Cooperating with regional countries Pakistan’s location is a blessing as it connects South Asia to Central Asia and beyond, opening up opportunities The writer is a retired lieutenant general of the Pakistan Army and a former federal secretary. He has also served as chairman of the Pakistan Ordnance Factories Board Pakistan’s location is a blessing as it connects South Asia to Central Asia and beyond, opening up multiple opportunities. It also is a challenge being in the midst of a tough security environment. For years, Afghanistan has been a deadly conflict zone, mired in perpetual civil war with global and regional powers influencing to shape the outcome. Its adverse fallout has had serious consequences on Pakistan’s economy, politics, security and culture. The situation is still highly unpredictable and in a state of flux with prospects of civil war intensifying as the American forces withdraw and the Taliban being militarily more powerful vying for full control of the country. Indeed, Pakistan has done what it can to facilitate the peace process, putting pressure on the Taliban leadership to be more accommodative and take the Afghan government and other forces with it to ensure a smoother transition. But this is not happening and the Taliban seem to rely on their military muscle to have their way.