Recently, Pakistan decided to enforce the regulation of its western borders with Afghanistan and Iran in relation to the movement of goods and people. In Afghanistan’s case, this has been achieved by fencing and manning the length of the 2,670 kilometer dividing line. The act of regulation is ostensibly a closure, as the border with Afghanistan, that cuts through the Pashtun ethnic group and separates tribes, clans and even families, was historically a porous border even during the colonial period, as it was realized that effectuating the separation of a people was to invite conflict. The decision of the current interim government has been justified twofold; firstly, to contain the menace of terrorism and secondly, to turn Pakistan into a normal state.
Prior to the American withdrawal in 2021, the regime in Afghanistan used to accuse Pakistan of being a safe-haven for insurgents that sought to overthrow it, an open secret that earned Pakistan the moniker of “frenemy” in Washington. After the takeover of Kabul by the Taliban, the incidence of attacks on Pakistani security forces have steadily risen, although they have not yet reached the crescendo of 2009 when such violence peaked. Interestingly, fencing of the border, suggested by the US as part of its hammer and anvil strategy, was deemed impossible, the reasons cited being the harshness of the terrain and the kinship ties between people living on either side. Since the impossible has been achieved in recent years, the fence’s efficacy is now being questioned.
What was the point of the endeavor if unregulated cross border movement continues? The presence of the fence also provides a cogent argument to the interim government of Afghanistan that has rebutted Pakistan’s accusation by citing the presence of this barrier. Insurgents do not cross borders via visas and passports, and the insurgency in Pakistan is largely home grown, a result of using this area as a launching pad for involvement in Afghanistan and subsequent military operations. Many countries use proxies to achieve their interests. Pakistan, on the other hand, might be the only state that has intentionally altered its own social fabric to populate its proxies. Imagine Iran transforming itself into a Sunni theocracy in order to support Hamas. Using violent extremism as a foreign policy tool has wrecked Pakistan’s economy and tarnished its reputation in the comity of nations.
Many countries use proxies to achieve their interests. Pakistan, on the other hand, might be the only state that has intentionally altered its own social fabric to populate its proxies.
While violence continues to gather pace, closure of the border has destroyed trade with Afghanistan and rendered thousands unemployed. Termed “smuggling,” the transport of goods sans import duties sustains the economy of the area. While these unpaid duties are cited as loss to the national exchequer, the real cost benefit can only be calculated once the economic benefits to the local population are taken into account. It is assumed that consumption of these goods will remain the same once duties are paid. However, it is quite likely that demand will drop altogether, leading to a loss in the informal GDP of the country. Cross border trade is a major employer in areas like the Pashtun belt of Balochistan, while the economy of Baloch areas like Turbat is more closely integrated with Iran. The local Pashtun population has been caught up in the harassment of Afghan refugees who are being forced out of the country. Such tactics are unlikely to coerce the regime in Afghanistan.
Instead, as a country with a large diaspora, Pakistan should become a model by giving refugees who have been in the country for a long time or those born here automatic citizenship. Only then can moral arguments be made against migrant policy in Europe and the Middle East. In the absence of agriculture and industry, the economic strangling of the border population will lead to desperation with no good options: illegal immigration to foreign countries, arms and drug running, or joining one of the myriad violent groups present in the region. Had the state paid attention to the western parts of the country such regularization might have been made more palatable. The shortest route between Gwadar and Kashgar passes through Quetta, DI Khan, Peshawar and Chitral. The main CPEC route was however diverted east of the Indus.
Pakistan must be acknowledged as a multiethnic and multilingual state. Only a democratic form of government, where parliament reigns supreme and where parliament is the progenitor of power and policy, can allow effective governance
The usual definition of a state includes a monopoly over the use of violence, a monopoly long ceded in pursuit of external objectives. A normal country does not remain in a state of perpetual conflict with its neighbors. A normal country does not exclude parts of its territory from constitutional remit, as in the case of Gilgit Baltistan. It is a travesty that Pakistan is on the brink of bankruptcy, even though it is the neighbor of one of the world’s largest and fastest growing economies. The normalization of the country is predicated on the renegotiation of the social contract between the people and their state.
Pakistan must be acknowledged as a multiethnic and multilingual state. Only a democratic form of government, where parliament reigns supreme and where parliament is the progenitor of power and policy, can allow effective governance. Social and political engineering has brought Pakistan to the brink of a blind alley. The rule of law and constitutionalism are the only avenues of rectification. Incidentally, states are also defined as organized political communities under one government. The hybrid experiment that has recently drawn to a close saw two drivers at the steering wheel. Just as two swords cannot fit into a single scabbard, in the same way any country, let alone one as large, complex and diverse as Pakistan, cannot have two captains. The Prime Minister must be the most powerful position in the country. Sadly, in our 76 year history none have been allowed to complete a single full term. That is abnormal. Administrative tinkering, development largesse or the specter of an external bogeyman no longer diverts attention from this perversity. Pakistan was formed and its existence is dependent upon it being a constitutional country. The spirit must be made to conform with the letter of the law.