Promoting peace: Call for increased interaction between Pak-Afghan youth

Young leaders sign declaration proposing increased youth and cultural exchanges

ISLAMABAD: Young ambassadors from Pakistan and Afghanistan on Tuesday said increased interaction between youth of the two countries could help promote bilateral relations.

This was crux of the seven-point Islamabad Declaration signed after the five-day Af-Pak Youth Dialogue held here from August 20 to 25. The dialogue, which featured 16 youth ambassadors from the two countries, was facilitated by the Peace Education And Development (PEAD) Foundation and Afghanistan New Generation Organisation (ANGO).

The declaration called upon the two governments to take steps to engage youth, who constitute a majority of their respective populations. Ideas proposed included an institutionalised regular dialogue between youths of the two countries, a joint youth Jirga, and doubling the number of scholarships offered by the government of Pakistan to Afghan students.

A bus service between Islamabad and Kabul on the lines of Lahore-New Delhi bus service, greater interaction between media organisations of the two countries, and youth and cultural exchanges have also been proposed.



The delegates discussed common issues not only among themselves but also with representatives of the government, media, civil society, diplomatic community, and parliamentarians.

They also met members of the Pak-Afghan Parliamentary Friendship Group, led by Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao, who not only signed and endorsed the declaration but also promised to present it at the next meeting of the group.

The five-day conference also gave delegates an opportunity to appear on the local electronic media to discuss opportunities and challenges before the two countries.

Towards the end of the ceremony, the delegates said it was a great opportunity for them to connect and work towards better relations. “I shall be leaving much wiser and well-informed about Pakistan than when I first landed here and I would like to thank PEAD Foundation for making it possible,” said one of the Afghan delegates at the closing ceremony of the conference.

A Pakistani delegate talked about how interacting with Afghan youths broadened his horizon and changed his perception of Afghanistan. “We must join hands and nurture positives rather than thriving on negatives of each other,” he added.

The visit also provided the Afghan youth a chance to experience the dynamics of the lives of their Pakistani counterparts and reflect on the similarities and differences between the new generations on both sides of the border.

PEAD Foundation Executive Director Sameena Imtiaz Durrani said youth were the future of Pakistan and Afghanistan. “Working together towards the betterment of both the countries and involving their youth in constructive activities can achieve positive and unthinkable milestones,” she added.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 26^th, 2015.