A US drone strike killed two Afghan nationals on a Refugee Camp in Aurakzai Agency close the Thal Subdivision of settled district Hangu. Speaking on the condition of anonymity and official of the political administration revealed, “Two Afghan Refugees namely, Ahsanullah and Nassir Mahmud alias Khawari, who been killed in the attack, were both mid-level commanders of Haqqani network.” Station House Officer Thal, Police Station, Ameer Zaman confirmed the death of Nasser Mahmud alias Khawari.
The drone strike in Spin Tal Dapa Mamozai area came in the wake of terrorist attack on Intercontinental Hotel Kabul which killed 18 people including foreigners. Unlike the past practice, Pakistan foreign office has issued a rather weak condemnation of the Wednesday’s drone strike and complained that the United States should have shared the information with Pakistan instead of carrying out a unilateral action. However, foreign office spokesman Dr. Mohammad Faisal aptly emphasized the Afghan Refugees repatriation to Afghanistan as early as possible. He said that their presence in Pakistan helps the terrorists to mix up with them. This argument is absolutely valid but how can the international community give liberal funding to the UNHCR when the Federal Minister for SAFRON is not active to work out Afghan Refugee Repatriation Plan in line with the decision of the National Security Committee chaired by the Prime Minister. The Committee decided not to extend the deadline for the stay of Afghan Refugees beyond 31st January, 2018. The deadline expires after five days but no tangible initiative for the repatriation plan is in sight. Afghan Ambassador in Islamabad Umer Zakhelwal has already given green signal to Afghan Refugees to make preparation for the homeward journey and participation in the reconstruction of the wars torn Afghanistan. Besides the lukewarm attitude of the Ministry of SAFRON, the ideological buddy of the disqualified Prime Minister Nawaz, Chief of Pk MAP Chief Mahmood Khan Achakzai is opposing the repatriation of Afghan Refugees tooth and nail for his personal and political interest of his party. The priorities of foreign and national security policies should no longer remain hostage to vested interest.
Peace and stability in Afghanistan is inevitable not only for the peace in this region but for the entire world as well. But the present ruling political leadership does not give importance to the formulation of a comprehensive Afghan policy which is the utmost need of the hour. Foreign Minister Khwaja Asif showered precious pearls of undiplomatic wisdom at World Economic Forum meeting when he told CNBC that PAK-US relations should not hinge on the volatile situation in Afghanistan. This is a demonstration of absolute naivety about the historical fact that Afghanistan had been an important foreign policy factor of British Empire from mid 19th century to early 20th century in its rivalry with Czarist Russia. Likewise, from mid 20th century till the signing of Geneva Accord for the withdrawal of forces of former Soviet Union from Afghanistan it was an important ingredient of the foreign policy of the both the Super Powers in Cold War Era. The Foreign Minister has unnecessarily made sweeping remarks about the contents of President Donald Trump’s speech at World Economic Forum, saying that his speech is unlikely to do anything to improve bilateral relations with Islamabad. Khwaha Asif said, “Frankly speaking we are a bit apprehensive from what we have been hearing from over the past one year and we don not expect any radical change e from what he(Trump) has been saying.”The foreign Minister expressed the hope that Pakistan and the United states would soon focus on their relations once again rather than just looking “through prism of Afghanistan.”It is a strange logic of the foreign Minister to suggest improvement in Pak-US relations by excluding the Afghan bubbling cauldron. A sincere and meaningful dialogue between all the stakeholders including Afghan Taliban is must to resolve the Afghanistan problem on permanent basis. In the pursuit of this goal Pakistan, the United States, Russia, China and other countries of this region should make sincere efforts.
