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By Shabbir Hussain
QUETTA, Oct 6 (Diplomatic Star):The Speakers at roundtable discussion stressed upon on the importance of stronger democratic Afghanistan was in the favors of entire region, besides termed it vital for establishing sustainable peace in the South Asia.
A day long awareness discussion titled Afghanistan and its Challenges for Peace and Development jointly organized by the Hanns-Seidel-Foundation (HSF) Pakistan and National Dialogue Forum (NDF).
Addressing the participants as a chief guest, Provincial Minister Bushra Rind said that we can change friends but not neighbors, and the situation in our neighboring country Afghanistan has changed now. She was off the view that there must be an all-parties conference on the issues of Afghan refugees.
She said that the the federal government should review its policy regarding afghan refugees and added it must engage everyone including the tribal heads to giving space to refugees and listen to their concerns.
Taking part in the discussion, The HSF Pakistan Resident Representative, Dr. Steffen Kudella said that Since decades, the Pakistan-Afghanistan region has been challenged by instability and fragility.
Dr. Steffen Kudella believes that these challenges are not isolated events, but connected with each other and also with other events worldwide.
Dr. Steffen said ” We can only solve them together and in a holistic way. For this cooperation, better mutual understanding is needed.”
Sharing the discussion, Executive Director of NDF, Sheharyar Khan said: Pakistan’s efforts to bring peace and stability to Afghanistan are in the greater regional interest. Political and economic stability with peace in Kabul is in the greater interest to the region and will pave the way for economic growth, economic engagement and interaction for both countries.”
Many other participants discussed multiple topics related to Afghan refugees in Pakistan and presented their way forward for a stable and peaceful Afghanistan.
The multi-stakeholders event was attended by a wide range of speakers from Pakistan and Afghanistan, including Provincial Minister Ms. Bushra Rind, the Head of the UNHCR Sub-Office Quetta Mr. Erwin Policar, the designated German Honorary Consul in Quetta Mr. Mir Murad Baluch, the former Speaker of the Balochistan Assembly Ms. Rahila Durrani, the Secretary Planning and Development of the Government of Balochistan Mr. Abdullah Khan, politicians, senior university professors, experts from think tanks, and Afghan refugee activists.
Erwin Policar, Head of the UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency’s office in Quetta also graced the event and highlighted the work of UNHCR.
