The Beyond Boundaries initiative led by the Center of Research and Security Studies (CRSS) in partnership with Duran Research & Analysis (Afghanistan) and the Foundation for Integrated Development Action (FIDA), as part of the efforts to help connect civil society and security stakeholders of both countries, improve relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Beyond Boundaries comprises two working groups, the Regional Security Group, and Regional Civil Society Group, aimed at facilitating and promoting people-to-people contacts.
The Regional Civil Society Group has had two round of talks, in Islamabad (November 2015) and Kabul (December 2015), while the Regional Security Groups held their first meeting in Kabul in December 2015. The fourth in a series of seven meetings marked the second meeting of the Regional Security between senior security and parliamentary stakeholders from both countries, and was held in Islamabad on 11-12 January, 2016.
The Afghan Delegation was led by Ms. Mahbouba Seraj (Director, Organization for Research in Peace and Solidarity, Senior Women’s Rights Advocate). Other members include: Gen. Javed Kohistani (Advisor to CEO Dr. Abdullah Abdullah / Senior Military Analyst); Mr. Abbas Noyan (Former Member of Parliament); Mr. Ahmad Saeedi (Former Diplomat); Mr. Mohammad Nateqi (Political Analyst, Former Afghan Diplomat, Member of Afghan Peace delegation to Pakistan); Mr. Qutbuddin Hilal (Presidential Senior Advisor on Peace); Ms. Suraya Parlika (Senior Advocate, Women’s Political Participation); Ms. Wazhma Frogh (Founding Director, Institute for Women, Peace and Security); Mr. Haroon Mir (Political Analyst), Ms. Elay Ershad (Member of Parliament) and Mr. Mirwais Yasini (First Deputy Speaker, Lower House of Afghan Parliament).
The Pakistani delegation was headed by Ms. Shazia Marri (MNA-PPP). Other members include: Dr Shoaib Suddle (former Inspector General Police, Sindh); Lt. Gen (retd.) Asif Yasin Malik (former Defence Secretary); Lt Gen. Arshad Waheed Chaudhry (former Chief of General Staff); Dr. Syiad Ghazi Gulab Jamal (MNA-FATA); Ms. Ayesha Gulalai Wazir (MNA-PTI); Ambassador (retd.) Masood Aslam (Former Ambassador to Mexico), Senator Rozi Khan Kakar (PPP); Mr. Abbas Sarfaraz Khan (Former Federal Minister) and Mr. Tahir Khan (Senior Journalist, Express Tribune/NNI).
The two day workshop comprised inaugural session where Mr. Abdul Qadir Baloch (Federal Minister for SAFRON Affairs and Inter-provincial Harmony) was the chief guest, it was also attended by the British High Commissioner Mr. Philip Barton.
Speaking at the inaugural, Mr. Baloch noted that “People in Pakistan & Afghanistan want a bi-lateral relationship based on trust and mutual respect; both governments should sincerely work towards it. Government of Pakistan is sincere in its desire to cooperate with government of Afghanistan on all issues to bring peace and prosperity in the region.” Mr. Baloch Also observed that “Track 2 dialogues can provide an excellent opportunity for experts of both Pakistan and Afghanistan to discuss issues openly and frankly and remove any existing ambiguities. I strongly hope that the solutions provided by the track 2 working groups would enable both governments to take more meaningful actions for better bi-lateral relations.”
Speaking on the occasion British High Commissioner Mr. Philip Barton commended the efforts of Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS), DURAN and FIDA for organizing the track 2 dialogue bringing security experts from both countries on one table. He said that “Putting in place functioning systems for cooperation between both countries is a major challenge – something Pakistanis and Afghans have to overcome.” The event was also attended by several security and civil society leaders from Afghanistan and media representatives.
After the inaugural, day one workshop included sessions on Promoting State-to-State Structural Engagement: Confronting “War Constituency” with “Peace Constituency”, which was chaired by Mr. Syed Kamal Shah (Former Secretary, Federal Ministry of Interior, and on Media Engagement and Sensitization/Education as a connector, which was chaired by Mr. Hasan Khan (senior journalist), and the chief guest for the session was Mr. Absar Alam, Chairman PEMRA.
During the second session the two regional security groups were given a briefing by Mr. Shahid Chaudhry (Director, Special Afghan Projects Cell) in the Planning Commission of Pakistan. He informed the participants that until now the government of Pakistan allocated $500 million for twenty nine special projects for Afghanistan, out of which 13 have been fully completed. These include infrastructure projects, capacity building trainings, hospitals etc. On a question about Pakistani scholarships for Afghan students, Mr. Chaudhry informed participants that the Pakistani Embassy in Kabul will re-start the process later this month. Both Pakistani and Afghan participants called for the need to monitor these projects to ensure that these commitments are fulfilled and ultimately benefit the people of Afghanistan.
Speaking on the issue of Madrassas, Former Secretary Interior Syed Kamal Shah briefed participants about the initiatives of the Pakistani government on the comprehensive process of madrassa reforms. He noted that as per the new strategy Madrassa reforms have started e.g. Madrassa registration is mandatory and all those who do not register are being closed/will be closed by the Ministry of Interior. No madrassas can be opened without obtaining an NOC (No objection certificate). Through a broader consultative process the government of Pakistan has got the support of Ulema groups on this reform process. He said efforts are also being directed by the government for review of syllabi and checking the financial sources of all Madrassas.
Answering a question during the session on “Role of Media in changing narratives”, PEMRA Chairman Mr. Absar Alam observed that there is a wrong impression in Afghanistan that Afghan TV channels are deliberately banned by the government of Pakistan. It is merely a technical issue of landing rights fee (which Afghan Channels are liable to pay as any other foreign TV channel in Pakistan) which is an obstacle in this regard. Mr. Alam assured the participants on both sides that he will monitor the issue and take it up with relevant authorities in Pakistan.
The second day of workshop included session on Regularizing/ Easing Cross-border Movement meetings, and was chaired by Mr. Imtiaz Gul (Executive Director, CRSS), which was followed by the concluding session on The Way forward from Kabul Joint declaration (Dec 2015), and was chaired by Mr. Riaz Khokar (former ambassador and former foreign secretary). Addressing the concluding session, Mr. Khokhar said that “Pakistan and Afghanistan have a lot in common and both sides should work sincerely for peace and this region. Both countries face common challenges and the in their best interests it is vital that they effectively tackle these challenges together.”
In addition to the two day workshop, the Pak-Afghan Regional Security groups held sideline high profile and important meetings. This included meeting with Lt. Gen (retd) Nasir Janjua (Advisor to the Prime Minister on National Security Affairs). Gen. Janjua welcomed the delegation and said: “Pakistan wants a stable Afghanistan and stands ready to cooperate with the Government of Afghanistan in all areas of mutual interest. We have to work together to promote security in the region.”
The two groups also held meetings at the Senate and National Assembly with Senate Finance Committee and National Assembly Foreign Affairs Committee, and with Chairman Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf, Mr. Imran Khan.
The two day workshop took place at a time of increased hope for mutual cooperation in the economic arena, especially after the Heart of Asia Conference hosted by Pakistan in early December, the signing of the TAPI Pipeline in Turkmenistan as well as the first Quadrilateral talks in January 2016 (Pakistan, Afghanistan, China and the United States).
The third meeting of Pak-Afghan Regional Security Groups is expected to take place in Kabul during February 2016 and will address critical issues in regional security.
