Contents

Whither the Af-Pak 'endgame'?

Imtiaz Alam

Inaugural session

ISAF withdrawal from Afghanistan Bilateral

partnership for peace

Welcome address

Imtiaz Alam

Keynote address

Open house

Session II

Countering common threats

Open house

Session III

Areas of convergence

Open house

Session IV

A joint strategy to control militancy and

promote reconciliation post-2014

Open house

Session V

Post 2014 Overall cooperation between

the two neighbors

Open house

Session VI

The way forward

Open house

Plenary session

Pak-Afghan Islamabad Declaration II

welve years on after 9/11, the “war

on terror” continues with no end in Tsight and without having decisively

d e c i m a t e d t h e m a i n b o d y o f

resistance—not to mention the US bottom-

line of prohibiting Al-Qaeda and its

affiliates' capacity, however relatively

depleted, to undertake international

terrorism. All eyes are now focused on the

drawdown of the US-led International

Assistance Security Forces (ISAF) from 48

countries and on the subsequent transition,

raising the question, 'Who will and how will

they fill the void that is due to be created

after the drawdown of foreign forces?' As

these actors run out of time, perhaps with

the exception of the Afghan Taliban, they

are desperately trying to find a way out of the quagmire—one that will satisfy their procedures for the US to maintain its forces after the so-called “drawdown”, not respective relatively palpable objectives in not a very hopeful situation. Given the for “combat operations”, unless otherwise agreed, but for “supporting activities” distinct stakes of each actor and depending on their relative weight, everybody has to “supplement and support” the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces an axe to grind without much care for the variable adverse outcomes that will (ANDSF) in taking a “lead” in responding effectively to internal and external affect them all proportionately. Where will the 'Af-Pak endgame' lead: if it is not threats to Afghanistan's security and to “defeat Al-Qaeda and its affiliates”. yet another beginning of an end and if at all there is an end, if not a way out?

With respect to the critical security and sustainability issues that will increasingly SDCA and the endgame arise with the drawdown of ISAF, the mutually agreed proposed SDCA pledges: The 'endgame' in Afghanistan is now shaping up with a clear US and NATO “So long as the Strategic Partnership Agreement so provides, and guided by the drawdown plan for the end of 2014. The mutually agreed and proposed “Security pledges set forth at the Chicago Summit in 2012, the United States shall have an and Defense Cooperation Agreement (SDCA) between the United States of obligation to seek funds on a yearly basis to support the training, equipping, America and the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan” on 19 November, envisages advising, and sustaining of ANDSF, so that Afghanistan can independently secure stationing 8,000 to 12,000 troops on nine airbases and other military locations and defend itself against internal and external threats, and help ensure that beyond 2024, while keeping NATO's financial support and military backing to the terrorists never again encroach on Afghan soil and threaten Afghanistan, the tune of USD 8 billion annually for a “Major Non-NATO Ally”, as agreed at NATO's region, and the world” (the US bottom-line). The agreement, if implemented, Chicago Summit in 2012. The SDCA sets the legal basis and standard operating provides solid international guarantees, both military and financial, to stabilize,

sustain, and strengthen the Afghan economy, security, and state, dispelling most, that could succumb to the forces of religiously motivated international terrorism

if not all, post-drawdown doomsday scenarios. and destabilize the whole region—Central Asia and Pakistan in particular. Despite

the Iranian rejection, Tehran has been cooperating with the ISAF mission and

While alleviating the strategic concerns of Afghanistan's neighbors in relation to would like to be onboard with regard to this highly strategic transition across its

the longer presence of US military bases, the SDCA notes that “the US does not borders. The other countries of the region, too, might grumble but are likely to

seek permanent military facilities in Afghanistan, or a presence that is a threat to coalesce around the SDCA. Anti-American public sentiment apart, which is quite

Afghanistan's neighbors, and has pledged not to use Afghan territory or facilities widespread, there is no substitute for nation building in Afghanistan and this is

as a launching point for attacks against other countries.” It does, however, commit what the international community is partially, if not fully, aiming for, albeit after

the US “to develop[ing] and implement[ing] an appropriate response, including, much foot-dragging. A loss of interest in Afghanistan would be disastrous.

as may be mutually determined, consideration of available political, diplomatic,

military and economic measures, in accordance with their respective The US and its allies have come under great criticism over the excesses committed

constitutional procedures.” No doubt the presence of US airbases and military by their troops in Afghanistan. The Afghan opposition, and the Taliban in

outposts in this very strategically located country raises serious security concerns particular, has usefully exploited the atrocities and collateral human losses that

for its neighbors Iran, Pakistan, China and Russia in particular. Iran has rejected continue to fuel mass reaction against US-led “occupation.” Responding to the

the SDCA and, in the words of President Hassan Rouhani, has said that “all foreign popular outcry, President Karzai has consistently condemned all acts of brutality

troops should be withdrawn from the region. Security of Afghanistan should be in order to prevent his opposition benefiting from such ghastly acts. Respecting

entrusted to the Afghan people.” Afghanistan's legitimate concerns, the SDCA commits the US to “respect[ing]

Afghan sovereignty and full regard for the safety and security of the Afghan

Others, too, view it with deep suspicion but do not have an alternative to offer to people, including in their homes.” Although President Karzai has had the draft

fill the void that will be created after the ISAF withdraws from a volatile country SDCA approved by the Loya Jirga—with the end of the year as the deadline for

Whither the Af-Pak 'endgame'? Imtiaz Alam

Imtiaz Alam

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ratification—instead of obtaining the approval of the parliament, which would Constrained by time and mindful of not letting uncertainty overtake the

have been binding on him, he has come up with his own conditions for signing it transition, the Americans have insisted that the SDCA must be signed before the

and not before the next elections in April 2014, when a new president and year ends. The fact of the matter is that both the US and its allies and all those

parliament will be elected. associated with the current disposition in Afghanistan, built under the tutelage of

the UN, cannot afford to derail a very crucial transition. Nonetheless, they will

Determined to remain in the driving seat during the transition and elections, the continue to squabble for an advantage and better positioning.

outgoing Afghan president wants the US not to interfere with the electoral

process, which he ostensibly wants to influence while appealing to popular Critical prerequisites

nationalist sentiments by making demands for the release of Afghan detainees at From a short- to medium-term standpoint, the most critical prerequisites of the

Guantanamo Bay (a demand also made by the Taliban as a condition for starting transition are as follows. First, how (and how far) will the transition and

negotiations) and seeking Washington's help in reviving the negotiation process drawdown plank corroborate with the reconciliation process? Second, could it

with the Taliban. His gimmick may have helped him in dispelling the impression take place before or after the Afghan general elections? Third, how far have the

in the eyes of his detractors of being an “American puppet” and evoked Afghan security forces become capable of taking responsibility for the internal

exceptional approval from the Taliban, but it may not play out the way he wants. security of the country and for keeping the Taliban from taking over big towns and

His brinkmanship may turn out to be a devastating gamble and President Obama settlements? Fourth, how far will the very troubled Af-Pak Pakhtun region be

may be constrained to opt for a zero-option as he did in Iraq, leaving the latter in a managed and can Afghanistan and Pakistan effectively and honestly cooperate in

bloodier mess than before. strategic terms to quell the menace of terrorism across their long and porous

border instead of using their respective proxies for narrow tactical gains; this is

Nor can Mr Karzai (or others in power or aspiring to come into power) afford to key to the survival of both states and the security of their people. Fifth, given the

derail the process on which hinges their own and their nation's survival. drawdown, will the regional states cooperate and join hands to contribute to

filling the void or instead fuel proxy wars to settle

their scores? Last, but most important, what

possible scenarios might unfold and what is the

way forward in stabilizing Afghanistan?

Drawdown by 2014

First, the decision for the US drawdown by 2014

was taken after President Obama—under much

public pressure and seeing the ground

realities—decided to start military disengagement

in Afghanistan on the lines of Iraq, without,

however, letting the Taliban resistance undo

whatever had been done to stabilize the country

and ensuring that the “terrorists never again

encroach on Afghan soil and threaten

Afghanistan, the region, and the world.” The

NATO Chicago Summit in May 2012 set the

framework for this with a sustainability plan

backed by resources and a new NATO mission to

follow after the withdrawal of most NATO forces in 2014. Even the drawdown that could turn Afghanistan yet again into the epicenter of terrorism. The US

plank is critically dependent on the assumption that the Afghan security might concede anything but not a sanctuary for terrorists that can hit western

apparatus will be able to cope with the enormous challenges of ensuring security targets—be it in Afghanistan, Pakistan, or elsewhere. The Taliban have, perhaps,

and effective governance in a relatively broad-based political process that is to be overestimated their strength and are inclined to drag out the negotiations, if at all

re-enacted in the April 2014 elections. Given the various conflicting components they will restart negotiations before the elections. The advantage of the Taliban

of the drawdown, which is critically dependent on the level, capacity, and abstention will go to the Pakhtun factions aligned with or arrayed against Karzai.

resilience of political, administrative, and security structures, the timeframe

seems ambitious and may have to be readjusted according to various scenarios Elections and reconciliation

that have yet to shape up. Second, after the fiasco of Qatar, the reconciliation process has not been revived.

The so-called allies, including the US, Europeans, Karzai government, Pakistani

Although the plank for the drawdown is quite clear as far as the US and its allies establishment and the Saudis, are desperately and incongruently trying to woo the

are concerned, it has to be strategically corroborated with the equally important Taliban who seem to be gaining time to expand their space while using the

plank of reconciliation and transition. Followed by the surge in troops and cleavages in the opposite camp to their advantage. Pakistan's role in bringing the

escalation of offensives against the Taliban's strongholds and some partial Taliban to the negotiation table has been seen by almost everybody as very crucial

successes, the reconciliation process should have been initiated much earlier and, by some, as “very dodgy”. Despite changes in the government, the Taliban

under a clear transition strategy rather than an exit. With the announcement of policy has remained effectively under the control of the powerful military

the drawdown, the Taliban were encouraged to mark their time instead of being establishment, regardless of a change in the guard. On Afghanistan's insistence,

coerced into negotiations. A process of reconciliation was set into motion much the process of releasing Taliban leaders from captivity in Pakistan was started by

earlier—the Bonn process (2001) that brought Mr Karzai into power on 22 President Asif Ali Zardari and has found new impetus after Prime Minister Nawaz

December 2001. Later, as it became clear that a

purely military solution against the ragtag

army of the Taliban would not work, it was

decided to engage the “good”—and

subsequently “bad”—Taliban in negotiations.

After various attempts by various powers, this

culminated in the opening of the Taliban's

office in Qatar, which then had to be closed

down.

The negotiation process has not so far shaped

up well as the interlocutors continue to

squabble over their antagonistic conditions.

The Taliban are still not that fatigued that they

should compromise on their two principal

goals of having foreign forces evacuated and

establishing an “Islamist Emirate”, which they

insist on reviving, albeit with some minor

adjustments. The US, on the other hand, is not

ready to allow an unbridled Taliban regime

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Sharif has emerged as a powerful leader who is very keen on peace and again, as was done last time?

cooperation with both Afghanistan and India. The visits of President Karzai to

Islamabad and Prime Minister Sharif to Kabul seem to have broken the ice, Capacity of the Afghan Security Forces

resulting in a meeting of the Afghan High Peace Council delegation with Mullah The third, and very tedious, question is whether the Afghan security forces will be

Baradar, the number-two in the Taliban hierarchy. capable enough to take on the responsibilities of internal security and keep the

Taliban from taking over big towns and settlements. Even if the transition moves

With less than a month left to the elections, there is no chance for the Taliban to ahead as envisaged by the international community, it remains vulnerable to

take part in elections at the national level. The Taliban emir, Mullah Omar, has many known and unknown factors—and above all to the capacity of Afghan

rejected the forthcoming elections as a farce and called for a boycott. security forces. The strength of the Afghan National Army (ANA) is 230,000 and

Consequently, the prospects for substantial participation of people in the the Afghan National Police has 120,000 personnel. The combined strength of the

Pakhtun-dominated areas under the influence of the Taliban in southern and army and police is to be raised and kept at around 350,000 till 2017, as assured by

eastern Afghanistan are quite slim. But this does not mean that the Taliban will the participants of the NATO Summit in Chicago in May 2012. According to a

not influence the elections: they will prompt their proxies to isolate their local report released by the US Department of Defense, one out of 23 brigades is ready

adversaries to strengthen their control in these provinces. The US and its allies to undertake independent operations. With a 14 percent literacy rate among

and various factions in Afghan politics will, however, be very keen to bring some security personnel, a 27 percent rate of desertion recorded in 2012, ethnic

“good Taliban”, indirectly or directly, into the election process. The time is too cleavages, overwhelming tribal fissures, lack of discipline and inadequate training

short for any kind of reconciliation before the elections. Hence, the next elections and professional skills, the Afghan armed forces require a longer period of

will essentially keep the real Taliban out of the political process and reconciliation coaching and grooming by the new NATO mission after 2014.

will not take place until after the elections. What will happen if elections are rigged

Thanks to the presence of US forces and the new training and security mission of tactical gains—which they have been unscrupulously deploying at their own

NATO beyond 2014, the uncertainty looming over the future of Afghanistan is cast—they need to address the principal threat to their respective security and

giving way to some hope that, even if the Taliban further expand and consolidate integrity. The Taliban have been using the contradictions between Afghanistan

their presence in some parts of southern and eastern Afghanistan, they may not be and Pakistan for greater maneuverability and mobility and to expand their space.

able to have a military victory worth the name in years to come. Alienated from the They have built for themselves and helped to create cross-border sanctuaries for

northern regions and from non-Pakhtun ethnic groups, who have tremendously their ideological proxies, such as various sections of the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan

increased their strength and capacities, and faced with powerful warlords and (TTP).

former Mujahideen groups, the Taliban, most probably, cannot revive their

emirate. They do, however, have the capacity and resilience to keep the Af-Pak Obsessed with erroneous notions of finding some kind of ambiguously defined

Pakhtun regions across the erased Durand Line boiling. They can, at best, take “strategic depth” as opposed to India, the Pakistani security establishment has

over the ungoverned Pakhtun regions of Afghanistan and Pakistan and, at worst, become embroiled in a serious crisis of managing the “strategic assets” it once

continue to fuel insurgency on both sides of the lawless border. thought would serve its regional security agendas. No doubt, at great risk and at an

exorbitant price, Pakistan has kept a soft window or a kind of alignment with some

Can Afghanistan and Pakistan fill the void? sections of the Afghan Taliban, such as the Haqqani network and a section of the

Fourth, the exit of the bulk of US-ISAF forces will create a security void and bring so-called Quetta shu'ra. Ironically, to its utter disappointment, it has found all

the security structures of Afghanistan and Pakistan under greater pressure. As the these assets slipping out of its hands. Most of these proxies that were created and

insurgency expands across Af-Pak Pakhtun, the critical question is: can nourished during the large CIA-led operation against the Soviets were co-opted

Afghanistan and Pakistan evolve a common strategy to fight the terrorists across and launched across both eastern and western borders only to find out in the end

their unmanaged border? Instead of using their respective proxies for narrow that most of them, if not all, have turned their guns against their erstwhile

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masters, including the US and Pakistani security establishment. military operation in Swat that was later extended to other tribal agencies in the

Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). After having lost around 50,000

On the other hand, successive Afghan governments have been toying with the idea innocent people and over 5,000 soldiers, the Pakistani security establishment is

of Pakhtunistan and have been fomenting trouble across the Durand Line that gradually realizing that the principal security threat is now increasingly the

they refuse to acknowledge. Faced with the prospect of balkanization, the Afghan internal terrorist threat, as repeatedly emphasized by former Chief of Army Staff

leadership must revise its position on the Durand Line. Similarly, Pakistan must General Kayani. Yet it is calibrating its options for the final kill now or later when

shed its obsession with a Pakhtun-centric approach towards Afghanistan, which the Taliban set their eyes on Kabul. Postponing the operation in North Waziristan

could ultimately prove lethal for its own integrity. The sanctuaries and support and elsewhere will be folly, given the expected upsurge of the Taliban amid the US

being provided by Kabul to sections of the TTP and Baloch insurgents must come drawdown by the end of 2014, which will boost the morale of their Pakistani

to an end if Kabul expects any meaningful cooperation from Islamabad. Allowing counterparts. Similarly, the continuing proxy wars between Afghanistan and

India greater security space will also annoy Pakistan, which should not, however, Pakistan have served the purpose of the terrorists and the sooner the better that

resent the growing economic relations between New Delhi and Kabul in the they realize their futility.

context of SAARC and greater economic cooperation across broader regions as

rightly emphasized by Prime Minister Sharif. After protracted conflicting posturing and continuing cross-border proxy-

terrorism sponsored by the two sides, both Kabul and Islamabad have been trying

The confusion that continues to persist across Pakistan regarding the principal for some time to find some common tactical grounds to pursue the reconciliation

existential threat to its survival is reflected in the misguided national narrative process. “Substantial progress was made in the Pak-Afghan ties on the political

that creates a soft corner for the Taliban and terrorists and diverts the attention and military fronts during the Trilateral Summit in February 2013, in London”,

towards its currently auxiliary contradictions with either the US or India or both according to the former Director General of Inter Services Public Relation (ISPR)

in the garb of an extremist religious and quasi-nationalist ideology. However, the Major General Athar Abbas. The talks in London focused on Af-Pak security

change has started in bits and pieces after the Pakistani Taliban attached to Al- cooperation, border management and the Afghan peace process. The Afghan

Qaeda started threatening the state and its security institutions, and the turning National Army and Pakistan Army did agree to operationalize Tripartite Border

point came when the armed forces were left with no option but to undertake a Standing Procedures, including cross-border security cooperation and

intelligence sharing, while agreeing to consider measures “against cross-border

attacks from both sides against one another” according to an official statement of

the Pakistan Army.

The two neighbours also agreed to sign a “Strategic Partnership Agreement” when

President Asif Zardari and President Karzai met in New York. The intentions of

security cooperation were furthered during the Afghan Defense Minister's visit to

Islamabad. Following the change of government in Islamabad, the normalization

of relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan has recently been intensified with

Prime Minister Sharif's strong eagerness for peace in the region. Stability in the

Af-Pak region will come through a joint strategy evolved at bilateral and trilateral

levels, including the US-led ISAF. Working at cross-purposes will only help fuel

destabilization, which is not in anybody's interest. Pakistan and Afghanistan must

sign the Strategic Partnership Agreement and activate and reinforce the

mechanisms to share intelligence, fight terrorism and effectively manage their

borders. On the other hand, instead of quarrelling with the US or coercing India,

Pakistan must focus all its energies on fighting the terrorist menace and stick to its Afghan National Army backed by the US-NATO combined forces, with the Taliban

official position that an Afghan-led, Afghan-owned inclusive reconciliation running their hit-and-run guerrilla campaign in the countryside with occasional

process must succeed and that a stable, united and peaceful Pakistan is in its attacks on the cities. The ground realities are not such that an ideal scenario will

strategic interest since the destabilization and division of Afghanistan will have a emerge or be sustained. The most probable is a mixed scenario that may have

very dangerous ethnic spillover with new refugees in their millions that could many conflicting variants: an anti-Taliban coalition may continue to survive and

dismember Pakistan on the northwestern side. keep cities under firm control and confine the Taliban to their rural strongholds

and engage them in various kinds of reconciliation processes and

Role of regional states accommodation. With Pakistan's firm support, they may squeeze the space for the

Fifth, as the drawdown of US-ISAF is going to create a security vacuum, the Taliban while at the same time finding some power-sharing arrangements with

regional states, including Pakistan, Iran, Central Asia, China, Russia and India, various factions of resistance. In all likelihood, it will take longer to stabilize

could play a greater role in keeping Afghanistan stable. The great quagmire of Afghanistan and this depends upon long-term national building processes,

multiple crises in Afghanistan could neither be resolved by Soviet intervention besides a protracted ideological, social and military struggle against extremist

nor by the US and its western allies. The efforts by some regional states to find ideologies and terrorist outfits.

some foothold in Afghanistan in order to build countervailing pressure on their

respective adversaries will only fuel proxy wars and accentuate destabilization The way forward

with much wider regional implications than currently assumed. India, Pakistan So far, it seems the emphasis is on a drawdown and exit strategy rather than a clear

and Iran must avoid using Afghan soil for any kind of military outreach or proxy “transition strategy”. Much before the announcement of the elections, the US and

wars. Afghanistan has entered friendship and security treaties with Iran and India Afghan governments and other stakeholders should have pursued an interim

and may sign the Security Partnership Agreement with Pakistan very soon. Such ceasefire and some kind of transitional power-sharing mechanism that would

agreements must not be against any third country. There are regional bodies, such have expanded the space for peace and reconciliation. This has not happened. The

as SAARC, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and Economic talks about talks have continued without producing any kind of roadmap for

Cooperation Organization that can engage all regional countries in order to work reconciliation. Efforts must focused on engaging the UN to ensure the freest

together for stability and peace in Afghanistan. possible elections, which will maintain the confidence of at least the current

participants; otherwise, any kind of rigging will ignite factional and ethnic

Possible scenarios conflicts.

Sixth, there are three possible scenarios, and some mixed variants, that are likely

to emerge in the aftermath of the withdrawal of almost 100,000 US-NATO troops: The “core group” created by US, Afghanistan and Pakistan must have had a

In a worst-case scenario, the Afghan government will fall due to its own internal coherent transition plan and reconciliation strategy to engage with the Taliban

contradictions with the breakdown of security apparatuses and a wave of Taliban and the regional states to ensure peace and stability in Afghanistan. What must be

holding sway across the south and east of Afghanistan, leading to ethnic strife and emphasized is that the Af-Pak Pakhtun region has to be made governable and free

US-NATO again coming to thwart the Taliban advance towards Kabul. This is, of terrorist sanctuaries and with effective border management and all out

relatively, the least possible scenario as the US and allies will not let the situation cooperation between Afghanistan and Pakistan with the support of the

go back to square one, but ethnic division cannot be ruled out, which would spill international community. An Afghan-led, Afghan-owned and inclusive

over the ethnically contiguous regions across borders. The greatest guarantee reconciliation process needs to be pushed forward with the cooperation of all

against the fall of Kabul or other big cities is the NATO's Chicago Summit mandate regional states and the international community in a long drawn out transition,

and presence of US-NATO forces. instead of running away from the region.

In a best-case scenario, the third Afghan elections will help consolidate the anti-

Taliban political forces, which may in turn preserve the unity and morale of the

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Inaugural sessionISAF withdrawal from Afghanistan

Bilateral partnership for peace

his bilateral conference is being hosted border.

12 years after the US entered Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's heart and mind TAfghanistan—an event that has is for peace, and his visits to Afghanistan have brought about disastrous consequences both been able to create a very good atmosphere. At for Afghanistan and Pakistan and affected the the international level, India has also region's countries. In the present scenario, on expressed its desire to cooperate with 19 November 2014, Afghanistan and the US Afghanistan; a case in point is that, during the reached a security agreement for 2024 and visit of President Karzai to India, the latter was beyond, which was approved by the Loya Jirga exporting military hardware to Afghanistan. In but has not yet been signed by President this regard, the elections in Afghanistan must Hamid Karzai. Nevertheless, Afghanistan be fair and free. This is crucial and must expects to receive $8 billion for its security as accompany the reconstruction process, since recommended at the Chicago Summit. What at present we see no possibility of negotiations will happen to Afghanistan once the US troops with the Afghan Taliban in Qatar.leave? I find an uneasiness settling over

Afghanistan (and Pakistan) about the SAFMA stands for peace and cooperation in expected departure of the forces. Hence, a the region. It has taken the initiative in hosting security umbrella will be required to save this conference because we believe that the Afghanistan from becoming a victim of events media has to play a role in making the after the drawdown. Can the Afghan security transition happen in concert with the forces manage the country's security? reconstruction process.

The question is how far the countries of the We believe that the two countries are at war region will cooperate instead of fighting proxy against terror but we must be sure whether we wars. The message that should emerge [from are fighting terrorists, the US, or the whole this conference] is that the region's countries international community. If we do not decide must cooperate and not interfere. Since correctly, the geography of Afghanistan and Afghanistan and Pakistan will come under Pakistan could change. In the FATA area of increasing pressure after the drawdown in Pakistan, we have a den of notorious terrorists 2014, these two countries must cooperate and if we are not mindful, our political leaders more with each other. Afghanistan cannot may be threatened. Therefore, the people of close its eyes to what happens on the other side Afghanistan and Pakistan should unite in of its border, and both sides must curb fighting terrorism.nefarious activities on either side of the Af-Pak

Welcome addressImtiaz Alam

Panel: Mr Ahmed Rashid, Mr Abdul Hameed Mubariz, Mr Asad Umar, Mr Gul Pacha Majidi,

Mr Qamar Zaman Kaira, Mr Abdul Ghafoor Liwal

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affinities between the Afghan and Pakistani people. In 2003, Pakistan re-Ahmed Rashidlaunched the Taliban movement in Afghanistan: this dual policy undermined the (leading Af-Pak analyst and author)country and has also proved very destructive for Pakistan. The present At present, Afghanistan faces four key government [in Pakistan] is trying to bring the military and civil establishment problems: The first is the military onto one page. Hence, Pakistan needs to develop a national security strategy. We transition, which is the easiest because it need greater performance effort to bring the two establishments onto one page. has a 35,000-strong army. However, the Whatever we try, we cannot resolve the confusion in Afghanistan. second most pressing issue is to ensure

that President Karzai holds a relatively Some steps need to be taken by Pakistan. We need to speed up dialogue with the free and fair presidential election, which is Afghan High Peace Council and allow them to come here and hold talks freely with scheduled for 5 April 2014. Anything less the Afghans here. Peaceful elections in Afghanistan are vital. Former President than this, or a repeat of the rigged elections Musharraf sealed the border during the previous Afghan elections, which needs to of 2009, could lead to a multi-dimensional be done this time as well. We must accept that we cannot control Afghanistan and civil war. Therefore, the political hence we must help establish a ceasefire between the Afghan and Taliban forces.transition is most critical. In order for the transition to be fully accepted by the

Afghans, the election must be fair and free, and also free of political favouritism Pakistan also needs to undertake internal dialogue as regards Afghanistan since a fraudulent election could worsen ethnic conflict. Afghanistan is also because we see very little dialogue taking place in the country. This is also needed worried about interference by regional and neighboring states. There will be sides to reduce mutual conflict between India and Pakistan, which could lead to a lot of and Pakistan will be on one side. There has to be a mechanism through which the cooperation within Afghanistan since the whole issue of avoiding confrontation Afghans can appeal to the UN against interference, which is vital for the security of involves both India and Pakistan. the region.

We need the Americans to leave. How does it help if we are blocking NATO? 50 The third transition is economic. Western aid has not created a self-sustaining countries are aligned with NATO. We are thus antagonizing all of them. Pakistan economy. At present, an endless number of Afghans work with foreign troops and needs a security strategy with zero tolerance for extremism. If we set a red line today Afghanistan is not self-sufficient in anything. There is massive corruption against attacking and killing people, the state must pursue the extremists.and a drug trade, and the drug money generated is driving out [legal] trade. The

next government will have the task of rebuilding the Afghan economy and driving Let me repeat: there is a peace lobby among the Afghan Taliban. On the other out the negative tendencies that have crippled its economy. The fourth transition hand, the Pakistani Taliban want to discard the system that is in place. This is concerns reconciliation with the Taliban. There is a peace lobby among the Afghan unacceptable and, therefore, we need to fully understand the nature of the TTP. Taliban but not among the Pakistani Taliban. Moreover, the Taliban do not have We need to end this war as quickly as possible.the capacity to govern Afghanistan.

These transitions involve Pakistan and it is in its own interest to see stability in

Afghanistan because Pakistan has to understand it has no role to play in intra-

ethnic conflicts in that country. Mistrust has developed because of the many

Keynote addressand the US (published on 21 November) will increase interference. As for Abdul Hameed Mubariz Pakistan, we follow the same religion. No country is as close to us as Pakistan. And (former Minister for Information, Afghanistan is not happy with the present situation that has developed between Afghanistan)our two countries.Our vision is that our children should remain

safe without being killed or executed—hence India and Pakistan have fought three wars. Now, Nawaz Sharif has said there is no the anxiety about the transition of way ahead except that of peace, which shows that he has started the process of government. The military transition has change. His mission to Afghanistan will bring about a good understanding taken place peacefully. Our people are not between our two countries. We see that Pakistan and Afghanistan both face the people of yesterday. They have woken up. problems and should, therefore, move together. In this regard, we should think of Now there are 57 TV channels in the Common Market, which has been able to resolve numerous problems and Afghanistan. The agreements and allows people to move from one country to another within Europe. Likewise, understandings of 2005 were made by a Afghanistan and Pakistan should resolve their problems. different people and we think very little of

the past era. Our people are tired of fighting. We could start with economic cooperation. Since Pakistan has a new government, We want to lay down one condition: there Nawaz Sharif could begin by playing an important role in the peace process in my should be no interference in Afghan affairs country by denying military and financial support to the Afghan Taliban. As a from neighboring countries. The Taliban are no longer a force. Moreover, in member of the Peace Council of Afghanistan, we see that the way forward is for today's Afghanistan, there is no movement where women's presence is not seen.them [the Taliban] to be involved in the Afghan election. I trust both Pakistan and

Afghanistan will stand for the unity of Asia and Afghanistan will be spared from Throughout history, the Afghans have not tolerated the presence of foreign coming under the influence of other countries. troops. In my opinion, the Strategic Partnership Agreement between Afghanistan

Ahmed Rshid

11 12

Pakistanis have the strength of being self-critical; we are not shy of acknowledging Asad Umarour own faults. The US's foreign policy has resulted in death and destruction in (member, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf)Afghanistan. Prime Minister Sharif is committed to increasing trade within the I see Pakistan-Afghanistan relations through the lens of the economy of Pakistan countries of South Asia. We can get energy from Turkmenistan, and gas and other and people's economic wellbeing. There are more poor people in South Asia than products through Afghanistan. So there should be free movement of people. We in other parts of the world. We can see economic integration in western Europe, wish to see a region where people become prosperous but we do not want to rush where north and south Europe are the most prosperous. One fourth of our total to it. It might take 50 years for a common currency to take shape. We ask that you economic trade rests with Asia—hence the need for boosting trade and investment demand honesty in politics from leaders and not to take action that can be entirely within the Asian region, and engaging in trade with India in the east and with Iran misconstrued. As for drones, we need to take consequential action to stop drone to the west. The wellbeing of the people of Pakistan depends on increased trade strikes.within the region.

What should Pakistan do to promote peace in Afghanistan? The PTI manifesto Qamar Zaman Kaira proclaims that we will not allow any one [country] to violate the sovereignty of (former Minister for Information, Pakistan)

Pakistan or allow its soil to be used to violate the sovereignty of any other country. If we have peace in Afghanistan, there will be peace in Pakistan. Peace with India is

This is a good prescription for achieving the foundations for peace. also essential for peace in Pakistan. As for cooperation, it is a global necessity and

no nation in the world can survive without cooperation. It is essential to cooperate the resulting income to a situation where there is an unstable Afghanistan that

with each other. The free movement of people and goods in trade has to be stepped suffers from conflict, and go for the option with more benefits.

up in the area. Pakistan has no other choice but to cooperate with Afghanistan and

vice versa. Afghanistan should also go for the same thing and see what benefits it can earn

with the help of a friendly, stable Pakistan and by importing and exporting goods

through Karachi, Wagah, and Gwadar, compared to an unstable Pakistan where Abdul Ghafoor Liwal all the routes are closed to Afghanistan. This is the experience that member (Regional Studies Centre, Afghanistan) countries of successful regions have followed, such as the European Union, Far You may have heard about the new logic of the international relations of East, and US. In contrast, an unsuccessful example is SAARC. The probable cause globalization based on regionalization, which states that globalization and of India-Pakistan and Pak-Afghan current relations is that we have invested in regional relations are strengthened not only based on national benefits, but also each other's conflicts. require a balance between the national benefits of a country and regional

stabilization. This is what our region strongly needs. The biggest problem of our 2014 is not the end of the world. If the presence of international forces seems to be region is that we are following old-fashioned diplomacy and we have never taken problematic, then its formula is very clear. Investment in each other's conflicts care of regional stability while strengthening our regional relationships. Once we further strengthens their presence and this problem may extend to Pakistan and consider benefiting from the principle of regional stability in our international Central Asia. If we want a logical reduction of their presence, then it is better to and regional relations, it will give us the start of a partnership for peace. We all invest in regional peace and stabilization. Once the presence of international know that countries cannot live separately from one

another any more, and for their economic development and

growth, they need international and regional economic

partners.

We are investing in each other's conflicts and want to

benefit this way. We need a kind of transformation that

invests in regional stabilization. You can see the

consequence of investing in the Afghan conflict and can feel

the situation in Pakistan. You can see how Central Asia is

under threat and how global security is at risk from here.

Investment in regional stability starts with bringing

stability to Afghanistan, and such a transformation and

change of policies and strategies will guarantee our

national benefits.

The importance of an Afghanistan transit route is evident

for Pakistan. Let us estimate the economic benefits of a

stable and friendly Afghanistan and assume for a moment

that there is peace in Afghanistan and the country has a

strong transit infrastructure. How much will Pakistan

benefit from importing energy from Central Asia and

exporting its goods to that area? Compare this benefit and

13 14

troops is reduced in 2014, the question will be, what kind of efforts will fill the gap fundamental issue: the principle of ethics and humanism in politics. Have we

of their absence. What have we done to strengthen good and active relations such forgotten this point in securing our benefits? If there are still efforts that could be

that we expect regional peace and development after the withdrawal of ISAF? made for the betterment of people in this region, then why do hundreds of people

in our countries lose their lives every day? People's blood has lost its value in our

To what extent has internal conflict (with regional causes and forces on the ground regional politics. We had the great personality of Bacha Khan in our region whose

in Afghanistan) been reduced? It is clear that, after the withdrawal of outsiders, struggles were based on nonviolence. Can we not rehabilitate these values once

their vacant places will be filled by regional competition and in-fighting. again? Human beings are valued in Islamic culture, literature, and tradition. Can

Afghanistan will suffer again in this war, but what will happen in the neighboring we not invest in our cultural and human infrastructure so that the people of both

countries? Clearly, it is not the 1990s and Afghanistan is not the Afghanistan of countries are not killed for political gain?

that time. Many changes have occurred and a new generation has grown up in

Afghanistan that thinks differently. The differentiation between friends and Nothing will happen after 2014. Afghanistan existed before 2001 and will exist

enemies has also changed and political thinking is high. after 2014, and if we fill the future vacancies left by foreign forces with trust in each

other, partnership, and regional stabilization, the fear of the story of 2014 will

The Afghanistan security agreement, which will be signed with the US, is an pass.

opportunity for the Afghans and their neighbors to strengthen their national

benefits and invest in regional stabilization and close relations. This investment

needs political and common understanding that

can be started by civil society, the media, and

cultural entities. In the second step, economic

actors will play an important role, and in the third

step, democratic governments will be responsible

for taking such steps.

The political condition of the region requires that

we start working for a common infrastructure.

Afghanistan could connect Pakistan and Central

Asia and then South Asia through railroads,

airlines, and underground pipelines, and first of

all Pakistan has the right to invest in these. A free

market area for joint trade will increase trade

between the two countries. Hydropower dams,

production zones, and mining processes: these

are the areas of joint investment ahead of us. Only

trust in each other will guarantee the benefits 100

times more.

Just a few days ago, a prominent figure of

nonviolence and justice, Nelson Mandela, died.

His death, life, and struggles remind us of another

A delegate asked if there could be peace between Afghanistan and Pakistan elegates asked if there was a peace lobby among the Pakistani Taliban. without border management. The Afghans considered the US more helpful than Mr Asad Umar replied that every single political party in Pakistan, D Pakistan and there was a lot of anti-Pakistan sentiment in Afghanistan. Mr Rashid without exception, supported talks with the Taliban. Mr Khalid Safi from pointed to the issue of FATA, saying it was a no-man's land and that Pakistan had Kandahar asked whether guerilla fighting would continue. Mr Ahmed Rashid delayed the decision indefinitely. Border management was possible and would replied that, if the fighting continued, the two countries could vanish from the help integrate FATA with mainland Pakistan. The status of FATA should not be map of the world. Afghanistan was putting itself in jeopardy and its people should ignored.allow it to get rid of these evils. Mr Umar noted that when Maulana Fazlullah

sought refuge in Afghanistan, he was targeted by NATO forces. He said that Mr Abdul Hameed Mubariz said that the Tribal Areas had not been integrated.

Pakistani politicians should make the argument that, if you allow foreign powers Pakistan had no control over them. Afghanistan did not aim to alarm Pakistan. It

to make the decision to kill a terrorist, it should just be that target.needed a strong and healthy Pakistan on its side. Political leaders on both sides

had not been bold enough to find solutions.

Afghanistan's grouse was with Pakistan's

interference in its affairs. Pakistan had no

authority over the Durand Line. As for stopping

NATO supplies, they had not talked to the Pakistan

government. The question is how PTI would

interact with its own central government on this

issue.

Mr Umar replied that they were working with the

central government and had not made any

criticisms. The other aspect was that multiple

factors were in process in taking responsibility to

the extent possible. The party should not be

blamed for mainstreaming FATA. Would it suit

Afghanistan or Pakistan if FATA were excluded

from KPK? Tribal people had always remained

independent even during British times and they

accepted the Durand Line as the border. Mr Rashid

said that FATA lay within the border of Pakistan

and that the Durand Line had remained the border

even during General Zia ul Haq's time. A political

solution was needed to incorporate FATA's status

and the Durand Line must be maintained.

Open house

15 16

Session II

Countering common threats

Panel: Mr Ejaz Haider (moderator), Sen. Jaffar Iqbal, Mr Ghulam Jailani Arez, Mr Shafqat Mahmood,

Mr Ghulam Hassan Gran, Dr Abdul Malik Baloch

17 18

should continue to support and work with the international community for a Ghulam Hassan Gran politically stable and peaceful Afghanistan. The concept of “strategic depth” (chairman, Law Watch Association of Afghanistan, and former secretary should not be construed as a license to interfere in the internal affairs of general, Wolesi Jirga)Afghanistan. The High Peace Council of Afghanistan should be supported on the In the past 13 years, we have witnessed various bilateral events for the basis of Afghan-owned talks. Afghanistan and Pakistan should conclude the normalization of friendly relations between the two countries, but we believe that strategic partnership agreement.the painful situation that both suffer is now coming to a historical turning point:

both nations have had to make sacrifices as a result of terrorism. Pakistan needs to Economic integration and a sane border-management policy (based on ground adjust and develop its bilateral relations with its neighbor, Afghanistan, especially realities) are both key to developing a close and cordial relationship between considering that the international forces will withdraw from Afghanistan in 2014. Afghanistan and Pakistan. Both countries, as matter of a state policy, should Such a situation demands critical changes in policy in order to overcome this enhance their cooperation in all fields, in particular bilateral trade, transit trade dilemma. The major aim of the present conference is not only to strengthen (including strengthening the joint chamber of commerce as a forum for trade talks bilateral relations between the neighboring states, but also to form a regional and facilitation), services, agriculture, industry, energy, education, health, and platform for new strategies for better regional understanding. The conference culture.should adopt a unique approach and can be seen as a confidence-building

measure between both civil societies and parliaments. A sustainable people-to-We need to accelerate joint efforts for the implementation of the TAPI pipeline people exchange in different fields should follow. Increased trust and confidence project and make bilateral efforts in energy geopolitics. We should also foster between Afghanistan and Pakistan will decrease security threats in the region and effective and durable dialogue between political parties, and strengthen our allow both nations to focus on their economic development and social prosperity.parliamentary friendship groups by holding regular interaction on our bilateral

relationship, regional security and democratization, and legislation.I recommend the following measures for policy discussion and decision: Pakistan

It is important to create joint forums for parliament, the media, and civil

society between Afghanistan and Pakistan to build stronger bilateral relations,

trust, and harmony for regional stability. We need to increase informed

communication and better interaction between these joint forums to improve

public perception of each other's countries. Creating joint media groups will

help bridge information gaps between the people and leadership of both

countries. Joint forums of civil society representatives between Afghanistan

and Pakistan could undertake research and advocacy on issues of mutual

interest to both countries. Both Afghanistan and Pakistan must not just forget

but also bury the past and work for a better tomorrow for the simple reason

that a stable and prosperous Afghanistan will guarantee a stable and

prosperous Pakistan and vice versa.

Ejaz Haider (senior journalist and security analyst)

The term “strategic depth” is terribly misunderstood. It relates to both sides of

the Pakistan border and is essential for achieving better relations both with

Afghanistan and India.

terms of ethnic lines, this will divide us and cause trouble. We must become wiser Dr Abdul Malik Baloch and resolve this problem. We should find a way of working with each other as (Chief Minister of Balochistan)Muslims. I strongly emphasize mutual understanding between our two counties. I have found no logic or reason for a sectarian foreign policy since the last two We must act truly and be honest as brothers to each other.decades. We collected together, we started a jihad against Afghan militants, and

now we are facing the music. What are the reasons for this? On the withdrawal of

foreign forces, I do not stand for a total withdrawal. What will happen in Senator Jaffar Iqbal Afghanistan and Pakistan, especially in Balochistan and KP where we face (Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz)

religious extremists? If, after the withdrawal [of forces], power comes to the Following the recommendations of the All Parties Conference, the government is

Taliban, consider what might become the fate of Pakistan? We ought to help heading towards peace talks. Our parliamentarians support the government in its

reorganize the Afghan state. It is the duty of the international forces to withdraw efforts.

slowly and we need to rethink our jihadi policy. It is too late now to renegotiate the

principal policy of this region. My party's policy is to respect Pakistan, encourage Shafqat Mahmood it to revisit its jihadi policy as well as any other policies that support dictatorships. (member, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf)We should cogitate on the consequences of withdrawal. If the region falls into the Of late, increasing contact has taken place among politicians, parliamentarians, hands of the Taliban, it will be badly disturbed. Therefore, both Afghanistan and and civil societies everywhere. An example is the delegation of the Senate Defense Pakistan need to support each other and promote people-to-people contact. Standing Committee, which represents five different political parties in the

Pakistan Senate, and which visited Afghanistan in September. As our democracy Ghulam Jailani Arez gains strength and democracies start to interact with each other, our mutual

(professor, Kabul University) understanding will also increase. We share the same geography and the key point

The signing of bilateral agreements to achieve

solidarity with Pakistan is very important. As

for the Durand Line, let us go back 2,000 years

when there was no border along the Indus

River and Kabul River. The unity of Muslims is

strongly emphasized in the Holy Quran. The

important thing is to live as brothers and

sisters. There are 1.9 billion Muslims all over

the world but all Muslim countries are in

struggle against each other as a result of many

years of colonization. Islamic countries should

act as each other's brothers and we suggest

integration.

Both Afghanistan and Pakistan should

exchange ideas with each other and with India

since the world is one. Our commercial

activities are similar. Why should we not act as

brothers of the same family? If we think in Dr. Abdul Malik Baloch & Sen. Mushahid Hussain

19 20

is that we must have friendly relations with our neighbors, especially Afghanistan. say that good and effective leadership can make a difference. The visit was

The leaderships of both countries have agreed that peace in the region is linked to successful and important in terms of interaction at the political level. There has

peace in Afghanistan. also been political rapprochement between Iran and the US, and this is a positive

development. The current situation in Afghanistan is very different from

We have to achieve a better quality of life for our people: we need better education, September 2001 and, hence, the presence of Afghanistan's nonneighboring

healthcare, and human indicators. But there are barriers to achieving these goals countries' peace-keeping missions, supported by the UN, may help fill the vacuum

and building a nation-state. Today, Afghanistan faces the ability to enforce its after the withdrawal of US and foreign troops next year.

writ. Pakistan also needs to overcome the challenges of state building. The All

Parties Conference held last September decided that we should give peace a Afghanistan has six neighbors and all of them have to be bonded together in the

chance. The same thing is happening in Afghanistan: efforts toward a kind of peace and stability of Pakistan. Afghanistan's pride will reject any kind of

reconciliation so that the Afghan people come together. interference in its affairs and it is good that we have bid good riddance to the policy

of strategic depth and are now shifting to a regional policy of building roads and

There may be some who do not want a peace process: those who have to fight and pipelines. New regionalism is a plus for peace. The main problem is in

are not willing to give up fighting. Our chairman, Imran Khan, strongly believes in Afghanistan: President Hamid Karzai has outmaneuvered the US, which shows

foreign noninterference and thinks the conflict is a fight against Islam. There are both arrogance as well as an ignorance of the Afghan milieu. He has maneuvered

drone attacks. What happens is that the narrative of jihad gains undue currency. the US in the matter of opening a Taliban office in Qatar. There is suspicion in

Take away this narrative from those who are reconcilable and you will find those Karzai's mind. The realities have changed. There has to be an understanding

who want to give up are against foreign intervention, which has complicated our between Pakistan, the Taliban, and the US. The way forward has to be on the lines

views on achieving peace. Both Afghanistan and Pakistan are trying not to let of 20,000 troops [left behind] and four to five bases. It is a blind alley. The way

power come between each other. These are sensitive matters and such forward needs to be brokered by regional centers.

sensitivities need to be addressed.

In the case of “New regionalism,” the future of the regional countries is based on

co-existence and close cooperation. All the neighboring countries of Afghanistan, Senator Mushahid Hussain including Pakistan, China, Iran, and the Central Asian states, have a strategic (chairman, Senate Standing Committee on Defense)stake in the region and the US-Iran agreement will have a positive effect. As for the It is good to note that the ongoing mayhem has stopped, at least in Quetta. One can concept of strategic depth, it has become outdated. Afghanistan's future lies in the

hands of the Afghan people and their

elected government, and this must be

supported by everybody. Afghanistan

might learn from the example of

Cambodia, where, after a bitter civil war,

the armed sections were merged into one

national army. Such a setup could be

beneficial for the stability and peace of

Afghanistan with positive effects for the

whole region.

aid and $4 billion in military assistance. This was a bribe because, according to n Afghan delegate asked where strategic depth would go and noted that Leon Panetta, there were 100 Al Qaeda members in Afghanistan and about 200 in Afghanistan would not brook any interference [in response to Mr A Pakistan. On the other hand, there were 80,000 Pakistanis helping in the Mushahid Hussain's suggestion of stationing an Islamic peace-keeping reconstruction of Afghanistan. The US had spent $3 trillion on wars in force under UN auspices: “We [Afghanistan] want to entrust this duty to the Afghanistan and Iraq. In the US, people were openly against the stay of the Afghan troops. Otherwise there should be no withdrawal of foreign troops.”military in Afghanistan. “For Afghanistan to base its future entirely on this tall and

Another Afghan delegate commented that the speakers had talked of shifting unsustainable promise would not be prudent. We need to roll back this policy, power from the US to Asian countries and regional cooperation. She said that if which has been in existence for 30 years. Now we have to start negotiations.”they insisted on talking about sovereignty, let UN troops be stationed in their own

Mr Shafqat Mahmood observed that, in this war of ideology, people were fighting country [and not Afghanistan]; the policy of jihad was only a pretext for the revival each other: “People fight against us to enforce their own ideology. Our opinion is of a proxy war and the fundamental issue of good governance had not been different. In FATA, there is no doubt there is a group that wants to turn this addressed.conflict into a conflict against Islam. We have no objection to taking on what you

Mr Khalid Safi from Kandahar observed that the Afghans had never accepted call sectarian forces, but we have to distinguish between different groups.”intervention: “The new generation in Afghanistan has changed and we have a

An Afghan delegate asked if Mr Husain's suggestion of an Islamic countries' grouse against the wrong policy of our neighbors. Pakistan was once very close to peace-keeping force was his own idea or that of the Pakistan government. Mr the Afghan people because, in the past, it had always helped Afghanistan. Nawaz Hussain replied that an alternative would be a UN peace-keeping force.Sharif has shown a new direction and we are hoping that this light will shine

brightly. The only reason we accepted the Americans

was because of our neighbors.”

A delegate from Afghanistan noted that the Afghan

people were one on both sides of the border.

Mr Hussain raised the issue of the drug trade, and said

that Pakistan's mandate was to control drug abuse

and warlordism. He pointed out that there had also

been a change in people's mindset in Pakistan. In the

recent election, for example, there had been no

mention of India.

Ms Nargis Nehan asked, “Since there is a shift in

power, what should be the nature of regional

cooperation?” Mr Hussain noted that President

Karzai still distrusted Pakistan. Over the next four

years, he had been promised $4 billion in economic

Open house

21 22

Session III

Areas of convergence

Panel: Mr Zahid Hussain (moderator), Mr Abdul Latif Nazari, Maj. Gen. Athar Abbas,

Brig. Mahmood Shah, Senator Haji Adeel, Mr Azarakhsh Hafezi

23 24

with the political vision of the country. If we allow the security agencies to run the Zahid Hussain narrative again, this will create problems. There is also the contentious issue of (senior journalist and Af-Pak analyst)strategic depth. Since then, there has been some rethinking on this subject, and we Never before have the interests of Afghanistan and Pakistan converged as much as have disabused ourselves of the notions of the past. Now there is no need for in the present time, so much so that the stability of Afghanistan is entwined with strategic depth. Pakistan is banking on several stakeholders. With 43 nations the stability of Pakistan. However, a question tags the complete withdrawal of US trying to control Pakistan, to think that Pakistan will take over Kabul is not logical. forces after 11 years of war. And, now, this war has spilled over into Pakistan and In sum, Pakistan proposes and Afghanistan will quickly dispose. In the past, there we are facing our own enemy, which has killed over 40,000 Pakistani citizens. has been an element of distrust in Pakistan as regards Afghanistan and India. There have been searching questions asked about the difference between the

Afghan Taliban and Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), though both share the same As for areas of convergence, we have opportunities in trade, energy, and anti-worldview. Whatever happens in Afghanistan will have a fallout in Pakistan. If the narcotics. Pakistan has achieved a great deal in anti-narcotics, but the center of situation remains the same in Afghanistan, we might lose control of affairs in the terrorism is our main threat. Nonstate actors may create a difficult situation. Pakistani FATA region.Political control has passed onto the military. Two centers cannot engage in a

meaningful way unless there is inter-engagement to review misunderstandings; Maj. Gen. (Retd.) Athar Abbas this border cannot have peace. Who rules Afghanistan is none of Pakistan's

(former Director General, Inter Services Public Relations)business. Pakistan is for peace and stability, but the threat comes from nonstate

There are many areas of actors operating on either side of the Af-Pak border. In the Asian century, it is up

convergence. The problem is to the South Asian countries to manage their people in the best possible way, or

that our areas of divergence otherwise their growth will remain limited.

have been handled by

apparatus with a hardcore Zahid Hussaind i s p e n s a t i o n . S e c u r i t y Two important points emerge here. The first is the domination by security organizations took over the agencies. We have seen this for the last 40 years. Has it changed? There is also the narrative and changed it to a failure of the political leadership to guide us towards new narratives. The second national narrative. This made point is about rethinking. Certainly, things have changed and there has been a for trouble. There was an rethinking of our policy.Afghan freedom movement

against the Soviets. The

inherent flow in this narrative Azarakhsh Hafezi w a s b a s e d o n d o u b t s , (president, Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Industries)

d e c e p t i o n , a n d t o t a l Afghanistan and Pakistan have passed through many changes. Before 9/11, our

disregard for the other side. It two countries had trade of $200 million. This has gone up to $5 billion: a 200%

did not take into account the increase. In addition, the Pakistan business community and NLC freight

relationship ahead. forwarding earn $16 million with ISAF troops in Afghanistan. Thus, we will not

become strong without our neighbors.

W e n e e d t h e p o l i t i c a l

leadership to take into Afghanistan has also changed rapidly. Even though everything was damaged and

c o n s i d e r a t i o n s e c u r i t y Afghanistan was reduced to poverty, we are not so poor now. Today, in

measures that are aligned Afghanistan we have four women ministers as well as 68 MPs and numerous

Senate members as well. In the business community, we have 1,680 registered However, in the forthcoming period, we should respect each other's sensitivities.

Afghan businesswoman operating multimillion-dollar businesses. Women are But if the Indians use this bogey with respect to Afghanistan, trust will suffer. In

good at leadership. That is how Afghanistan has changed. the future, we should have a truth and reconciliation commission, and its

proceedings should be televised. The issue of strategic depth must also end now

We have 22 million digital SIM cards and we can establish contacts all over the because it has been blown out of proportion. I am assured that nothing will be

world. We have good businesses. Our oil revenue at Jalalabad is close to $8.5 done on Pakistan's side to harm Afghanistan. How can any country call another

billion. The old Soviet Union did not have time to develop the country's oil country its “strategic depth”?

resources, but now we have $150 billion that Afghanistan has not been able to

invest. So I have asked our Pakistani friends to work together and we have The converging factor now is the presence of militants. They do not believe in

established the Kandahar-Quetta Chambers of Commerce, the Kabul-Karachi democracy and want to impose their ideology through guns, which they do in

Chamber, as well as the Pak-Afghan Chamber. terrible ways, such as slaughter. As many as 3,000 people in Pakistan are waiting

to be hanged but this is not carried out because Pakistan is concerned as to what

Unfortunately, the people of Afghanistan and Pakistan do not know of the changes would happen to Islamabad and Lahore.

that are taking place. The Afghans have great potential to collaborate with their

Pakistani counterparts. We can help Pakistan export its goods. We have metal As for India, Afghanistan is not strong enough to stand on its own feet; if the US

products in Gulbahar, which we are exporting to the Germans. Nevertheless, we and allied forces should leave,

have an artificial economy based on US donations. But democratically, the Loya then the remaining forces [in

Jirga, which is the voice of the Afghan people, has decided to be [part of the Afghanistan] should be a joint

modern world]. Pakistan is our brother. In Europe, they decided to solve their force under UN auspices.

problems. [In the same way] we can live like brothers, but the politics of both Pakistan should establish its

governments has not been acceptable to the Afghans. writ in all areas within the

country before 2014, and the

The new Pakistan government has mainly a business bent of mind. I hope the nation must come forward in

political transition will be peaceful and we will have transparent elections [in support of Afghanistan. As a

Afghanistan]. I request free economic zones between Afghanistan and Pakistan so policy, Pakistanis must

that we can move forward towards good conditions as we have done with the consider all Afghans their

SAARC countries of Bhutan, China, India, and even the Maldives. We want brothers, and both countries

economic cooperation between Afghanistan and Pakistan, and politicians must should enter into cooperation

understand what we want and have to do. with each other, including

between their respective

security agencies.Brig (Retd.) Mahmood Shah (defense analyst, Pakistan)

Abdul Latif Nazari Why does such a narrative exist? We should be able to talk without recrimination.

When Pakistan was established, Afghanistan made an even greater fuss than (senior editor, Afghanistan)

India. There were a lot of hiccups in Pakistan's membership at the United Nations. Despite their deep historical

We have carried on proxy wars while Afghanistan carries out sabotage activities and cultural commonalities,

within Pakistan from time to time, and we have been supporting the Taliban. Pakistan and Afghanistan

Afghanistan has also resurrected the Pakhtunistan bogey, knowing full well that have problems with each

there are no takers within Pakistan. other in terms of foreign Athar Abbas

25 26

policy. Afghanistan's post-Taliban foreign policy is based on the following Punjabis and Afghans because

principles. Afghanistan and Pakistan have a

common heritage.

The first is nonintervention and friendly relations with its neighbors: Afghanistan

does not intervene in the domestic affairs of any country and it expects others to Even now, in the war against terror,

adopt a similar approach. The second is collective security measures: Afghanistan the US super power needs both

believes that, in the present era of globalization, no country can maintain its peace Afghanistan and Pakistan. Both

and security in isolation. Dilemmas such as drugs and terrorism need collective countries have a 2,360-km-long

measures to be eradicated. border, along which there is

enormous movement. Pakistan

The third is preventive diplomacy: Afghanistan endeavors to solve its problems continues to be Afghanistan's

through peaceful diplomatic means and will try its best to prevent any possible biggest trading partner, both in

crisis in the sphere of its foreign relations with other nations, particularly its terms of legal and informal trade.

neighbors. Finally, we have adopted a policy of multilateralism, which does not About $5 billion in imports and

allow any country to advance a proxy or intelligence war from its soil. Balanced exports passes through Pakistan.

and friendly relations with India, Pakistan, Iran, and the US are an integral part of Informal trade, which was about

our foreign policy. Presently, one of the key problems in Kabul-Islamabad $1.36 billion in 2005, has increased

relations is that combating terrorism has not become a common interest between to $3 billion. After the signing of the

both countries. Both still differ on how to fight the breeding grounds and financial Af-Pak Trade Agreement, Pakistan

resources of Al-Qaeda and terrorism. has been exporting rice, textiles,

a n d p h a r m a c e u t i c a l s t o

The solutions to these problems are as follows: We need to (i) develop public and Afghanistan. Give their common

cultural diplomacy along with formal diplomacy; (ii) enhance economic and trade economic conditions, there are

bilateral relations; (iii) enhance contact between the media of the two countries; tremendous opportunities for

(iv) enhance bilateral cooperation between civil society groups; and (v) develop export and import trade on both sides.

educational and academic relations among the two countries' universities,

teachers, and students. For three decades, our Afghan brothers and sisters have consumed Pakistani

products because they are familiar with Pakistani goods. Vendors in Jalalabad sell

medicines and mineral water manufactured in Pakistan. Pakistan has helped Senator Haji Adeel build dual motorways there and is engaged in building a hospital in Kabul; it also (member, Awami National Party)offers 7,000 scholarships to young Afghans. One finds posters of Pakistan all over The Pakhtuns and Afghans are one of the largest nations in the world. Apart from the place. Reconciliation among the Afghans will be an uphill task and it will take those in Afghanistan and KP, there are some 5 million settled in Sindh as well as a the people and the government of Afghanistan to decide on a reconciliation few million in the Punjab. Even though we live on either side of the Af-Pak border process and on signing an accord with NATO and other centers such as Tajikistan. and there are two centers of Afghans, we do not consider that we hold dual

nationality. Besides, there are 3 million Afghan refugees in Pakistan who have All Pakistani political parties agree that it is for the Afghan people to decide their been here for three generations; about 56 percent of them have studied in future. Pakistani and Afghan representatives should visit each other's Pakistan. The Loya Jirga represents the voice of the Afghans. Any Pakistani parliaments and hold frequent meetings between their standing committees. It Afghan who goes to the western border is given nationality. There is no difference should be the business of the elected representatives of the two countries to work between Afghan and Pakistani nationals. You cannot say the same thing about

n Afghan delegate noted that it was encouraging to see the progress made Afghanistan was very rich in minerals but needed economic aid to develop its

by Afghan women, and asked what new measures were needed to ensure resources. In reply to an Afghan participant's comment that a report published in Athat this progress was not arrested. She suggested that there should be the Dawn had alleged that Afghanistan was the “fifth” province of Pakistan, Mr

more representation of women from KP at such conferences as well as that of the Zahid Hussain clarified that the newspaper had never made such a claim. Brig.

youth population, who may have bee able to present new ideas at such a forum. Mahmood Shah held that the Durand Line was an internationally accepted border

despite the confusion on the issue, saying he had travelled all along the area. He Mr Abdul Hameed Mubariz noted that, although he had heard positive words said that the US and NATO forces in Afghanistan were stationed there under a UN about the relations between the peoples of Afghanistan and Pakistan, there were mandate. The ISAF forces could remain there but only under UN command. The only four Yusufzai representatives at the conference. There were many Islamic countries had refused the idea of an Islamic countries' force under UN difficulties, he said, one of which concerned the Durand Line. The Afghans did not auspices.consider the Durand Line to be an international border. There were Pakhtun

people on both sides who did not accept it as an international border as the line Maj. Gen. Athar Abbas remarked on the Doha process initiated by Pakistan and

divided their families. the US, saying that, although it had not worked out, ultimately it was for

Afghanistan to decide if Pakistan could facilitate the process. Pakistan could not, A delegate pointed out that the Loya Jirga had certified that noncombatant troops however, act a guarantor for the whole process. While the Afghan Taliban had would remain in Afghanistan for its continued stability. He said the Afghan become integrated with Afghan society, Pakistan's problem was how to control security forces needed further training to be able to defend themselves and that the TTP and its factions.UN forces should be stationed there to keep peace. Another delegate observed that

Open house

Haji Adeel

27 2828

Session IV

A joint strategy to control militancy and promote reconciliation post-2014

Panel: Dr Wadeer Safi (moderator), Mr Aftab Ahmad Sherpao, Senator Farhatullah

Babar, Ms Nargis Nehan, Brig. (Retd.) Asad Munir, AVM (Retd.) Shahzad Chaudhry,

Mr Fazal Elahi Shafiqi, Mr Khadim Hussain

29 30

reconciliation process. But let me say at the outset that Pakistan considers Dr Wadeer Safi Afghanistan an independent and sovereign country and we want to establish (vice-president, Afghanistan Justice Organization)brotherly relations with it because the problems of Afghanistan are also the Afghanistan is preparing for troop withdrawal, and so President Hamid Karzai problem of Pakistan. The stereotyped subject of strategic depth has met an end.has made history. But Afghanistan needs to keep the momentum going. It knows

that a cooperative Pakistan has supported Afghan refugees by providing them We consider Afghanistan a friend and will remain so, but the distrust can be with education and healthcare. Many refugees have good memories of Pakistan removed at three levels: by the two governments interacting with each other to and remember their cultural ties with the country; they are eager to make a remove the distrust, by both countries sitting with each other to sort out their positive contribution to Afghanistan. Yet, those in Kabul distrust Pakistan. problems instead of rushing to the press to lodge complaints, and by doing more to Bilateral efforts have not generated trust. President Karazai has felt frustrated at establish people-to-people contact. During the last two months, we have hosted a the end of each negotiation. In this environment, peace and security will remain delegation of the Mishran Jirga here and established parliamentary friendship elusive. As for Pakistan, it must maintain good relations with and work for the groups. A website featuring the Mishran Jirga and Loya Jirga will be established prosperity of Afghanistan. here on December 17 and 18. The frequency of contact between the two

parliaments has also increased.Aftab Ahmad Sherpao (chairman, Qaumi Watan Party)

Civil society also has a role to play. Aman ki Asha inaugurated between Pakistan I thank SAFMA for organizing this well-attended conference where eminent

and India is an example and President Karazai is said to have wished to start such a scholars and journalists have come from Afghanistan. I also welcome the Afghan

program with Afghanistan. Such contributions could be a forerunner to delegation to this conference. They are always welcome in Pakistan. Essentially,

establishing good relations between the two countries. We find a lot of negative the subject of cooperation and the roadmap

content in the media of both countries, and this must be removed. We should have after 2014 concerns both countries. If we do

more meetings both in Afghanistan and Pakistan, such as the one we are having not have a roadmap for the future, we will not

here today.be able to cope with the situation in the

future. A presidential election is expected in In 2007, we achieved a milestone by organizing a joint Loya Jirga in Kabul. It was

Afghanistan in 2014. We want a peaceful and an historic occasion because it was the first time that such a jirga was being held

genuine election, after which Pakistan will between the two countries. Unfortunately, there was no follow up and nothing

accept the mandate as well as the true leader happened to implement the decisions of the declaration that was published. We

who emerges.need to take this work forward because it will produce good results.

A partial troop withdrawal is also expected What need do we have strategically to put the two countries on the road to a good

next year. These are both important issues economy? We should develop strategic cooperation and get rid of narcotics. We

and the role of both countries must be talk only of the Afghan-led peace effort in Afghanistan but I am thinking of a

discussed within this framework. However, greater peace in the region. Strategically speaking, we need to assure our Afghan

the main issue of trust deficit remains a brothers that we respect their sovereignty and will not interfere in their affairs.

reality for the Afghan people who have stayed Afghanistan should also assure Pakistan that it will refrain from adopting policies

here or may have left. Why is there a negative inimical to its neighbor.

attitude in Afghanistan and among Tajiks and

Pakhtuns and in the Taliban area? Some key As regards the trilateral arrangement among NATO, ISAF, and Afghanistan, after

elements have to brought into the NATO forces are reduced, they should be confined to specific areas and the Afghan

security forces must help dispel mistrust and rumors. In this strategic shattered. What will be the situation after 2014? If there is resolve and sincerity,

partnership, Afghanistan and Pakistan should support each other in a common Pakistan and Afghanistan will be able to rise again and resolve all their issues.

[strategic] cause. Extremism, terrorism, and violence have spread: both countries

have to help each other end this kind of mischief. Brig. (Retd.) Asad Munir

(defense analyst, Pakistan) The focus at the PM Secretariat is on Afghanistan and these policies should be

Mr Sherpao has given a comprehensive account of the situation on the ground as shared. Afghanistan should initiate similar initiatives. As for cross-border

well as factors that have inhibited good relations between the two countries. But movement, we had earlier suggested the formation of a high-powered committee

we have to ponder on why anything happening in Indian Punjab does not affect as a solution. Instead of using troops, tribes on both sides of the border could help

Pakistani Punjab while any incident in Afghanistan impacts the FATA region of in settling the causes of tension. If we really take the initiative in this regard and

Pakistan. This is because peace in Pakistan is linked to peace in Afghanistan. The entrust tribes with this responsibility, it would help both countries.

Pashtun tribes have never accepted a central authority. The British could not

bring the tribal areas into the mainstream and so is the case in Afghanistan. Mutually beneficial projects, especially hydel projects to which the new

government in Pakistan is giving priority, are important. We will come closer to It may be recalled that the Waziri and Mehsud lashkars helped King Nadir Shah

each other by increasing the volume of trade to $6 billion. Pakistan has provided capture Kabul. For us, 70% of Pakistan's tribes remain inaccessible. People from

$330 million as token help to Afghanistan. It should also help Afghanistan after here go to Kabul. You may be familiar with the Powindah tribe mainly living in

2014 by raising its voice for the latter at all international forums. I would also Afghanistan and Pakistan, that has remained a nomadic tribe through history and

argue that the Pashtuns have been most affected and their infrastructure has been is spread across the provinces of Kunar, Paktia, Laghman, Nangarhar, Ghazani,

Aftab Ahmad Sherpao

31 32

Kabul, Herat, Qandus, and Kandahar and also lives in Pakistan in Balochistan). In The largest grouping of Pashtuns is seen in Karachi, not Peshawar, and there is no

recent history, the Pashtuns captured Kabul, but in September 1996, the Afghans Afghan threat in Pakistan. Pakistan supports the peace process in Afghanistan

recaptured Kabul, and in 1998 the same force was in North Waziristan. and we need a roadmap for 2014 onward. The first step is for Afghanistan to take

Pakistan on board. In this regard, Pakistan is helping by releasing Afghan

Of course, there is distrust. Pakistan has blamed the Afghans for interference. For prisoners regularly.

example, Afghanistan opposed Pakistan's admission to the UN. The Faqir of Ipi

went to Afghanistan to fight against the Afghan king at Khost, and the Afghan The Qatar outcome was a good outcome and hopefully will come to fruition some

government reacted strongly. The Afghans do not accept the Durand Line day. We have to do our bit by denying space to terrorists. Since 1979, we have

agreement signed between Mortimer Durand of British India and the Afghan hosted three million Afghan refugees but that has not created goodwill among the

amir, Abdur Rahman Khan. Protests were organized in Afghanistan against the Afghans. For a change, Pakistan should talk to progressive parties and not

One Unit concept and President Daud reactivated the Durand Line issue. The concern itself with what kind of people will rule Afghanistan. This is the key to

Durand Line is a recognized border agreed to by Amir Abdur Rahman and lasting peace in both regions.

validated by King Nadir Shah.

AVM (Retd.) Shahzad Chaudhry Maulana Maudoodi propounded the theory, which the US implemented on the (defense analyst, Pakistan)ground, that if the jihadists felt that they could defeat a superpower like the As for the Durand line, we have to draw a line somewhere. If nations have lived Soviets, they could capture the whole world. Pakistan has been quick to learn the with issues that have not been resolved through war or dialogue over the lessons of this. If there can be extremists in Afghanistan, we can always have centuries, chances are that these issues are irresolvable and so must be accepted. extremists in Pakistan as well. A case in point is Karachi, which happens to be the largest centre of Pashtun

population anywhere.

The question is, how do we uproot radicalism and ensure good outcomes for the Afghanistan or Pakistan to gain an understanding of the cultures of the two

economy, and how should stability be managed in Afghanistan and Pakistan after countries? There are strategic problems that have persisted for a long time. It

the troop withdrawal. The atmosphere of distrust between us since the last 30 must be understood that we have markets and Afghanistan is not our colony.

years has to be improved. Common challenges can be met with the convergence Many people here think as through we were dictating Afghanistan, but it is not so.

we see between the two countries. For this to come to fruition, we have to work The question of sovereignty needs to be understood. The colonial era is long gone

together and ensure that our economies and political systems function better. and we must quit the notion of empire building.

Facilitating economic activity, we can create energy activity and promote trade,

which could become a common platform. The historical ethnic issue persists. Pashtuns may live anywhere in the world but

wherever they live, they will live as Pashtuns. Pakistan cannot change its

We have to ponder on what will satisfy Afghanistan and how Pakistan can make it neighbor. We will remain together. It is the strongest bond between us. As for

happy. Obviously, we have to do away with the notion of strategic depth and ways of engaging in reconstruction after 2014, in my perception this depends on

ensure Pakistan does not interfere in the internal affairs of that country. The how we contain the militants. In this regard, we must examine the likely post-2014

obvious thing is that Pakistan must not be seen to be partial to any group. Then we scenario and look towards a bilateral, credible and peaceful election and the

have to consider what would make Pakistan happy. Obviously, India should not be emergence of a government in Afghanistan with the consent of the Afghan people.

seen to be driving initiative inside Afghanistan. Pakistan would be concerned if We have to understand that the Afghans cannot accept the 1998 civil war scenario;

the Afghan security forces were acting alone in concert with the Indian war this would be disastrous for them as well as for Pakistan. Let us plan on ending

machine. Pakistan wants the Afghan and Pakistan security forces to do things militancy in the worst-case scenario.

together. We need to advocate a clean political and social order to clear away the

mess. We need to remember that we are in a state of war. We need to talk to the US Regardless of how the two countries view the border, places where militants can

to finish this war. It is they who have imposed the war and for this we must invoke easily cross have to be sealed. Trade cannot take place in situations where

the help of other countries and see that no country creates trouble in Afghanistan. militants can easily cross borders. We also need to help strengthen the Afghan

National Army. This is not only Pakistan's job but also that of the international

The Afghan economy centers mostly on narcotics and human trade. Pakistan community. Border-crossings by militants are linked to the respective security

could support Afghanistan in creating an energy compact, and by the military establishments that have political insight on this. The other regional countries

working together and training the Afghan security forces. This is a new dawn. should also not interfere in Afghanistan.

With the changes afoot in South Asia and a greater likelihood of the current spate

of strife subsiding as Afghanistan and Pakistan deal with the aftermath of a vicious In addition to trade, we need to promote bilateral efforts in art, literature, and

tryst with militancy and terrorism, through a combination of dialogue, mopping- film. For instance, Urdu poets have strong bonds with the Afghan public. The

up operations and some introspective improvements on how these nations have challenges of reconciliation can be overcome by building contacts between the two

worked within and without—this perhaps is now the moment for the region to peoples and both countries need to join hands in this process. Such efforts will

think itself anew. Governments and societies need to resolve their distortions that lead to pluralistic discourses taking place, taking note that academies provide a

become the trigger for such radicalism and militancy. Neighbors need to be strong vehicle for intellectual exchange.

helpful and not disruptive. Age-old territorial issues must not remain intractable

and must find accommodation on all sides in mutually beneficial resolutions. Senator Farhatullah Babar (Pakistan People's Party)

Khadim Hussain I welcome all the delegates, especially those from Afghanistan and I compliment

(political analyst, Dawn) SAFMA for hosting a dialogue where civil society and parliamentarians are

There has been heavy intellectual engagement during the several sessions of the present. I consider this conference an alternative attempt to formulating the

conference. But how many books have been published on this subject either in country's foreign policy.

33 34

n Afghan delegate observed that King Abdur Rahman was a monarch entry into the UN was a sensitive one. He said the Durand Line was not accepted

whose foreign policy was dictated by the British who controlled by the tribal people who lived there and that the reality rested in their hands. He

Afghanistan until 1919. He said the Pashtuns must live together although added that he could see some changes in Pakistan with Mr Sartaj Aziz and Mr Atheir families were divided unequally along the Durand Line. He added that the Shahbaz Sharif now in Delhi—a positive outcome was that the two countries were

Durand Line was against human rights and the treaty had been signed under trying to create good relations with India. The delegate suggested creating a bloc

pressure and was null and void from the moment it was signed. The delegate on the pattern of the European Union.

suggested replacing it with a border treaty.

Another delegate noted that the Pakistan and Afghanistan economies were very

One Afghan delegate said he fully understood Pakistan's concern regarding involved with each other: politicians and generals did not engage with the

Mullah Fazlullah, who was accused of staying in Afghanistan. The issue had been economy and therefore the two countries' private sectors had to help each other to

raised in Afghanistan many times and could be solved through dialogue. Another solve their problems.

Afghan participant said that the issue of Afghanistan's objection to Pakistan's

The recent appointment of Maulana Fazlullah as the chief of the Pakistani Taliban also important. A precondition for this is the political will of the leadership, which

shows that a hardheaded enemy of Pakistan has found sanctuary in Afghanistan. can be strengthened by the media. The media needs to adopt a joint strategy to

Sanctuaries for militants are not in the interest of either country. The people and promote peace while remaining neutral itself. As for civil society, it must realize

security establishments must recognize that such sanctuaries cannot be that today's situation is different from the past. We must promote and reflect the

permitted. people's thoughts and create greater awareness about issues. Politicians are not

going to undertake this because they cannot spare the time. Another opportunity

for bringing people together is through culture and sports. We need to promote Ms Nargis Nehan friendship football events, especially for the youth. We should host cultural (director, Equality for Peace and Democracy, Afghanistan)programs and collaborate with each other in organizing entertainment. We must How should Pakistan contribute to the reconstruction of Afghanistan? One also promote women's activities as ambassadors for peace.remembers the thousands of Afghans who have studied in Pakistan and most now

want to focus on solutions that need

Mr Fazal Elahi Shafiqi action. Today, we [civil society] do not

depend merely on government policies. (editor, Weesa/government advisor, Afghanistan)

We can become a lobby to help each other. I fully agree with those who want a bright future for both countries. If Kabul and

Any developments in bilateral agreements Helmand are affected by the same war, it will surely one day reach Islamabad.

should be spearheaded by the people. We Pakistan believes that we have a common future after 2014. I was surprised when

must join together in formulating the kind Asad Umar of the PTI mentioned [at the conference] that Afghanistan had given

of Pakistan we would like to have as a bases to the US but do not agree with him as an Afghan because the US has its own

neighbor. agenda to follow in Afghanistan.

Currently, we are engaged with 50 I know that some Afghans are ready to ask Israel for help. I agree that the war in

countries and would like to have the same Afghanistan is related to others, but bilateral cooperation between the two

kind of engagement with Pakistan. The countries is both easy and difficult. If both countries are agreed on their

question that arises is what kind of independence, then the issues are easily resolved. If Pakistan and others believe

Afghanistan Pakistan would like as a that the US is staying in Afghanistan for war purposes, one day the geography of

neighbor. For this, we need a more war will change. Not only Pakistan and the region, but also the international

transparent foreign policy in either community, has a stake. If all these sides agree to a commitment to peace, then the

country so that Afghanistan is not used. issue will be resolved easily and soon.

For this to happen, we need joint

strategies as well as a policy for We have the same future and should have good relations with each other. Afghans

reconciliation. We also need intelligence who are prisoners in Pakistan should be released peacefully and with

a g e n c y c o o p e r a t i o n a n d p r o p e r reconciliation. Pakistan must take action in controlling its media propaganda

information sharing; we need some sort of border management without shirking against Afghanistan. Trade facilities and business relations should be

responsibility on either side; we need joint operations against militants. There encouraged, and we must work for peace especially in the upcoming elections.

should be no safe havens provided to militants on either side of the border. When

insurgents cross the border, they discredit the basic right of the people.

For an orderly transformation to take place between 2014 and 2024, we need to

prepare ourselves. In this regard, cooperation between the Islamic countries is

Open house

Nargis Nehan

35 3636

problems and put their own house in order (and therefore the presidential Salim Safi election in Afghanistan must be free and fair); (v) Afghanistan has had a lot to do (anchorperson, GeoTV)during the last 12 years and the same could be said about Pakistan; strategic depth The Afghans have a history of 500 years. The talks announced in London between is no longer the currency in play and the challenge is to enhance control in Afghanistan and the Taliban to be held within six months did not happen. southern Pakistan; (vi) both must pay greater attention to economic regeneration Afghanistan and Pakistan face many difficulties but we have to achieve benefits especially since external aid is going to cease in the future; (vii) India and Pakistan for the sake of both countries. The barrier is the absence of peace in both countries. relations must improve, otherwise they will get into proxy wars. The challenge [of Why has peace eluded us? The media must help overcome this problem. Both the drawdown] has to be turned into an opportunity.countries have their own views on finding a solution, but this needs their joint

efforts. Pakistan is increasingly a victim of suicide bombers with training centers

Mr Kamal Safi in Afghanistan. With cooperative efforts, both countries could find solutions and

march ahead onward to prosperity past 2014. (member, Wolesi Jirga)

Unless the problem between India and Pakistan, and that of China and India is not

resolved, no one can hope for peace in Afghanistan and Pakistan because both will Dr Hasan Askari Rizvi be fighting a proxy war. The fact is that China supports Pakistan because of India (political analyst, Pakistan)and this spills over to Afghanistan. In the realm of foreign policy, some problems 2014 is expected to produce far-reaching changes for the future of both are beyond our capacity to solve and have soured our relations. The Loya Jirga has Afghanistan and Pakistan. A myth that is due to explode is that the drawdown of endorsed the BSA but our President has rejected it. The President has also been in US/NATO troops will end militancy. In fact, nothing is going to improve. Both office for two terms. These are regional problems and unless all stakeholders sit countries face challenges and their impact will result in increased civil strife in together and address their concerns, a solution cannot be found. southern Afghanistan, bordering Pakistan.

In the past, strategic depth was a problem but this misunderstanding has now I propose seven measures: (i) The need to increase the professionalism of the been resolved. We consider Pakistan our second home. Pakistan has a market in Afghan National Army and police; (ii) dialogue between the Afghan government Afghanistan; it needs energy that it could import from the Central Asian and Afghan Taliban or local arrangements (and Pakistan must facilitate this Republics. Terrorism is also a basic factor. I suggest the following measures: peace dialogue); (iii) militants moving across the Af-Pak border must be stopped and negotiations between Afghanistan and Taliban with Taliban offices to be set up in both will have to strengthen security and obstruct tribal movement across the the Islamic countries and a final round of talks. We want economic ties between border; (iv) both countries should give up the habit of externalizing their domestic Afghanistan and Pakistan as well as a definitive Af-Pak trade agreement. Some

projects were agreed to in the past and they should be pushed ahead. We also want

Pakistan's help in arranging security during the coming Afghan election because it

is key to our future transition. For this, Afghan civil society must come forward to

drum up the salient points in conducting a free and fair election.

Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Talat Masood (defense analyst, Pakistan)

We need to move past the bad history of Afghan-Pakistan relations and

understand that it has now become a question of self-preservation. Hence, these

two countries must try and change their behavior into a cooperative relationship.

With foresight guiding them, there is no reason they cannot do so, and we have to

translate that good relationship into something concrete. Prime Minister Nawaz

Sharif genuinely wants good relations with both Afghanistan and India, and a

Session V

Post 2014 Overall cooperation between the two neighbors

Talat Masood

Panel: Mr Salim Safi (moderator), Mr Pir Sabir Shah, Mr Khalid Pashtoon, Mr Afrasiab Khattak,

Mr Hafiz Hussain Ahmad, Mr Kamal Safi, Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Talat Masood, Dr Hasan-Askari Rizvi, Mr Abdul Sattar Purdeli

37 38

balanced civil-military relationship in Pakistan will have to be restored. Afrasiab Khattak (member, Awami National Party)

On the other hand, how and to what extent will Afghanistan reciprocate Pakistan's History is like the side-mirror of a car: we should keep looking into it as we move desire for a better relationship? To that end, we should develop institutional forward. What have we proposed for 2014? Lack of confidence may be an linkages and cooperation at institutional, economic, and strategic levels. There important factor in this regard. The elephant in the room is the Pak-Afghan policy. should be parliamentary standing committees in their respective parliaments to If we cannot change it, there is no point in adopting any policy at all. Some among keep both governments apprised of each other's goodwill issues and intentions. you say there is no talk of strategic depth any longer, but actions speak louder than

words. There is an Afghan shura sitting in Quetta and the need is to reset policy I also foresee greater involvement at the bilateral level after the withdrawal of US and befriend Afghanistan. Pakistan is important for Afghanistan in any case and NATO forces. The media should lend a helping hand in furthering bilateral because 1988 and 1990 cannot be repeated. Afghanistan has changed; a new cooperation. There are not many Pakistani reporters in Afghanistan, and the same Afghanistan has come into being, which we must realize. is true of Pakistan. Both countries should build a greater foundation for trade,

commerce, and industry with each other. Pakistan should cooperate with and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is committed to a good relationship [with facilitate negotiations between Afghanistan and the Taliban. It should also cease Afghanistan] but when will we be able to implement a good India policy? He has its jihadi policy for better management at the border. We should go on building opted for course correction. There is no opposition to his efforts to promote pressure so that our countries and respective institutions transform their friendship with our neighbors. The internal situation is changing and the world is relationship. not going to turn its back on Afghanistan. Pakistan supports the BSA. However,

the situation in Pakistan is disturbing because some uninformed people have tried

Pir Sabir Shah to block trade. We need this corrected. We should develop train links and interact

with Afghan universities as well as promote links in the media. PEMRA should not (member, Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz)

block Afghan TV channels. We should behave like real brothers.The misunderstanding about alleged interference in Afghanistan has come to an

end. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's policy is to strengthen economic relations

between our two countries. Strategically, Afghanistan is next door to Pakistan and Khalid Pashtoon is very rich in minerals. In the days after the drawdown of NATO forces, we have to (member, Wolesi Jirga)help strengthen each other's economy. As for strategic depth, which has also Over the course of Afghanistan and Pakistan's two-decade relationship, during ceased, let me quote two lines from a poem: “Let us shun that kind of love that which fighting commenced in the 1980s, followed by a wonderful relationship, hurts our heart.” In order to build a good relationship with Afghanistan, the Prime Pakistan became host to the Afghan mujahideen, but created evil against the Minister has also embarked on the policy of a good relationship with India. Soviet Union and terrorism during jihad. Unfortunately, in the 1990s, it took a

different route. It was the era of the Taliban. This destroyed tourism. We are losing

Hafiz Hussain Ahmad our young people. The actual problem is in the Tribal Areas of Pakistan. The

tribals cross the border and create problems. If we do not resolve this, peace will (member, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam – Fazal-ur-Rehman)

never happen. The situation now is that, anytime anything happens in Why has the question of cooperating with Afghanistan post-2014 not occurred to

Afghanistan, people blame it on Pakistan.us before? If we talk of neighbors, why do we have to have cricket matches in

Sharjah [as opposed to in our neighbors' countries]? After the security agencies let

Nawaz Sharif has rejected the notion of strategic depth. The Afghans are keen to go of us, even Afghanistan will heave a sigh of relief. Afghanistan's condition is

have a good relationship with Pakistan. Afghanistan is suffering from many different due to a specific neighbor. If there is unrest in Afghanistan, the reasons

problems on account of the Durand Line. We will need 100 years to find a solution can be traced to other Asian countries. Our parliament is not powerful enough. As

to this problem. Right now, we should concentrate on having a peaceful Pakistan. far as the BSA is concerned, President Karazai did not ask for it. Will he sign a

Afghanistan will gain if relations improve between India and Pakistan. While defense agreement with the US? All neighbors must sit together to end the

there is no proxy war in Afghanistan, we do not want Afghan soil to be used for this conflict, not by shifting the initiative to the US.

kind of nefarious activity.

r Pir Sabir Shah held that Prime Minister Nawaz

Sharif wanted to engage with the TTP to

improve the situation because he believed MPakistan could have peace and a settlement of the discord.

Mr Afrasiab Khattak noted that terminologies had changed

since the 1980 and 1990s, adding that the two countries

were objects of history when they should be the subjects of

history instead. Mr Hafiz Ahmad said that a good

relationship between the two countries meant they should

vow not to take recourse to hypocrisy. He added that the

Pakistani media was behaving in a negative manner and

there was a communication gap between Islamabad and

Kabul.

Open house

39 40

Imagine for a moment the market size and potential of the SAARC population, Dr Wadeer Safi which is nearly 1.5 billion, making it the world's largest populous regional (head of Afghan delegation/Kabul University)grouping. As such, Pakistan and Afghanistan must seize the opportunity and It is very important for Afghanistan to be able to play its role positively and become more active in implementing various trans-border trade agreements and constructively in SAARC to have full security. It is at this juncture that Pakistan as support the SAARC charter so as to achieve full integration among the member a neighbor and SAARC member can play a major role in promoting mutually states, leading to a secure, stable and prosperous region where the population beneficial economic development post-2014. Pakistan can play a strong role as lives in harmony and tranquility.mediator and as a catalyst to promote a peaceful settlement between the Afghan

insurgency and the government. For Afghanistan, at this moment and year of Afghanistan lies on the famous Silk Route, and one remembers Balkh, which was transformation (political, economic, and security transitions), security has called the City of Cities on this route. Present-day Afghanistan is in the world's p r i o r i t y . O n l y t h e vision after the ouster of the Taliban. The jihadist parties now have political strengthening of security in influence. 80% of the Afghan economy is agrarian but needs water. But there have Afghanistan can make it been some strong development after 2012, for example, we produce 1.8% or possible for its people to 19,750 barrels of oil per day with an expected income of $250 million annually. contr ibute fu l ly to the The SAARC Charter upholds respect for the UN Charter as well as for wellbeing of Pakistan and noninterference in the affairs of other states. Afghanistan has a role to play in ultimately to SAARC.building bridges between South Asia and the Middle East as well as Europe.

Building railways will boost trade and help Afghanistan enter the decade of If recent history is any transformation after 2014. Highways built along the Silk Route will also help i n d i c a t i o n , i t i s n o w integrate the economies of South Asia. abundantly obvious that

unilateral or isolated efforts This is the decade in which Afghanistan must rebuild and reduce its reliance on for achieving peace and foreign aid. No one can defeat terrorism alone without assistance from the SAARC security are not successful. countries. Pakistan shows strong commitment to fighting terrorism. Afghanistan Therefore, it is imperative to has natural resources in abundance and is in the initial stages of reconstruction apply collective efforts in though the past three decades have brought destruction, especially to the order to bring about security agriculture sector. The way forward must involve the fair distribution of to ensure future peace and resources. Pakistan and Afghanistan should have a joint strategic plan for peace.progress for all the countries

of South Asia. Simultaneously,

Pakistan and Afghanistan Imtiaz Alamshould develop a strategic As regards the recent defense agreement between Afghanistan and the US, there is

plan for joint economic also agreement that Afghanistan and Pakistan's security concerns are

development with respect to inseparable. It is in the common interest of both countries to forge a closer

transit and trade, which would relationship for prosperity before the drawdown. Terrorism poses a threat to

e levate both countr ies ' Pakistan as well as to the security of this region. The tripartite agreement of 2013

economies and provide and the visit of Nawaz Sharif to Kabul as well as other exchanges has given new life

opportunities for the people, to the bilateral efforts of the new government. It seems fully committed to the

thus leading to peace. peace process as well as to the economic integration of this region.

Session VI

The way forward

Dr. Wadeer Safi

Panel: Mr Sartaj Aziz (chief guest), Mr Nusrat Javeed, Mr Zia Bumia,

Mr Mohammad Ziauddin, Mr Kamal Safi, Mr Imtiaz Alam, Dr Wadeer Safi

41 42

Afghanistan is important but we cannot ignore the dependence of Kabul on Sartaj Aziz foreign assistance. After the ISAF withdrawal, there will be a reduction in this (Advisor on National Security and Foreign Affairs)dependence and I hope that the promises to continue support made in Tokyo and Carrying out economic development and bringing prosperity to a beleaguered Chicago will be fulfilled. Afghanistan should be the future vision of the international community. The

sustained involvement of the world community in Afghanistan is crucial, unlike in Reconciliation is an important segment of the transition. A strong Afghanistan is the 1980s, when it was abandoned after the Soviet withdrawal. Any arrangement in our interest as our own peace, security, and prosperity hinges on peace with our between Afghanistan [and any other country] should not hurt the interests of the neighbors. The visit of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to Kabul has helped in Afghan people. Noninterference is important and no country should fight a proxy removing mistrust between the two countries. The release of Taliban prisoners is a war in Afghanistan.step in that direction. We cannot control any group but we are all out to help in the

peace process. The interior ministers of the two countries are due to meet to focus Afghanistan is undergoing a political and security transition and the Afghan on the border situation and smooth trade between Afghanistan, Central Asia, and people will have to decide their future through elections next year. We must Pakistan.recognize that there is no military solution to Afghanistan and the international

community can only ensure help in finding a solution. The economic transition in

r Salim Safi said that it was important for Nawaz

Sharif and the new COAS to be on the same page where MPakistan's Afghanistan policy was concerned. Mr

Gharzai Khwakhuzhi noted that Pakistan's strategic depth policy

was no longer relevant, and asked Mr Sartaj Aziz whether it had

been formally ended by Nawaz Sharif. Mr Aziz replied that Mr

Sharif had formally put an end to this strategy and was trying his

best to ensure honest cooperation for peace and stability in

Afghanistan; it was for the Afghans to negotiate and reconcile

with the insurgents. Mr Khwakhuzhi said it was almost

impossible to accomplish such a reconciliation without the

honest and transparent support of Pakistan, and Mr Aziz assured

him that the Prime Minister was working hard to make this

process happen.

Open house

43 4444

he conference culminated with the approval of the Islamabad Declaration: Mohammad Zia Bumia a document drawn up at SAFMA's previous bilateral conference in 2009 (president, SAFMA Afghanistan) Tand now amended to incorporate delegates' concerns regarding border Vote of thanks.

management issues and the role of women in Afghanistan's transition.

I want to thank SAFMA Pakistan and especially Imtiaz Alam for his hard work in The crux of the declaration was that both Afghanistan and Pakistan must work giving a chance for both countries' parliamentarians and analysts to get together together to prevent the void created by the withdrawal of ISAF troops from being at the bilateral Pakistan-Afghanistan conference. This is the first time that both exploited by extremists on both sides. It was imperative that the two neighbours parliamentarians have started a dialogue with each other and I hope that the refrain from acting against each other's national security interests and tackle the parliament-to-parliament and people-to-people dialogue will have positive narrative of extremism that now dominated the political and social discourse. results for the future of both countries. I hope we can have the next conference in Afghanistan's parliamentarians in particular emphasized their concerns about Kabul: a trilateral conference for peace and cooperation in the region between the recognition of the controversial Durand Line, pointing out that it had not been Pakistan, Afghanistan, and India.the outcome of a democratic exercise. Nonetheless, in the interests of reaching a

consensus on border management procedures, both countries' delegates agreed

that the declaration should refer to the Afghanistan-Pakistan border without

prejudice to the position of either country.

Plenary session

Panel: Mr Imtiaz Alam, Mr Nusrat Javeed, Mr Zia Bumia

45 46

e, the members of two parliaments, representing various parties of our sustainability with the reconciliation plank and inclusion of all those who

respective parliaments, independent MPs, prominent experts and could be included to strengthen the Afghan-led, Afghan-owned and an Wleading journalists from Pakistan and Afghanistan, having met at inclusive process of reconciliation;

Islamabad from 13 to 14 December 2013, at the Pak-Afghan Parliamentarians, f. Acknowledging the intrinsic and inseparable link between the security of

Experts and Editors Conference-II on ISAF's Withdrawal from Afghanistan: Afghanistan and Pakistan, north western regions of Pakistan and south

Bilateral Partnership for Peace and Cooperation, hosted by the South Asian Free eastern regions of Afghanistan in particular, that warrant joint security,

Media Association (SAFMA), have arrived at the following broader intelligence-sharing, border management mechanisms both at bilateral,

understanding: trilateral and multilateral measures;

g. Emphasizing the ever greater imperative of a very strong, honest,

Preamble trustworthy and all-sided partnership in the joint fight against religious

extremism and terrorism for peace and progress of the two brother

a. Endorsing the Pak-Afghan Islamabad Declaration of Pak-Afghan sovereign countries rather than nursing suspicions, indulging in blame st st games, working at cross purposes and strictly avoiding patronizing Parliamentarians, Experts and Editors Conference-II of 31 March-1

terrorists on both sides and overcoming the trust deficit by relying on April 2009, organized by SAFMA;

historic fraternal relationship among our peoples and noble practices of b. Noting the mutually agreed and proposed “Security and Defence

good neighbourliness;Cooperation Agreement (SDCA) between the United States of America

h. Equally important is the greater support from the neighbours of and the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan” on November 19 and its

Afghanistan and Pakistan in facing up to the menace of terrorism that subsequent approval by a Loya Jirga, hoping that it will be ratified by the

poses the principal threat to peace and security of the region while President of Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and it will help shed the

avoiding misuse of influence and territory of Afghanistan against uncertainty about the security situation in and around Afghanistan after

Pakistan or vice a versa and any other country and also to somehow the drawdown of US-NATO-ISAF troops is completed by the end of 2014,

substitute the loss of assistance due to the decreasing interest of besides providing a legal framework for maintaining 8000 to 12000

international community in the stabilization of Af-Pak region;troops and sustainability of a very critical transition;

i. Appreciating the sacrifices the peoples and armed forces, police and c. Encouraged by the guarantees regarding security and economic

other officials of Pakistan and Afghanistan have rendered while assistance provided under SDCA ensuring that the “terrorist never again

confronting the menace of terrorism;encroach on Afghan soil and threaten Afghanistan, the region and the

j. Realising the mistakes and excesses committed while tackling the world” while alleviating the concerns of Afghan people over the excesses

phenomenon of terrorism, the collateral damages and the tendency to that have been committed in the past and dispelling the concerns of the

solely rely on a military solution which cannot succeed without winning neighbouring countries that the “US does not seek permanent military

the hearts and minds of the people, ideologically defeating the extremist facilities in Afghanistan or a presence that is a threat to Afghanistan's

narrative and exposing apologists of terrorism on various pretexts of neighbours;”

populism, addressing the causes behind the growth of terrorism and d. Concerned about the continuing threat of the religiously motivated

religious extremism, in the ungoverned or ungovernable regions of the terrorism and extremism—that has not subsided despite the war against

two countries in particular; terrorism for the last 12 years—against the innocent peoples, their

k. Underlining the necessity of bringing people on board to win the noble culture, faith, society, national heritage, institutions, nation states and

cause for peace, it is essential to win the support of the people, the constitutional and legal structures of Afghanistan and Pakistan and

intelligentsia, ulema and all genuine political forces, neutralise all those its serious ramifications for the region as a whole and the world at large;

sections of society and groups who went astray and are ready to adopt e. Realising the urgent need to clearly elaborate a “transition strategy” in

peaceful means to pursue their legitimate goals while isolating and Afghanistan that combines the plank of political, military and economic

48

SAFMA Pak-Afghan DialoguePak-Afghan Parliamentarians, Experts, and Editors Conference II

ISAF Withdrawal from Afghanistan: Bilateral Partnership for Peace and Cooperation Islamabad, 14 December 2013

Pak-Afghan Islamabad Declaration II

targeting only those not ready to abandon violent means; We agree on:

l. Acknowledging that women are among the most vulnerable victims of i. Further deepening the fraternal and mutually beneficial relationship war and conflict, although they are capable of triggering the peace between the peoples and the governments of Afghanistan and Pakistan mechanism, mobilizing diverse groups for a common cause, and while adhering to the principles of good neighbourly relations, extending their priorities beyond the struggle for power or territory in respecting each other's sovereignty and territorial integrity, promoting order to meet the everyday needs of their communities with the aim of an equitable all-sided cooperation in all fields;establishing a durable peace; ii. Close strategic cooperation at intelligence, military levels and various

m. Respecting genuine strategic and economic interests of Pakistan and arms of the state and the governments level in the best interests of our

Afghanistan in due consultation with the elected representatives of the two peoples and sovereign nations to jointly fight the menace of

two countries and on the basis of fundamental understanding reached terrorism and religious extremism and the urgent need to operationalize

between Pakistan and Afghanistan a regional consensus may be built by bilateral Border Standing Procedures, intelligence sharing and an earlier

accommodating the genuine concerns of neighbouring states and “Strategic Partnership Agreement”, creation and activation of existing

regions, especially China, Iran, Central Asian Republics, Russia and bilateral mechanisms to fight terrorism and not to allow any terrorist

India, leading towards a global understanding, especially with the sanctuary or provide asylum to extremists or secessionists on either side

member countries of ISAF, under the UN auspices through a of the border;

representative contact group;iii. Not doing anything that is antagonistic to each other and against the

n. Emphasising the need to overcome misunderstandings and lacunas in national security of each country;

institutional collaboration between the two countries to fight cross-iv. Strengthening each other's constitutional frameworks, democratic border terrorism;

institutions, democratic values, rule of law and constitutional o. Taking note of the differences between the two countries over Pakistan-frameworks while respecting universally recognised fundamental Afghanistan border that need to be addressed through peaceful means human and civil rights, women and minorities; rights in particular;while not ignoring the need to frustrate the manoeuvrability and

v. The need to resolve the differences over the demarcation of Afghanistan-mobility of the terrorists, smugglers and criminals across the border;

Pakistan border through negotiations and peaceful means and, in the p. Stressing the need for a comprehensive economic, cultural and political

meanwhile without prejudice to each other's position, monitor and cooperation to promote investment, trade, social services, physical

manage the border for the security of the two countries and cooperate in infrastructure, mobility and movement of goods and people between the

fighting terrorists, smuggles and criminals. two countries;

q. Aspiring to move towards a customs, tariffs and monetary union in the vi. Promoting people to people contact, friendship and cooperation in all

context of creating a Bilateral Free Trade Area and moving towards a fields, including, economic, commercial, political, strategic, military, South Asian Union through the SAARC process; social and physical infrastructures;

r. Applauding the courage and farsightedness of the Loya Jirga in vii. Abiding by international covenants, bilateral contracts and fulfilling approving the SDCA and efforts of peace activists in brining the two regional and international responsibilities to promote peace and people closer, the Ankara process, the bilateral understandings and cooperation which is in the interest of our two peoples;agreements reached between the two countries at political and military

viii. Rejecting violence and authoritarian practices and respecting pluralism, levels, the Trilateral Mechanism and the UN process to bring peace and

democracy and tolerance.tranquillity to the region.

We agree to support the following agenda:

I. Overall partnership 9. Replace war economy with real development programmes geared

1. Both countries must follow the principles of peaceful co-existence and towards poverty alleviation and peace.

should respect each other's sovereignty and integrity and not to interfere 10. An all-sided development should be undertaken focusing on the in the internal matters of the other side and pay due regard to each problems facing the people on both sides, including FATA, to serve as an other's national sensitivities and interests. incentive for peace and good governance.

2. The intelligentsia, academia, media and civil society should 11. Media should be sensitized to voluntarily play a positive role for the ideologically, culturally and politically counter extremist narratives that betterment of relations between the two countries.justify violence, hate speech, intolerance, religious and sectarian 12. Both countries should facilitate the honourable return of the Afghan extremism while defending Universal Declaration of Human rights, refugees to Afghanistan. As long as they are to stay in Pakistan, they women and minorities; rights and covenants of civil rights, freedom of should be assisted with honour and in line with the international expression, right to know, right to life. There is no dearth of apologists in conventions. both countries who cover up or divert attention from the principal

existential threat to our societies from terrorism; they should be II. Security and Peacepersuaded not to lend a supporting hand to those who want to spread 1. Given the drawdown of US-led ISAF troops from Afghanistan, Pakistan anarchy and violence to achieve their nefarious designs. and Afghanistan must forget their differences and join their forces to fill

3. Greater emphasis should be laid on mutually beneficial economic the security void and jointly take the responsibility of maintaining cooperation by moving towards a customs, tariff, fiscal and monetary security and stability of the two countries that is mutually union to create a Bilateral Free Trade Area to the mutual benefit of the interdependent and intrinsically interwoven. They should help a smooth two neighbours and moving towards creating a South Asian Union in the transition and promote reconciliation and peace process to the mutual context of SAARC. benefit of both sides and not at each other's cost.

4. For lasting cooperation between Afghanistan and Pakistan, there should 2. Afghanistan and Pakistan should enter into strategic partnership at all

be cooperation in the social sectors. Education and human resources levels to jointly fight the menace of terrorism and religious extremism

development must get highest priority with a focus on youth. Pakistan and operationalize bilateral Border Standing Procedures, intelligence

should offer a reasonable quota for Afghan students and their admission sharing and sign a “Strategic Partnership Agreement” immediately,

process should be made easier on the basis of merit. Similarly, health create and activate existing bilateral mechanisms to fight terrorism and

services should be promoted in the backward regions of the two not to allow any terrorist sanctuary or provide asylum to the extremists

countries by providing education and training to doctors and or secessionists on both sides.

paramedics, medicines and equipment. 3. The two neighbours must respect each other's national sensitivities and

interests, economic and security interests in particular, and not let any 5. The visa regime should not restrict the free movement of people.country use their soil for any aggressive, subversive and negative 6. Joint parliamentary committees and forums should be encouraged to activities against the other country.

promote parliamentary cooperation in various fields, including security, 4. The two countries must agree on a comprehensive strategy to counter

economy, culture, women and foreign affairs.terrorism and take strong measures against terrorist outfits and their

7. Expansion of people-to-people interaction should be encouraged. Efforts hideouts and engage those defiant elements who are prepared to give up

should be made to set up and support civil society organisations to their arms and integrate with the mainstream of political life and accept

improve ties between the people of two countries. the constitutional frameworks.

8. Strict measures should be taken to stop drug production and trafficking 5. The security agencies of the two countries must develop greater level of while providing provisions of alternative cash crops to the farmers. coordination and cooperation instead of shifting their burden on each

49 50

other or engage in blame game. implemented to address the concerns of each side, excluding political

6. The quality of police efficiency and response to terrorism needs a lot of mileage or smuggling of foreign goods.

improvement. Police force in both countries requires training of a higher 4. The Joint Economic Council (JEC) should meet regularly and made

order to successfully meet the challenge of terrorism. There has to be a effective.

greater synergy between the police and the security forces to achieve 5. Ratification of agreements already reached between Afghanistan and

better performance in counter terrorism. Pakistan in the area of trade and fiscal spheres.

7. There is a need to bring more women into formal power structures 6. Implementation of agreements reached at the ECO and SAARC levels.

(including local governments) and into the police and security forces in 7. Investment, being an effective tool of cooperation, needs to be promoted

both countries, given their ability to wield influence over their families for mutually beneficial economic development and the two governments

and communities; to understand the larger picture and the nature, should jointly offer additional incentives for investment that can propel

extent, and consequences of violence and intimidation, human small scale industry, public-private partnerships in physical

trafficking, drug use; and to inspire a culture of inclusion for the next infrastructure while creating job opportunities for the people.

generation. 8. The economic and finance committees of the two parliaments should

8. The necessity of developing a regional consensus among the meet with greater regularity to boost economic cooperation.

neighbouring states of Afghanistan and Pakistan, including Iran, India, 9. Pakistan should encourage and support capacity building of Afghan

Russia, China and the Central Asian states, for peace and stability of the youths in professional disciplines and technical skills identified by

region. They must join forces with Pakistan and Afghanistan to bring Afghanistan to underpin their economic development. In particular

peace and stability. technical and vocational training will help augment employment

9. Military operations alone cannot bring political settlement to the prospects and earnings of migrant Afghan workers.

conflict; they must be preceded by diplomatic efforts and help reach

peaceful settlement of the conflict while avoiding collateral damage. IV. Media, Culture, Education and Parliamentary Cooperation

10. Cultivation, processing and trafficking of narcotics is a major source of 1. A Joint Commission of the ministries of education, culture, tourism,

funding for the militants. Efforts must be made to tackle this menace by information and parliamentary affairs should guide and coordinate

providing substantial alternative to the farmers. efforts in the fields of education, culture, tourism, information and

11. The contact group under the auspices of UN should make long term parliamentary affairs.

commitments to sustain Afghanistan's security forces and help improve 2. Formal relationship should be encouraged between the academies of

Pakistan's military/intelligence capabilities to fight terrorism while sciences of both the countries by convening the meeting of VCs of

recognising its legitimate national security interests. Pakistan and Afghanistan to initiate cooperation. Joint research projects

should be undertaken in the field of curriculum development and

III. Economic Cooperation purging the existing syllabi of hate material in both public and private

1. The two countries must aim for a Bilateral Free Trade Area agreement by educational institutions while not ignoring reforms in

taking necessary steps to develop a customs, tariff, fiscal and monetary religious/madrassa education and exchange of students, faculty

union to overcome inefficiency, delays, waste, smuggling, dumping and members and ulema.

double taxation. Ways could be found to address trade deficit of 3. Joint promotion of Pashto language and literature by Pashto Academies

Afghanistan through investment and services. Reciprocal treatment of of the two countries.

truckers of both countries should be ensured. 4. Respective ministries of culture and tourism should initiate negotiations

2. Regular exchanges should take place between different representative to enter into cultural treaty. To begin with, establishment of Pak-Afghan

trade bodies and finance ministries through appropriate mechanisms. Cultural and Friendship Centres in Peshawar and Kabul. Promote

3. Afghanistan is landlocked and the transit agreement must be fully exchange of cultural troupes and cooperation in preserving national

heritage of the two countries, especially museums. The delegates of the Pak-Afghan Parliamentarians, Experts and

5. Sensitizing media through media bodies to avoid negative propaganda Journalists Conference-II lauded the efforts of SAFMA in facilitating the

against one another. Promote journalist exchanges through press clubs interaction among the major stakeholders of the two countries and

on both sides. Lifting of curbs on all TV channels in both countries. accepted SAFMA's invitation to the Third Pak-Afghan Parliamentarians,

Facilitating and ensuring safe access of journalists to report events in Experts and Journalists Conference in Kabul that may be held in 2014.

both the countries, especially in the conflict ridden areas. Encourage

cooperation among publishing houses. Facilitate easy access to

newspapers and journals to citizens of both countries.

51 5252

1. Mohd. Zia Bumia 19. Gul Pacha Majidi

2. Abdul Qayeum Karim 20. Kamal Safi

3. Abdul Hai Warshan 21. Khalid Ahmad Pashtoon

4. Frozan Marofi 22. Abdul Jabar Muhammad

5. Abdul Ghafoor Lewal 23. Abdul Qadir Kharotay

6. Ehsanullah Aryanzai 24. Mohd. Nawab Mangal

7. Farida Nekzad 25. Nargis Nehan

8. Fazel Elahi Shafiqi

9. Gharzai Khwakhuzhi

10. Azarakhsh Hafezi

11. Hedayatullah Zurmat

12. Ghulam Jailani Areez

13. Abdul Latif Nazari

14. Wadeer Safi

15. Ghulam Hassan Gran

16. Abdul Sattar Purdeli

17. Abdul Hameed Mubariz

18. Nader Khan Katawazai

1. Abdul Malik Baloch 21. Brig. Muhammad Feyyaz

2. Hafiz Hussain Ahmad 22. Faiza Malik

3. Shahzada Zulfiqar 23. Qamar Zaman Kaira

4. Akram Shah Khan 24. Shafqat Mahmood

5. Usman Kakar 25. Yasmin Rashid

6. Jahanzeb Jamaldini 26. Hamid Khan

7. Saleem Shahid 27. Mehmood-ur-Rasheed

8. Ahmed Rashid 28. Jahangir Badar

9. Hasan-Askari Rizvi 29. Amir Ghauri

10. Aitzaz Ahsan 30. Adil Khan

11. Sabir Shah 31. Usman Zafar

12. Fasih Ahmed 32. PJ Mir

13. Munizae Jehangir 33. Imtiaz Alam

14. Sami Ibrahim 34. Anjum Rashid

15. Ayaz Khan 35. Omar Arshad

16. Kamran Shahid 36. Maheen Pracha

17. Ahmad Waleed 37. Mehmal Sarfraz

18. Shahpara Salim 38. Aaliya Shah

19. Uzma Bukhari 39. Allama Siddiq Azhar

20. Rohail Asghar 40. Iram Siddique

Pakistan-Afghanistan bilateral conferenceIslamabad (Pakistan), 13-14 December 2013

AFGHANISTAN

PAKISTAN

53 54

41. Agha Iqrar 63. Waqas Ahmad

42. Adil Shahyar 64. Waseem Shah

43. Khurram Qureshi 65. Safiullah Gul

44. Rao Khalid 66. Saif ul Islam Safi

45. Asif Hassan 67. M. Riaz

46. Imran Omar 68. Arbaab Akbar Hayaat

47. Aqeel Ahmed 69. Asfandyar Wali Khan

48. Prof. Sarfaraz Khan 70. Haji Muhammad Adeel

49. Mukhtar Bacha 71. Amir Zia

50. Brig. Mahmood Shah 72. Nazir Leghari

51. Rahimullah Yusufzai 73. Sayed Khurshed Shah

52. S. Hussain Shaheed Soherwordi 74. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqi

53. Ishtiaq Umar 75. Jabbar Khattak

54. Pir Sabir Shah 76. Rashied Godial

55. Anisa Zeb Tahirkheli 77. Fouzia Khan

56. Meraj Humayun Khan 78. Owais Tohid

57. Haji Ghulam Ahmed Bilour 79. Huma Baqai

58. Zareen Zia 80. Babar Aayaz

59. Afrasiab Khattak 81. Tausif Ahmad Khan

60. Zahid Khan 82. Saeed Ghani

61. Shamim Shahid 83. Durdana Shahab

62. Zia ul Haq

55