Lahore Center for Peace Research host webinar titled “Peace in Afghanistan: Road to Prosperity”

Lahore, August 12, 2020: As part of the ‘Lahore Process’, Lahore Center for Peace Research in pursuance of facilitating intra-Afghan Dialogue hosted a webinar titled “Peace in Afghanistan: Road to Prosperity”.

The Session was commenced with the opening remarks of Chairman LCPR, Ambassador (R) Shamshad Ahmad who said that a determined effort involving all the stakeholders in an equitable and broad-based peace process, based on mutual respect and reconciliation, reflecting the aspirations of freedom and justice for the Afghan people regardless of their ethnic, lingual and religious backgrounds is needed for the sustainable peace in Afghanistan.

The panel comprised of the following esteemed speakers:

Dr. Mastoor Mustafa, Minister of Economy – Afghanistan
Ambassador (R) Asif Durrani, Senior Research Fellow IPRI- Pakistan
Mr. Mirwais Yasini, Ex. Deputy Speaker of the Lower House – Afghanistan
Mr. Michael Kugelman, Senior Associate for South Asia, the Wilson Center, USA
Ms. Amina Khan, Director CMEA, ISSI – Pakistan
Mr. Leonid Savin, Editor Geopolitica – Russia

Dr. Mustafa Mastoor, Minister of Economy of Afghanistan, acknowledged Pakistan’s pivotal role as a facilitator of the Afghan peace process and as an amicable host for Afghan migrants for decades. He added that the reductionist mindset must not be allowed to scuttle the peace process and a pluralistic approach by the Afghan government and the Taliban in the intra-Afghan peace dialogue is the key for a comprehensive sustainable peace in Afghanistan.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=84JqhyEtrLE&feature=youtu.be

Mr. Mirwais Yasini, Ex-Deputy Speaker of the Lower House of Afghanistan, argued that Qatar process is on the right trajectory, unlike Bonn Conference, it has opted the inclusive approach by engaging both the parties of the conflict in Intra-Afghan Negotiations. He added that the close proximity of Afghanistan and Pakistan as in culturally, historically, socially, linguistically can be utilized for mutual, regional and global dividends.

Ambassador (R) Asif Durrani said that recent announcement of President Ashraf Ghani of releasing 400 Taliban is a precursor to the initiation of Intra-Afghan dialogue. While pointing out the divisions within the Afghan government, the former diplomat talked about the systematic issues of the governing system and the crucial role of neighbouring countries for the positive outcome of the Afghan peace process.

Mr. Micheal Kugelman said that Afghan peace process will be determined by the actions of four players; the Afghan government, USA government, Pakistan government and Taliban. He added that the USA is on the right track regarding Afghanistan by using future financial assistance to Afghanistan as a leverage against Taliban to safeguard democracy, women rights and fundamental human rights.
Mr.Leonid Savin said that due to the geopolitical significance of Afghanistan, many countries, including Qatar and Iran have come forward to contribute for the peace process. Similarly, many international and regional organizations like UN and SCO are also playing their role to establish durable peace in Afghanistan while respecting the interests of the various ethnic groups living in its territory. He highlighted the importance of public diplomacy in Afghanistan for Peacebuilding.

Ms. Amina Khan said that Kabul needs to focus on political and national reconciliation as well as social healing. Moreover, women should be a significant part of the negotiations. While analyzing the peace deal, she said that certain aspects were overlooked and must be addressed in the upcoming intra-Afghan peace talks. US should also push for a sustained and credible ceasefire in addition to the withdrawal of troops, she maintained.

In the concluding remarks, Ambassador (R) Shamshad Ahmad summed up the discussion by saying that peace in Afghanistan is long overdue and that the peace must be Afghan-led and Afghan-owned. The former foreign secretary of Pakistan also highlighted that Afghanistan today needs unity today more than ever before. “… they must come together to stitch themselves into a strong fabric of one Afghan nation”, he added. He further added that all parties within Afghanistan must rise above their factional considerations and be at peace with themselves joining together in building solid foundations of peace in their country.

Reported by: Bilal Aslam, Senior Research Fellow,

Lahore Center for Peace Research (LCPR)

bilalfsd@gmail.com