- Former FM says Pakistan shouldn’t have joined Saudi-led coalition forces, should avoid sectarian conflicts of Middle East
Former foreign affairs minister Sardar Assef Ahmad Ali has suggested to Pakistan and Afghanistan to sit together on a dialogue table and avoid further tension, as both the neighbours have options to resolve contentious issues.
Delivering a lecture at the Nisar Usmani Auditorium of the Lahore Press Club, arranged by the club’s Foreign Affairs Committee on Sunday, he said that both Pakistan and Afghanistan have options – like one has transit trade as well as good relations with some of militant groups while the other has close relationship with India (mostly based on anti-Pakistan) as well as base camps of anti-Pakistan groups.
“So we have to sit together and to discuss issues and will have to give assurances to each other and to watch mutual interests,” he said, adding that as a developed and more organised country, Pakistan would have to start policy dialogue with Afghanistan, as they (Afghans) have no other suitable partner but only Pakistan to maintain peace and stability in their country.
“They (Afghanistan) will have to restrict India and its activities inside their country and must try to stop New Delhi to use their country against Pakistan besides restricting movement and support to anti-Pakistan groups in their country,” he said, asking policymakers in Pakistan as well to influence anti-Afghanistan groups – if exists – not to use Pakistan’s soil against Afghanistan.
In a detailed lecture, the former minister pointed out flaws in Pakistan’s past and current foreign policies, especially handling of war and internal conflicts in Afghanistan, issue of Jammu Kashmir and the Middle Eastern conflicts. He pointed out that Pakistan should avoid sectarian conflicts of Middle East and former army chief General Raheel Sharif shouldn’t have joined the Saudi-led coalition forces.
He said that Pakistan and India should adopt dialogue process to resolve issues. In Pakistan, everyone knows and understands that there should be good and friendly relations with India, he said, adding but response from the other side was not welcoming. “Indian government as well as their media is creating hype against Pakistan,” he said. “This (hostile policy) will not work anymore,” he added.
“We have to understand that conflicts between nations always created open space for non-state actors or saboteurs,” he said. And no one will be in a position to control them (saboteurs), he said. “India is using tension and conflicts as ‘staircase,’ but they have to understand this will not work,” he said. “A ‘third force’ can take place in this hostile situation,” he pointed out, with a clear reference to the Islamic State – a militia widely known for its videos of beheadings and destruction.
Assef also shared details of how India was trying to squeeze Pakistan and damage its interests not only in the South Asian region, but internationally. “They (Indians) are trying to malign Pakistan everywhere in the world and active to demoralise Pakistani nation,” he said, and suggested that India as a big country should have to play more responsible role to create peaceful coexistence in the region.
Internationally, “Pakistan will have to protect its interests and should avoid conflicts as there is no fight against Islam but some countries as well as some ruling families are fighting for their own interests, but using the name of the religion,” Assef said. “I am sorry to say Pakistan has no strong foreign policy,” he said. “We are on a back foot instead of front foot due to lack of proper foreign policy,” he added.
“We have to highlight sufferings of Kashmiri people at all international forums properly and forcefully,” he said. Like other countries, Pakistan also needs a dedicated minister for foreign affairs, he said, while pointing out empty seat at the top of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. “Our most important institution (foreign ministry) is headless,” he said.
At the end, Lahore Press Club Secretary Abdul Majeed Sajid, senior journalists Raja Riaz Ahmad and Mian Muhammad Habib presented shield and bouquet to the guest speaker and thanks for sharing his experience, knowledge and information on current affairs.
