipping the Afghan forces. The international community must provide latest weapons, tanks, war crafts and other military equipment to ANSF to let them be in a better position against the insurgent related to Taliban and other groups of insurgents.