PAK-AFGHAN RELATIONS (1973-1979)

Abstract

Pakistan and Afghanistan are two neighboring South Asian countries. Both the countries are Muslim majority states and are also Islamic Republics. Both countries have shared historic, cultural, ethnic, geographic, economic and linguistic linkages. This very fact was mentioned by the former Prime Minister of Pakistan, Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto in the words that no other two countries have so much in common as Pakistan and Afghanistan.1 For this reason, the former president of Afghanistan Hamid Karzai called the two states ‘‘inseparable brothers’’. This is the reason that both the countries are referred to as ‘‘brotherly’’ countries. But it is an irony of the fact that since the inception of Pakistan in 1947, the relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan have generally followed a turbulent path. Their relationship has normally been characterized by mutual distrust, animosity and blame game. There has hardly been a phase of history in which both countries have enjoyed mutual cordiality and goodwill. Such phases of relations have only existed for a very brief period. The Afghan irredentist claims over Pakistan’s territory, the issue of Pashtunistan and the dispute over the legality of the Durand Line were the initial elements that spoiled the ties between the two states. The relationship experienced further bitterness when the Pak-Afghan region became the epicenter of the Cold War between the Capitalist bloc and the Communist bloc with Pakistan and Afghanistan taking sides opposite to each other. The mutual animosity was further fueled by the allegations of cross border terrorism. Both countries blame each other for harboring terrorist elements on their soil while Pakistan also blames Afghanistan for fostering secessionist elements in Baloch and Pashtun belts of Pakistan. The relations between both the states have deep historical roots. Afghanistan has historically remained a gateway for invaders into the former Sub-continent and the present-day Pakistan. The history of the ties between Pak-Afghan region can be traced back to the ancient days of Achaemenid empire of Persia which included the present Afghanistan and the areas of North-West Frontier, Indus and Punjab. Historically, this region remained under the influence of the Aryans, the Persians, the Huns, the Macedonians, the Scythians, the Parthians, the Central Asians, the Turks, the Arabs and the Mughals. Islam made inroads into this region with the Arab penetration in the 7th And 8th century. But the first direct contact between the Afghans and the Indo- Pak region took place as a result of Mahmud Ghaznavi’s attacks. After that, the linkages between the two regions enhanced as new dynasties came from the Afghan side and ruled India. In the 18th century, under Ahmad Shah Abdali, the foundation of modern Afghanistan was laid which included the area of Afghanistan and some parts of Central Asia, Persia and North-West India. The British ascendancy began to expand in this region in the 18th century. In the 19th century, the British took direct control of India from the Mughals and also gained influence in Afghanistan. The British were concerned about the Russian expansionism towards Central Asia and beyond Afghanistan into India which was a part of the ‘‘The Great Game’’ strategy. To keep the Russians away from the Indian borders, the British required a buffer zone. For this, the British concluded an agreement with the then Amir of Afghanistan, Amir Abdur Rehman. The agreement was named as the ‘‘Durand Line’’ agreement. According to this agreement, a line was demarcated between Afghanistan and the British India by which the North-Western border areas came under the control of British Empire. This agreement might have solved the problems for the British but laid the basis.