Russian Ambassador to Pakistan on Monday identified instability in Afghanistan as 'common' problem, which he said had become an international issue and underlined the need for co-ordinated efforts of regional players with Pakistan playing a lead role for peace in Afghanistan.
Andrey Budnik, Ambassador of Russia to Pakistan stated this while addressing a trilateral workshop on 'Pakistan-Russia Collaboration and the Afghan Crisis' which was organised by the South Asian Strategic Stability Institute (SASSI) in collaboration with the Center for War & Peace Moscow State Institute (University) of International Relations.
The Ambassador stated that instability in Afghanistan has of late risen having an impact, very painful, on each of us. We are faced with a common problem which long ago turned into an international one. And it would probably be unfair to put a burden of its settlement solely on one or another regional or external player.
A peaceful and prosperous Afghanistan living in harmony with its neighbours, free from terrorism, extremism and drugs - is an essential condition of regional and international security. The world community has to apply co-ordinated efforts to find optimum ways to untie the Afghan knot, get the settlement process started. Russia has and will continue to constructively contribute towards this goal. There is no doubt that Pakistan is destined to play one of the leading roles in this process, he added.
Nawabzada Malik Ammad Khan, State Minister for Foreign Affairs of Pakistan, said that Pakistan enjoys cordial relationship with Russia and recognises Russia's important role in promotion of stability, peace and development in the region. He stated that Pakistan has convergence of interests in a broad range of areas, therefore, we attach great importance to further strengthening our bilateral ties with Russia.
Major General Athar Abbas, Director General Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR), commented on Indian role in Afghanistan while stating that the notion of strategic depth is conceptual. Pakistan cannot afford having Indian mindset on its Western front as it will be difficult to have both the fronts open to deal with.
Dr Ghairat Baheer, former spokesman of Gulbadin Hekmatyar said that America should leave Afghanistan and let the Afghan people decide about their destiny. Dr Maria Sultan, Director General SASSI was of the view that there is a need to engage all the active players in the region for political dispensation of Afghanistan for long term peace and stability in the region.
Dr Maria said that the role envisioned by states, like Pakistan Russia, Iran and Central Asian republics on the other end is to help create an over all conducive environment of mutual progress, peace and healthy interdependence based on voluntary model of positive engagement.
She further said peace in Afghanistan would only be possible if no new conflicts are allowed to take place across its borders or seemingly independent conflicts in other neighbouring regions are to spill over into Afghanistan. Hamid Mir, a renowned journalist, was of the view that there must be establishment of contact groups from regional countries to lay out a common strategy. He emphasised on the fact that trade relations between Pakistan, Afghanistan and Russia could play a vital role in improving their relationship.
Since the fateful 9/11 terrorist attacks, quick and painless transformation of the Afghan policy has been the thrust of the US efforts and the US led 'war against terrorism. This has lied to an almost decade long state of intransigence, political instability, radicalisation and growing unrest in Afghanistan; with rather marginal success in the declared war objectives.
Ten years into the conflict, the war continues with marginal success. With over 1000 US and 3000 Afghan causalities over the last two years and according to conservative estimate 68 percent and liberal estimate of almost 85 percent of the Afghan territory is under the direct or in direct influence of the Taliban, social and economic security of the country remains in flux. The Pakistani engagement alone in the US led war effort has resulted in attacks in Pakistan over the last two years complimented by over a 100 US unauthorised drone strikes and the net cost of this engagement being almost a $100 billion. Furthermore, the net cost of instability in Afghanistan has resulted in increased radicalisation and terrorism within Pakistan almost over 100 suicide attacks and 1300 terrorist attacks in 2009-10.