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Afghan government to prioritize the return and reintegration of refugees, says Senior Advisor to President Ghani
On June 24, 2018, the Beyond Boundaries delegations met with Mr. Khyber Farahi, Senior Advisor to President Ashraf Ghani on Migration and Social Development in Kabul. Mr. Farahi gave an in-depth and comprehensive presentation on the latest on ground situation of the refugees. While acknowledging that the refugees is an important factor as part of APAPPS, he said that the Afghan government is now prioritizing the return and reintegration of refugees. Referring to the huge surge in 2016, he said the government actually stepped up and said, "Yes we want them back. There is political will which has now been translated into policy and action. Now, the Afghan government policy is that these are our refugees and they will have to come back to the country at some time. For us it’s a matter of even stability." At the same time, he also thanked the Pakistan government, saying: “I think we have to, and we are, grateful to the government of Pakistan, to the nation of Pakistan for hosting Afghan refugees for such a long time. As compared to Iran, if you look at the number of Afghans who were living in Pakistan, and the access to opportunities they had, it has helped them get jobs when they came back." He further elaborated that the five key needs of the refuges are: land, health, education, jobs, and integration. Different interventions are required by the government on these key needs. The government has put together a management framework and an executive committee. There is a high migration council that is directly chaired by the President, with 17 different ministries and agencies. There is also a committee under the Chief Executive. He said that the agreement we have with Pakistan under the APAPPS framework is “we want the refugees back but it has to be manageable, and for that reason we need a time bound repatriation plan in place”. Then, we can on both sides agree when and how they will be returning - some voluntarily, and some involuntarily: as long as we stick to the...
CEO Dr. Abdullah expresses renewed hope on the current positivity in Pak-Afghan relations
Dr. Abdullah Abdullah, CEO of Afghan National Unity Government, in a meeting with Beyond Boundaries Pak-Afghan delegations, expressed renewed hope and positivity in the current political developments in Pak-Afghan bilateral relations, particularly under the Afghanistan Pakistan Action Plan for Peace and Solidarity (APAPPS) framework. While maintaining optimism, and in view of the changed circumstances, the CEO said, "There is a strong will to work on both sides to cooperate in military and civil spheres. In the overall sense, only inaction from the two governments can spoil this mechanism (APAPPS)," stressing firmly: "inaction can be the only spoiler". Both sides, therefore, need to avoid going public with any sort of negativity, he added. Speaking on the upcoming general elections in Pakistan (July 25) and parliamentary elections in Afghanistan (October 20), he said that this poses a new opportunity for both governments as they will have inherited a civil and military cooperation system already operational. They can work together for sustainable peace and stability. He also hinted at visiting Islamabad after general elections, provided there is positive indication from the two sides. The meeting with the CEO was held on June 25, 2018, at his office. The complete report from the meeting is as under: CEO Dr. Abdullah Abdullah welcomed the two delegations while noting that it was his fourth interaction with the Beyond Boundaries track II groups. He appreciated the efforts of the implementing organisations – CRSS and OESP, saying: “this is a very useful forum and you must carry on the good work that you have been doing”. He requested the Pakistan delegation: “I would like to have your views on the new situation with political improvements and renewed optimism”. Speaking first, the head of Pakistan delegation, Dr. Shoaib Suddle, said that this is our third meeting of the Beyond Boundaries phase III. In our recent bilateral dialogue held yesterday 24 June, we...
Beyond Boundaries High-Level Delegation Visits Kabul
A high level Pakistan delegation arrived in Kabul on Friday, June 22, 2018, for the third meeting of Pakistan Afghanistan Joint Committee (PAJC) as part of CRSS- SaferWorld- OESP Pak-Afghan track 1.5/II project Beyond Boundaries Phase III. The meeting was held in Kabul from June 22 – 26, 2018. The Pakistani delegation was headed by Dr. Shoaib Suddle, Former IG Police and Federal Tax Ombudsman, while the other members included: Mr. Qazi Humayun, former Ambassador; Mr. Mohammad Sadiq, former Ambassador; Ms. Seema Ilahi Baloch, former Ambassador; Mr. Tahir Khan, senior journalist and Editor NNI, Mr. Rehman Azhar, senior journalist Express TV, and host of primetime TV talk show “Center Stage with Rehman Azhar”; Mr. Naveed Akbar, Senior Journalist and Foreign Affairs Correspondent Dunya Newspaper. The delegation was accompanied by Mr. Imtiaz Gul, Executive Director, CRSS, and Mr. Aized Ali, Project Director Beyond Boundaries, CRSS. Mr. Barnett Richard Rubin, International expert on Afghanistan and South Asia attended the PAJC bilateral dialogue meeting as International Neutral Expert and Chair. The high level eight member Afghan PAJC delegation was headed by Mr. Abdul Hakeem Mujahid, Advisor and Member of Executive Board of the High Peace Council. Other members included: Mr. Khalid Pashtoon, Member of Parliament; Mr. Salim Khan Kunduzi, Former Governor Nangarhar and former Deputy Minister of Agriculture; Mr. Danish Karokhail, senior journalist and Head of Pajhwok News; Ms. Zakia Wardak, Civil society leader and entrepreneur; Mr. Khan Jan Alokozai, Co-President Pakistan-Afghanistan Joint Chamber of Commerce & Industry (PAJCCI); Mr. Mozammil Shinwari, Advisor to CEO on Trade and Economics; and Mr. Sayed Qutbuddin Roydar, former Deputy Minister for Parliamentary Affairs. The Pakistan PAJC group held a meeting and briefing with Ambassador of Pakistan, Mr. Zahid Nasrullah Khan, at Embassy of Pakistan on June 22. The briefing was followed by a working dinner hosted by...
China’s All On Board Strategy Perhaps A Self-Enforcing Solution For Peace In Afghanistan
Afghan peace process is the most frustrating the world has ever seen where fighting or harnessing peace both are equally challenging. Since long the Afghan quagmire has been a game play in the hands of several regional and international players. Of late, China has apparently got a driver’s seat in the Afghan peace process as it enjoys trust and good relations with most stakeholders. China’s role in Afghan peace process appears to be quite distinct in this regard as the country has reportedly not nurtured any proxy war nor any covert operations inside Afghanistan. This was stated by IR expert Salman Ali Bhittani from Quaid-i-Azam University who was speaking to Pak-Afghan youth on Wednesday, June 27, 2018, at the Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) in Islamabad. Participants included several young Afghans and Pakistanis belonging to Islamabad, Peshawar, Bannu, Mardan, and tribal districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Mr. Bhittani stated that China is situated at the edge of South Asia and is very much connected to the region politically, and the rise of China would be staging from this region; that is why Beijing is keenly interested in the unfolding regional crescendos. Beijing has taken up the same soft power modus operandi in Afghanistan which is determined by its domestic policy of acquiring economic progress and development and mainly includes economic ventures and regional connectivity abroad. He stated that as US intervention in Afghanistan appeared to have two aspects; mainly revolving around utilizing the mineral resources of Afghanistan and Central Asia and the containment of China, experts anticipated an alarm with respect to China as US presence grew in Afghanistan. However, China appeared to be only observing in silence. It adopted a proactive strategy in Afghanistan after United States’ pull-back from its 2014 withdrawal plan – implying no end to the conflict in the near future, he said. However, even then, as opposed to the US strategy, the...
Pakistan Afghanistan Joint Committee Unanimously Supports And Welcomes Recent High Level Bilateral Visits And APAAPS Framework.
The third meeting of Pakistan Afghanistan Joint Committee (PAJC), Beyond Boundaries - Phase III was held at Kabul on 24 June, 2018. First and second meetings were held at Kabul on 15 December, 2017, and Islamabad on 26 February, 2018 respectively. The bilateral PAJC dialogue included interactive discussions on peace and security, positive bilateral developments including recent high level visits, revival of formal contacts under the Afghanistan Pakistan Action Plan for Peace and Solidarity (APAAPS), a review of the status of Afghan refugees, bilateral and transit trade and the role of media on both sides in promoting better bilateral relations and preventing misperceptions and negative narratives. The PAJC groups held meetings and were briefed during the dialogue by Mr. Haroon Rashid Sherzad, Senior Advisor to National Security Advisor (NSA), on the framework of APAAPS; Mr. Khyber Farahi, Senior Advisor to President on Migration and Social Development, on the latest situation of refugees. The PAJC groups unanimously supported, and welcomed the recent high level bilateral visits and the recently concluded APAAPS framework. The GROUPS also welcomed commitment by both governments to refrain from public blame games as they pursue the new dialogue framework. The PAJC groups agreed and urged the two governments to: Grant access to respective prisoners and sign an agreement on Mutual Consular Access, at the earliest. Sign an agreement for repatriation of each other’s citizen’s and prisoners. Dignified and honorable treatment to each other’s citizen’s at entry points. Restrain official Spokespersons of the two governments from making knee jerk statements in situations involving the two countries. It was suggested that given the sensitivities, both sides should avoid instant reaction to any untoward incident. Work on a dignified and reasonable plan for Afghan refugees repatriation. Hold APTTCA meeting at the earliest to improve the framework governing the transit trade...
[VIDEO] Takeaways From CRSS’ Track II/1.5 Visit To Kabul [June 22-26, 2018]
This is the first time both Pakistan and Afghanistan have a signed framework in which they can repose some trust and on the basis of which they can move forward. Member of CRSS’ Track II/1.5 Diplomacy initiative Ambassador Seema Ilahi Balochi shares the takeaways at the conclusion of Beyond Boundaries’ core members’ third visit of Phase III to Kabul on Monday. Since the last two years that the track II/1.5 meetings have been held in both countries, Ambassador Seema Baloch says there has been a perceptible change in Kabul as well as Islamabad which can be attributed both to Afghanistan Pakistan Action Plan for Peace and Solidarity (APAPPS) and the recent ceasefire during Eid between the Taliban and the Government. https://youtu.be/tZ6o85zg11w There is certainly optimism both in the government and in the interlocutors, she stated. This is the first time both Pakistan and Afghanistan have a signed framework in which they can repose some trust and on the basis of which they can move forward. Both sides know this will only be helpful once the action within the five working groups under APAPPS is implemented. If it is not, it will be a great opportunity lost from both sides. Because right now it is the only bilateral document. It is the best way to keep out actors who want to come in for their vested interests and the best way for both countries to move forward together. Both Afghanistan and Pakistan know that there is no alternative to peace, she said. The narrative that Afghanistan’s stability depends on Pakistan works both ways as Pakistan’s stability also depends on Afghanistan. Unless the two countries work together, there will be no peace in this region she said. What are the risks to the peace process, who could be the spoilers? Speaking on the potential risks or spoilers involved in the new engagement between the two countries, she said that spoilers can be both state actors and non-state actors, they can be the countries surrounding Afghanistan, but also...
Third Workshop of CRSS Pak-Afghan ‘Beyond Boundaries’ Held in Kabul
The third workshop of the Pak-Afghan track 1.5/II dialogue titled Beyond Boundaries, an initiative by the CRSS, gets underway in Kabul, Afghanistan. The workshop is chaired by South Asia and Afghanistan Expert Professor Barnett R. Rubin. Mr. Imtiaz Gul, Executive Director CRSS, tweeted the following updates on the workshop: APAPPS provides the best foundation for a candid /structured debate on Pak-Afghan relations, say delegates at #BeyondBoundaries @ @CRSSpak in Kabul — Imtiaz Gul (@vogul1960) June 24, 2018 Pak-Afghan track11/1.5 dialogue BeyondBoundaries @CRSSpak gets underway @kabul, chaired by @BRRubin@UKinAfghanistan@GermanyinAFG APAPPS provides the best foundation for a candid /structured debate on Pak-Afghan relations, say delegates at #BeyondBoundaries @ @CRSSpak in Kabul — Imtiaz Gul (@vogul1960) June 24, 2018 APAPPS provides the best foundation for a candid /structured debate on Pak-Afghan relations, say delegates at #BeyondBoundaries @ @CRSSpak in Kabul — Imtiaz Gul (@vogul1960) June 24, 2018 APAPPS provide a good framework for discussing timeline for a safe/dignified return of refugees in Pakistan @pakistaninews@NasimZehrapic.twitter.com/HlOcTH1ie4 — Imtiaz Gul (@vogul1960) June 24, 2018 Participants from the Pakistani contingent include, Shoaib Suddle (Head of Delegation) – Former IGP and Federal Tax Ombudsman Qazi Hamayun – Former Ambassador Mohammad Sadiq – Former Ambassador Gen. (Retd.) Asif Yasin Malik – Former Defence Secretary Seema Illahi Baloch – Former Ambassador Tahir Khan – Senior Journalist and Editor NNI Rehman Azhar – Senior Journalist, Express TV Naveed Akbar – Journalist, Dunya Newspaper Mr Imtiaz Gul – Executive Director, CRSS Mr Aized Ali – Project Director, CRSS On the other hand, participants from the Afghan contingent include, Mozammil Shinwari – Advisor to the Chief Executive on Trade Rangina Kargar – Member of Afghan Parliament Abdul Hakim Mujahid – Head of Executive Committee of Afghan High Peace...
Speakers call for compliance with democratic values as key to peace, Ulasi Taroon Workshops
The seventh round of Ulasi Taroon Youth Capacity Building Workshops was held in Sheringal, Upper Dir at Shaheed Benazir Bhutto University (SBBU), to exchange knowledge and information on social cohesion and cultivate the future leaders in the constitutional values critical to social peace and harmony. The event was organized by the Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) from June 22-23, 2018. Prof. Hammad Azeem Khan from the Department of Law, SBBU, spoke on rule of law and social cohesion. He noted that many believed that today’s age was the scientific age but he believed it was the legal age. In our societies, most of our actions and behaviors are bound and informed by some principles called legal rules and regulations. Law, morals and ethics are all means of controlling human conduct. Just like laws important for sciences, there are values and principles that inform human behaviors and they are very important for peaceful coexistence. Deviation from these ideals and constitutional values leads to conflict, violence and extremism in the society. The principle of rule of law is at the core of the smooth operations of all the institutions in the society. It is unimaginable to have a society without rule of law that informs across the board accountability. Rule of law is an evolutionary process and concept and it discourages arbitrary use of power. The primary purpose of the constitution is to uphold rule of law and its indiscriminate application. The rule of law does not just mean equality in literal terms but it promotes the principles of equity and fairness i.e. respect for the rights one deserves, understanding different individuals’ circumstances and fulfilling everyone’s different needs. Human rights education is critical to uphold rule of law and sanctity of constitution. Mr. Badshah Hussain, Registrar, SBBU said that we are all bound to abide by our social contract and comply with the core constitutional values as a measure of ensuring social...
In Afghanistan, We Persist In Futility – Steve Chapman
The cease-fire in Afghanistan came to an unmistakable end Wednesday when 30 Afghan government soldiers were killed in a Taliban attack in a western province. You may not have noticed the end of the cease-fire because you may not have noticed the start of the cease-fire, just a few days earlier. You should not feel guilty. Seventeen years after the U.S. invaded, there is not much reason to pay attention to Afghanistan because nothing ever changes much. Yet we remain there in the obstinate hope that something will. We stay because we don’t know what else to do. The simple fact is that we are not winning the war — and if you are not winning a war against an enemy fighting on his soil among his people, you are losing. In a protracted stalemate, insurgents are more likely to hang on as long as they have to. We can always go home. They are home. Our efforts have amounted to an interminable, expensive failure. In May, the U.S. government’s special inspector general for Afghanistan issued a “lessons learned” report that was a chronicle of futility. “The U.S. government greatly overestimated its ability to build and reform government institutions in Afghanistan,” it said. “The large sums of stabilization dollars the United States devoted to Afghanistan in search of quick gains often exacerbated conflicts, enabled corruption, and bolstered support for insurgents.” In short, we made things worse rather than better. Our forces have repeatedly pushed boulders up a hill and then watched them roll back down. “Successes in stabilizing Afghan districts rarely lasted longer than the physical presence of coalition troops and civilians,” said the report. Under Donald Trump, the U.S. has been dropping a huge number of bombs – three times more in 2017 than in 2016, under Barack Obama. But the insurgents now control more of the country’s territory than ever before. Afghan civilians have been dying at a near-record pace. Production of poppies, used to make heroin, set a record last year,...
The NAP Tracker : The Third Year Audit of the National Action Plan
The NAP Tracker : The Third Year Audit of the National Action Plan The NAP Tracker is the only publication of its kind that tracks the Pakistani state’s progress on all 20 points of the National Action Plan. The third year of the National Action Plan (NAP) witnessed a small set of victories and significant stagnation and setbacks. Perhaps the most telling piece of evidence was the National Security Council (NSC) meeting conducted with civil and military heads on December 19, 2017, three days after the third anniversary of the Army Public School attack in Peshawar that birthed the NAP. The meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, was attended by Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal, National Security Adviser retired Lt Gen Nasser Khan Janjua, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Gen Zubair Mehmood Hayat, Army Chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa, Naval Chief Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi, Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman and senior officials. The most significant takeaway was that everyone felt NAP needed more work. As has been the case in the last two years of the NAP’s implementation, Pakistan’s mechanisms and interventions for dealing with the root cause of extremism remain largely ineffective. It was hoped that with victories on the kinetic front, there would be a shift on the ideological side. It is hoped that in the coming year, the softer side of NAP will also receive an overhaul, and there will be a shift in focus on thought on the elements that drive radical thought. Please see the full PDF of year 3 here. The NAP Tracker -Year 2 On December 16, 2014, armed militants broke into the Army Public School (APS) in Peshawar Cantonment area of the Khyber Pukhtunkhwa (KP) province. In the brazen attack they murdered 133 schoolchildren, as well as 10 teachers, including the principal. This atrocious attack was a major paradigm shift in Pakistan, and will forever remain the incident that damaged and radically altered our collective national psyche. On...
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I am also a member of National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Information and Broadcasting. Recently, we held a meeting with the Director General of Radio Pakistan and we told them to initiate such local programs (like Constituency Hour) in regional languages to educate and inform people. Even Indian Radio can be heard in FATA which is being used for propaganda purposes and must be closed. Therefore, we should launch some standard and quality programs like CRSS that will change the taste of the listeners.