Afghanistan pre-soviet invasion was a country that had reputation of a successful state and government amongst its neighbors. I had small economy compared to contemporary styles of economies, but that economy was exclusively dependent and self-build by ordinary Afghans. The path of that economy was different than Afghanistan’s neighbor’s economies, but very similar to a developed west European nation. The system and structure of markets were very similar to London markets. The city of Kabul has a lot of similarities to the City of Paris, even if does not look close to that. If one should have chance to look the master plan of Kabul, Kabul would have been one of the beautiful city of the region, if civil war would not have incurred.
Not to many countries and cities could be found that has a constant history of been attacked, burned, and destroyed. Afghanistan in general and Kabul city in particular, has that reputation. It has been conquered, destroyed, and burned by internal and external enemies at least once in a century of its past 1400 years of history. Beginning from Arab invaders, in 6Th century, whom are still buried in the outskirts of Kabul, changez Khan, and many other internal invaders have had first hands to destroy this beautiful valley. However, the scale of destruction in present day Kabul which is mostly destroyed by Afghans themselves, influenced by foreign enemies, has no previous historic example. Thanks to the experienced Russian war veterans (war-lords) and heavy weapons Russian abandoned while running out of Afghanistan.
This civil war has left no street, wall, and door of the city of Kabul and its surrounding beautiful valleys without a scar. Worst than all, the fragile, small but stable economy of the country was collapsed in its entire form. The currency of the nation was exchanged to none. Commodities of the country which were/are the backbone of the nation’s economy was smuggled out of the country and sold way cheaper than the standard international market. The country’s infrastructures were targeted for destruction by those who bought Afghan populous elements to do their job. Army was brought to a non-existent status. All Afghan military and civilian experts were either deliberately kills, assassinated, or forced to leave the country.
An Afghan war-lord or a group of brain-washed, militant organization can do nothing on this level. There were countries involved in this destruction. If one brings a brief vision of present Afghan history, Afghanistan has a vibrant relation with all its neighboring nations. This particular applies to Pakistan. The dispute over Duran Line, Pashtonistan, fear of Pakistan over Afg-indian friendship, drove the government of Pakistan to have a fair share of destruction occurred in past 20 years of civil war. Pakistanis praised their politicians for maximum destructive impact on Afghanistan’s economy and military by electing them nations major elections. Pakistan also brought foreign fugitives to boost their goals in the region. Unfortunately, the goals of Pakistan to remove their fear-factor put the whole world including Afghanistan in a fear of terrorism, and religious barbarity.
For the Afghans, they still think that neighboring countries are friends and so-called brothers because they took over millions of refugees during the Afghan war against Russian invasion. However, this deed of neighboring nations had/has its misdeeds as well. Afghans must thank the international community in general and the Americans in particular who sent they loved ones to fight a common enemy; an enemy who is a terrorist to Afghans and international civilized world, but a hero, a soldier to Pakistanis. Moreover, the united states and other friend nations who are not only fighting a common enemy in the region, but helping Afghans to gain their self-reliance , self-confidence, and self-build economy. Afghanistan need an independent economy that would compete the regional or international markets, and this economy will not occur if Afghans do not utilize the help of their international developed nations. This sounds and means a long way of struggle, but nothing can stop sincere Afghans from achieving these very important and necessary goals.
Bashir Oriakhil
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