A need for an integrated approach for peace in Afghanistan, consisting of security, reconciliation and reconstruction was highlighted by Pakistan at a discussion organised by South Asia and Middle East Forum on Afghanistan at the House of Commons on Tuesday.

Speaking on the occasion, Pakistan Deputy High Commissioner (DHC) to the UK Abdul Basit said his country had taken a number of measures to address concerns on issues between the two countries.

“Pakistan and Afghanistan have no option but to live side by side. They cannot change their geography. It makes eminent sense for the two countries to live in peace and harmony,” he said.

He spoke about the recent Kabul Peace Jirga and termed it as a very important development in removing mutual mistrust and committing work together towards fighting extremism, terrorism and militancy.

Basit quoted President Pervez Musharraf, who in his address to the Jirga, said that, “we cannot remain mired in the past nor can we continue to lament about the difficulties and tragedy or about international neglect and indifference that has aggravated problems in our region. It is our responsibility to address the challenges that we face, overcome the difficulties and transform our situation.”

The DHC said the two countries may have differences and misunderstandings, but there was nothing which could take away mutual goodwill.

He said peace and security between Pakistan and Afghanistan was interlinked.

He also spoke about Pakistan’s immense contribution to the global war on terror and said his country had deployed 90,000 troops on the western borders to fight militants.

Basit noted that Pakistan had succeeded in destroying 10 international terrorist networks and arresting 4,000 Al-Qaeda and Taliban activists.

He said security cooperation between Pakistan and Afghanistan had increased and under the Tripartite Commission Mechanism, there had been good coordination in patrolling the border. Under this mechanism, a joint information operation cell had also been established in Kabul.

Speaking about measures taken to develop tribal areas, the DHC said the government had adopted a comprehensive strategy consisting of the use of force, political dialogue, administrative reforms and socio-economic development.

He said that although the challenges they faced in the borders areas were very serious, their joint efforts against terrorism would eventually succeed in overcoming these obstacles and bring peace and harmony.

Basit also talked on the issue of religious schools and said they formed an important source of education to poor people. However, he added, that the government was taking measures to reform religious schools and introduce modern curriculum.

Afghan Parliament Deputy Speaker Hamed Gailani described the recent Peace Jirga as “a major breakthrough” in relations between the two countries. “We are now moving towards the second phase to work on problems that have been identified during the Jirga.”

He said the Afghan Government was actively engaged in the reconstruction process and had also shown interest in talking to the Taliban, in a bid to find an amicable solution.

However, he pointed out that NATO and ISAF forces had somewhat alienated the Afghan people due to their indiscriminate air strikes, which has caused innocent civilian deaths. At the same time, he agreed that the withdrawal of international forces from his country would leave Afghanistan in a perilous situation.

Scholars Peter Marsden and Dr Jonathon Goodhand, political analysts Jonathon Paris Hudson and Christian Dennys of Amnesty International also spoke on the occasion and said the organisation was alarmed at human right violations by international forces, the Afghan Government and the Taliban.

The speakers discussed different aspects of the situation in Afghanistan and underlined the need for a negotiated settlement while ruling out any military solution. The need to decouple Afghanistan from Iraq was also emphasised. They also said the drug issue must be tackled in a rational manner. South Asia and Middle East Forum Chief Organiser Khalid Nadeem moderated the discussion.