Pakistan-Afghanistan Relations from 1978 to 2001: An Analysis
Keywords:
Peshawar Accord, Pariah, Mujahideen, strategic interests, Jihad, expansionism, structural deficits, frontline state, Saur Revolution, Pashtunistan, Durand LineAbstract
The entry of Soviet forces into Afghanistan in December 1979 was a watershed happening. The event brought about, inter alia, a qualitative change in Pakistan‟s relations with Afghanistan as well as balance of power in South Asia. The United States and its allies deciphered the Soviet move an attempt to expand its influence to areas vital for Washington‟s interests. America knitted an alliance of its friends to put freeze on Moscow‟s advance. Pakistan, as a frontline state, played a vital role in the eviction of the Soviet forces. This paved the way for broadening of traditional paradigm of Islamabad‟s Afghan policy. But after the Soviet military exit, Pakistan was unable to capitalize the situation to its advantage and consequently had to suffer from negative political and strategic implications. The implications are attributed to structural deficits in Pakistan‟s Afghan policy during the decade long stay of Red Army on Afghanistan‟s soil.
