HOLD YOUR GROUND, MR ASHRAF GHANI

By SHAH JILANI

1. Dr Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai’s assumption of the office of the Afghan President on 29 September 2014 was viewed as a welcome change. An anthropologist by education, he has served as the Afghan Finance Minister and Chancellor of Kabul University besides working for UN and World Bank.

2. As the Afghan President, Mr Ghani set course on a balanced Afghan Foreign Policy and renewed emphasis on economic development. The balancing act, however, created ripples in the Indian Camp who have been in love with terms like traditionally strong and brotherly relations and strategic partnership etc. India has always expected Afghanistan to serve as its colony, satellite, extension etc and to isolate herself from her neighbours. After the fall of Taliban Government in 2001, India accelerated its efforts once again to smother Afghanistan in its Octopus like grip.

3. Mr Ghani is no novice in Afghanistan or the region, nor does he need a brief on the visibles and invisibles. He is aware of the international effort to secure Afghanistan from the thores of insecurity and civil war. He is aware of the great game and the new great game. Afghan generations acknowledge Pakistan as their second home and not without reason. World’s largest Afghan refugee population has lived in Pakistan and continues to do so. They were not confined to cage like camps like elsewhere and allowed to share all they wanted; with dignity, respect and honour. There have been some with weak memories like Mr Hamid Karzai who forgot their stay in Quetta and Peshawar and subsequent takeoff on the journey to power in Afghanistan – as a CIA contractor in Peshawar.

4. We wish you well Mr Ghani and know that the Afghan Presidency is not a bed of roses. You are under strong criticism for improving relations with Pakistan, for signing an intelligence and military cooperation pact, amidst hopes of securing a peace deal with Taliban. The spring offensive has further intensified the pressure, but all these factors are no reason for you to give aggressive statements. You are an anthropologist Mr Ghani, apply yourself, study the behaviour of those around you, see what their intent is and remain steadfast on your path to peace. The antics of these actors will fizzle out soon, so hold your ground, Mr Ghani and brave this pressure. I am sure with your vision and resolve, you would steer Afghanistan out of this  quagmire without compromising on those who have cared for you in your difficult times and would not be used for extension of others’ machinations.