By Agha Iqrar Haroon
Development Observer for Central Asia and eastern Europe
Islamabad: Two-days Pakistan-Afghanistan Bilateral Conference 2013 has started here on December 13, 2013 in Islamabad that is attended by parliamentarians, intelligentsia and journalists of both the countries. Conference is organised by South Asian Free Media Association (SAFMA). The title of conference “ISAF withdrawal from Afghanistan: Bilateral Partnership for Peace and Cooperation”. Its first session concentrated on Pak-Afghan relations and strategy to shun off trust deficit between the two countries. A number of delegates from Afghanistan took Pakistan responsible for 35 year long war in Afghanistan and also mentioned that Pakistan had fallen in the ditch it dug for Afghanistan and former Soviet Russia (USSR). Participants also demanded visa free regime between the two countries.
Chairman SAFMA Imtiaz Alam in his opening speech indicated that peaceful Afghanistan is the need of the day not for Pakistan or the region rather the entire world.
In his keynote address senior journalist and regional observer Ahmed Rashid was of the view that Taliban have no capacity for running Afghanistan in past as well as today so they should understand for a reconciliation with other groups. Transitions in Afghanistan always have an impact over Pakistan therefore this is in the interest of Pakistan to have a sovereign and strong Afghanistan.
Abdul Mubariz former minister for information Afghanistan during his speech expressed his pragmatic views about Pak-Afghan relations and said that Prime Minister of Pakistan Mian Nawaz Sharif is politically strong and can come up with resolve for good and solid relations between the two neighbouring countries. He was of the opinion that Pakistan has influence over Taliban and peace in Afghanistan is not possible without the active help and support of Pakistan.
While addressing the conference Asad Umar PTI leader cited that South Asian intra-regional trade is less than 1% and increasing trade within the region is inevitable for the growth of the region. He added wellbeing of people of Pakistan and even the region is dependent on increase trade in the region and unless there is peace in Afghanistan, this region cannot move ahead. He mentioned that all trade and physical access route from Central Asia go through Afghanistan and energy rich Central Asia cannot take advantage of energy starved South Asia through any gas pipe line or power transmission line. Therefore prosperity of region at stake till such time Afghanistan is not peaceful.
He said that his party PTI believed that Pakistan must not allow anyone to violate its sovereignty and it must not soil of Pakistan to be used to violate sovereignty of any country.
Qamar Zaman Kaira former minister for information Pakistan said that peace in the region is mandatory to peace in all neighbouring countries and the region cannot have peace unless Afghanistan has peace therefore all countries of the region must sit together and resolve this issue instead of trying to get the advantage of unrest in Afghanistan.
Dr Abdul Ghaffor of Regional studies of Afghanistan stated that Afghan people seek the security from Pakistan from its neighbours and wrong polices of neighbours caused death and destruction in Afghanistan during the last 30 years.
In open session participants expressed views that FATA and PATA areas must be incorporated in mainland of Pakistan and strong border management from Pakistan can help to ensure peace in Afghanistan. Some participants were of the view that relation of Pakistan government with tribal people are same of former British rulers and this style of running tribal areas must be end without delay but changes must be brought with the consent of tribal people. It was also observed that tribal people do not accept rules and laws of Pakistan we need on our borders not a rough land having no rules and no administration because these areas fall under the jurisdiction of Pakistan officially.
Participants added that political leadership of Pakistan and Afghanistan have never been bold enough to solve this issue of a non-man’s land situation Pakistani tribal areas and Afghan border areas are facing today. The doctrine of Strategic Depth adopted by foreign policy of Pakistan was strongly criticised by Afghan delegates and they maintained that this doctrine has ruined not only Afghanistan rather Pakistan also who is losing its control over its own areas from those who were harboured and nurtured by Pakistan during the last 35 years to get its strategic depth. Pakistani delegated were of the view that now if Pakistan will try to control FATA, it will create another disastrous situation for Pakistan.
Secretary General SAFMA Imtiaz Alam was of the view that lives of people who believe in difference of opinion and tolerant and harmonious society are in danger and Pakistan is under threat so country has to take stiff and strong action to deal with this situation before it is too late for all.
Syed Mushahd Hussian former federal minister for information demanded UN Peacekeeping forces for peace talks in Afghanistan. Mushahid who had a parliamentary security dialogue delegation to Afghanistan recently said there were positive development in regional context and these developments can having positive impact inside Pakistan including rapprochement of Iran and United States that will positively effect this region and Central Asia.
He stated that mind set of dealing Afghanistan as fifth provinces of Pakistan was a disastrous strategy and now Pakistan was negative results of this mind-set. “We must understand strategic depth was wrong linkage is important. New regionalism is better for the future. Main problem nowadays is relationship of Afghan President Hamid Karzai and United States that bitter relation is due to American arrogance. Karzai thinks there is an understanding among Pakistan, United States and Taliban. Home work has not done by USA, Pakistan and Afghanistan for post withdrawal strategy. If Cambodia that had worst civil war and massacre can survive why not Afghanistan through grand national reconciliation”, added Mushahid.
Ghulam Hassan Gran former secretary Wolesi Jirga demanded a state policy of both the country for bilateral relations in trade and economies, increase communication among civil society institutions, joint media groups, Pak-Afghan governments must buried bitter past and start anew. He said that every state needs a strategic depth but idea must not a physical strategic space and trespassing and this term must be redefined by Pakistan.
Dr Abdul Maalik Chief Minister Baluchistan was of the view that Pakistan is facing sectarianism and extremism that is the ultimate result of policy in the region and Pakistan had and collected extremists from all over the world including west and Arab world to Pakistan for Afghan Jihad and now Pakistan is facing the same music Pakistan tarted against the former Soviet Union.
“I am not in favour of total withdrawal if after withdrawal power comes to Taliban then it will a great disaster for all. It is duty of the international forces to withdraw slowly. We should re-visit Jihadi policy, foreign policy and strategic policy”, Maalik maintained.
Abdul Hameed Mubariz former secretary Wolesi Jirga talked about social integration of Pakistan and Afghanistan instead of just friends. He gave anthropological perspectives of Pak-Afghan relations and said that both were joint like one whole and cannot be separated.
Senator Shafqat Mahmood of PTI was of the view that all players of region should give peace a chance and Pakistan and Afghanistan should talk to them who are ready to quit fighting in Afghanistan and foreign intervention must be stopped to let peace to work.
Participants during open floor discussion were of the view that Pakistan or Afghanistan cannot allow to use their territory for destabilise each other both countries should involve all six neighbours of Afghanistan in planning future of Afghanistan.
Azhar Abbas former Director General ISPR tried to justify the policy of Strategic Depth doctrine of Pakistan but mentioned that this doctrine has lost its importance from the day Pakistan became a nuclear state.
Azarakhsh Hafezi president Afghan Chamber of Commerce and Industries. “Trade and business is 2000% between Pakistan and Afghanistan during the last 10 years and now trade is 5 billion US dollars. If we lose power of purchase Pakistan will loss a market. Afghanistan is changed drastically under Karzai rule and Afgahnsitan is a prosper country having 22 million cell phone users and a 150 billion US dollars are running in market but moving to Middle East. Politicians in Afghanistan and Pakistan do not understand changes in Afghanistan. Pakistan has production but not market and Afghanistan have market but not production so both countries should join hand and take the benefits from opportunities”, he added.
Brig (retd) Mahmood Shah said the concept of strategic depth is over but reminded that Afghanistan did not recognise Pakistan when Pakistan came into being so trust deficit was started from Afghan side. He stated that Taliban have their own brand of Islam and they are deranging Pakistan more than they are striking inside Afghanistan.
Abdul Lehf Nazari and Haji Adeel of ANP talked about cooperation and trade opportunities between Afghanistan and Pakistan and Haji Adeel demanded a visa free regime between the two countries.
Chairman Senate Nayyar Hussian Bukhari said that Pakistan always wanted friendly and good neighbourly relations with Afghanistan.
Speaking at dinner Nayyar Hussain appreciated efforts of SAFMA for initiating dialogue process between parliamentarians of Pakistan and Afghanistan for finding ways for durable peace in the region.
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