Afghanistan-Pakistan Relations in Post 9/11 Era: Irritants and Prospects of Cooperation
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Date
2016
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University of Management and Technology
Abstract
Afghanistan and Pakistan share the same religious and collocation, tradition and culture but had never enjoyed the smooth and cordial relations. The trust deficit among the two nations existed since British India was divided and Pakistan came into being on 14th August 1947. Initially, Durand Line and issue of Pakhtunistan, were bone of contention, which did not allow to establish of cordial relationship between two neighboring countries. Later, cold war politics also played a role in divergence of national interests. Pakistan’s joining of Western alliances and Afghanistan’s collocation towards Soviet Union and India proved to be a stumbling block in establishing good neighbourly relations. Afghanistan and Pakistan had number of times adopted rapprochement despite of at odds including two Pakistan’s war with India, signing of Afghanistan Transit Trade Agreement, facilitation of Afghan refugees in Pakistan 1980s and onward.
This study analyzes different issues in Afghanistan-Pakistan Relations that had really damaged their relations in post-9/11 era. Pakistan continued its support to post-Taliban regime installed in December 2001 in the same manner as they were the first one to recognize the Taliban regime in 1996 after they had captured Kabul. Afghanistan became the focal point of world powers including United States of America, India, NATO, etc. United States wanted Afghanistan and Pakistan to establish friendly relations which was necessary in fight against the terrorists. This study explored the main hurdles in maintaining cordial relations and the challenges faced by Afghanistan and Pakistan. The method used for this research was qualitative method by using documentary analysis, applying interpretive policy approach and interpret data through textual analysis. This research concluded that there are many major issues responsible for deterioration of relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan. And both the countries are victim to foreigner’s interference in their bilateral relations, otherwise they could have negotiated a better solution to their problems.
Description
Supervised by: Muhammad Owais
Keywords
Afghanistan and Pakistan, Afghan refugees in Pakistan, M.Phil Thesis