Pakistan and Afghanistan parliamentarians on Wednesday urged their respective governments to enter into a comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement, besides endorsing the steps to build a central strategic trade corridor between the two countries. The understanding was reached in a two-day Pakistan-Afghanistan Parliamentarians Security Dialogue held here on the eve of historic drawdown of US and Nato troops from Afghanistan by ending its 13 years long combat mission amid continued violence.
In a joint statement issued following the conclusion of the 12th round of the dialogue, parliamentarians of two countries believed that both two governments should enter into a comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement. Pakistan, after a series of dialogue during the previous PPP government, had handed over a draft of the proposed Strategic Partnership Agreement to Afghanistan, but the former Karzai government in Kabul didn't respond due to ups and downs in the bilateral relations. Afghanistan has signed the Strategic Partnership Agreement with India during Karzai's tenure.
The participants of the dialogue underscored the need for bilateral co-operation, particularly co-operation among the state and security agencies of two countries, in fight against terrorism and extremism, and for achieving and maintaining peace and stability in the region.
In this regard, comprehensive and effective laws for combating terrorism, including cyber terrorism, are need of the hour. Parliaments and Parliamentary committees in both countries should oversee effective implementation of the laws. Parliamentarians believed that the prospects of stability in the region could materialise if the two neighbours improve their bilateral relations. Both countries must grasp the new opportunity of peace and good relations offered by the newly-elected governments of both countries.
They stressed that trade and commerce between the two countries must be prioritised and formalised. Both sides also supported removal of bottlenecks and trade barriers and emphasised that facilities for transit trade between two neighbouring countries must be improved.
The parliamentarians of two countries also backed the initiatives to enhance connectivity between Pakistan and Afghanistan through the motorway between Peshawar and Kabul, rail and road links between Parachinar and Kabul, Peshawar and Jalalabad and Chaman and Spinboldak as well as building a central strategic trade corridor between two countries.
During the talks, the parliamentarians of two countries acknowledged and appreciated the positive momentum in bilateral relations generated through the visit of newly-elected Afghan President Ashraf Ghani to Pakistan from November 14-16, 2014.
They also appreciated the vision of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif for building a "peaceful neighbourhood" as a fundamental step for strong, comprehensive and enduring partnership between Pakistan and Afghanistan. "A strong and viable bilateral relationship between two countries is the only guarantee of the security and prosperity of the two countries as well as of peace and development in the region," stated the joint statement.
The parliamentarians unequivocally condemned the heinous and inhuman terrorist attack of December 16 on the Army Public School in Peshawar. Similar dastardly terrorist attacks in Kabul and Paktika province were also deplored. They believed that Afghanistan and Pakistan should take joint and steady steps for preventing such terrorist attacks and reiterated their resolve against all kinds of terrorism and extremism affecting the two countries.
As representatives of the people of two neighbouring countries, MPs appreciated that two countries were now ready to independently and along with each other take concrete and effective steps to counter terrorism and extremism aimed at ensuring peace and stability in two countries and the region.
The MPs shared a common vision where Pakistan and Afghanistan will serve as the heart of Asia to ensure that economic integration in Asia becomes a reality and not just remain a dream. Parliamentarians reiterated the desire to see South Asia connected with Central Asia under a model of regional economic integration. The MPs also favoured de-weaponisation and improved drug management across the border. They also stressed on putting in place a relaxed visa regime that allows multiple entry visas of citizens of each country. "Speedy visas should be issued for citizens travelling for health-related reasons," the statement added.
Affirming their commitment to build an environment of peace through dialogue, two sides reiterated their resolve to continue the dialogue process, involving all shades of opinion, to stabilise relations between two countries. They also resolved to find constructive, meaningful and lasting solutions to improve and strengthen bilateral relations between two countries.
The lawmakers reiterated the need for both the States to put in place comprehensive and effective measures for border management and strengthening tribes of two sides to effectively monitor the border/Durand Line. They also stressed that the soil of two countries must not be allowed to be used against each other and concerns from both sides should be seriously and honestly addressed on priority basis.
On the refugees, MPs of two countries urged the two governments to prepare a comprehensive roadmap for the honourable repatriation of Afghan refugees from Pakistan to Afghanistan at the earliest in keeping with the trilateral agreement. In addition to the need for enhancing educational scholarships for students of Afghanistan, the two countries would greatly benefit by co-operation in education. The scope for such co-operation might include; exchange of students and teachers at the level of universities and specialised institutions, such as for medicine and technology, exchange of youth delegations, facilitate study in each others universities by students, faculty and researchers through appropriate provisions in the visa regime.
A desire was expressed by the parliamentarians of two countries to institutionalise a regular dialogue between the two parliaments. The MPs from both sides recognised and appreciated the initiative of PILDAT to foster these dialogues and urged that this initiative be continued and reinforced.
Facilitated by PILDAT, the dialogue was co-hosted by the Senate Defence Committee and Parliamentary Friendship Groups on Afghanistan. The Afghan side was led by Senator Baz Mohammad Zormati, Member, International Affairs Commission, Meshrano Jirga, and Abdul Qader Zazai, Chairman of International Affairs Commission, Wolesi Jirga, with members of the delegation including Senator Lutfullah Baba, Senator Fowzea Saadat Zamkanai, Senator Mohammad Hassan Hotak, Senator Ghulam Mohaiudin Monsef, Senator Rana Tareen, Senator Mir Bahador Wasifi, from the Meshrano Jirga and Mohammad Nazir Ahmadzai, Sayed Nader Shah Bahr, Qudrat Ullah Saied Jan, Baz Mohammad Jawzjani, Gul Badshah Majidi, Ali Akbar Qasemi, Sherwali Wardak, Zakaria Zakaria and Qudratullah Zaki from the Wolesi Jirga.
Pakistan side was by Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed, Chairman of Defence Committee and Senator Afrasiab Khattak, Chairman of Senate Functional Committee on Human Rights, with members including Haji Adeel, Chairman of Senate Foreign Affairs Committee, Abbas Khan Afridi, Federal Minister for Textile & Industry, Surriya Amiruddin, Dr Jahangir Badar, Abdul Nabi Bangash, Mir Hasil Khan Bizenjo, Najma Hameed, Senator M Hamza, Amar Jeet, Senator Saeeda Iqbal, Senator Nasreen Jalil, Karim Ahmed Khawaja, Rubina Khalid, Zahid Khan, Nawabzada Saifullah Magsi, Abdul Rauf and Senator Mohammad Saleh Shah, from the Senate.
While Sajid Nawaz, Ali Mohammad Khan, Shaharyar Afridi, Sarzameen Khan, Sahibzada Tariqullah, Shah Jee Gul Afridi, Malik Ihtebar Khan, Rana Mohammad Afzal, Abid Raza, Nafeesa Inayat Ullah Khan Khattak, Mussarat Ahmad Zeb and Aisha Sayed from the National Assembly.