Abstract
The paper analyzes the prospects of economic cooperation between Pakistan
and Afghanistan, which have so far failed to establish normal trade relations
with each other. The main argument of the paper is that Islamabad‟s
insecurities vis-à-vis New Delhi have overshadowed the prospects of economic
cooperation and good neighborly relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Pakistan‟s “long-term obsession with the quest for „strategic depth‟ against
India”1
compelled the former to increase its influence in Afghanistan by
installing a friendly government there with the twin objectives of securing its
western borders in order to liquefy nationalist-separatist sentiments in the
Pakhtun belt, as well as to counter the growing role and influence of India in
Afghanistan. This quest of Pakistan has had negative impact not only on the
inter-state relations between the two proximate western neighboring countries,
but also on their economic cooperation. Although there are several
opportunities available in the form of strengthening South Asian Association for
Regional Cooperation (SAARC) and Economic Cooperation Organization
(ECO) by applying regional approach; promoting regional energy projects; and
enhancing bilateral trade and transit facilities in the region; the future of
Pakistan-Afghanistan economic cooperation depends upon India-Pakistan
normalization of relations.
Naeem Ahmed. (2012) THE PROSPECTS OF ECONOMIC COOPERATION BETWEEN PAKISTAN AND AFGHANISTAN: CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES, Journal of Social Science and Humanities, Volume 51, Issue 1.
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