Press Release – Track II Dialogue “Shared Peace, Security & Prosperity: Afghanistan-Pakistan Bilateral Track II Dialogue”

1057


Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI)- Heart of Asia Society (HAS), Kabul
Track II Dialogue
“Shared Peace, Security & Prosperity: Afghanistan-Pakistan Bilateral Track II Dialogue”
November 23, 2021

The Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI) and Heart of Asia Society (HAS), Kabul held the third in the series of bilateral dialogue, titled ‘Shared Peace, Security & Prosperity: Afghanistan-Pakistan Bilateral Track II Dialogue’, today. The dialogue was hosted by the Centre for Afghanistan, Middle East and Africa (CAMEA).

The dialogue consisted of two sessions. The first session titled ‘After the Taliban Takeover – Update from Kabul was moderated by Ms. Amina Khan, Director CAMEA at ISSI and the second session titled ‘Taking Stock of Challenges and Opportunities’ was moderated by Ambassador Mosazai, Vice President of the Heart of Asia Society .

The Keynote speaker for the first session was Sardar Nadir Naim and the keynote speaker for the second session was Ambassador Ayaz Wazir.

Both sides acknowledged that maintaining a dialogue in challenging times is crucial. participants highlighted the humanitarian crisis, the problem between choosing to recognize the Taliban, trade opportunities, the importance of dialogue & people-to-people contacts. Referring to the role of Pakistan, participants concluded that with great influence comes great responsibilities & that this is a historic opportunity for Pakistan and Afghanistan to start a new chapter of positive bilateral relationship based on mutual trust, respect & cooperation.

Panelists from the Afghan side included: Ambassador Farid Zarif former Afghanistan Permanent Representative to the United Nations and United Nations SRSG to Liberia, Ambassador Jawed Ludin President and Co-Founder of Heart of Asia Society and former Deputy Foreign Minister of Afghanistan, Ambassador Janan Mosazai Vice President and Co-Founder of Heart of Asia Society, and former Ambassador to China and Islamabad, Mr. Sardar Mohammad Nadir Naeem Chairman of the Board of Directors at Kabul Institute for Peace, Ms. Wazhma Frogh Woman Rights Activist and Peace & Conflict Practitioner, and Mr. Shoaib Rahim, Associate Professor at AUAF, Dr. Faiz Zaland, Afghanistan Analyst and Lecturer, Ms. Muqaddesa Yourish, Country Head of Lapis, former Deputy Minister Trade Afghanistan, Mr. Obaidullah Baheer, Afghanistan Analyst and Lecturer, Mr. Sayed Madadi, Former Director General external relations of the state ministry of peace, Mr. Mohammad Younas Mohmand, President of ACCI and Mr. Hojat Fazly an Economist.

Panelists from the Pakistan side included: Ambassador Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry Director General at ISSI, Ambassador (Retd) Asif Durrani Senior Research Fellow at IPRI Pakistan, Ambassador (Retd) Ayaz Wazir former Representative of Pakistan in OIC’s Committee on Afghanistan (1999-2000), Ms. Amina Khan Director Center for Afghanistan, Middle East & Africa at ISSI, Ambassador Khalid Mahmood Chairman of Board of Governors at ISSI , Dr. Shabbana Fayaz Professor at Quaid e Azam University (QAU), Mr. Adnan Jalil President of Peshawar Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), Mr. Hassan Khan Journalist, Admiral Mohammad Afzal Tahir former Chief of Staff to the Pakistan Navy, Mr Tahir Khan Journalist and Dr. Salma Malik, Assistant Professor QAU.