Hello all.
Background
Afghanistan because of its strategically important geographical location has faced a number of invasions throughout history. Starting from the Alexander in 330BC to Mongols to Turks to British , USSR & USA & allies. Most of them failed to establish dominance but spread death and destruction of biblical proportions.Since Pakistan's birth , successive wars in the region ie 1948 Kashmir war , 1965 IndoPak war , 1971 IndoPak war , 1979 soviet invasion of Afghanistan , 1980 Iran Iraq war , Afghanistan civil war , 1999 Kargil war & 2001 US invasion of Afghanistan.
This is enough to put things in perspective that we currently live in a highly unstable and volatile region , all of the above wars killed dozens of millions of people in the region.Given the above context its easy to understand that there is "no" quick fix to this problem of insecurity. In today's connected world , neighboring nations cannot under any circumstances avoid the devastating effects of warfare next door. Pakistan has first hand experience of having 4 million refugees in the aftermath of Soviet Afghan and American Afghan wars which took a heavy toll on Pakistani economy and social makeup and trends.
Pakistan and the rest of the world suffers from instability in Afghanistan , be it refugees , human trafficking , drugs , arms and what not. Not having a quick fix to Afghanistan problem complicates the state of affairs concerning Afghanistan , a country which now has to start over from the scratch after 30 years of non stop war. If it ever does , Pakistan is the first frontier to get effected by any development inside Afghan borders.
Proposal
The proposal is not new , Pakistani leadership in the past namely Liaqat ali Khan an ethnic Pashtun as well as Zulfikar ali bhutto reportedly discussed the idea of a "Cooperative Union" with their Afghan counterparts at that time. As per my understanding if we have to re-stabilize this region , we should take concrete steps towards the idea of an "Administrative - Cooperative Union" structure between Pakistan and Afghanistan and the integration of the worldview and foreign policy. The examples can be made of the Scandinavian states in this regard. This idea "Does not" call for a state merger or an effective one unit unification. Rather its about integrating both countries into a "mutual political & economical, administrative mechanism ".
It should be built upon the following dynamics.
1: A single currency & stock market , tax regime & social liabilities.
2: Integrated foreign policy.
3: Freedom of movement - unrestricted border access & visa free travel.
4: Unrestricted mass transit and trade route.
5: Integrated primary and higher education & .
6: Integrated working rights.
7: Language promotion in both countries.
8: Integrated strategic & defense regime.
9: Integrated policy on narcotics , rights to have arms , national database etc.
10:Free trade & transit to Pakistani ports for Afghan goods.
This arrangement can work under an organization which may look after the compliance of above policies by both countries much like EU. Or what GCC countries would eventually become.
Benefits
To Afghanistan.
1: Unrestricted movement , allowing communities specially Pashtuns to make cultural interaction easier.
2: Unrestricted access to Afghan students to Pakistani schools , colleges and universities.
3: Access to Pakistani job market
4: Unlimited access to food supplies which Afghanistan has to import otherwise.
5: Strategic protection under an already established and experienced Military & nuclear apparatus.
6: Unrestricted access to Pakistani ports.
7: Afghanistan can benefit from Pakistan's well established ties with China & Middle east.
To Pakistan.
1: End of civil and international conflict right on the border, ability to project full military power towards India.
2: Control over narcotics and arms
3: World's largest Islamic union, expanding diplomatic and economic footprint in the region.
4: Ability to connect with central asia , Turkey and Russia
5: Permanent solution to refugee problem
6: Strategic balance even possible parity with India/keeping India out of our backyard.
7: Access to mineral and human resources
8: Successful union would earn Pakistan a greater say internationally
9: Removing hotbeds of extremist groups
10: Greater integration with Afghan and Central asian culture giving wider avenue of opportunities.
Loads more can be debated to establish that such an arrangement would make complete sense , and would ultimately be the answer not just Pakistan but the world is looking for right now.
Moral of the story
Moral of the story is , that Afghanistan unfortunately has lost two entire generations to brutal wars. They have lost their ability to self govern which they in time might be able to regain but not without further turmoil even a possible civil war after 2014 pullout.
Afghanistan needs help not just in peacemaking but also in administration. With a literacy rate of 35% it would take decades to rebuild the ability to self administration. This cooperative arrangement would offer what both countries and the world needs from this region without jeopardizing the sovereignty or security of Afghanistan , Pakistan and the world.
* For concerned citizens: Pakistan would have to bite the bullet if it ever comes to that , its a far less price to pay when compared to what we are paying or have paid already.
Regards: Aeronaut
