Former Afghan President Ashraf Ghani Addresses Durand Line Issue and Pakistan Relations

Ashraf Ghani, the former president of Afghanistan, has commented on the recent tense developments along the Durand Line, expressing his gratitude to the Afghan citizens and noting that the people responded to the recent aggression with the expected national spirit.

In a message released on Tuesday, October 14 (22nd of Mehr), Ghani stated that protecting national interests and goals requires the comprehensive participation of all citizens and the establishment of a free and inclusive national dialogue, involving men, women, youth, and representatives of all ethnic groups and communities.

Referring to the Durand Line and the historical relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan, he emphasized that lessons must be learned from the bitter experiences of the past half-century, and a path based on the interests and conditions of the 21st century should be sought for coexistence and mutual cooperation. Ghani added that the governments of Afghanistan and Pakistan should approach this sensitive issue with wisdom and find a logical and lasting solution based on the will of the local people on both sides, especially in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.

In part of the message, Ghani remarked that living nations continuously reconsider their national interests and objectives, and relying solely on public sentiment without considering the interests of others can lead to dangerous consequences.

He also described threats and the use of force regarding the Durand Line as a “sign of poor governance,” warning that any violent conflict would primarily harm the residents living on both sides of the line. He added that the Durand Line has long been violated by Pakistani authorities themselves and that ignoring this reality should not be used to justify their past actions.

In conclusion, Ashraf Ghani warned that if power is not used as a means to solve problems and serve the people, but merely to impose will on others, the consequences will fall on those who deny realities and obstruct clarifying the future path of the nation. He called for a return to collective wisdom and national participation in determining the fundamental directions of governance in Afghanistan.

Emphasizing the country’s visible and hidden capacities, he stated that only under a legitimate and prudent system can Afghanistan be transformed into a stable and developed country, where citizens are no longer forced into migration and poverty in pursuit of a better life.