Pakistan, Afghanistan civil society groups stress peace

Islamabad

Participants of Pakistani and Afghan civil society working groups in a regional workshop have said that the peace process should continue with added transparency and in line with globally-accepted fundamental values.

Held on February 8 and 9 in Bhurban, the workshop was organised by Centre for Research in Security Studies as the fifth major round in the series of meetings between civil society and regional security experts of both countries as part of 'Beyond Boundaries,' a major Af-Pak Track-1.5 and -II initiative in partnership with its Afghan counterpart DURAN Research and Analysis and the Foundation for Integrated Development Action.

The members of the working group stressed that increased bilateral trade and expeditious completion of Pakistani infrastructural projects in Afghanistan would be conducive to improving Af-Pak economic relations. On the role of media, the workshop recognised its effective significance in improving mutual perceptions.

They observed that the fundamental human rights of Afghans living as refugee in Pakistan should not be ignored while also facilitating their voluntary repatriation to their homeland. They said that cultural and educational ties between Afghanistan and Pakistan should be promoted by building on existing historical linkages.

They hoped that if the process continued, the Taliban would also attend the session as interlocutors, and that women’s perspective would be taken into consideration in the forthcoming Quadrilateral discussions.

The members noted that the mutual misperceptions could disrupt the Quadrilateral dialogue and bilateral relations and thus needed urgent attentions from those at helm of Pakistan and Afghanistan. These potentially disruptive factors mainly include Afghan perception of Pakistan support to Afghan Taliban. Conversely, Pakistan’s perception of Afghanistan’s lack of action against elements involved in subversive activities in Pakistan, interplay of ideology and money in sponsoring terrorism, the evolution of radical organisations in the region, possible escalation of violence, the anticipated spring offensive, the politicisation of the refugees issue and sensationalised reporting.

The working group members unanimously endorsed taking indiscriminate action on both sides against unconstitutional non-state actors. They emphasised on the need to promote cultural ties by building on existing historical linkages organising seminars, cultural and literary events, concerts, exchange of visits of writers, students, opinion makers, developing films and documentaries.