Chairman Foreign Affairs Committee, Sardar Awais Ahmad Khan leghari warmly welcomed the Afghan delegation on February 26, 2016, Led by H.E Abdul Rauf Ibrahimi, Speaker Wolesy Jirga of Afghanistan, on behalf of the Foreign Affairs Committee and considered it as a historic step by the Parliament of Pakistan under the leadership of the Speaker National Assembly of Pakistan, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq.
While introducing the Committee members and giving brief about the recent activities of the Committee Chairman said that such people to people contact and interaction are very vital for bringing the two brotherly countries closer. He further said that our Foreign Relation Committee is focusing on improving the policy planning mechanism by incorporating the opinion/recommendations of the subject specialist/experts during public hearing of the Committee. Particularly in our last meeting, we have discussed means and ways as how to improve the Pak-Afghan relations and identify the areas which needs special attentions like border management, trade, regularization of Hawala market, narcotics, Refugee situations and the media.
The Chairman said that he strongly support the Afghan led peace process which is instrumental for our security. He also emphasized to improve certain areas such as infrastructures, Agriculture, health, education, communication, information technology, and regulation for improved logistics performance.
The Chairman said that Pakistan want the return of Afghan refugee in dignified manner. He further added that Pakistani wish to see greater media consultation and interaction in the future. Cessation of hostile propaganda on Afghanistan and easing current media regulation for Afghan media would help clear the environment of mistrust that is serving the vested interest of some who do not wish to see peace in the region.
His Excellency the Speaker of the Wolesi Jirga,Abdul Rauf Ibrahimi, while reciprocating the sentiment said that I feel no hesitation in expressing that when we left Kabul for Pakistan our fears and perception were different altogether after meeting the Pakistan brothers here. He thanked the government and people of Pakistan for helping to recover the recently abducted former Governor Wahidi and said that this could only b ethe work of Pakistan’s and Afghanistan’s enemy and that the two states needed to counter any efforts that was not in the mutual interest of the neighborly countries.
We should continue to exchange Parliamentary delegation more regular to raise the level of trust and also try to identify the real enemies who always created mis-trust among us through their negative propaganda. The Speaker also appreciated the professional role of the Foreign Affairs Committee for taking such initiatives. He reiterated that strengthening Pak-Afghan relation is inevitable and shall be done through strategic vulnerability assessment studies.
The members of both sides also stressed the need for exchange of parliamentary delegation between the two countries to work more closely on different areas particularly enhancing the trust level which is the key for providing strong foundation of mutual trust and harmony. Since, we know that both countries were remained the victim of terrorism and international conspiracies, therefore, we should identify our common enemy and crush them with joint efforts and ensure that they should not grow again. The member realized that there is some misperception in the media and Parliamentarians from both side shall play their active role in tackling this issue.
At the end of the meeting, the Chairman said that this interaction is very useful for the drafting the recommendations which would be sent to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs by Foreign Affairs Committee. While concluding the meeting he said that he hope and pray to see a day soon when we live in harmony in a more peaceful region, free from the menace of terrorism that has harmed the very fabric of our societies. Pakistan has hope that we can assist our Afghan brothers and sisters by sharing our expertise and experience.
The meeting was attended by Honorable Members of the Committee; Mr. Daniyal Aziz, Mr. Muhammad Khan Daha, Mr. Aftab Ahmad Khan, Mr. Mehmood Khan Achakazai, Mr. Ghous Bux Khan Maher, Rana Muhammad Afzal Khan, Dr. Shireen Mehrunnisa Mazari, Ms. Naeema Kishwar Khan, and Makhdum Khusro Bakhtyar. Ms. Sajida Begum, MNA, Ms. Mussarat Ahmed Zeb, MNA, Mr. Gulzar Khan, MNA, Ms. Shahida Akhtar Ali, MNA also attended the meeting as special invitees. Senior Officers of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs were also present in the meeting.
