Outcome of Pakistan’s boycott of Bonn Conference

TEHRAN, Dec. 13 (MNA) -- The recent Bonn Conference in Germany provided a very good opportunity to help create a brighter future for Afghanistan. The meeting was held to mobilize international efforts to increase stability in the country. The main objectives of this year’s conference were to accelerate the withdrawal of foreign forces from Afghanistan and the handover of responsibility for security to Afghan forces, to accelerate the reconstruction process, and to restrict interference by neighboring countries. The complete withdrawal of foreign forces from Afghanistan is also a very critical mission. To accomplish this task, Afghan forces should receive proper training and should be provided with modern equipment so they will be able to establish security in their country. Otherwise, everything will revert to the situation before the occupation. The reconstruction program also has many shortcomings, and the countries that have promised to help the country have actually failed to fulfill their commitments. The third goal is directly related to Pakistan, which boycotted the conference due to an attack on the Mehmand Agency by NATO forces. The boycott is regarded as a signal of Pakistan’s inclination to continue its intervention in neighboring Afghanistan. Islamabad’s meddling can only be reduced if the international community puts more pressure on the country. However, the international community seemed to have no interest in pressuring Pakistan to participate in the Bonn Conference. The main reason for this indifference is Pakistan’s hypocritical policy toward Afghanistan. Observers believe that the Pakistani government cannot be blamed for this policy because it is under the direct influence of the powerful Inter-Services Intelligence, which is regarded as the cornerstone of meddling activities in Afghanistan. Reform of the Afghan government was another issue on the agenda of the conference. The Afghan government is very inexperienced and has a huge problem with corruption in various areas. If the government reform process can take root, Afghanistan will be able to start to recover and emerge from the ruins of war and occupation. Otherwise, the country will never see the light of hope.