Afghan Consul General in Peshawar, Abdul Waheed Poyan has expressed optimism for defusing the ongoing tension between Afghanistan and Pakistan and called for joint efforts to cope with common challenges and to establish everlasting peace in the entire region.
"Afghanistan and Pakistan are being faced with common threats, which should be tackled with joint efforts", the diplomat stressed, while talking to media persons after attending a seminar, held in connection with Afghanistan International Culture Day at Peshawar Press Club, organised by Regional Forum for Peace, and Development on Saturday. He further viewed that his government gave much importance to boost relations with Pakistan as compared to other regional countries.
Notable speakers include, Rahmat Shah Siyal, Dr Abaseen Yousafzai, Abdul Majeed Chandio from Sairaki belt, and Fatima Atif Hailin from Hazara community, and Alamzeb Khan, chairman of the Forum. Besides, the gathering was also attended by poets, writers, member of civil society, lawyers, and people from different walks of life.
To question about alleged increasing India influence in Afghanistan, the diplomat replied that every country has its own policy to strength relationship with neighbouring countries, so the Afghanistan has utmost desire to enhance mutual ties with all regional countries, including Pakistan, he opined. However, he stressed that it was eminent to sort out peaceful resolution of all outstanding issues to jointly address the common problems, being faced both Afghanistan and Pakistan.
The Afghan envoy said the Pakhtuns at both sides of the border, had have suffered a lot during prolonged war against terrorism in this region. He said the health, and education infrastructure had badly shattered in the war, while a large number of displacement of Afghans from their country, he observed. Earlier, speaking at a seminar, Waheed Poyan said Afghanistan and Pakistan had bounded with cordial relations due to their common language, traditions, culture and religion.
"We being a nation proved the world that we are capable to resolve own all issues through traditional 'jirga' system. Women were given great respect in Pakhtuns culture which had no precedent in rest of the world", the Afghan envoy said. He blamed that the political leadership of the Pakistan had not shown seriousness to settle down all issues with Afghanistan.
"Afghanistan and Pakistan are in flames, so let's come together to fight against the menace of terrorism and to bring everlasting stability for peaceful 'co-existence' in the region," the diplomat said. He said that Pakhtuns are much resilient, which had remained steadfast against terrorism and rendered unforgettable sacrifices for establishment of durable peace in the region.
The diplomat stressed the need for establishment of people to people contact, and exchange of delegations to give boost to mutual cultural, business and trade relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan. Fatima Atif, a peace and culture activist from Hazara community in her address highlighted the culture can not be stagnant, which has influence many things. She said role of women vital in promotion of culture norms, value and other traditions.
She said culture gave a message of peace, tolerance, brotherhood and unity. She maintained that culture know as more powerful tool to bridge gap and enhance cordial relations with any nation in the world. She stressed the need for promoting tolerance, peace and unity among their ranks and to sort-out peaceful solution of all issues.
Earlier, the forum chairman, Alamzeb Khan briefed the participants about the significant of holding the event. He said that they had also invited Afghan delegation, comprising of noted Pashtu poets, writers and literary figures, but they didn't allow for attending the event due to security reasons. He stressed the need of enhancement of culture relations to give further boost to relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Other speakers, include Usman Olasyar, Abdul Majeed Chandio, former MPA Saleem Khan, Rahmat Shah spoke on the occasion. They emphasized that both Pakistan and Afghanistan should promote mutual cultural relations and settle down all issues in peaceful manner.
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