Pakistan's Foreign Policy towards Afghanistan after 9/11: Musharraf Era

Abstract

Relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan have remained hostile since Pakistan’s independence mainly due to Afghanistan’s claim on Pakistan’s western province of Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa. Since 1947 both countries have interfered in each other’s domestic affairs, trying to destabilize one another. The Soviet invasion of Afghanistan forced Pakistan to wage a proxy war in Afghanistan, gathering the support of Western and Arab allies. Since the end of Cold war, Pakistan continued its foreign policy in Afghanistan of supporting the Taliban in an attempt to install a friendly government in Kabul. After the September 11, 2001 attacks, Pakistan took a U-turn from previously supporting the Taliban to quickly waging a war against them on the orders of United States. Pakistan joined U.S.-led coalition to destroy the Taliban and Al-Qaeda members in Afghanistan. Once again, Pakistan encounters a deep-seated hostility, this time from the Northern Alliance which is the ruling and most dominant group in Afghanistan. Uncertainty and fear remain as both countries move vigilantly to renew bilateral ties. This R.Pbriefly analyzes Pakistan’s Afghanistan policy from 1947 to 2001, while mainly focusing on the Musharraf era from 1999-2001. It would also elaborate on the reasons which compelled Pakistan to join the War on Terror. Pakistan’s security apprehensions arising from the growing Indian influence in Afghanistan through trade and reconstruction work would also be discussed in the perspective of Pak-Afghan relations. In the end a detailed analysis of Pak- Afghan relations is made in the context of the role played by U.S and India in the War on Terror, as well as the future relationship of these two neighbors keeping in view the recent developments made. The concluding part of the R.P would give recommendations regarding how Pakistan, Afghanistan, U.S and India can resolve their differences and get out of this costly and tiring war which is affecting the entire region.