Expectations are very high regarding the Afghan peace agreement signed on 29 February 2020 in Doha, the capital of Qatar, between US officials and the Taliban aimed at ending the United States’ longest war, fought in Afghanistan since 2001. The deal will pave the way for the US to gradually withdraw its troops over a period of 14 months.

40 years of instability in Afghanistan have been a major hurdle to peace, stability, and prosperity in the whole region. The regional nations, especially the neighboring countries, very much desired peace and stability in Afghanistan. Pakistan suffered for four decades due to the situation in Afghanistan, seeing Pakistan will be the first country wishing peace in Afghanistan.

Credit for the signing of the Afghan Peace deal goes to President Trump, as the previous administration of President Obama, despite his efforts, was unable to reach such a peace deal. The deal may benefit him in the presidential elections to be held in November 2020. At the same time, it paves the way for the withdrawal of its troops from Afghanistan with dignity, without losing face. The public in the US was asking for accountability for their tax money and the achievements being made in Afghanistan. There was huge pressure on the US administration. The peace deal will save any further losses to the US and will also serve a politically face-saving purpose.

Is this peace deal a permanent solution for Afghanistan? Will there be perfect peace in Afghanistan? Will the common man get relief? Will this deal have any positive impact on the region, especially in terms of stability and prosperity? Many more similar questions come to our minds.

It is good to be optimistic, but it is also necessary to be realistic. I think the deal lacks many vital components, such as the Taliban’s share. The Taliban, who fought for two decades and control most of Afghanistan, and who are an actual pillar of power in Afghanistan, were undermined.

It seems that President Trump wanted to withdraw the troops without losing face only to use it in his election campaign. He might achieve both goals. But peace in Afghanistan is still rather far away. The first setback appears in the release of Taliban prisoners, which is part of the peace deal but which has been denied by the Afghan government of Ashraf Ghani. More issues are expected to appear soon. The Afghan government fought against the Taliban for almost two decades, and the hate between them is at its peak. How to reconcile the two sides is rather an uphill task.

There are also foreign elements in Afghanistan who may sabotage Afghan peace, as they prefer an unstable Afghanistan, where they can exploit the situation to their own interests.

China has built advanced infrastructure in Pakistan under CPEC and wants to extend this to Afghanistan and other countries in the region to boost connectivity. Economic activities will also be rapidly enhanced if Afghan stability is restored. All neighboring countries wish a sustainable peace for Afghanistan. They have suffered for four decades, and that must come to an end. Our best wishes are for the people of Afghanistan.

The opinions expressed in this article belong solely to the author, and not necessarily to People's Daily Online.

Zamir Ahmed Awan is a senior fellow with the Center for China and Globalization (CCG) and a sinologist at the National University of Sciences and Technology in Pakistan.