CONFERENCE: AFGHANISTAN’S NEW TRIBULATIONS: SEARCH FOR ENTRY POINTS

CONFERENCE REPORT                                                                                                                                          PDF

Prepared by Dr. Ahmed Farhan Saeed, Assistant Professor & Dr. Muhammad Ali Dinakhel, Research Associate/Lecture, Area Study Centre, University of Peshawar

 

One Day International Conference on “Afghanistan’s New Tribulations: Search for Entry Points” was organized by Area Study centre (Russia, China and Central Asia), University of Peshawar at Conference hall of Area Study centre on January 19, 2023, where the Guests were: 

• Haji Mohibullah, Consular General of Afghanistan,
• Dr. Azmat Hayat Khan, EX Vice Chancellor University of Peshawar
• Bette Dam, Investigative Journalist, Netherland
• Asif Durrani, Former Ambassador,
• Muhammad Shehzad Arbab, Former Chief Secretary, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,
• (Retd) Saad Muhammad, Political & Strategic Analyst,
• Juma Khan Sufi, Analyst,
• Mohammad Abbas Khan, Commissioner for Afghan Refugees, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,
• Shahid Hussain, Vice President, Sarhad Chambers of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
• Lieutenant General (Retd.) Asad Durrani, Former Ambassador

After the withdrawal of the U.S. and the NATO forces from Afghanistan and the Taliban takeover of power on August 15, 2021, contemporary Afghanistan is passing through the worst humanitarian crisis. The situation is alarming not only for Afghanistan but for all the regional states specially Pakistan which is a host country to millions Afghan refugees and experiencing another influx of new Afghan refugees including women, children, and students. Furthermore, the alarming economic situation particularly caused by the US sanctions impacted economic activity leading to extreme poverty and posing many political, security, social, and cultural challenges with serious implications for both Pakistan and Afghanistan. Considering the context, the main idea of the event was to evaluate the current scenario in the presence of Representative of Afghanistan, the Area Experts and the Students, both Afghan and Pakistani, to suggest the way forward and potential policy options. Moreover, the motive was to deliberate on the themes of security-based paradigm, cross border movement, National security, People to people interaction, Policy Incoherence towards Afghanistan and the emerging questions such as:

1. What are the main features of Pakistan’s policy towards Afghanistan after the recent changes in that country? How a mechanism can be developed for national security advisors of Pakistan and Afghanistan and from neighbors of Afghanistan to meet on a regular basis?
2. How can the government of Afghanistan help the government of Pakistan in reducing growing terrorist attacks that have intensified after the Taliban takeover in Afghanistan?
3. Is a shift from a security paradigm to trade and regional labour market paradigm possible? What preconditions needs to be in place for this paradigm shift?
4. How can the two countries rationalize visa regimes such that students, patients, and traders can cross over easily? How successful has been the border management initiatives taken in the past?
5. How to mitigate negative perceptions among the people of the two countries about each other? What can the governments do to address these negative tendencies?”
6. What is Way forward for Pakistan and Afghanistan mutual cooperation in current circumstances?
7. What are the key bottlenecks to expansion of trade and investment between Afghanistan and Pakistan (particularly Khyber Pakhtunkhwa)?
8. How can Pakistan make its foreign policy towards Afghanistan inclusive by taking local stakeholders from KP and Baluchistan onboard?
9. How can Pakistan’s strategy of repatriation as the ultimate solution be modified towards a policy of reform in refugee management in the country?

 

Welcome Address by Prof. Shabir Ahmad Khan, Director, Area Study Centre (Russia, China and Central Asia) University of Peshawar

Proceeding of the conference started with the welcome address by Prof. Dr. Shabir Ahmad Khan, Director, Area Study centre (Russia, China and Central Asia), University of Peshawar. He captioned the day’s gathering as “vital to understand the current situation of Afghanistan and the way forward to have better Pak-Afghan relations”. He emphasized on the importance of today’s topic regarding the tribulations in Afghanistan in the context of national interest of Pakistan and its importance for the region and the entire world as well. Dr. Shabir said that after the withdrawal, the political and economic fabric in Afghanistan is disturbed and there are three dimensions to it. These are 1) Afghanistan’s domestic including governance, economic and security 2) regional problems including ethnic and political ties with other states  and  3) global issues including sanctions and legitimacy. Furthermore, he added that diversion of world attention due to Russian-Ukraine war is another fundamental problem and at the same time the non-recognition and importantly discrediting the constructive efforts of Pakistan is hampering the relationship. The speaker suggested to:

• To develop a regional mechanism for a strategic regional alignment it is imperative particularly for the immediate neighbors of Afghanistan to develop a platform for regular consultations of national security advisors where China and Pakistan may play the role of front liners.
• Afghanistan must play the role of gateway to Central and South Asia rather than a shatter belt.
• Even despite non-recognition of the Afghan interim government the movement of trade convey and regional trade may be encouraged and enhanced.
• Better management of porous Pak-Afghan border is in the interest of both countries and at the same time the hateful statement must be discouraged from both sides of the borders.
• Least weaponization of the border crossings
• People of Afghanistan must take part and lead in the reconstruction of Afghanistan
• The complete research work is reproduced here as:

“The sufferings of Afghans brothers and sisters continue despite of foreign troop’s withdrawal. The social, political and economic fabric of Afghan society has been devastated by the external military interventions and domestic fragmentation. International sanctions and non recognition are adversely affecting all sectors of life. There are three dimensions to the Afghan imbroglio i.e. Afghanistan’s domestic, regional and global. Internally the economic and governance related issues, presence of various terrorist organizations and legitimacy linked problems exacerbating the challenges. The regional countries particularly the neighbors of Afghanistan have ethnic, linguistic and political ties with the country, they have to support and help Afghanistan to move in a right direction. Respect and interests are mutual concepts. Afghanistan and its neighbours have to respect and accommodate each other’s interests for shared prosperity and security. Nurturing proxies will lead towards common destruction. The major powers have conflicting interests in Afghanistan and in the region. The covert support of global power brokers to ‘militias’ and terrorist groups poses greater threat to Afghanistan and the region as well. Afghanistan and the region have to sink or swim together. Countries of the region have to address the security and economic issues from a regional perspective.

A regional mechanism need to be developed to help Afghanistan and the entire region. For a strategic regional alignment, it is imperative particularly for the immediate neighbors of Afghanistan to develop a platform for regular consultations of national security advisors. China and Pakistan may take the lead in this regard. The entire region Central and South Asia depends on smooth relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Historically the areas of current day Pakistan and Afghanistan served as the main artery of trade and logistics in all directions. I have developed a concept i.e. transition from shatter-belt to regionalism. Shatter belt is a region subject to external interventions and internal divisions. An important question does arise that whether it is external intervention or internal divisions that turn a region into a shatter belt? Answer to this question demands intensive research on shatter belt regions. I am optimistic that with the withdrawal of US/NATO forces and diverted Russian attention due to conflict with Ukraine; Central Asia is ready to move from a shatter-belt status to a gate way region, revive the historical links and open up in southern direction. This will materialize the Central and South economic corridor with a vast network of energy pipeline, railway, highways and electricity lines via a stable Afghanistan. This paradigm shift from security to connectivity is possible through a regional approach and a pledge from the neighbors of Afghanistan in particular and the international community in general to intervene positively and constructively in Afghanistan. Research suggests that high risk states are strongly influenced through trade as greater trade openness reduces the likelihood that high risk states will originate or participate in conflicts, resort to violence or increase levels of repression. In this regard movement of trade convoys need to be enhanced and accelerated through smooth border crossings between Pakistan and CARs via Afghanistan irrespective of international recognition. Security measures shall be placed on border crossings however weaponising border crossing serves no one’s interests. A paradigm shift towards trade and connectivity is very much possible if we could learn lessons from practices world over. China and USA are countering and challenging each other in various regions but their trade is almost $600 billion, China and India are fighting each other but their bilateral trade is around $80 billion.

Pakistan and Afghanistan are the closest allies and the two wars of resistance by Afghans turned into a success with the full support (overt or covert) from within Pakistan. The republican government established a museum in Herat to celebrate the Afghan Jihad but no credit has been given to Pakistan.. Against the recent US/NATO war in Afghanistan, the Afghans found every kind of support from within Pakistan due to religious, ethnic, linguistic and economic bonds.

The Afghan refugees have spent their time in Pakistan in a peaceful manner. According to the Commissionarate for Afghan Refugees, less than 1% of the Afghans are involved in criminal activities as per the FIRs registered in Pakistan. The Afghans for decades have been receiving their education and getting livelihood peacefully in Pakistan and therefore they will remain loyal to Pakistan. It is believed that when the pull factors in Afghanistan will develop, Afghans will definitely prefer to live in and serve their own country. No one will reconstruct Afghanistan; the Afghans themselves have to reconstruct their country.

Going back to the history of the Muslim subcontinent, the Muslim rulers of South Asia ruled up to Kabul for centuries. Pakistan territory remained under the Durrani Empire for merely half a century, while areas up to Kabul remained under South Asian Muslim rulers for more than two centuries. It is time to bury narratives of the past and move together towards a bright and secure future in the interests of the masses.

The borders all over the world are jointly managed by the respective countries for mutual security. Throughout the history border fences and walls have been built for security and sovereignty purposes. According to one source there were only 15 border walls at the end of the cold war while in 2020 number of such walls have increased to 77.  An unhindered porous border provides easy access to anti-state actors, militants, drug traffickers and criminal elements. A logical apprehension persisted domestically and internationally that porous Pak-Afghan border negatively affecting the peace on both sides. Therefore border management has been a key component of Pakistan’s counter terrorism strategy for which fencing of the Pak-Afghan border started. There is a need to have a joint mechanism between Pakistan and Afghanistan for border management for enhanced security.

It is imperative that the senior leaders on either side avoid hate filled statements which became a norm in the republican era (post 9/11). While the republican governments (Karzai and Ghani) failed due to incompetence, corruption and indiscriminate bombings of wedding and funeral ceremonies, they succeeded in nurturing hatred and blaming Pakistan for their failure.

In the end, I would suggest such kind of cooperation and connectivity between Pakistan and Afghanistan that resemble a kind of confederation between the two countries. It is important to deliberate upon various issues pertaining to Afghanistan, Pak-Afghan ties and the region at large. This is the purpose of today’s Conference. I hope and pray for fruitful deliberations on various aspects of the subject. The report will be published and shared with relevant quarters”

Dr. Shabir Ahmed Khan, concluded his welcome address and welcomed the next Speaker, Prof. Dr. Azmat Hayat Khan, Former Vice chancellor university of Peshawar to share is views on “What are the main features of Pakistan’s policy towards Afghanistan after the recent changes in that country? How a mechanism can be developed for national security advisors of Pakistan and Afghanistan and from neighbors of Afghanistan to meet on a regular basis?

Prof. Dr. Azmat Hayat Khan, Former Vice Chancellor University

He appreciated the Area Study Centre (Russia, China and Central Asia) for organizing such an important event and also complemented the Centre for its contributions in the form of information and research work on the region of Central Asia including Afghanistan. The speaker also thanked for invitation and both, speakers and students, for their presence. Dr. Azmat hayat highlighted that Pakistan has no Afghan Policy and was mostly reactionary during all these 45 years of war in Afghanistan Pakistan has suffered a lot.  He added that both the countries, Pakistan and Afghanistan, are facing the same situation of Chaos and uncertainty. It is equally true that other countries of the region do not have such interests in Afghanistan as Pakistan has, the security of Pakistan is linked to Afghanistan situation whereas at same time the Economic Viability of Afghanistan is heavily dependent on Pakistan. There exists an increased trend of hate against Pakistan in Afghanistan, where Pakistan have made mistakes of pampering Taliban earlier and then handing them over to US after 9/11 but at the same time there is division in Afghan Taliban groups on the basis of ethnicity and support for TTP against Pakistan.

Because of informal economy and border management the illegal trade has almost crossed the figure of 06 Billion USD, which is an issue of serious concern for both sides. The Pakistan and Afghanistan together offer a huge market more 250+ Million consumers and especially the people of KP and Baluchistan heavily depends Afghanistan for trade. He concluded that Pakistan also plays an important reole and serves as Economic life line for Afghanistan. So it is important for both states to cooperate and develop better relationship in terms of Security and Economy.

Dr. Shabir Ahmed Khan, introduced the very special international expert,  Bette Dam, Investigative Journalist form Netherland, she has authored two Books, one on Hamid Karazai and one on Mullah Umar. She was requested to share her experience and views on the main theme of the conference

International Speaker, Bette Dam, Investigative Journalist form Netherland

She appreciated the Area Study centre for giving her an opportunity to share her views and chance to interact with experts and students. Moreover she told the audience that she has worked on Afghanistan and its situation for more than 15 years and wrote two Books Hamid Karazai and Mullah Umar. The main points and suggestions of her speech are as:

• The situation in Afghanistan is more complex than portrayed by USA and allies, now it is the responsibility of international world to work more hard to understand the ground realities and situation in Afghanistan.
• There is a need to focus on the scenario of conflict from both sides and understanding the Taliban perspective towards the world is as important as the perspective of the rest of the world towards the Afghan Taliban.
• The deconstruction of the already developed concepts is equally important
• Talking about entry points, she endorsed that there is a possibility of better understanding each other and to work together

She concluded with the thanks to the host and audience.

Dr. Shabir Ahmed Khan introduced the next speaker, His Excellency, Haji Mohibullah, serving as Afghan Consular General to Pakistan and requested him to share his views on “How can the government of Afghanistan help the government of Pakistan in reducing growing terrorist attacks that have intensified after the Taliban takeover in Afghanistan?”

His Excellency, Mr. Haji Mohibullah, Consular General of Afghanistan

With Recitation of few verses from Holy Quran, Mr. Haji Mohibaillah started his speech (In Pashto Language) with the thanks of appreciation to the host institution and all the audience. He claimed that we, the Afghans, had 40 years of war and suffered for more than 4 decades. The war we never initiated but enforced upon us by other big powers despite that the Afghans never interfered in affairs of other countries and always respected the sovereignty of all regional countries and countries across the globe. It is also true that in response to the foreign invasion of both, Western and eastern,powers we never surrendered to any invader.

Afghan leadership and people believe in negotiations and peaceful solution to any conflict, the same offer of negotiations were made to Mr. Bush, the EX President of USA,  and invited him for dialogue but he refused with a threat that now there is no time to talk and you have two options either die or go to Guantanamo bay jail. But the history have seen, although after 18 years  finally they came to table for talks (same was suggested by the then Taliban leader Mullah Umar) with Taliban leadership and the world witnessed the “Doha Agreement”. The Doha agreement may be treated as a confession of the foreign powers that war is not the solution to any conflict but negotiation and dialogue is. The other key takeaways form the speech is:

• During negotiations at Doha, the Taliban has asked for two things: one is withdrawal from Afghanistan and no one will be allowed to invade the Afghan soil again. Second that there will be no foreign intervention regarding the working system and law of Afghanistan.
• He added and requested that leave them to deal with and run country as per our culture norms, religion and demand of our people.
• As per Doha agreement, we pledge that we will not allow anyone to use our soil for interference in the affairs of any country both at regional and global level.
• As In Persian language, he said, he believes that blood cannot be cleaned with blood but with water and water is the dialogue so we want to have good relations with our immediate neighbors including Pakistan and rest of the world.
• He suggested and requested that we, Pakistan and Afghanistan, must portray the good image of each other both domestically and internationally.
• On a question related to Girls education in Afghanistan under the Taliban rule he replied that in Islam the value of education is very evident and it is not something new that the era before Islam was the era of ignorance and Islam focused on the importance and value of education. Moreover he added that education is the duty of every man and women but most important is religious education, we are not against the women education but first we have to look for and make proper arrangements so the female and male education should be offered separately.
• In an answer to another question related legitimacy he replied that during the Mr. Ashraf Ghani era the government hardly had control over 1/3 of the land where we, the Taliban, have control over entire Afghanistan.
• He said that Afghanistan and Pakistan will jointly secure and manage Pak-Afghan border. On a question related to TTP and regional security, he replied that if someone will send problems to Afghan soil they will also face the heat and it is equally true that we will never support anyone who is against Pakistan or any other country. We released all the prisoners not only the members of TTP as at that time situation was different. We never intended to release only TTP prisoners.
• On a question related to regional Connectivity, trade, infrastructure development he replied that we appreciate and encourage the construction of Railway track and we assure that it will be not halted because of security condition. We have agreements with China and they will come here and work within Afghanistan.

He conclude with a thanks to audience and host institution.

Dr. Shabir Ahmed Khan introduced the next speaker, Mr.  Asif Durrani, and requested him to share his views on “Is a shift from a security paradigm to trade and regional labor market paradigm possible? What preconditions needs to be in place for this paradigm shift?

Mr. Asif Durrani, Former Ambassador

With a thanks of appreciation to the host institution and audience said that paradigms are needed to be shifted as per need of the day and Pakistan must act accordingly. The key notes of the speech are:

• Pakistan has four borders and problems of TTP and insurgency in Baluchistan and KP, where the 3rd neighbor is Iran though we don’t have any direct conflict with her but Iran is witnessing the Economic sanctions from international community. It implies that we can’t have very much trade with Iran where the trade volume is already low and below 500 Million USD and issues are emerging in gas pipeline project. So the only and good neighbor left is China but unfortunately till now we are unable to capitalize on the possible advantages.
• Considering the present Geo-Economic and Geo-Poliical challenges Pakistan is facing, it is important that we must cautiously consider the following while making paradigm shaft, 1) kind of geography we are living in and 2) political situation within the country. Furthermore, the economic activities at the country are almost negligible, in absence of corporate sector we are running a big informal Economy.
• He suggests that India must approach Pakistan for transit trade with Afghanistan and in reciprocity they must provide access to Pakistan for transit trade to the market of Nepal and Bhutan
• Furthermore he suggested that 1) labor market is secondary and we must focus on trade 2) let the institutions on both sides of the border work as per their mandate 3) parliament needs to be strengthened 4) we must focus on low hanging fruits and knowledge based economy 5) extension of CPEC to Afghanistan and focus more on cooperation 6) there must be bank account opening system for Afghans in Pakistan.
• We must be conscious that the instable Afghanistan means no connectivity between Central and South Asia, yes, but India will play an important role in South Asia. We remember that during Ashraf Ghani era the verdict was “No India-Afghan trade” means “No Pak-Central Asia trade”, although India never approached Pakistan for to trade with Afghanistan, which is reflection of none serious attitude of Indian towards India- Afghan trade.

With these remarks and suggestions, He concluded with thanks to audience.

Dr. Shabir Ahmad Khan introduced the next speaker, Mr.  Muhammad Shehzad Arbab and requested him to  share his views on “How can the two countries rationalize visa regimes such that students, patients, and traders can cross over easily? How successful has been the border management initiatives taken in the past?”

Muhammad Shehzad Arbab, Former Chief Secretary, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Muhammad Shehzad Arbab, Former Chief Secretary, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, started his speech with statement that border management is tough challenge and closing border is equally damaging to the both sides as it is the source of earning for the common people and source of foreign exchange reserves for the state. He discussed the measures being taken by Pakistani government and suggested the following way forward as:

Multiple Trade-related Concessions and other measures are

• Reduced/waived customs duties & taxes on multiple perishable Afghan items
• Operationalized the free movement of trucks into each other’s territory by issuing Temporary Admission Documents (TAD)
• Provision of cross stuffing facility for Afghan goods that had long been withheld.
• Air to Land Transit facility.
• Trans-loading of Afghan cargo at four designated points at Ghulam Khan.
• Movement of Afghan vehicles from Ghulam Khan upto Bannu and Peshawar through SOP.
• Enlargement of the list of items for export settlement in PKR (without the requirement of US Dollars) to 18 sectors.
• Import settlement allowed in PKR.
• Percentage of vehicles inspected at the border brought down to a fraction of the previous level for three major commodities.
• Rollout of WeBOC at all border stations; 100% paperless & speedy clearance.
• Increase in clearance time at Kharlachi & Ghulam Khan 
• Prioritized clearance of perishable goods through scanners.
• Customs yard at Torkham extended up to Michni to avoid congestion.
• Dedicated transit trade cargo lane at Torkham.
• Single inter-agency checking mechanism at Torkham and Chaman to reduce processing time.
• Operationalization of Angoor Adda.
• Opening of new bank branches and upgradation of the old ones at Kharlachi and Angoor

In the context of Visa Facilitation measures taken are:

• Pakistan has approved new rules in the visa regime for Afghan businessmen under which six months multiple entry visas extendable to one year will be issued.
• The work visa category now also includes truck drivers, transporters, and helpers who can obtain online visas with minimal requirements.
• Efforts were also made to ease business registration processes for Afghan business owners and traders.

Suggested the following Way Forward as:

• ITTMS; Integrate Transit Trade Management System
• Establishment of Pakistan Land Port Authority
• Opening of new border stations at Gursal, Nawapass, Arundu & Shaheedano Dund.
• Infrastructure development on Afghan side.
• Increase in nos of technical staff on Afghan side.
• Operationalization of Border Liaison Committees on all Border Stations.
• Isolating trade from Security paradigm

With these remarks and suggestions, He concluded with thanks to audience.

Dr. Shabir Ahmed Khan introduced the next speaker, Brig. (Retd.) Saad Muhammad and requested him to  share his views on How to mitigate negative perceptions among the people of the two countries about each other? What can the governments do to address these negative tendencies?

Brig. (Retd.) Saad Muhammad, Political and strategic analyst

Pak-Afghan relations remained stranded and complex throughout the history since independence of Pakistan in 1947 when Afghanistan refused to vote in favor of Pakistan in UN. During 1950s and 1960s a break down also occurred in the relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Two times Pakistan did not recognize government in Afghanistan. First time when PDPA formed its government and for the second time after the Taliban take over in 2021. Now both sides should leave the past baggage and move forward to good relation. Recently using Afghan soil by militant groups has complicated the relations. Perceptions are responsible for internal problems of both the countries. They also affect economy. Though Pakistan has not recognized Taliban government but engaged with it because they are defacto rulers. Pakistan should take into confidence the opponents of Taliban for back door diplomacy, those people should be used, whom the Afghans trust. Pakistan should not act as a spokesperson of the Taliban. Let the Afghans answer for their own deeds. Pakistan should be careful in the recognition of Taliban government because alone the recognition by Pakistan will lead to problems. Pakistan should assist UN, human rights organizations and other NGOs in extending their humanitarian support to the Afghan people. Pakistan should not blame Afghans for its internal security. Border trade and visa regime should be facilitated by Pakistan for mutual trust. Forced repatriation and shameful treatment with Afghans in Pakistan should be stopped. Pakistan should focus only on white diplomacy and avoid harsh statements by government officials. Maximum support needs to be extended to Afghans in terms of humanitarian assistance.

Dr. Shabir Ahmed Khan introduced the next speaker, Mr. Juma Khan Sufi, Analyst, and requested him to share his views on Way forward for Pakistan and Afghanistan mutual cooperation in current circumstances.

Mr. Juma Khan Sufi, Analyst.

Afghanistan should admit and recognize territorial integrity and national sovereignty of Pakistan. Afghans should respect the national and international laws and agreements. Taliban should publish all agreements in original for without addition, deletion and omission so that Afghans may know realities about these agreements for honouring territorial integrity and national sovereignty.

The complete research work is reproduced here as:

From the outset, I may reiterate that the precondition for good-neighborly relationship for any two neighboring countries in the world presupposes mutual recognition of each other territorial integrity and national sovereignty. Sadly, Pakistan relationship with Afghanistan is one-way traffic, as Afghanistan does not recognize territorial integrity of Pakistan from the day one. From the practical point of view, this is non-issue for Pakistan. However, this non-recognition has nurtured and created suspicions and hatred in the mind of Afghans, especially among Pashtoons as a whole of Afghanistan vis-a-vis Pakistan.  Both countries need to sign a non-interference agreement recognisingexisting geographical reality. However, present Taliban authority cannot immediately do it as it is already being labelled by Pakistan bashing Afghans to have been installed by ISI.  Nevertheless, Taliban can start discussion on this score within theirown country.  The first thing for this is to publish all the material and documents without additions, deletions or omissionبے کم وکاستlying in Foreign Ministry,Arg, archiveand other places at Kabul about British-Afghan agreements and correspondence about the contentious issues marring friendly atmosphere between our countries. These agreements are already available on the internet, in Islamabad, New Delhi and London. They can add to it the Pak-Afghan documents and correspondence also.

Pakistan and Afghanistan are two unique neighbors.  Neighborscannot be chosen whether one likes it or not. To my mind, the policy makers at Islamabad lack basic understanding of Afghanistan, its demography, historiography, history, literature and languages.  Though I cannot speak for Afghanistan. However, they also need to geteducated about many things and they have to get rid of many clichés nurtured for the last 75 years about Pakistan.

Pakistan carved out from sub-continent in 1947evolved alop-sided national narrative ignoring its other immediate neighborhood.  Therefore, they left open the space to Kabul in the field of history, language and literature that really belong to Pakistan to dabble with it.So, policy makers at the helm cannot appreciate the genesis of deep suspicion and hatred inculcated in the minds of Afghans for the last so many years.  This mindset exists in every Afghan mind, whether of left, right or middle orientation.  We need to dispel those suspicions and that needs expert hands of Pashtunised Pakistanis and not Pakistanised Pashtoons, if I may use this terminology correctly. Therefore, Pakistan should reclaim the space it has left open to Afghanistan.

We both, Pakistan and Afghanistan should recognize the present geographical reality.  We both should also realize that Afghanistan is not a country of only Pashtoons.  Afghanistan is country of minorities whereby Pashtoons are in majority, while majority of Pashtoonsas a whole are citizens of Pakistan.  Therefore, both of us should abide by this demographic reality.

Having said that, there are lot of things, which could easily be sorted out under present circumstances.Pakistan needs to have unhindered access to Central Asia and beyond. That can only be done effectively through railways link.  Sadly, we are far behind other neighboring countries of Afghanistan who have developed their railway links to the neighboring cities of Afghanistan.  However, Memorandum of Understanding was signed in 2010 on this score. Iranian railway has connected Herat on standard international gauge; Turkmenistan has extended it line from Aqina to Andkhoy in Faryab province and another link from Torghundi to Herat is under construction; Uzbekistan rail link has been extended to Mazar Sharif from Hairatan and if I am not mistaken Tajikistan railway will connect Sheberghan in Jauzjan. Except Iran, these links are on Russian gauge.  While our own railway line to Torkham, a legacy of British Empire, remains in shambles let alone connecting Jalalabad from Peshawar, as well as Kandahar from Chaman.

There is great misgiving about Kabul River water in Afghanistan, the major portion of which is coming from Chitral.  Therefore, a Joint Kabul River Development Authority should be established to apportion the share of each countryaccording to international law and help develop dam(s) on it in future.

Pakistan should open its educational institutions for Afghan girls at this critical juncture of utmost emergency. This single gesture would earn her tremendous goodwill. Pakistan should discreetly convey to Taliban Authority about the misgivings of international community about human and women rights and draw red line over the TTP involvement in terrorist activities which is a sister organization of TTA.

 

Dr. Shabir Ahmed Khan introduced the next speaker, Mr. Shahid Hussain, and requested him to share his views on What are the key bottlenecks to expansion of trade and investment between Afghanistan and Pakistan (particularly Khyber Pakhtunkhwa)?

Mr. Shahid Hussain, Vice President, Sarhad Chambers of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

History of trade between Pakistan and Afghanistan is seventy years old. Trade is beneficial for both of the countries. Afghanistan and Central Asian market is attractive for Pakistani traders. There are seven entry points on Pak Afghan border. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, thee point namely are Torkham, Kharlachi and Ghulam Khan are functional for trade. After Taliban take over in 2021, some issues raised like bank transaction and international currency which affected trade. Pakistan allowed twenty items in local currency. Due to lack of dollar in both the countries trade in local currency is beneficial for them. During flood, FBR issued special SROs for tomato and onion to be imported from Afghanistan which helped greatly in overcoming the shortage of these items. Pakistan started importing 30% of its coal needs from Afghanistan but Afghanistan raised the cost from 90 dollars to 200 dollars while in the international market the price was 170 dollars. Traders face banking and financial issues.  Problems in shipping and transportation and with officials of border customs. Strict visa regime for afghan businessmen also affect trade between two countries. Treatment of security agencies of business community is against human rights which need to be stopped because this treatment badly affect arrival of Afghan investors to Pakistan. According to a report, after Taliban take over in 2021, More than 1500 Afghan investors went to Turkey in one year and invested 4.6 billion dollars in Istanbul. Visa category for businessmen does not cover thousands of shopkeepers having small businesses in Peshawar and other parts of the country which also affect business and trade between two countries. Afghans traders and businessmen will be more happy here than UAE and Turkey if facilitated and respected. There should be no more delay in railway track with Afghanistan.

Dr. Shabir Ahmed Khan introduced the next speaker, Mr Lieutenant General (Retd.) AsadDurrani, Former Ambassador and requested him Concluding Remarks/Key Takeaways

Lieutenant General (Retd.) Asad Durrani, Former Ambassador

Afghanistan is important country. Afghanistan is a complex country in terms of topography, geography and ethnic divisions. To unite all Afghans, Ahmad Shah Baba gathered them under one umbrella of Afghan identity in 1747 and established a modern state of Afghanistan. During two wars with India, Pakistan received a message of support from its western border. Both of the countries depend on each other and the truth is that Pakistan benefitted the most. Trust building is necessary for which mutual work and cooperation is needed.

 

The conference ended with the Vote of Thanks by Prof. Dr. Shabir Ahmad Khan, Director, Area Study centre (Russia, China and Central Asia), University of Peshawar and followed by Lunch and informal discussions