The Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) hosted Pak-Afghan Youth Cultural Get Together and Dinner for the alumni of its Afghan Studies Center initiative on February 28, 2018, in Islamabad, to interact with the visiting Afghan delegation of CRSS’ ongoing Pak-Afghan Track 1.5/II initiative Beyond Boundaries that comprised members of Afghan Parliament and former Ministers. The Chief Guest from Pakistan was Pakistan’s National Security Advisor Lt. Gen (retd) Nasser Khan Janjua and from Afghanistan was Afghanistan’s Ambassador Dr. Omar Zakhilwal. The event was attended by over 200 alumni that traveled long distances to be at the gathering.
Afghan Studies Center is an off-shoot of Beyond Boundaries aimed at bringing the youth together on the same platform to interact, discuss dispassionately and inculcate leadership qualities. As part of its efforts to bridge the gap of mistrust between the people of both countries, CRSS’ Afghan Studies Center has an ongoing series of Pak-Afghan youth dialogues and training workshops in Islamabad. So far nine dialogues and seven workshops have been held since May 2017.
In his opening remarks, CRSS Executive Director Imtiaz Gul warmly welcomed the distinguished guests and thanked the Chief Guests for gracing the occasion with their presence to interact with the youth from both countries.
Afghan Ambassador Dr. Omar Zakhilwal, in his address, told the gathering that “The thinking within the leadership and governments of Afghanistan and Pakistan is one; the desire is there. The trick is how to get there, which we both actually desire and which is actually the desire of the people in both countries as well. In Pashto, there is an expression which translates as ‘Love increases with visits and counter-visits, so sometimes you visit and sometimes I will visit you, my beloved’”. He stated that the relationship between Pakistan and Afghanistan is multidimensional. It is not just the relationship of two neighbors, but of a common history, culture, language, interests, threats and many other commonalities. “I do believe sooner or later, we will find a path forward, because we have no other option. Having said that, there is a sense of urgency, we have to find the path sooner. For this, we need to get bolder, smarter and rely on our own bilateral initiatives.”
Pakistan’s National Security Advisor Lt. Gen. (retd.) Nasser Khan Janjua, stated that it was time that we got over the expression of ‘lack of trust’ when referring to Pakistan and Afghanistan. “We have fought for each other. We have fed each other. We can share the bread. We can share anything and everything like brothers and sisters can do,” he said while adding that Pakistan sees a common future with Afghanistan. He also stated that universities, colleges and schools were all available for Afghan youth, urging them to optimally utilize these educational facilities in Pakistan. He further urged the youth to unite in embracing a better future, stating that he wished Pakistan and Afghanistan would both stop bleeding as neither wants to see the other bleeding anymore. He also thanked the visiting Afghan delegation of CRSS’ Pak-Afghan Track 1.5/II initiative Beyond Boundaries for visiting Pakistan and commended the efforts of the Center through this initiative for improving bilateral relations, while remarking that he has in the past met with many of the delegates three or four times. Chanting the slogan, “Jeevay Jeevay Afghanistan (Long live Afghanistan), Jeevay Jeevay Pakistan (Long live Pakistan)”, he ended with a message to the youth, “Let’s embrace the brighter future and you, the youth, this belongs to you. Let’s join hands.”
The evening continued with several mesmerizing performances by young Afghan and Pakistani artists and students studying in Quad-i-Azam University and International Islamic University Islamabad, namely Helaa Band who played as well sang Pashto, Dari and Urdu songs; Social Freaks group who performed a Pak-Afghan friendship skit; and Waseem Sakhi and Siraj who played classical and Sufi music on Rubab and Tabla.
From the Afghan delegation, the concluding remarks were made by Afghan Parliamentarian Ms. Elay Ershad who said that while watching the performances, she could not tell the difference between who was Pakistani and who was Afghan, since they are the children of both countries, the killing needs to be stopped. She warmly paid gratitude to Pakistan for giving young Afghans the opportunity to acquire education in Pakistani institutes and stated that many of those who had studied in the country returned to acquire high positions in Afghanistan. She gave the examples of her delegates Mr. Mozammil Shinwari and Mr. Qutbuddin Roydar who had both studied in Pakistan and on their return served as deputy ministers in the Afghan Government. She urged the youth to keep on studying and told them that in the future “you can replace them.”
The ceremony carried on the message of peace and harmony between the youth from both countries present who towards the closing in high spirits performed Attan (the Pashtoon cultural dance).
