The Centre for Afghanistan, Middle East & Africa (CAMEA) at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI) held a Panel Discussion on ‘Conversations on the Evolving Situation in Afghanistan: Pakistan’s Role in Afghanistan’ which is the ninth in a series of conversations CAMEA will be having on Afghanistan – under its Conversations on the on the Evolving Situation in Afghanistan series.
The distinguished speakers included: Ambassador Ayaz Wazir, Former Ambassador of Pakistan, Mr. Arash Yaqin, National Security Analyst with focus on South and Central Asia and Mr. Hassan Khan, Senior Journalist. Ambassador Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry, Director General ISSI and Ambassador Khalid Mahmood also participated in the discussion.
During her opening remarks, Ms. Amina Khan, Director CAMEA stated that the situation in Afghanistan has drastically evolved since the Taliban took over as a result of US withdrawal from Afghanistan. While there is no doubt that with the US exit and in the absence of a negotiated settlement, a military takeover by the group was expected, the manner and the speed at which the transition has taken place not anticipated. Given its proximity to Afghanistan as well as religious and ethnic linkages, Pakistan is perhaps the most important regional player that has always been directly affected by events in that country.
