The Speakers from Afghanistan included; Dr Abdul Baqi Amin, Director General, CSRS, Dr Fazal Hadi

Wazeen, Dr Waheedullah Muslih and Engr. Hamid Durrani. From the Pakistan side the key speakers were
Amb. (r) Rustam Shah Mohmand, DG-IPS Khalid Rahman, Air Cdre. (r) Khalid Iqbal, Brig. (r) Said Nazir,
Amb. (r) Ayaz Wazir, Irfan Shahzad, Dr Anwar Shah, and Mairaj-ul-Hamid.

T
he relationship between Pakistan and
Afghanistan despite the two nations
being closely interwoven historically,
culturally, religiously and ethnically has
continuously been witnessing ups and down
during past close to seven decades. In the present
day context where foreign forces are drawing-
down drastically after a misadventure of about a
decade and a half, and regional players are
gearing up for enhanced roles, a smooth and
mutually beneficial relationship becomes
particularly significant both for Islamabad and
Kabul. Global and regional factors have always
been at play, and at times decisive. So, will they
remain, cropping up time to time. Same is the
case with divergences of opinions, and at times
interests, at bilateral level. The question in front
of two brotherly nations today is as to how to
maintain a desired level of bilateral harmony, in
months and years ahead. It is in this context that
the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS), Islamabad
and Center for Strategic and Regional Studies
(CSRS), Kabul jointly organized a two-days
conference titled Pakistan and Afghanistan:
Towards an Ideal Bilateral Arrangement on
September 16-17, 2015 at IPS, Islamabad.
The conference had four sessions spread over
two days and the following points emerged as a
broad understanding between the participants of
the event.
There are many sources of affinity between
the two nations historic, cultural,
religious, and ethnic. Out of these many
basis of affinity the religious teachings
naturally are the best possible framework
for resolving the issues between them
today. Yet, the intricacies involved in the
inter-state interactions and relations in
todays world, can also not be ignored
altogether.
There is an immediate need to rebuild the
confidence and trust between the two
countries with visible and tangible steps. A
process of sincere dialogue with clear
goals and objectives, inclusive and
addressing all issues, respecting each
others national interest and bringing them
on the table, should be initiated
immediately. The two countries, however,
should refrain from airing messages to
each other through media.
Rebuilding of relations between the two
brotherly nations should be approached
with an enhanced focus on positivity and
banking upon commonalities, than the oft-

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 beaten path of sticking to the issues,
differences, and divergences.
It has to be understood that external forces
would always like to focus on achieving
their interests, creating problems for the
local people and the region; but the point
for the leadership and people of the two
countries is to ponder over is that how to
steer clear of pushes and pulls being
motivated by the external forces, and move
towards a smooth bilateral relationship.
As to the intra-Afghan peace process, it has
to be recognized that Afghans themselves
are responsible as well as best suited to
solve the problems and issues between
them. Intra-Afghan understanding is the
key. Public opinion in Afghanistan does
not support war; the American-led war has
remained meaningless for the people of
this region and the presence of foreign
forces remains an obstacle to peace.
There however are entrenched lobbies
which do not favor peace. These include
the forces of status quo which are
benefiting from the prolonged conflict;
hardened positions of the parties involved
which diverge widely; and now the Daesh
factor is also coming up. Any move
towards peace will have to keep these
factors in view.
Role of regional countries is also
important. While Pakistan has its
limitations, it is well positioned to play a
facilitating role. This role and position of
Pakistan may be targeted constructively
provided that the Afghans so desire with
an aim to achieve lasting peace in
Afghanistan, and in the region, as a result.
However, Pakistans steps and initiatives
should very clearly be treating all Afghans
as equally important and having equal
status.
Broad-based intelligence cooperation
needs to be developed between the two
countries. This will be a step towards
building mutual confidence among the all-
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important security institutions of the two
countries.
The issue of strategic depth has often
been highlighted negatively in the past and
prevailing discourse. It needs to be realized
that friendly relations between any two
neighboring countries of the world provide
mutual strategic depth. In case of Pakistan,
the phrase has by and large been used and
highlighted as a desire for control over
Afghanistan, which has neither been an
official policy of any government or
institution in Pakistan; nor an aspiration of
its people. A balanced discourse needs to
be forwarded concerning this.
Chinas role economic cooperation and
that of prompting stability is increasing
in the affairs of Afghanistan. Afghan
opposition is of the view that China can
stand in front of the US, stronger than as is
the case with Pakistan. As Pakistan and
China already enjoy excellent relations,
and Pakistans affinity with Afghanistan is
well-established, this can be a mutually
beneficial three-way relationship.
It is needed to build a team of dedicated
researchers and experts from Pakistan and
Afghanistan who remain focused upon
building an in-depth understanding of the
issues facing the two countries from within
and outside; the opportunities and basis
that exist for a broad-based, deeper
cooperation between them; and the
challenges/obstacles coming in the way in
this regard; finally suggesting strategies
for the policymakers of the two countries
to cope with the challenges and to build
upon the opportunities.
A list of common interests of the two
countries may be developed by institutions
such as IPS and CSRS (involving others as
well) and may be disseminated for the
consumption of academia and media as
well as faculty and students of institutions
of higher learning on both sides. This will
help in developing a balanced discourse
about each other, on both sides.
 Some sectoral and specific issues were also
discussed during the conference; and the
understanding emerging from discussions
was, as follows:
o Economic collaboration and people-
to-people contacts need to be
strengthened and made broad-based.
Immense opportunities exist for
promoting mutual collaboration in
trade, investment and other joint
ventures; and in the mining sector.
Energy sector, particularly hydro-
power, also presents bright prospects
of collaboration. Well though-out
strategies need to developed on fast-
track for benefiting from these
possible avenues of cooperation and
to surmount the legal, infrastructural
and trust-related obstacles that come
in the way in this specific area of
cooperation as well. Similarly,
opportunities of cooperation in social
sectors such as education and health
may be capitalized upon for further
closeness and mutual cooperation
between the two sides.
Prepared by IPS Task Force
For queries: Mairaj-ul-Hamid, Asst. Research Coordinator, mairaj@ips.net.pk | www.ips.org.pk
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o The issue of refugees and displaced
persons should be approached as a
long-standing linkage between the
two societies; and a conducive
environment needs to be created for a
smooth, mutually agreeable, lasting
solution which, above all, is
respectable for refugees and displaced
persons themselves. Tensions in the
relations between the two countries
should not affect the status of refugees
and displaced people. Peace and
economic stability / development are
pre-requisites for long-term solution
to this issue.
o Water and drugs related issues also
highlight the need for collaborative
strategies.
And last but not the least, the civil society,
research centers and think-tanks in
particular (such as IPS and CSRS), can
play a vital role in promoting relations
between the two countries. They can
influence the policymakers and
stakeholders; therefore such institutions
should come forward actively, and
collaboration between them should be
strengthened for mutual understanding.