Lesser known fact:
#Pakistan and Afghanistan almost entered into a confederation and became one country in the 50s.
For two countries with a history of opposition to one another,
How exactly did they come close to becoming one state?
#Pakistan and Afghanistan almost entered into a confederation and became one country in the 50s.
For two countries with a history of opposition to one another,
How exactly did they come close to becoming one state?
It started in ‘56 when a meeting was called to address the Afghan Problem.
Though General Ayub Khan proposed some “strategic bombing and armoured thrust”, the Ambassador to Afghanistan proposed a different path, a confederation.
Though General Ayub Khan proposed some “strategic bombing and armoured thrust”, the Ambassador to Afghanistan proposed a different path, a confederation.
After taking the Royals into confidence, he met Daud Khan (Afghan Royal premier) and removed his doubts. After exchange of heads of state, Daud Khan proposed internal autonomy but central government for Defence, communication, foreign policy and trade. PMs would rotate.
The Pakistani PM stated to the ambassador that Pakistan would not have a problem in having Zahir Shah as the constitutional head.
Likewise, the Afghans weren’t opposed to becoming a republic.
Pakistan was ready to have an Afghan Monarch and Afg was ready to become a republic.
Likewise, the Afghans weren’t opposed to becoming a republic.
Pakistan was ready to have an Afghan Monarch and Afg was ready to become a republic.
The US welcomed this decision and was ready to incorporate Afg into its sphere. US not only was ready to expand the Karachi harbour but was also ready to expand the the Afghanistan rail network to pass Jalalabad into Torkham and the Chaman railway to Jalalabad.
Relationships were cordial and Things were speeding up with post confederation details starting to be discussed and then just as abruptly the movement had started, it came to an end.
Some pin it on Bacha Khan and his politics. Others on the Coup of Ayub Khan. Some on Bhutto who didn’t want a confederation with an economically weak Afg and some on the final assassination of Daud Khan during the revolution.
Many divergent accounts on its failure exist.
Many divergent accounts on its failure exist.
After the 50s, Pak - Afg would see a decade of strong proxy wars against one another and severe hostility. Followed by the soviet war which would damage the region and change history.
One can only wonder how history would’ve flown had the confederation existed.
One can only wonder how history would’ve flown had the confederation existed.
