Mushahid calls for opening borders and delinking trade from politics

Islamabad: PMLN Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed has said that opening borders and minds and delinking trade from politics are crucial to promoting mutually beneficial peace and connectivity.

The Senator was speaking at the opening session of 3-day “Pak-Afghan stakeholders dialogue” convened here by Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) in collaboration with its Afghan partner Organisation for Economic Studies and Peace (OESP).

Senator Mushahid stressed the importance of separating border trade from political tensions and terrorism concerns, while also advocating for greater engagement with the Taliban and highlighting the positive aspects of Pakistan's relationship with China.

He said Pakistan needs regional reset through dialogue among regional state actors and to develop strategic clarity on relations with its neighbours. He emphasised the historical context of Pak-Afghan relations. Reflecting on his extensive experience, he underscored the importance of stability in Afghanistan and called for a reassessment of Pakistan's Afghan policy. He pointed out the international community's acknowledgment of the Taliban as the de facto rulers of Afghanistan, highlighting Russia's desire to engage with them despite facing obstacles.

Pakistan’s internal security is inextricably intertwined with geopolitics, said Senator Mushahid while underscoring the interplay between Pakistan's relations with its neighbors and its internal stability. He said that regional peace, security and stability are also inextricably linked with the same in Afghanistan as preconditions. He called for a reassessment of historical perceptions regarding Afghan groups and strategic clarity in Pakistan's Afghan policy

He saw the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) as a potential catalyst for regional cooperation and economic connectivity proposing the inclusion of Afghanistan in this initiative and stressed the need for open borders and strategic clarity in Pakistan's regional policies.

The dialogue concluded with his call for a “regional reset” in policies towards Afghanistan, emphasising the need for collaboration and cooperation among neighbouring countries. Fulfilling his pledge made during the gathering, he advocated for the key messages of the dialogue in the Senate session right after attending the dialogue, emphasizing the urgency of regional cooperation for peace and prosperity. Addressing the gathering, various speakers echoed the sentiments of cooperation and collaboration.