During the fifth visit of Beyond Boundaries’ Pakistan Afghanistan Joint Committee (PAJC) in Islamabad, as part of the strategic sideline meetings with government stakeholders, the PAJC delegations of Afghanistan and Pakistan were hosted for a working dinner by the Ambassador of Afghanistan, Mr. Atif Mashal, at his residence on Thursday 22 August, 2019.
In pre-dinner discussions with members from both the delegations Ambassador Atif Mashal informed the delegates of the steps Pakistan is taking for the 24/7 borders. He said he is looking forward to inauguration of new facility by Prime Minister Imran Khan. He also said that border operates between 6 am to 8 pm, which has helped movement.
Ambassador told the delegates that he had a meeting with the Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Qamar Bajwa to discuss opening of more border crossing points. He stressed that both countries need to focus on this to decongest mainstream border point like Torkham. This will also ease flow of people and goods at other places.
He said he is very happy that youth programmes are also taking place such as the Youth Summit being held during the Beyond Boundaries visit, and other CRSS-ASC Pak-Afghan Youth Dialogues and Youth Workshops: “Youth must be brought together. We need to sensitize the youth on bilateral issues”.
The Ambassador also discussed Doha talks and its prospects as it is in the final stage. Further talking on the Afghan Peace Process, he told the delegates: “talks for peace of course came from Afghan National Unity Government (NUG). They accept Taliban as Afghans and should and can live the way we all do”. However, there is one concern that how will we justify to the youth the death and destruction that has taken place so far. On a more positive note he observed that Peace and reconciliation is imminent. We should focus on ceasefire and stay the positive course.
Afghan delegate Saleem Kunduzi said that the real discussion is on what takes precedence, election or peace. But if despite deal the war doesn’t end what will be the benefit to the war fatigued people. Where does the constitution stand? Still lot of uncertainly. We need to remove people’s concerns.
Afghan delegate Abdul Hakim Mujahid said: “US policy is probably something is better than nothing”.
The Ambassador said that bilateral relations have improved and there is great appreciation of the role Pakistan has played in the US led Doha talks as well as other international stakeholders.
Ambassador Mashal pointed out with concern that the emergence of new terrorist groups is creating doubts too. Hence, President Ashraf Ghani is being very cautious?
After the discussions the Ambassador hosted both delegations for a working dinner, where conversation on Pak-Afghan relations, Peace Process, Presidential elections, Bilateral & Transit Trade and people to people contact continued informally.