The case for unity between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Pakistan is currently at the threshold of a political revolution which will define its future trajectory. What would this political revolution achieve when the country is currently on the verge of bankruptcy and financial ruin? Internally, Pakistan will need to reform its judicial system in order to get rid of the economic capture of our elite which is stifling economic productivity and growth. Externally, Pakistan will need to follow its national security policy (NSP) which is focused on geo-economics and regional connectivity. I argue that Pakistan will need to be creative and independent in its external foreign policy as that may play a key role in the future economic success of the country.

We have been hearing for decades that Pakistan is in a key geographical position and if it leverages its 'geo-economics' correctly, it will become the next economic power of the future. Why has this policy not yielded any results? We have four land neighbours - India, Iran, China and Afghanistan. As we have learned from the economic success of the US and EU, open and free trade amongst neighbours is one of the key policies which leads to economic empowerment of the people. India is currently in the midst of a Hindu fascist government and any trade negotiations with them will be futile at this point. Iran is going through internal and external political upheavals which will make it very challenging to pursue long-term trade policies. China is our all-weather friend and CPEC-sponsored projects have also focused on regional connectivity. It still remains to be seen whether fruition of CPEC projects will lead to major economic dividends for Pakistan in the future.

Afghanistan is more than our neighbour. It is the spiritual homeland of our country. The patron saint of Lahore, Ali Hujwiri (RA) came from Ghazna and his tomb is the most visited shrine in all of Pakistan. We have adopted the Western model of a nation state when we treat our Afghan...