ISLAMABAD, March 28:The Centre for Afghanistan, Middle East and Africa (CAMEA) at the Institute of Strategic Studies, Islamabad (ISSI) held an International Conference titled, “Perspectives on the Evolving Situation in Afghanistan”, in collaboration with the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung on March 28, 2022. The speakers in the inaugural session included, Ms. Amina Khan, Director CAMEA, Ambassador Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry, Director General ISSI, Dr. NielsHegeswisch, Country Director FES, Pakistan. Honourable Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Foreign Minister of Pakistan and General ZubairMahmood Hayat, Former Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee were Keynote Speakers and Honourable Shah Farman, Governor KPK was the Chief Guest at the occasion.
Honourable Shah Farman, the Chief Guest at the occasion stated that we need to understand the Afghans better as they feel betrayed. He said that the Afghan Jihad and the Nebraska University syllabus has changed mindsets and so many Afghans have given up their lives and have received nothing in return. Afghans have suffered enough over the decades and this has been the greatest dilemma of this past few decades. This is a great game which the Afghan people remember very well. Money was spent on wars instead of reconstruction which further alienated the Afghans and the war psychology was converted into a hate phenomenon, which has led to terrorism. He further said that we must think about the Afghan situation and ask the question that are the Afghans responsible for this situation. The global community is responsible and we cannot look at the Afghan situation in seclusion as the world is interconnected, he concluded.
Honourable Shah Mahmood Qureshi, while giving his keynote address stated that the watershed event of August 2021 has changed much in Afghanistan. There are several challenges like weak institutions, a nonexistent economy and a continuing humanitarian crisis and a liquidity crunch. Afghanistan stands at a critical juncture and it is hoped that Afghanistan can move towards a viable solution. He went on to say that the gains can be reversed so we must not allow that to happen and Pakistan has always promoted consistent engagement as the situation has wide ranging impacts on the region and beyond. Besides the immediate need to avert the humanitarian crisis, we need to focus on other aspects he stressed. – PR
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