Pakistan launches diplomatic offensive against ‘Great Game’

[sonicboom]

Pakistan launches diplomatic offensive against ‘Great Game’

Monday, January 17, 2011
By Muhammad Saleh Zaafir


ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has initiated diplomatic offensive to ward off any probability of play of so-called ‘Great Game’ in Afghanistan in the wake of beginning of withdrawal of invading troops of the US and Nato from that country.

The 120 days starting from mid-February would be crucially important with reference to situation in and around Afghanistan as the occupying forces are mulling over acceleration in action through use of brutal munitions by creating ‘shock and awe’ like scene.

June-July next have been marked for starting of withdrawal to be completed in 2014. Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir arrived in Kabul on Sunday morning for crucial talks with the Afghan leadership for establishing institutional interaction of two capitals. Pakistan is prepared to provide assistance to facilitate negotiations so that a peaceful settlement of upcoming situation could be made possible. Another Geneva like accord on Afghanistan could not be ruled out but ‘it would be too early to make any conjecture about that.’

Well-placed diplomatic sources told The News here Sunday that Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir who has been at the best during recent years in undertaking diplomatic moves while dealing with the diplomatic intricacies, would be returning today (Monday) and a high level meeting later this week would deliberate the outcome of the visit. Afghan President Hamid Karzai could also be among the interlocutors of the visiting foreign secretary before his return journey today. The visit of Salman Bashir who has gone on the invitation of Afghan government has been termed continuation of the process of close engagement between Pakistan and Afghanistan on matters of shared interest and concern.

It has been officially said that Pakistan and Afghanistan enjoy close, fraternal relations which received a new impetus with the visit of Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani to Kabul last month. The leadership of two countries has decided to intensify policy consultations and take further steps to strengthen bilateral relations in a comprehensive manner.

Talking to this correspondent before leaving for Kabul, Salman Bashir said that his sojourn to Kabul would greatly help Pakistan to strategise its position for the tripartite talks of Pakistan-United States and Afghanistan slated for next month in Washington. The talks are scheduled to commence on 22nd of February and likely to conclude on 24th. Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi will represent Pakistan. It will provide him an opportunity to have in-depth discussions with his US counterpart Hillary Clinton with whom he has not met for more than a month.

It is understood that the United States is keen to create space for an Indian role in the Afghan future scenario but the neighbouring countries of Afghanistan and major players in the war-torn country are not willing to grant such an accommodation. The countries of the region believe that any role for India could pave way for ‘great game’ in Afghanistan. Any great game would be fatal for the future of Afghanistan and the region would be consigned to burning for longer and unspecified period of time.

Pakistan has already made it emphatically clear to Washington that any great game in Afghanistan would not be acceptable to Pakistan and it will bitterly oppose such an eventuality. Iran is also among the countries that would not allow any such game to be played in Afghanistan because it would ultimately harm the interests of Tehran, the sources pointed out.

According to a message received late Sunday night from Kabul, Salman Bashir had an important meeting with Afghan President Hamid Karzai on the day of his arrival in Afghan capital. He discussed with him bilateral relations, as well as issues related to peace and stability in the region. The meeting lasted for over 75 minutes.

The foreign secretary also called on Foreign Minister Zalmai Rassoul and met with Deputy Foreign Minister Hakimi and Masoom Stanekzai, Adviser to President Karzai and Secretary of the High Peace Council under former President Burhanuddin Rabbani. Both the sides resolved to unite efforts for peace, reconciliation and common development.

Pragmatic steps will be taken together to promote bilateral cooperation. The foreign secretary conveyed Pakistan’s full support for Afghanistan-led peace and reconciliation in the war-torn country, underlining that stability, peace and unity of Afghanistan was in Pakistan’s vital national interest.

Both sides agreed to join hands in determining their own destiny with great hope and confidence. President Karzai appreciated Pakistan’s role and efforts. The two sides agreed to institute Foreign Secretary-Deputy Foreign Minister consultations.

Salman Bashir will meet former President Professor Burhanuddin Rabbani today (Monday) to further discuss peace efforts.

The diplomatic sources are of the view that Pakistan and Afghanistan are on the same page and writing together a new chapter of fraternal cooperation for peace and prosperity. The foreign secretary’s visit is a follow-up to the process launched by Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani last month when he visited Afghanistan.


Pakistan launches diplomatic offensive against