Lack of justice in Pakistan and Afghanistan is the cause of terrorism in both courntires, US Consul General Lahore Carmela Conroy said during a policy dialogue in Centre for Public Policy and Governance (CPPG) Forman Christian College (FCC) on the topic ‘US Withdrawal from Afghanistan and Pakistan’s Strategy’ on Thursday.
Carmela Conroy also emphasized on the importance of police reforms to counter terrorism in the region. The policy dialogue was chaired by Member National Assembly (MNA) and Chairperson Standing Committee on Women’s Development MsBushra Gohar. The dialogue was divided into three sessions .First session on “Pakistan’s Afghan Policy in light on American exit strategy” aimed to explore possible scenarios for Pakistan within the framework of the American Afghan exit plan while discussing Pakistan’s policy options based on its strategic interest in the region. The dialogue initiators included Ahmed Rashid, Professor Sajjad Naseer, Ambassador Iqbal (R) Ahmed Khan and Dr Sarfaraz Khan.
Ahmed Rashid stated that Pakistan needed to balance its interests in Afghanistan with other regional countries’ interest. Ambassador (R) Iqbal Ahmed Khan stated that foreign policy must reflect the domestic situation of the country and that the Strategic Depth as a policy is flawed. Dr Sarfaraz Khan argued that Afghan policy has previously focused on a complete distrust of Pakhtoons which needed to change. Talking about 18th amendment, he described it as “ a small step in the right direction”.
The second session on “Pakistan’s counter terrorism and extremism strategy” discussed the principles and guidelines for a comprehensive counter terrorism and extremism strategy. Beginning with the aspect of threat assessment, it explored war, domestic and regional policy dimensions, and governance as contributory factors to radicalism and terrorism. The dialogue initiators included Khaled Ahmed, Mr. Amir Rana, AIG Sarmad Saeed Khan and Imtiaz Gul. Imtiaz Gul emphasized that the political will of parliament needed to increase for effective counter-terrorism strategy. JI leader Fareed Paracha and Islamic Scholar Allama Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi also spoke on the occasion. JI leader said that most of the al qaeda leaders had studied in the western universities not madrassahs.
Session three explored a way forward and presented policy options. Firstly participants focused on the need to revisit and reframe Strategic Depth. Secondly they suggested that the Pakistan’s state follows a minimalist approach for regional peace building. Third the foreign policy should be devised by the parliament instead of the military. The parliament needs to assert itself and demonstrate commitment and vision.
