Afghan-Pak ties won’t change under Imran Khan: experts

Political affairs experts see no positive changes in Pakistan’s policy towards Afghanistan under the new government in waiting because they believe the country’s foreign policy is ‘controlled’ by the military.
Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) party, led by Imran Khan, has secured 115 seats in the National Assembly in July 25 general elections. The party will soon form its government in the center and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz led by ousted and jailed former prime minister Nawaz Sharif won 64 seats and Pakistan People’s Party secured 43 seats.
Political affairs expert Mushtaq Rahim said relations with Pakistan would remain as they had been in the past and might further ‘deteriorate.’
He said Imran Khan had good relations with extremist groups and in the past the former cricketer had supported the Taliban insurgency in Afghanistan.
According to Rahimi, Imran Khan was in a position to form a “weak” coalition government and thus he would peruse the agenda of military for political sustainability.
Rahimi, however, said that the Afghan government should continue its old policy and globally promote Pakistan’s careless behavior and non-cooperative role in Afghan affairs.
Shafiq Hamdard, another political expert, said Pakistani politicians after reaching power had always given positive comments about Afghanistan.
He recalled Pakistan’s first prime minister Liaqat Ali Khan, former president and military dictator Gen. Ayub Khan, PPP founder Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, military dictator Gen. Zia-ul-Haq, PPP leader Benazir Bhutto, Nawaz Sharif and even Gen. Musharraf had publicly wished stability and development of Afghanistan when in power.
He said when Imran Khan would enter ‘real politics,’ his views and sincerity would change regarding Afghanistan.
In his post elections address to the nation, Imran Khan about Afghanistan said: “They have suffered most in the ‘war on terror’, and before that in the Afghan jihad. Peace in Afghanistan means peace in Pakistan.”
Imran Khan added he envisioned ‘open borders’ with Afghanistan reminiscent to those within the European Union.
But Hamdard said Imran Khan’s position was not much strong and other political parties would influence his policies.
His government would work to bring peace to Afghanistan, Imran promised after declaring victory in the elections and also vowed to strengthen ties with Saudi Arabia, Iran and China.
Pakistan and India needed to sit across the negotiating table to address bilateral issues, Khan also said.