Regional stability urged

The International Crisis Group (ICG) released a report on October 28 in which it recommended a democratic transition for Pakistan and Afghanistan – two countries that share ethnic, religious, economic and linguistic ties.

The Afghan-Pakistani ties have been fragile for many years, with both countries accusing each other of supporting Islamist extremists.

The report noted that since the historic 2008 parliamentary elections in Pakistan, the two successive governments have wanted to mend relations with Afghanistan. Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, too, has recently offered to strengthen relations with Islamabad. "The time has come for practical steps for the establishment of peace… We should stop trading accusations and create an atmosphere of trust," Ghani said in a statement last week.

Furthermore, President Ghani was quoted as saying, "a new chapter has been opened in relations between the two countries… and I'm confident this will pave the way for close cooperation."

The Taliban threat

Nils Wörmer, the head of Konrad Adenauer Foundation's Kabul office, told DW, "Ghani has repeatedly said that improving ties with Pakistan is one of his goals."

Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has so far responded positively. Pakistani adviser on national security and foreign affairs, Sartaj Aziz, has delivered a formal invitation from Sharif to President Ghani to visit Pakistan – a move experts say symbolizes peace and stability between the two countries.

However, the unstable political situation and the extremist violence in both countries have obstructed the potential peace process. Pakistani tribal extremists, who are aligned with the Afghan militant groups, including the Taliban and the al Qaeda-linked outfits, have also complicated matters.

The Taliban leaders - who ruled Afghanistan from 1996 to 2001 - were forced to flee the country by a US-led invasion in 2001, found a safe haven in Pakistan's semi-governed northwestern tribal areas. Their increased partnership with home-grown Pakistani extremists has made matters difficult for the NATO-led security forces inside Afghanistan as well as along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border.

Who calls the shots in Pakistan?

The Pakistani military, which has a firm grip on the country's defense and security matters, does not agree with PM Sharif's policy on Afghanistan. But analysts say that the military, too, has not been able to control the Taliban extremists so far. To improve ties with Kabul, much depends on the civilian government's ability to assert control on the national security, foreign policy and the fragile democratic transition, says the ICG.

But PM Shairf's government has been much weakened by ongoing anti-government demonstrations led by opposition parties.

Some experts believe that the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf's (PTI) leader Imran Khan and cleric Tahirul Qadri are being backed by the army generals against the premier.

"Most people in Pakistan think that Qadri is being backed by the establishment, particularly the army," Ghazi Salahuddin, a senior journalist in Karachi, told DW.

The ICG report claims that the two politicians have emboldened the military to extract allowances from Sharif's government.

Opportunities exist

The report suggested that Sharif should work with Kabul to expand economic ties, which includes upgrading and expanding infrastructure. In addition, Sharif and Ghani should work together to increase road and rail links between the two countries, reduce security forces along the border, combat corruption and hold talks on a free-trade agreement.

"Pakistan's civilian leadership is well aware that the country's security is best served by a stable Afghanistan. It has taken some initial steps toward stronger bilateral ties and should continue on this path," said Samina Ahmed, a South Asia expert.