New Delhi:
There has been a border dispute between Afghanistan and Pakistan for a long time. However, in recent times this controversy has increased further. Pakistan recently carried out air strikes on terrorist targets inside Afghanistan, killing several Taliban fighters. After this incident, there has been retaliatory action from Afghanistan also. Taliban has sent about 15,000 fighters towards the border with Pakistan, while Pakistan has also deployed its army in the areas of Peshawar and Quetta.
Both countries have been accusing each other
Afghanistan and Pakistan have been accusing each other of promoting terrorism. Pakistan is accused of promoting terrorism in Afghanistan, while Pakistan has accused Afghanistan of giving protection to TTP (Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan) and separatists in Balochistan. Many leaders in Afghanistan believe that Pakistan has repressed the rights of Pashtuns. Pakistan fears that if Afghanistan becomes stronger, it may demand to merge the Pashtun areas of Pakistan with itself.
Even after the Taliban’s occupation of Afghanistan in 2021, relations between the two countries remain tense. The Taliban had refused to recognize the Durand Line. The results were exactly opposite to what Pakistan had expected from Taliban, after which the tension between the two countries has increased further.
Is China playing games in this whole matter?
China has always been interested in Afghanistan and Pakistan for economic and strategic reasons. China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is a big plan of China. China wants Afghanistan to be a part of this project so that it can increase its trade and energy supplies to Central Asia. There are many mineral resources in Afghanistan, which China has also kept an eye on. However, the Taliban has not adopted a very positive attitude towards China.
China has not given open recognition to the Taliban regime, but has maintained strategic dialogue with them. Some analysts believe that China is taking advantage of the tension between the two countries.
Is China playing tricks?
China publicly advocates peace and stability in Afghanistan and Pakistan. He has been talking about linking the Taliban regime with CPEC and promoting development in both the countries. However, Afghanistan has never shown any interest in this.
What is China Pakistan Economic Corridor?
There is an ambitious infrastructure project between China and Pakistan, which is known as a key part of the “Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)”. This corridor starts from Xinjiang province of China and goes to Gwadar port of Pakistan. Its objective is to increase regional connectivity, ease trade and accelerate the economic growth of both the countries. It was started in 2013 and is being developed at a cost of approximately US$62 billion. This corridor is approximately 3000 kilometers long.
Who is opposing CPEC?
The people of Balochistan are angry about their lack of participation in the Gwadar project and CPEC. Part of the CPEC passes through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), which India considers its part. India has protested, calling it a violation of its sovereignty. Many organizations are also raising questions about the impact of projects on the environment.
Why CPEC is not in the interest of Afghanistan
- The growing relations between China and Pakistan under CPEC may affect the geographical and political situation of Afghanistan, as Afghanistan may find it difficult to maintain its independence.
- Afghanistan will not benefit much from the economic opportunities associated with the development of CPEC. Rather its resources will be exploited.
- CPEC may increase geopolitical competition in Afghanistan, which may lead to instability and conflict in the country.
- Afghanistan will have to take huge loans from China for CPEC projects, which may ruin its economy.
What did Pakistan Army Chief say?
Pakistan Army Chief said that we are Muslims and it is a matter of pride for us to sacrifice and give life. We will not compromise in any way on our honour, our country and our freedom. If any political personality claims that he has complete information, then the entire community pays the price of such attitudes with its blood and we are paying the same price at this time. We all had to suffer the consequences of this policy, which talked about negotiation and compromise. Even in 2021, whose insistence was there that a settlement should be reached through talks with Afghanistan and Pakistan and Pakhtunkhwa are having to pay the price of the same insistence.
