Defence Committee Dialogue: Pak-Afghan MPs seek cooperation between forces
According to MoU a dialogue will be conducted annually.
Pak-Afghan MPs seek cooperation between forces. PHOTO: FILE
ISLAMABAD:
As the two-day dialogue between parliamentary committees on defence from Pakistan and Afghanistan ended on Wednesday in Kabul, a joint declaration said both delegations agreed on enhancing defence cooperation along with agreeing to develop bilateral cooperation between the two countries’ armed forces and security agencies.
The declaration stated that both the parties realised that an increased cooperation will allow the two armed forces to manage their respective internal security problems in a more effective way.
“It was stressed that the security establishments of Pakistan and Afghanistan should identify and isolate common threats and that there is a need to keep open, all channels of communication between the two countries,” members of the parliament (MPs) at the Defence Committees’ Dialogue said.
The MPs agreed that with the impending withdrawal of US and ISAF forces from Afghanistan, a sense of vacuum can be anticipated which can only be filled if the civil societies of the neighbouring nations are allowed a chance to reinforce along with strengthening of democratic institutions in both countries.
The Pakistani delegation in the first-ever two-day dialogue between parliamentary committees of the two countries was represented by Chairman Senate Standing Committee on Defence and Defence Production Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed, whereas the Afghan side was led by Acting Chairman Internal Security and Local Administration Committee of Meshrano Jirga of Afghan parliament Mohammad Dawood Asass.
According to the MPs, it was agreed that it is in the best interest of both countries that the two brotherly nations move forward with a joint approach on important national and regional matters, and should have a joint strategy on security issues affecting both countries.
The declaration that was sent to The Express Tribune stated that special emphasis should be laid on bilateral cooperation along with incorporating regional and global cooperation which is the only route to full economic actualisation of the region.
In further discussions it was established that both nations should look forward to fashion ways and means to promote cross-border communication between younger generations and cooperation should be ensured over protection of women and human rights in both countries.
The two day deliberations were formalised with signing of the joint declaration and a Memorandum of Understanding to hold a similar dialogue on an annual basis with meetings alternating yearly between Islamabad and Kabul, in an effort to institutionalise the dialogue between the defence committees of the two countries.
Talking to the media after the, Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed said both Pakistan and Afghanistan were brotherly nations and were confronting similar challenges.
He said Afghanistan is Pakistan’s prime priority in terms of national security and foreign policy, adding that without peace and stability in Afghanistan there could be no harmony in Pakistan.
The senator underlined the need for making sincere efforts to overcome all challenges.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 12th, 2013.
As the two-day dialogue between parliamentary committees on defence from Pakistan and Afghanistan ended on Wednesday in Kabul, a joint declaration said both delegations agreed on enhancing defence cooperation along with agreeing to develop bilateral cooperation between the two countries’ armed forces and security agencies.
The declaration stated that both the parties realised that an increased cooperation will allow the two armed forces to manage their respective internal security problems in a more effective way.
“It was stressed that the security establishments of Pakistan and Afghanistan should identify and isolate common threats and that there is a need to keep open, all channels of communication between the two countries,” members of the parliament (MPs) at the Defence Committees’ Dialogue said.
The MPs agreed that with the impending withdrawal of US and ISAF forces from Afghanistan, a sense of vacuum can be anticipated which can only be filled if the civil societies of the neighbouring nations are allowed a chance to reinforce along with strengthening of democratic institutions in both countries.
The Pakistani delegation in the first-ever two-day dialogue between parliamentary committees of the two countries was represented by Chairman Senate Standing Committee on Defence and Defence Production Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed, whereas the Afghan side was led by Acting Chairman Internal Security and Local Administration Committee of Meshrano Jirga of Afghan parliament Mohammad Dawood Asass.
According to the MPs, it was agreed that it is in the best interest of both countries that the two brotherly nations move forward with a joint approach on important national and regional matters, and should have a joint strategy on security issues affecting both countries.
The declaration that was sent to The Express Tribune stated that special emphasis should be laid on bilateral cooperation along with incorporating regional and global cooperation which is the only route to full economic actualisation of the region.
In further discussions it was established that both nations should look forward to fashion ways and means to promote cross-border communication between younger generations and cooperation should be ensured over protection of women and human rights in both countries.
The two day deliberations were formalised with signing of the joint declaration and a Memorandum of Understanding to hold a similar dialogue on an annual basis with meetings alternating yearly between Islamabad and Kabul, in an effort to institutionalise the dialogue between the defence committees of the two countries.
Talking to the media after the, Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed said both Pakistan and Afghanistan were brotherly nations and were confronting similar challenges.
He said Afghanistan is Pakistan’s prime priority in terms of national security and foreign policy, adding that without peace and stability in Afghanistan there could be no harmony in Pakistan.
The senator underlined the need for making sincere efforts to overcome all challenges.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 12th, 2013.