Pakistan seeks inclusive political settlement in Afghanistan, Senate panel told

ISLAMABAD: National Security Adviser (NSA) Dr Moeed Yusuf has said that Pakistan’s perspective is very clear in promoting an inclusive political settlement with a view to ensure that Afghan territory is not used against Pakistan.

He said Pakistan will also ensure its territory is not used against any country.

“The international community is also being informed about Pakistan’s concerns about the potential fallout of the Afghan crisis particularly in shape of the new influx of refugees,” the NSA told the Senate Standing Committee on Defence and National Security on Wednesday.

The Senate committee received a comprehensive briefing from Moeed Yusuf at the Parliament House. The briefing session lasted for two hours which included a detailed interactive questions and answers.

The committee was presided by its Chairman Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed and the briefing focused on Pakistan’s role in the changing regional scenario, Pakistan-US relations, Pakistan-India relations, and the impact of the evolving situation in Afghanistan following the American military exit.

The committee was informed that a broad-based roadmap is being developed for Pakistan-US relations which includes cooperation in commerce and trade, investment including vaccine manufacturing, climate change and military-to-military relations as well as promoting regional economic connectivity.

Moeed Yusuf also briefed the committee on his meeting with his American counterpart in Geneva last month. On Pakistan-India relations, Moeed Yusuf said onus was on India to start dialogue process after reversing the wrongs in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJ&K), particularly the August 5, 2019 decision, its efforts to change the demographic balance in occupied territory plus the release of political prisoners and lifting of the internet blockade.

Referring to Pakistan’s transition to geo-economics, Dr Moeed Yusuf underlined that the three pillars of this strategic reorientation include regional connectivity, partnership for development and the quest for peace within and peace without. He also invited input from the committee on defence and national security in the preparation of a comprehensive document pertaining to Pakistan’s national security policy.

In his remarks, Mushahid Hussain said the Senate committee would present its own ideas and input as well on the issue of national security so that any policy that is formulated by the government is inclusive, broad-based and representative of all shades of opinion. He also proposed that lawfare be made an integral component of Pakistan’s approach on national security and he also underlined the need for a comprehensive counter-terror strategy as well as a creative India policy that also has a broader South Asia perspective.

Mushahid Hussain said that given the new emerging situation in which national security can no longer be defined in terms of military might alone, the concept of human security must include elements that are crucial for the wellbeing of the people of Pakistan including health, climate change, population planning, food security and water scarcity, a perspective which Dr Moeed Yusuf fully endorsed. The committee also unanimously approved the Maritime Security (Amendment) Bill 2021.