ISLAMABAD: Chairman, Afghan High Peace Council and leader of Hezb-e-Wahadat-e Islami Ustad Karim Khalili Wednesday said that together Pakistan and Afghanistan can defeat the “spoilers” of the Afghan peace process as well as the common challenge of terrorism posed by Daesh.
Addressing participants at a public talk at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI), Khalili said that peace in Afghanistan will create a situation that will benefit all countries, especially the region and the neighbouring countries.
With such a peace, new horizons for progress and development will emerge in the region, he added.
He said that peace is a multidimensional phenomenon which has multifaceted effects in different dimensions of human social life and societies.
“When we talk about peace, in addition to the political dimension, we must also consider its cultural, economic and social dimensions,” he said, adding: “we are living in an interconnected world with a vast network of global issues, where war and peace are no exception.”
He added that when a peace agreement upholds human rights’ values, such as women’s rights, minority rights, non-discrimination, and many other issues, all nations and peoples of the world are motivated to support it.
Conversely, he stated that if these global standards are not taken into account, such peace will not go anywhere and conflicts will continue.
In Afghanistan, he added that the peace discourse has become a serious issue especially given that peace in Afghanistan is complex, multidimensional, with internal and international consequences.
“Thus, the people of Afghanistan need cooperation and joint efforts from all countries, especially the region,” he asserted.
He added that a possible peace agreement with the Taliban will help Afghanistan to cope with other challenges such as the one posed by Daesh.
He emphasized the need for joint cooperation between Pakistan and Afghanistan to deal with the common challenges, especially the issue of terrorism posed by Daesh to both the countries, the region and beyond.
“Both Pakistan and Afghanistan can defeat the “spoilers” of the peace process and Daesh through close cooperation,” he asserted.
Khalili also expressed confidence over the current status of bilateral trade between the two countries, adding that many common projects, especially CASA-1000 and trade with Central Asian states will get benefit with restoration of peace in Afghanistan.
About Pakistan’s role, he opined that the goal is to win Pakistan’s government’s support for a peace that can address regional issues and benefit all our international friends, adding that it requires a good and precise mechanism which responds well to all of Afghanistan’s domestic diversity as well as expectations of the international community.
He appreciated the positive and constructive viewpoint of the Pakistani leadership and noted the visible support given during his visit.
To a question about the role of regional countries, especially Pakistan in the Afghan peace process, he appreciated Pakistan’s positive and constructive role in the peace process, terming Islamabad as a staunch supporter of peace, adding that peace in Afghanistan will amount to peace in Pakistan.
He further stated that Pakistan has played a pivotal role in helping to achieve peace in Afghanistan.
He also acknowledged Pakistan’s efforts in the first round of the peace process as well as the ongoing talks in Doha, and hoped that with this current momentum, the relationship would reach new horizons.
Khalili is visiting Pakistan along with an Afghan delegation including senators and members of parliament namely, Khodadad Erfani, Nafisa Azimi, Ali Akbar Jamshidi, Qais Wakeli, Mohammad Rahim Hassanyar, Mohammad Alem Khalili, and Madar Ali Karimi.
Pakistan’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, Ambassador Mohammad Sadiq was also in attendance.
Members of the diplomatic corps in Islamabad, academics, civil society, and former and current diplomats were also present on the occasion.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2021
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