Pak-Afghan Joint Committee lays emphasis on people-to-people contact

  ISLAMABAD: The sixth meeting of Pakistan-Afghanistan Joint Committee formulated Beyond Boundaries Declaration comprising of policy recommendations for cooperation in security, trade, education, sports, culture, visa and prisoners. The meeting was held in Islamabad on March 28-29. Emphasis was placed on people-to-people contact and removing hardships of common people visiting the two countries. The meeting also recognised the need to develop a joint narrative, emphasizing shared common challenges and solutions. The meeting was part of Beyond Boundaries II, a track I.5/II dialogue series undertaken by the Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) in partnership with the Afghan counterpart Women Peace and Security Organisation (WPSO), to foster better understanding and cooperation between Afghanistan and Pakistan. The members of Pakistan- Afghanistan Joint Committee welcomed the extension of the refugees stay in Pakistan until December 31. They expressed appreciation on the recent amendments in the Pakistani visa regime for Afghan nationals. The group called upon the government of Afghanistan to introduce similar changes in the existing visa regime for Pakistanis. The group condemned the repeated terrorist attacks in both countries resulting in massive human and material losses. They welcomed the re-opening of the Pak-Afghan border and hoped that in the future no such actions would be taken in view of the human hardship and difficulties for trade on both sides. For cooperation in the field of security, they underscored that insurgency and terrorism are a common challenge and have to be dealt with jointly by both governments. On bilateral trade relations, the group emphasised the desirability to ensure smooth and friction-free trade and transit between Pakistan and Afghanistan. The group also urged both governments to create an enabling environment. The members called upon both governments to expedite meetings of the Joint Economic Commission (JEC) and the Afghanistan-Pakistan Transit Trade Coordination Authority (APTTCA). As agreed between the two governments at the sixth APTTCA meeting, the group emphasized the need to move forward on the revised draft of the Afghanistan Pakistan Transit Trade Agreement (APTTA) for finalisation. They also urged both countries to start talks on the Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) which had been under discussion for some time. They called upon the two governments to finalise the Bilateral Transport Agreement (BTA), allowing Pakistani vehicles to carry merchandise to destinations in Afghanistan and vice versa, specifically for bilateral trade. The group also recommended both governments to hold ministerial meetings on bilateral and transit trade matters. The issue of Pakistanis and Afghans detained on both sides also came under discussion. The committee members urged both governments to provide consular access and ensure fair and humane treatment to prisoners and detainees of both countries as per the international human rights standards. For cooperation in the field of education, they urged the governments and civil society of both countries to encourage hosting male and female students for exchange programmes and home stays, particularly between the age groups of 15 to 19. They also urged additional scholarships for Afghan students, reserving a quota of 30% for female applicants. The group appreciated that the Afghan side had been able to make use of the scholarships offered by Pakistan in 2016. They expressed the hope that the educational scholarships Pakistan announced in 2017 would be availed expeditiously and recommended to expand the scholarships to vocational trainings as well. For sports cooperation, the group suggested exchange visits of national cricket teams, under 19 cricket teams, football teams, taekwondo and other sport teams. They urged Pakistan and Afghanistan to explore cooperation opportunities for sports exchange programs, especially for girls. In this context, the educational institutions on both sides may be approached. The PAJC members appreciated the rich cultural heritage and shared affinities between the two countries and called upon the media, civil society and government to promote cultural and social exchanges between the two peoples. They also expressed the resolve to persuade media houses to promote joint media and cultural programmes. The PAJC members also met Senate Chairman Raza Rabbani along with seven other senators on the sidelines on sixth meeting, on Tuesday. The Senate chairman said Pakistan strongly supported Afghan-owned and Afghan-led efforts to bring peace and stability in the country. He stressed that both countries share cultural, linguistic and historical similarities and there was a dire need to give parliamentary diplomacy a chance to bring the two sides more close to each other and work together for peace and prosperity of the people of the two countries. He said that terrorism is the biggest challenge and joint efforts were required to root out this menace. He appreciated the efforts of CRSS for organizing such track 2 dialogue to ease tensions between the two countries, and enhance people-to-people contact.