Afghanistan may turn towards civil war and chaos if the ongoing efforts for reconciliation by the four-nation co-ordination group failed to bring the Taliban groups to negotiation, warned former ambassador Masood Khan. Masood Khan, who is Director General of Institute of Strategic Studies, Islamabad (ISSI) and Pakistan's former permanent representative to the United Nations, was sharing his expert opinion with National Assembly Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, chaired by Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari.
He said that the increasing violence and the Taliban gaining more ground was a serious source of concern for Kabul, adding efforts should continue for the success of the reconciliation process. He feared that any failure of the four-nation quadrilateral mechanism of Afghanistan, Pakistan, United States and China on Afghan peace process may lead to a civil war and chaos in Afghanistan.
Referring to the growing threat of Daesh in the region, Khan said that both Pakistan and Afghanistan need to frame a joint strategy to deal with the increasing threat of the global network. He said that Daesh has strengthened its footprint in Afghanistan which needs collective efforts to stop its spread in the region.
Masood Khan also pointed out that it was irony that Afghan politicians and the media blame each and every incident on Pakistan that happens inside Afghanistan, adding the Afghan government never launched any major operation against the insurgents such as operation Zarb-e-Azb.
Referring to the issue of Durand Line, he said that the border now should be recognised as the international border between the two countries for the restoration of trust and resolution of the issues. He further said the two countries also need to keep an open eye on the activities of the non-state actors in their respective countries. He further stated that Pakistan should present the evidence to the Afghan government of using the Afghan soil against Pakistan.
About the issue of Afghan refugees, he said that it does not seem that the refugees will return to their homes at the end of June this year. He also lamented that international focus has now shifted from Afghan refugees to the Syrian refugees. Scholar and head of the NUST research team Dr Rifat Hussain said that the two countries should release the existing trust deficit and take measures to move forward. He also pointed out that the role of Afghan intelligence, NDS and the Indian involvement, are the issues preventing the two countries to move forward on their bilateral relations. According to him, Pakistan should reach out to all ethnic and linguistic groups in Afghanistan and avoid its policy towards a single group.
He stated that his research team was not recommending fencing the border, saying it would divide the communities living on both the sides. However, he recommended effective mechanism to secure the border. Dr Rifat's team and the Institute of Strategic Studies, Islamabad (ISSI) and other analysts, will be submitting its recommendation to the sub-committee headed by Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao, constituted to finalise the proposals on Pakistan-Afghanistan relations.
Nazia Malik, a NUST research tea member briefed the committee on strengthening trade and economic ties between Pakistan and Afghanistan. She pointed out that the existing trade volume of $10 billion could reach to double and even triple if the irregular trade between the two countries is streamlined.
Committee member Mehmood Khan Achakzai pointed out Afghan refugees were being maltreated in the country, adding that their children are not being allowed to go to schools anymore in Punjab, Peshawar and Quetta. MNA from FATA Ghazi Gulab Jamal, presented the case of FATA, suggested an "elected council" should also be negotiated as a third option for bringing the tribal areas in the mainstream.
He stated that under the British colonial system, Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, was still acting like a viceroy and the powers of the governor should be shifted to the people and it should be left on the people to decide their future. Chairman of the committee also came hard on the Foreign Office who gave an ultimatum of 48 hours to respond to his letter sent to Foreign Secretary seeking detail on various reports such as economic diplomacy.
"The Committee is repeatedly seeking detail from the office of the Foreign Secretary but it is reluctant to share the detail...don't force me to move a privilege motion in National Assembly. Send the detail in 48 hours otherwise I will have no option but to move the motion against Foreign Office", Leghari issuing a strict instruction stated.