Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Afghanistan will begin a track-II dialogue in Islamabad on Monday to explore ways for improvement in relations between the two neighboring countries.

A 12-member Afghan delegation arrived in Islamabad on Sunday to take part in the dialogue, ‘Pakistan-Afghanistan Track 1.5/ II initiative, titled ‘Beyond Boundaries,’ Islamabad-based the Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) said in a statement.

The CRSS and Safewrold, a UK-based independent international organisation, have jointly arranged the three-day dialogue, which will take place amid signs of improvement in relations as both governments have now launched bilateral dialogue on key areas.

Both sides will hold discussion on a wide range of issues including peace and security, consequences of latest deadly terrorist attack in Afghanistan in January 2018, Pak-Afghan economic ties and regional economic connectivity, issues that directly affect Pak-Afghan trade and bottlenecks and result in losses to businesses and traders in particular and the refugees.

The Afghan delegation includes advisor to Chief Executive on Trade and Regional Cooperation Mozammil Shinwari, members of parliament Elay Ershad, and Rangina Kargar, for Taliban ambassador to Pakistan Abdul Hakeem Mujahid, Co-Chairman and President of Pakistan and Afghanistan Joint Chambers of Commerce and Industries Khan Jan Alokozai, former governor Nangarhar Saleem Khan Kunduzi, Representative to the Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah on Migration Affairs Sekander and Deputy of Provincial Assembly of Nangarhar Lal Mohammad Durrani.

The delegates will also hold meetings with Pakistani ministers and officials in the foreign ministry besides holding talks with university students in Islamabad.

Both sides will review policy recommendations of previous meetings and review political and other significant developments in Pak-Afghan relations – both negatives and positives – between now and the last meeting held in Kabul in December.

Pakistani delegation includes member of the National Assembly Shazi Marri, Senator Shibli Faraz, former Secretary of Defense, Lt General (Retd) Asif Yasin Malik, former police chief of Balochistan Shoaib Suddle, former ambassadors Qazi Humayun, Mian Sanaullah and Seema Ilahi Baloch, senior political analyst Zahid Hussain and TV anchor Rehman Azhar.

Policy recommendations will be issued at the conclusion of the deliberations which will be shared with both the governments.

Published in Daily Times, February 26^th 2018.