The Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services (PIPS) organized a seminar on “Situation in Afghanistan: Prospects & Challenges” on Thursday 18 November 2021 at its Main Campus in Islamabad. Hon. Syed Fakhar Imam, Federal Minister for National Food Security inaugurated the Seminar as the Chief Guest.
Hon. Federal Minister for Food Security Syed Fakhar Imam shed light on the humanitarian crisis brewing in Afghanistan especially in the context of food security and economic revival. He shared that the world at large and regional actors must respond to the grave economic challenge Afghanustan faces today. He informed the august gathering that agriculture accounts for only 22% of Afghanistan’s total GDP of 19.29 bn USD which is meagre to even provide essential staple food to the local population. No matter 4 lac jobs in Afghanistan are associated with opium production but their major exports to Pakistan include quality fruits such as apples, pomegranates and peach. The Hon Minister expressed the hope that Pakistan’s continued engagement with the US, China, Russia and Afghanistan can play a decisive role in bridge building for peace, stability and humanitarian support to the new government in Afghanistan as peace is a mutual goal for all.
Mr. Muhammad Rashid Mafzool Zaka welcomed the participants and presented an overview of the seminar in the context of the evolving situation in Afghanistan. Amb. (Retd.) Aizaz Chaudhry during his key note address emphasized that Pakistan should not recognize the Taliban government in isolation. Regional approach is utmost necessary for that purpose. He reiterated the need for humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan as a priority by regional countries especially China and Pakistan. He emphasized border fencing and enhanced intelligence viz a viz infiltration of any terrorists, registration of all Afghan citizens in Pakistan and above all a need for a consensus Afghan policy formulated by and at the Parliament. He eulogized the initiative of Hon Speaker Asad Qaiser and the Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services (PIPS) for hosting such timely and comprehensive seminar.
Dr. Nazir Hussain, Dean Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, University of Wah, opined that Afghanistan issue is now more human security oriented. He emphasized that Afghans should be given the opportunity to decide for themselves. Seasoned journalist, Mr. Saleem Safi maintained that with US/NATO withdrawal both challenges and opportunities have emerged in the existing situation. He emphasized that US has withdrew from Afghanistan but not from region. It still holds the status of super power. He said Pakistan should continue to engage with all stakeholders and groups within Afghanistan. He also stressed that Pakistan should sincerely interact with Afghans as equals and in all trust assist them in consolidation peace, good governance and successful diplomacy. Hon. Senator Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Abdul Qayyum, encouraged the Taliban regime to play meaningful role with regard to the TTP which has created chaos in Pakistan with targeted attacks against state institutions. He emphasized Pakistan to include enhanced engagement with US as essential cornerstone of diplomacy.
Ambassador (R) Nadeem Riaz, President, Institute of Strategic Studies (IRS) emphasized the need to reiterate Pakistan’s National Interest viz a viz new realities of Afghanistan, that must include engagement with regional countries like Russia, China and Iran. He saw that there is clearly a diversity of interests with regard to US, China, Russia, India, Pakistan, Iran and Afghanistan, which is a challenge but an opportunity to move forward with dialogue and diplomacy.
Renowned Columnist Mr Zahid Hussain reiterate three imperative factors that require greater attention and cooperation of the world at large and Pakistan, China and US in particular: Firstly, Afghanistan needs humanitarian support and food security to overcome a famine-like situation with a threat that over few years no less than 92 million people will fall below poverty line. There are 23 mn Afghans facing famine and living on a single meal. Secondly, governance challenge is huge as national institutions are neither formed and there is no money to pay salaries of government employees. Thirdly, Afghanistan can be on verge of economic melt down until and unless trade, agriculture and revival of livelihoods is not triggered according to some plan.
Hon MNA Ms Zehra Wadood Fatemi applauded the Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services and learned panel for such enlightening seminar. She expressed her desire that Pakistan is well aware of the humanitarian needs of Afghanistan and it stands with the international commitments that peace, stability and territorial integrity of Afghanistan and all countries should be respected by every stakeholder.
H E Sardar Muhammad Shokaib, Charge De Affairs of Afghanistan in Pakistan, expressed his hope that Pakistan will help Afghanistan in persuading the global community to help the new regime in its efforts for consolidation of peace, economic revival and institutional building in Afghanistan. He informed that as compared to a perpetual killing of around 20 people on weekly basis in the last 20 years in presence of occupied forces, the last three months of the Taliban Government has brought peace and tranquility where life had returned to normalcy with start of livelihoods, agriculture and trade. He emphasized the US to allow access to US dollars 9 bn of funds donated by international partners so that Afghanistan government succeeds in providing essentials to its citizens. The Afghan diplomat thanked the National Assembly of Pakistan and the faculty of Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services for organizing a comprehensive day-long seminar on Afghanistan – Prospects and Challenges.
On behalf of Hon Speaker National Assembly/ President PIPS Board of Governors Mr Asad Qaiser and the Team PIPS, Muhammad Rashid Mafzool Zaka, Director General (Research) thanked the panelists, the Afghan Ambassador and a packed auditorium of participants including MNAs, Senators, Academia, government officials, media men and civil society for their set of way forwards to ensure peace, stability and cooperation in wake of the new Government in Afghanistan. He also informed that PIPS not only offers thematic capacity building sessions for Honorable Members of Parliament within Pakistan but internationally and it looks forward to offer on behalf of the Parliament of Pakistan knowledge sharing for the Afghanistan leadership and government functionaries viz a viz good governance and statehood. The event was attended by around 65 participants including Hon. Members of National Assembly and Senate, representatives from think-tanks & media, government officials, Academia, students and faculty members of Riphah University and Quaid-i-Azam University attended the event. Ms Tehseen Khalid, Director Research PIPS moderated the inaugural and first panel discussion. The absorbing session concluded with presentation of mementos to panelists and group photo at 2.30 pm with slogan of Long Live Pak-Afghan Friendship.
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