Ashraf Ghani’s deal with a hardline party is a positive step, but Gulbuddin Hekmatyar has a lot to deliver.

Ashraf Ghani’s deal with a hardline party is a positive step, but Gulbuddin Hekmatyar has a lot to deliver.

Instead of prolonging the war in Afghanistan, US and NATO must tackle the root of the problem – in Pakistan.
![Obama meets with Pakistan''s Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in the Oval Office of the White House last October [Getty]](https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/4755d71e64e44cc58e929ad3514a7d1d_18.jpeg?resize=270%2C180&quality=80)
How can Ashraf Ghani wage an effective military campaign in Afghanistan if the origin of the threat is in Pakistan?
![President Ashraf Ghani [AP]](https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/4451f47ff6934ad9826ab8dcb3b32e5f_18.jpeg?resize=270%2C180&quality=80)
It is not anti-Americanism for Afghans to question the US military presence and the ‘war on terror’ in Afghanistan.
![US Secretary of State John Kerry speaks next to Afghanistan''s President Ashraf Ghani [REUTERS]](https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/2993bee6a64c4ad4a575e520c4dd446a_18.jpeg?resize=270%2C180&quality=80)
How did a non-native force such as ISIL make headway in Afghanistan within a year?
![Afghan security officers escort two of six alleged members of the group calling themselves ISIL, arrested after clashes with Afghan security forces in Nangarhar province, Afghanistan [EPA]](https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/5eeeac71cd03414c987356a10c6d1dfa_18.jpeg?resize=270%2C180&quality=80)
Afghan’s experience shows that Pakistan-based terror groups continue to operate from their safe havens.

Knowing Omar was dead for two years, Pakistan must now answer some questions.

Use of unmanned US drones increases recruitment opportunities for the armed opposition in Afghanistan.

Kabul’s naive overture towards Islamabad works against Afghanistan’s national interests.
![Afghan President Ashraf Ghani embraces Pakistani Prime Minster Nawaz Sharif at the Presidential palace in Kabul [AFP]](https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/06900318764d49d18a530f423c657d40_18.jpeg?resize=270%2C180&quality=80)
Nevermind the assurances, the US is determined to prolong its stay in Afghanistan for its own geopolitical interests.
![A US soldier keeps watch in front of the Iranian embassy in Kabul [AFP]](https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/419ebc78006c4b2eb1c830e2c1fdfdb0_18.jpeg?resize=270%2C180&quality=80)