PESHAWAR: Afghan Consul General in Peshawar Abdul Waheed Poyan has expressed optimism that the ongoing tension between Afghanistan and Pakistan will be resolved, and called for joint efforts to cope with common challenges and to establish everlasting peace in the region.
“Afghanistan and Pakistan are facing common threats which should be tackled with joint efforts,” the diplomat stressed while talking to media after attending a seminar held in connection with Afghanistan International Culture Day at Peshawar Press Club. The event was organized by Regional Forum for Peace and Development on Saturday.
The envoy further said that his government gave much importance to boost relations with Pakistan as compared to other regional countries.
Notable speakers on the occasion included Rahmat Shah Siyal, Dr Abaseen Yousafzai, Abdul Majeed Chandio, Fatima Atif, and chairman of the forum Alamzeb Khan. Besides them, the gathering was also attended by poets, writers, member of civil society, lawyers, and people from different walks of life.
To a question about the alleged increasing Indian influence in Afghanistan, the diplomat said that “every country has its policy to strengthen relationships with neighboring countries and his country has the utmost desire to enhance mutual ties with all regional countries including Pakistan.” However, he stressed, it was necessary to sort out all outstanding issues by jointly addressing the common problems faced by both Afghanistan and Pakistan.
The envoy also said that the Pakhtuns at both sides of the border had suffered a lot during the prolonged war against terrorism in the region. He added that the health and educational infrastructure had been shattered badly during the war and led to a large number of Afghans being displaced from their country.
Earlier, while speaking at a seminar, Waheed Poyan said that both Afghanistan and Pakistan were bound with each other due to their common language, traditions, culture, and religion.
“We, being a nation, proved the world that we are capable to resolve all issues on our own through traditional ‘jirga’ system. Women are given great respect in Pakhtun culture, which had no precedent in the rest of the world,” the Afghan envoy said.
He blamed that the political leadership of Pakistan had not shown seriousness to settle all issues with his country.
“Both the countries are in flames. Let’s come together to fight the menace of terrorism and to bring everlasting stability for peaceful ‘co-existence’ in the region,” the diplomat said.
He also said that Pakhtuns were much resilient and had remained steadfast against terrorism, and rendered unforgettable sacrifices for the establishment of durable peace in the region, adding that there was a need for the establishment of people-to-people contact and exchange of delegations to boost cultural, business and trade relations between the two neighbors.
Fatima Atif, a peace and cultural activist from Hazara community, in her address highlighted that culture has influence over many things and it cannot be stagnant. She added that the role of women was vital in the promotion of cultural norms, values, and other traditions.
She also said that culture conveyed a message of peace, tolerance, brotherhood, and unity. She maintained that a culture was known as the most powerful tool in bridging the gap and enhancing cordial relations with any nation in the world.
She further stressed the need for promoting tolerance, peace, and unity among each other and to sort out a peaceful solution of all the issues.
Earlier, the forum chairman Alamzeb Khan briefed the participants about the significance of holding the event. He informed that the management had also invited an Afghan delegation to the event, comprising of noted Pashto poets, writers, and literary figures, but weren’t allowed to attend the event due to security reasons.
He also stressed the need of enhancement of cultural relations to further boost relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Other speakers at the event included Usman Olasyar, Abdul Majeed Chandio, former MPA Saleem Khan, and Rahmat Shah. The speakers emphasized that both Pakistan and Afghanistan should promote mutual cultural relations and settle all issues in a peaceful manner.