‘Pakistan’s Historic Mistake’: Ex-Indian Diplomat Amar Jit Singh Predicts Severe Fallout from Afghan Confrontation
A former Indian diplomat has issued a stark critique of Pakistan’s military leadership, labeling its recent escalation with Afghanistan a catastrophic error. Amar Jit Singh, a former Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer, cautioned that this path could lead to long-term disaster for Pakistan.
In a sharply critical social media post, Singh targeted Pakistan’s military leaders in Rawalpindi, accusing them of involving the nation’s 250 million citizens in an unnecessary and preventable conflict. Singh previously served as India’s Consul General in Afghanistan.
He emphasized the formidable nature of the Afghan people, stating that while they are profoundly loyal to friends, they are a formidable enemy. He noted that historically, they have resisted and overcome global superpowers, from the British Empire to the Soviet Union and the United States.
A Symbolic Diplomatic Rebuke
Singh pointed to a telling diplomatic incident where Afghan authorities allegedly refused to grant visas to Pakistan’s Defence Minister and several top generals, including the head of the ISI intelligence agency.
He interpreted this as a clear sign of a complete trust deficit, suggesting that any expectation of territorial concessions from Afghanistan under these circumstances is profoundly misguided.
The Threat of Asymmetric Warfare and Internal Instability
While Pakistan’s conventional military may be superior, Singh warned that Afghan forces possess an unmatched expertise in guerrilla warfare.
He also highlighted the danger posed by the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), suggesting that the group’s expanding influence could reach deep into Pakistan’s heartland. Noting that Karachi is one of the world’s largest Pashtun-majority cities, he implied that escalating conflict could destabilize Pakistan’s own urban centers.
A Prophetic Phrase Recalled
Singh referenced a statement made by a Pakistani official during the 2021 Taliban takeover of Kabul: “The power is yours, but God is ours.” He turned this assertion around, suggesting that in the current confrontation, divine favor would likely rest with what he termed the “honourable Afghans” rather than a “duplicitous” Pakistan.
A Temporary Truce Amid Deep Skepticism
These comments were made as Pakistan and Afghanistan agreed to a brief 48-hour ceasefire following intense cross-border fighting that resulted in numerous casualties on both sides.
Despite this temporary pause, Singh remains highly doubtful of Pakistan’s strategic intentions. He contends that the military establishment is deliberately pursuing a conflict that is destined to have severe and damaging consequences for Pakistan itself.
