Normalisation of ties: Islamabad, Kabul urged to heal rift

Delegates at unofficial dialogue plead for revival of Quadrilateral Coordination Group

ISLAMABAD: Delegates at an unofficial dialogue on Pakistan-Afghanistan affairs called for normalisation of relationship between the two countries, saying that tensions had negatively affected bilateral ties.

The appeal was made a few days after Afghanistan joined India to boycott the SAARC Summit that Pakistan was scheduled to host in Islamabad in November.

“Peace and stability is the priority of both nations. Disengagement, therefore, between the two governments is not desirable. High-level exchanges must be resumed to promote dialogue at all levels to create a conducive environment for removing mistrust,” a declaration issued on Thursday at the conclusion of the two-day-long dialogue in Lahore stated.

The first meeting of the second phase of ‘Beyond Boundaries’, a Track I.5/II dialogue series, was undertaken by the Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) in partnership with its Afghan counterpart, Women Peace and Security Organization (WPSO).



The series brings together from both countries prominent journalists, civil society activists, former diplomats, parliamentarians, academicians, former members of law enforcement and scholars as part of the Pakistan-Afghanistan Joint Committee (PAJC) for Beyond Boundaries phase II.

The Pakistani side comprised MNA Shazia Marri, former chief of Balochistan Police Dr Shoaib Suddle, Maj-Gen (retd) Ejaz Awan, Ambassador Mian Sanaullah and analyst Imtiaz Gul.

The Afghan delegation included Sayed Ishaq Gailani, Mozammil Shinwari, Wazhma Frogh, Palwasha Hassan, Ketabullah Khpolwak Sapai and Elay Ershad.

The workshop was chaired by Dr Rasul Baksh Rais.

The declaration also called for reviving the Quadrilateral Coordination Group (QCG) of Afghanistan, China, Pakistan and the US and that it should continue to encourage the Taliban to negotiate, adhering to well-defined goals indicating progress.

“Terrorism is a common concern, which continues to affect families on both sides (of the border). Effective regulatory framework is needed to check movement of goods and people on both sides, beginning with the regulation of existing crossing points, and gradually extending it to other entry and exit points,” it stated.

Participants of the conference agreed that media played a major role in shaping relations and public perceptions. In this context, participants supported facilitating exchanges of media persons, and formulation of a shared code of conduct to regulate media communication.

Furthermore, it called for lifting ban on print/ electronic media.

The delegates urged both governments to simplify visa procedures for genuine business people, students, and parliamentarians. “Special counters offering speedy processing should be set up in respective embassies to facilitate visas to medical tourists and disabled persons.”

The declaration also called for organizing cricket matches between national and regional teams. Also, the state TV channels, should regularly telecast cultural events on a reciprocal basis.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 21^st, 2016.