Adviser to Prime Minister on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz on Wednesday assured the international community that Pakistan was committed to working with Afghanistan and regional and international partners for the promotion of peace, stability and prosperity in the region and beyond.
Addressing a seminar organised by the East West Institute titled “Afghanistan Reconnected: Linking energy suppliers to consumers in Asia”, Aziz said a peaceful, stable and prosperous Afghanistan was in Pakistan’s vital national interest.
“We remain committed to supporting efforts for peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan in an inclusive, Afghan-owned and Afghan-led process,” he added.
He said the two countries had agreed to work together in a number of energy and connectivity projects besides reaffirming their commitment to further strengthening trade ties under the Afghanistan-Pakistan Transit Trade Agreement (APTTA).
He said Afghanistan had invited Pakistan for a joint investment in the Kunar Hydro Power project whose design and feasibility had been completed, adding that the project would produce 1500MW of electricity to be shared by the two countries.
Aziz said Pakistan and Afghanistan would pursue with the World Bank the early finalisation of 170-KM Torkham-Jalalabad new rail link connecting Peshawar with Jalalabad.
He said the two countries were also working on 11.5 KM Chaman-Spinbolduk rail link that ultimately connects Chaman with Kandahar.
“Our region is blessed with immense potentials in terms of natural resources, which if tapped efficiently can yield benefits to the entire region and Afghanistan occupies an important position in the region, straddling Central, West and South Asia,” he added.
The adviser said Pakistan was keen to continue working with Afghanistan in pursuit of connectivity and energy projects linking Pakistan with Central Asia.
“In this context, discussions are also continuing on extending APTTA to Tajikistan by finalizing the Tripartite Agreement under consideration of the three sides.”
He said as a country struggling to emerge out of decades of instability, Afghanistan was expected to face serious challenges, which could be overcome through a sustained effort involving financial and technical support, infrastructure and human resources.
He said support of the international community for Afghanistan’s reconstruction and development was crucial for reinforcing the efforts for peace and reconciliation.
“We believe the Tokyo Conference is a step in the right direction in meeting Afghanistan’s development needs in the coming years,” Aziz said.
He said despite its limited resources, Pakistan had been extending support to Afghanistan’s reconstruction and development through contributions primarily to education, health and infrastructure projects in Afghanistan, worth $330 million.
He said Afghanistan was ideally located to connect energy suppliers and users in its neihbourhood and beyond.
He said Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India gas pipeline (TAPI) and Central Asia South Asia (CASA-1000) were two such examples of projects which made Afghanistan a “connector”.
“These projects hold substantial economic advantages for Afghanistan, in addition to speeding up its own reconstruction and development efforts,” he added.
The adviser said successful security transition by the end of December 2014, and assumption of full responsibility for peace and stability by the Afghan National Security Force and Afghan National Army would help the country prepare a helpful environment for the pursuit and development of energy and connectivity projects.
He said next year’s political transition, through successful conclusion of the Presidential and Provincial Council elections would also be an important factor.
Aziz said Afghanistan would require financial support, including investment in its infrastructure and institutional development, including health, education and human resource development.
He said Pakistan’s relations with Afghanistan were reinforced by strong bonds of a common history, religion and culture, adding that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had clearly underlined the government’s priority in terms of addressing energy needs in the short- and long-term.
“We are keen on working with Afghanistan as a conduit for energy supply,” he added.
Aziz said Afghanistan had been facing conflict and instability for more than three decades. “As a neighbouring country, Pakistan has consistently faced the fall out of this situation.”
He said for over three decades, Pakistan had been host to one of the largest refugee populations in the world, despite dwindling international support and in spite of economic difficulties.
Aziz said about three million Afghan refugees still lived in Pakistan, of which about 1.6 million were registered.
He said just last month, Pakistan had signed the Tripartite Agreement along with Afghanistan and UNHCR extending the stay of refugees until December 2015.
“We hope this time will be used to prepare for the return of the refugees to their homeland,” he added.
