Pak-Afghan Relations From Tensions to Alliances - A Historical Perspective

A Brief Introduction to Pak-Afghan Relations

Afghan is the only nation which did not vote against Pakistan participation in the United Nation in 1947. The two countries had had tense relations for nearly a quarter of a century , but tensions were managed. In the conflict of 1965 and 1971 Afghanistan did not support either was it a supporter of Pakistan as well as India. Bhutto was determined to enhance relations with Afghanistan however Dauod made provocative comments regarding Pakistan and forged friendship with Russia. But he quickly realized that the Soviets were pursuing their agendas, and in providing aid to Afghanistan, they could gain an entry point into the internal politics within the government. Therefore, he sought to build a better relationship with Pakistan. In the year 1978, the communist coup 1978 ended abruptly to any efforts to reconcile. In the present, Tarakai was elected to power. He worked to enforce the socialist rule in Afghanistan however he was overthrown by Hafiz-Ulllahamin.

The Advent of Soviets into Afghanistan and the Reaction to Pakistan:

On December 27 1979, Russian soldiers joined its military on a massive size in Afghanistan. Hafizullah Amin was removed with Babrak Kamal. In the meantime, the resistance in Afghanistan to Soviet military intervention as well as Soviet supported Kabul regime took form. In response to pressure from Soviet troops, millions of Afghans moved towards Pakistan and Iran to be protected and formed resistance groups to fight a guerilla war against the Soviets army. The Soviet invasion posed a significant threat to the nations in Pakistan as well as Iran. The primary reason for the Soviet invasion was to protect its frontiers by encircling it with a group of friendly or neutral states and establishing a Communist government in those countries. Another reason that was important was the access to Afghanistan resources, and the expansion of the ports with warm water located in south. In this regard, Pakistan was a target for Communist expansion. President Zia-ulHaq saw it as an imminent risk to Pakistan itself. He decided according to his words "fight for Pakistan within Afghanistan. Zia tried to internationalize the issue, and in this regard, it was possible to obtain an agreement of the Organization of Islamic Conference and backing by the Non Aligned Movement and the US General Assembly. His goal was to secure the support of all nations to organize Afghan resistance groups to the Soviet invasion.

A Response from the United States to the involvement of the Soviets within Afghanistan:

The US knew the danger of the Soviet attack since they had a crucial strategic stake in Afghanistan. Therefore, they could recognize the risk to Pakistan's security. To thwart the apparent Soviet expansion into warmer waters, the US and Saudi Arabia decided to support Pakistan in assisting the increasingly popular uprising within Afghanistan in opposition to an advancing Soviet occupation. Pakistan was also given an important strategic position following the demise of the Phavely Dynasty in Iran. The Carter administration, which had stated Pakistan was a "frontline state" during the Cold War, offered US$400 million in economic and military assistance to Pakistan; however, it was refused by General Zia, calling it "peanuts". However, Pakistan's refusal to accept US aid did not alter its policy , and it continued to follow the policy of resistance over one year. Then, when it was the time that Ronald Reagan's administration took office, He reopened the door to cooperating with Pakistan and substantially increased the amount of aid. The Reagon administration sent William Casey to negotiate with Zia regarding the terms of funding and coordinating the anti-Soviet conflict in Afghanistan. The Reagon administration stated that they would grant you three and one-half billion dollars in the initial five years and all the loans you require and would not bother you so far the nuclear program you have as concern and allow you to take control over the war that is fought in Afghanistan. This means that in a few days, Pakistan was transformed from an isolated military dictatorship to an ally on the frontline of the US. As part of the deal, Pakistan was granted $3.2 billion in aid, which was equally split between military and economic aid. An additional arrangement was created to purchase 40 F-16 combat aircrafts. The military was the main recipient of Zia rule. Zia government received assistance to maintain its position of power and transform Pakistan's economy and society.

Effects and Consequences of this US Assistance in Pakistan:

In the course of this time, the Pakistani government with the aid from the US along with Saudi Arabia created a very large and robust network. The network was comprised of four major areas. (1) The smuggling and distribution of illicit drugs. (2) The smuggling and transport of weapons. (3) Making use of seminary and religious institutions particularly along with the refugees to form a guerrilla army that would take on those who were fighting the Soviets within Afghanistan. (4) The control mechanism by which all this was going to be conducted was Pakistan military, specifically the military intelligence agency. The surge of drugs for arms, Islamic radicalism, the expansion of seminaries etc., were highly profitable to those in the Zia government in that it received billions of dollars in aid. Still, it also had a significant influence on Pakistani society. One of the most significant was the exponential rise in the use of drugs and the accumulation of weapons that created significant problems in keeping the law and peace. The most dangerous consequences of the Afghan conflict was the growth of trade, drugs, Sectarianism, Klashankove culture and the race for arms in the region , particularly Pakistan suffered a great deal.

The end of the Soviets:

Babrak Kamal was exiled from the post the day of May 4, 1946, and Najibullah became the new president but was unable to stop the mujahedeen of Afghanistan. In the meantime , the Geneva talks were progressing in April of 1988 for both the government of Pakistan and Afghanistan together, as well as agreed to the Geneva Accord. Then Mujahidin was victorious, and the Soviets pulled out of Afghanistan in the year following. Just two years after,, the Soviet Union itself collapsed because of the economic crisis. The cold war was over as it is now. The USA remains the only superpower. It has accomplished its goals.

Pakistan has paid a high cost for its participation in the war. For the rest of its existence, it was forced to endure from the effects of their efforts towards the mujahidin.