ISLAMABAD: Afghan and Pakistani participants at a roundtable talk in Islamabad on Wednesday underscored the need for enhanced economic cooperation between Pakistan and Afghanistan as well as people-to-people debate to bridge the trust gap. Retired ambassadors, officials and media persons also suggested that the multi-billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) should be expanded to Afghanistan and that bitter past should give way to a collaborative conversation on economic and social sector cooperation. The Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) and the Afghan Studies Center hosted a deletion of the Afghan media managers and journalists, who had discussions with Pakistani participants on ways how to bring the people closer. Important aspect of the Afghan visit was that all the participants belonged to northern Afghanistan … means non-Pashtun. The visit organized by the Pakistani embassy to enable the Afghans interact with all segments of the society to share their thoughts about the perception about Pakistan in Afghanistan and to listen to Pakistanis, who have own concerns about developments in the war-shattered country. Mohammad Naim Taher Qadiri – CEO of MITRA Global TV Network, head of delegation informed the delegates that there has been no single protest in Northern Afghanistan against Pakistan as they intend to focus on friendly relations more with all neighbors for long term peace and development Qadri passed on the greetings of Governor Noor for Pakistan and told Pakistani delegates that Governor Noor believes that Afghanistan needs Pakistan, and without it Afghanistan can go nowhere. He acknowledged the positive engagements between Pakistan and Afghanistan every now and then, but noted that what is missing is the engagement between two people to sustain the peace-building efforts in improving relations. “What is positive here that there is a chance for betterment,” he added. Qadiri then commented on how Afghanistan has made big strides 9/11 afterwards. He informed the delegates that over 60,000 students are enrolled in a public and nine private universities in Mazar-e-Sharif, the capital of Balkh province alone. He mentioned specifically about iconic Liaqat Ali Khan University in Afghanistan donated by Pakistan is helping to great extent in changing perceptions of Afghans about Pakistan, and projects like these can act as a catalyst for change. As a representative of media, he expressed media is doing remarkable job, however media alone cannot count on its own to serve as a connector in these difficult conditions. Pakistan needs to focus on investing more in the North for changing perceptions and to partner in development. Security remains the primary issue, for which all have to work together. Qadiri on behalf of the Afghan media delegation expressed his gratitude for the generosity and hospitality extended by Pakistanis during their one week long stay in Pakistan. He said that it was an eye opening trip and found Pakistan very different from the perceived stereotypes back in Afghanistan. Participants from Pakistani side believed that Afghanistan today is a different Afghanistan and those dealing with Afghanistan must keep in mind realities on ground. It’s evolving gradually with the introduction of democracy, gender equality and vigorous efforts for a change in education sector, they said The element of education may prove as a turning point, which may not be felt today, but the impact will be visible may be five years from now, Lt Gen Asif Yasin Malik, former defence secretary said in his remarks. He also stressed on the need for more crossing points between Afghanistan and Pakistan besides Chaman and Torkham, to boost bilateral trade. Bashir Ansari – Head of Ariana TV in North pointed out that the problem is of opportunistic politicians, the people have to differentiate between genuine and opportunistic ones. Agreeing with the supposition, former police chief in Sindh and Balochistan, Dr Shoaib Suddle, said that both should deny such opportunists who exploit the common people for their own gains. Furthering the conversation, Ansari pointed that both the countries have been victims of terrorism for very long and thus should not allow the outsiders to exploit them for their interests. On a question about ethnic tensions inside Afghanistan by former Ambassador Ayaz Wazir, the Afghan side responded that it’s a reality but history has showed that nationalism always triumphed over ethnicities in Afghanistan. He disagreed with the notion that Pakistan had discriminated between Pashtun and non-Pashtun. Delegates from both sides agreed that through mutual consent positive changes can be enforced. They called for exchange of more delegations to address to each other concerns. Former ambassadors Mian Sanaullah and Qazi Humayun, as well as journalists also participated in the talk. Their visit was facilitated by Ministry of Information, Pakistan. Taimur Ahmed, Amin Jan from Ministry of Information, and Liaqat Pasha from Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) accompanied the Afghan delegation. Published in Daily Times, August 10th 2017.