PAKISTAN - AFGHANISTAN

Transcription

1 PAKISTAN - AFGHANISTAN Parliamentarians' Dialogue Report

2 PAKISTAN - AFGHANISTAN Parliamentarians' Dialogue Report

3 PILDAT is an independent, non-partisan and not-for-profit indigenous research and training institution with the mission to strengthen democracy and democratic institutions in Pakistan. PILDAT is a registered non-profit entity under the Societies Registration Act XXI of 1860, Pakistan. Copyright Pakistan Institute of Legislative Development And Transparency PILDAT All rights reserved Printed in Pakistan Published: April 2011 ISBN: Any part of this publication can be used or cited with a clear reference to PILDAT Published by Pakistan Institute of Legislative Development and Transparency - PILDAT Head Office: No. 7, 9th Avenue, F-8/1, Islamabad, Pakistan Lahore Office: 45-A, Sector XX, 2nd Floor, Phase III Commercial Area, DHA, Lahore Tel: (+92-51) ; Fax: (+92-51) info@pildat.org; Web:

4 CONTENTS Abbreviations and Acronyms Foreword Executive Summary Introduction and Background 11 Proceedings - Terrorism - Trade - Media - Water Issues - Role of Parliamentarians Appendices Appendix A: Appendix B: Appendix C Appendix D: Appendix E: Joint Declaration List of Afghan MPs List of Pakistani MPs Profiles of the Afghan Delegates Profiles of the Pak Delegates

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6 Abbreviations and Acronyms ANP CBR DRP FPSC FATA ISI KPK MJ MNA MP MQM NA NATO NLC NP NSMA NWFP PKMAP PML-N PPPP SAFRON WJ WMD Awami National Party Central Board of Revenue Disarmament Demobilisation and Reintegration Program Federal Public Service Commission Federally Administrated Tribal Areas Inter-Services Intelligence Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa Meshrano Jirga Member of National Assembly Members of Parliament Muttahida Qaumi Movement National Assembly North Atlantic Territory Organisation National Logistic Cell National Party National Solidarity Movement of Afghanistan North West Frontier Post Pashtoonkhwa Milli Awami Party Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarians Standing Committee on States and Frontier Regions Wolesi Jirga Weapons of Mass Destruction

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8 Foreword ILDAT hosted the 4th round of Pakistan-Afghanistan Parliamentarians Dialogue in Islamabad on March 29-30, 2011 to P bring together Afghan and Pakistani Parliamentarians to discuss issues of mutual interest and concern that impact the relationship between the two neighbouring countries. A delegation of 20 Afghan Parliamentarians, belonging to the Senate and National Assembly of Afghanistan (Meshrano Jirga and Wolesi Jirga respectively) had a detailed dialogue with their Pakistani counterparts on issues of mutual interest including Terrorism, Trade and the role of media in bringing the two countries closer to one another. PILDAT conceptualised and initiated the project of building and deepening Parliamentary ties and relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan in Three joint workshops of Pakistani and Afghani Parliamentarians were held by PILDAT in 2008 and The broad objective behind the initiative was that Parliaments of the two countries should develop a relationship that should facilitate greater interaction and dialogue with each other on bilateral and regional relations and issues of mutual interest. Acknowledgments PILDAT would like to acknowledge the support provided by the British High Commission, Islamabad for the Dialogue and its related publications. Disclaimer PILDAT and its team of researchers have made efforts to ensure the accuracy of the contents of this report and do not accept responsibility for any omission and error, as it is not deliberate. The views expressed in this report are those of the various speakers and the participants and are not necessarily shared by PILDAT or the British High Commission, Islamabad. Islamabad March

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10 Executive Summary A number of Parliamentarians from Afghanistan and Pakistan participated in a candid and a comprehensive Parliamentarians Dialogue facilitated by PILDAT on March 29-30, 2011 to review the current impasse in the relations between the two countries and considered the way forward. In order to do so, they discussed various issues for promoting a people's movement for peace and reconciliation with specific proposals namely strengthening people to people contacts including: a. addressing issues of terrorism b. trade c. role of media d. water e. future mechanism to carry forward the Parliamentarians dialogue and removing the trust deficit. While both sides agreed the only way forward for Pakistan and Afghanistan is to jointly address the challenges of security in the region to rid the region of foreign influence, key themes that echoed through the dialogue included trust deficit between the two neighbours, need to increase and improve bilateral trade, remove complications in Afghan transit trade, promote each other's media in both countries, and stop the spread and smuggling of narcotics, etc. Parliamentarians must continuously engage with each other to find solutions to the problems as being public representatives they both understand public concerns and are charged with the responsibility to oversee executive policies in both countries. The dialogue proceedings were opened by Senator Mir Jan Muhammad Jamali, Deputy Chairman Senate of Pakistan and Mr. Faisal Karim Kundi, MNA, Deputy Speaker National Assembly of Pakistan while Sayed Ishaq Gailani, Member of Afghan Wolesi Jirga and Senator Salim Saifullah Khan, Chairman Senate Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit Baltistan, co-chaired the dialogue. The Presiding Officers of the two Parliaments should have a hotline between them and foreign affairs committee should continuously engage, said Senator Salim Saifullah. Parliamentarians of both countries should have visa-free access to both countries while Pak-Afghan Parliamentary Friendship Group should be formed in upper houses of both Parliaments. Dialogue reflects the interest of the people of Pakistan and Afghanistan who wish to benefit from enormous opportunities that are linked with peace and prosperity in the region. Parliamentarians guided by the principles of cooperative and good neighbourly relations should be able to address all issues of mutual concern and interest meaningfully including terrorism, water issues, media, narcotics control, etc. In a meeting of the Afghan Parliamentary delegation with the President of Pakistan Mr. Asif Ali Zardari, the delegates raised the issues of held containers under Afghan Transit trade, cross-border terrorism and greater Parliamentary interaction between Pakistan and Afghanistan. The meeting started with the fateha for the departed soul of Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Saheed. Sayed Ishaq Gailani, Member Wolesi Jirga and leader of Afghan Parliamentary delegation, congratulated Mr. Zardrai for successfully completion of 3 years of democratic government. He briefed the President about the proceedings of the Parliamentarians Dialogue held earlier in the day and major concerns discussed by both sides. Mr. Zardari felicitated Afghan delegation for holding of successful elections and establishing a Parliament despite war and law and order situation in Afghanistan. The President pledged Pakistan's support to Afghanistan in eradicating the roots of terrorism in the region. He also promised scholarships and better education opportunities for Afghan nationals in response to requests by Afghan delegates. He also assured Afghan Parliamentarians that quota of Afghan students in Pakistani educational institutions will be increased. Responding to the concerns of delegates about containers stopped at Karachi, Senator Rahman Malik, Federal 09

11 Minister for Interior, promised that the issue will be resolved very soon as the Prime Minister of Pakistan has taken personal interest in this matter. On March 30, 2011, Earlier, Afghan Parliamentarians called on Chairman Senate Senator Farooq H Naik in the Parliament House. In welcoming the Afghan delegation, Senator Naik was joined by Senator Jan Muhammad Jamali, Deputy Chairman Senate, Senator Nayyar Hussain Bukhari, Leader of the House in the Senate, Senator Jahangir Bader, PPPP, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Leader of the PML-N Parliamentary party, Senator Haji Muhammad Adeel, ANP, Senator Salim Saifullah Khan, PML, Senator Kulsoom Parveen, PML, Senator Saleh Shah, Ind. and Senator Abdul Rahim Khan Mandokhel, PKMAP. Chairman Senate said that two brotherly countries have unbreakable historical, cultural and religious ties. He said that peace in Afghanistan is important for peace in Pakistan and peace in the region. Terrorism is a common problem which needs to be addressed jointly, adding that a regional approach is required in this regard. Thanking on behalf of the Afghan delegates for the warm welcome received by delegation in Pakistan, Sayed Ishaq Gailani raised the issue of bottlenecks in Afghan transit trade and said MPs of two countries have a crucial role to play in resolving issues. Senator Nayyar Hussain Bukhari believed that relations have improved during current government tenure adding that President Zardari places huge importance on good relation of Pakistan with Afghanistan. Senator Ishaq Dar said that PML-N has always given great importance to Afghanistan and assured Afghan delegation that Afghan Student will be accommodated in Universities across Punjab. He said that terrorism is badly affecting both countries' economies, and it is time to address this with a joint approach. The Afghan delegation, while viewing proceedings of the House in the Senate, was warmly acknowledged and welcomed by Parliamentary leaders. Chairman Senate also announced the formation of a Pak-Afghan Parliamentary Friendship Group in Senate with Deputy Chairman Senate Senator Jan Muhammad Jamali as the Chairman of the Group. Addressing a press conference upon the conclusion of the Parliamentarians Dialogue, co-chairs of the Pak-Afghan Parliamentary Dialogue Sayed Ishaq Gailani, Member of Afghan Wolesi Jirga and Senator Salim Saifullah Khan, Chairman Senate Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit Baltistan, said that Parliamentary dialogue between Pakistan and Afghanistan must continue in order to strengthen Pak-Afghan ties A Joint Statement was also issued upon the conclusion of the dialogue which was shared with the media. No country is closer to our heart than Afghanistan, said Senator Salim Saifullah, adding that the first-ever visit of Senate Foreign Affairs Committee was undertaken to Kabul earlier this month before the Senate and National Assembly of Pakistan welcomed the 20-member Afghan Parliamentary delegation to Pakistan. Senator Mir Jan Muhammad Jamali, Deputy Chairman Senate of Pakistan and Mr. Faisal Karim Kundi, MNA, Deputy Speaker National Assembly of Pakistan welcomed and remained engaged in a dialogue with Afghan MPs alongside a multi-party Pakistan Parliamentary delegation, informed Senator Saifullah. Parliamentarians from two sides discussed terrorism, trade, narcotics and education in a candid interaction, said Sayed Ishaq Gailani while addressing the press conference. Terrorists have harmed both countries and a regional conference to counter terrorism must be held, he believed, to counter the scourge. Our Pakistani Parliamentary brothers and sisters agree that our interaction will pave the way for strengthening relations, he said. The Co-chairs thanked PILDAT for facilitating the Parliamentary interaction adding that the next dialogue of the series will be held in Kabul in May this year. 10

12 Introduction and Background Pak-Afghan Parliamentarians Dialogue: Islamabad, March 29-30, 2011 PILDAT ( an independent Pakistani think tank, hosted a Pakistan-Afghanistan Parliamentarians Dialogue in Islamabad on March 29-30, 2011 to bring together Afghan and Pakistani Parliamentarians to discuss issues of mutual interest and concern that impact the relationship between the two neighbouring countries. The dates were decided in consultation with the Honourable Presiding Officers of the Afghan Meshrano Jirga and the Wolesi Jirga as well as Pakistan's Senate and the National Assembly. Background PILDAT conceptualised and initiated a project of building and deepening Parliamentary ties and relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan in Three joint workshops of Pakistani and Afghani Parliamentarians were held by PILDAT in 2008 and The broad objective behind the initiative was that Parliaments of the two countries should develop a relationship that should facilitate greater interaction and dialogue with each other on bilateral and regional relations and issues of mutual interest. 1. The 1st Joint Workshop for Pakistani and Afghan Parliamentarians on 'Parliamentary Oversight' was held in Islamabad on April 22-23, in Islamabad. A delegation of 13 Members of Parliament (MPs) and 1 parliamentary staffer from Afghanistan, led by Honourable Sayed Hamed Gailani, First Deputy Speaker of the Meshrano Jirga, the Upper house of the Afghan Parliament, participated in the Workshop. From Pakistan, 48 MPs including 44 Members of the newly elected 13th National Assembly of Pakistan, 4 Senators and 2 parliamentary staffers participated in the Workshop. 2. The 2nd Joint Workshop for Pakistan-Afghanistan Parliamentarians on 'Parliamentary Budget Process' was held in Kabul from October 28-29, An 11 member Pakistani delegation led by Senator Mir Jan Mohammad Jamali, Deputy Chairman Senate of Pakistan (Balochistan, PML), participated in the Dialogue joined by over 60 MPs from Afghan Parliament. On the side of the workshop, Pakistani delegation held meetings and interactions with the President of Afghanistan Mr. Hamid Karzai, President of Afghanistan Senate Mr. Sibghatullah Majuddadi and Speaker Afghan National Assembly, Mr. Mohammad Younus Qanooni. 3. The 3rd Joint Workshop for Pakistan-Afghanistan Parliamentarians on 'Parliaments in Formulation & Oversight of Foreign Policy' was held in Islamabad from March 31-April 01, A 15-member Afghan Parliamentary delegation led by Hon. Dr. Abdul Qaium Sahjadi, Member of the Committee on International Affairs from Wolesi Jirga and Senator Sayed Hamed Gailani, First deputy speaker Meshrano Jirga from the Meshrano Jirga, participated in workshop, joined by 35 Parliamentarians (MNAs & Senators) from Pakistan. On the sidelines of the workshop, the Afghan delegation was facilitated to call on the Prime Minister of Pakistan and the Acting President Senator Farook Naik on April 01, The Pakistan-Afghanistan Parliamentarians Dialogue in Islamabad on March 29-30, 2011 is the first of the 3 such dialogues PILDAT has planned to host during

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14 Pak-Afghan Parliamentarians Dialogue; March 29-30, 2011 Ms. Aasiya Riaz Joint Director, PILDAT Ms. Aasiya Riaz welcomed participants of the dialogue and laid emphasis on the importance of meetings between members of the two Parliaments. It sets the patron of bilateral relations between their two countries, she said, and the idea of the current dialogue was to provide an opportunity to the two sides to consider as to how best they can contribute to the shaping of their future course of action. While it is up to Parliamentarians from both sides to decide issues that they feel are most crucial to discuss, some of the earlier issues raised in PILDAT-facilitated Parliamentary interactions between the two sides have included: 1. Terrorism 2. Afghan Transit Trade and bi-lateral trade 3. Water Resources Issues 4. Refugees 5. Narcotics Control 6. Media 7. Pak-Afghan joint efforts for dialogue / reconciliation for regional security and peace 8. Role of the Parliaments to develop understanding between Pakistan and Afghanistan, Foreign Policy and bilateral Foreign Relations, etc. Senator Mir Jan Muhammad Khan Jamali Deputy Chairman, Senate of Pakistan PML, Balochistan We are happy to have you here with us. We are from you and you are from us. We have so many things in common. Under the current tenure of the Pakistan People's party we have started a movement for peace. We have similar approaches and similar thinking to most of the problems in this region. I think there should be no need for Visa for Parliamentarians of the two countries. Secondly, the potential for increase of trade between our two countries have not been properly utilised. It has its problems which need our urgent attention. We should remove all obstacles to make it easy between us and even expand it to Iran and other Central Asian Republics. The close historical links make it easy to achieve our common objectives and bring prosperity to the region. Afghans have historically not tolerated foreign presence on their soil. We pray that peace returns to that country and once Afghanistan becomes peaceful that will find way across into our country as well. A dialogue like this greatly contributes to bringing both our countries further closer to each. I would like to thank PILDAT for taking this initiative. Mr. Faisal Karim Kundi, MNA Deputy Speaker National Assembly PPPP, NA-24 D. I. Khan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa I do appreciate PILDAT's initiative for this dialogue. I welcome you all to my country. As you are aware the Senate of Pakistan is in session where most of the Senators are busy which is why we miss some of them here. The first step towards strengthening of relations between our two countries was taken by President Asif Ali Zardari when he invited President Hamid Karzai to the oath taking ceremony in Islamabad which was then reciprocated by President Karzai during his oath taking ceremony in Kabul where the President of Pakistan went and participated. 13

15 Primarily it is the Parliaments of the two countries that define the nature of relationship between the two countries. It would help if we continue with meeting more frequently to set the direction right for more cooperation and help to each other. Sayed Ishaq Gailani Member of the Wolesi Jirga, Afghanistan National Solidarity Movement of Afghanistan, Kabul I brought a message of peace and love from Afghanistan and I am happy that we the members of the two Parliaments are sitting here to bring the two governments and people closer together. I am happy that President Karzai invited Prime Minister Gilani a few days back and hope that the Prime Minister will find time to visit Afghanistan. His visit at this time will convey a very positive message to all concerned. I appreciate Mr. Jamali and Mr. Faisal Karim Kundi for their remarks. It is encouraging that they hold us so close to their heart. I would like to point out that if we do not come close and the politicians do not take the lead the differences that have been created over the years will further deepen. The Afghans living here as refugees did not feel that they were refugees, they felt that they were living in their own house. We hope that the same cooperation will continue till the situation across the border improves to make it possible for them to return to their houses in Afghanistan. Another problem that is faced by the businessmen in Afghanistan is the delay in clearance of their goods in Karachi on which they pay huge amount of demurrages. I will request if their goods are released immediately so that a positive message is conveyed to the people that the Parliamentarians from Pakistan came to their rescue and have been able to have goods released. Senator Salim Saifullah Khan Chairman, Senate Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit Baltistan PML, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa I thank Ms. Aasiya Riaz, Mr. Ishaq Gailani, Senator Jan Muhammad Jamali, Mr. Faisal Karim Kundi and my Afghan Parliamentarians brothers and sisters. I welcome you on behalf of the Senate of Pakistan. I shall use this opportunity to thank the Afghan Parliament, its government and Foreign Office for the hospitality that they extended to us when Senate Committee for Foreign Affairs visited Kabul recently. I have been to Afghanistan before when I was in the previous government, but this time it was heartening to see the prosperity in Afghanistan. I congratulate you on this. I thank PILDAT for this positive step of arranging this dialogue between us. I shall congratulate this government that our relations with Afghanistan are better than in I shall request my colleagues to call you Afghan not Afghani because the word Afghani stands for the Afghan currency. We do have an Afghan-Pakistan friendship group but not in the Senate. We intend to establish it there also. Moreover, I believe the Pak-Afghan transit trade agreement should be implemented without further delay. We share a long border therefore we cannot be separated. I am proud that my forefathers had come from Afghanistan. I suggest that we focus on identifying issues which we should discuss in detail.it is so unfortunate that we had an incident of terror even today in Khyber agency where an Army Colonel was martyred. We need to discuss terrorism in detail and see as to what contributions we can make to improve the situation. We are Parliamentarians and it is our responsibility that we leave prosperous Afghanistan and Pakistan for our children. As suggested we need to make a list of issues that we want 14

16 to discuss in detail of which terrorism shall of course be one of them. Moreover, PILDAT has also given a list of some the topics and we should identify and select issues for example Terrorism, Narcotics, Media and Trade, etc. Terrorism Senator Mohammad Arsalan Rahmani Member of the Meshrano Jirga, Afghanistan Terrorism is not only our or your problem it is a problem of the region and the world at large. The efforts of reconciliation, if succeeded, will have positive results but if it failed that will create problems for Afghanistan and Pakistan. We both should have the same standards and definition of terrorism instead of having different opinion between us about this subject. Mullah Omar is leading the Taliban, Gulbudin Hikmatyar is leading Hizb-e-Islami. In Pakistan you have different organizations including the Punjabi Taliban. There is a strong perception in Afghanistan that Pakistan is interfering in their internal affairs whereas Pakistan is unhappy over the increased Indian influence in Afghanistan. Mistrust exists and I think we should come out of this and try to set things on the right track. We get upset with each other very often but we should understand that our salvation lies in peace. We as Parliamentarians should understand that a permanent solution should come from within us and not from outside; it is our job to bring peace to our two countries. Our two Parliaments, I understand, are empowered enough to play a positive role in this direction. The foreigners stationed in Afghanistan, we think, will not succeed in achieving their objective no matter how long they stay in Afghanistan. They are not a direct party to this conflict and to the negotiation process. We are a party, we have to stay and live in our countries therefore only we can chart out solutions to our problems. Mr. Fakori Bihishti Member of the Meshrano Jirga, Afghanistan We can take many initiatives that will create an environment of brotherhood and peace between our two countries. Security is the more important problem of the region. We have to ensure sanctity of the borders. Some Afghans believe that people who work against the people of Afghanistan come from Pakistan. Pakistanis may have similar feeling from Afghans. We need to work together to remove these apprehensions. Senator Mir Hasil Khan Bizenjo Senior Vice President, National Party NP, Balochistan I thank PILDAT for providing us this opportunity to discuss issues with our brothers from Afghanistan which is unfortunately in a state of war for the last more than thirtyyears. This war on terror has shed a lot of blood in this region particularly in Afghanistan and Khyber Pukhtunkhwa (KP) in Pakistan. I think we should talk frankly talk to each other to stop further killing of innocent people in this war. Right now the greatest problem for Afghanistan and Pakistan is the problem of terrorism. It is a complex problem. Taliban for example were not Afghans nor was it a problem of the people of that country. Afghans were living happily in peace. It was a problem created by international forces. Russians wanted to bring in communism to Afghanistan. I think all of us are responsible for what has happened to Afghanistan and as such we should accept the responsibility for the death of 1.5 million Afghans in that war. We should accept the fact that there is little trust between 15

17 our two governments. The Parliamentarians from both sides should take decisions and be ready to accept responsibility. As my brother said there are foreign forces here in the region which we cannot throw out immediately even if we want to. We should look around to save ourselves from violence and work for peace. Both the countries will go down the drain if we do not work together to bring peace to the region. I think all stakeholders should accept that Afghanistan is a sovereign and independent state. For example we talk about prosperity in Pakistan. We talk about strategic depth for Pakistan. But we forget that there will be no prosperity in Pakistan if there is no peace in Afghanistan. Today we talk of International highway, of Gwadar sea port, of Chaman Kandahar road but we do not look at the fact that there will be no development unless there is peace in this region. Until we accept Afghanistan as a sovereign State there will be no peace and we will go nowhere. I think we have not played our role as Parliamentarians in the past but we should not fail to do it now. There are different theories regarding Taliban. We have pro-taliban and anti-taliban people. I think we have all impacted Afghanistan for our own benefits which in return has adversely affected the people in Afghanistan. Mr. Gul Badshah Majeedi Member of the Wolesi Jirga, Afghanistan We are the representatives of the people and we should talk about their problems more openly. There has been no peace in Afghanistan or Pakistan. We should define terrorism and terrorist? Are the Taliban are terrorists, I think people in Afghanistan have been pushed to war may be because of foreign forces and for economic reasons of some people in that country. We shall accept that there are groups who are supporting terrorist elements. Terrorism is not a problem limited to this region only. This is a problem of Arabs and Iranians who operate through their intelligence agencies. No religious scholar will accept this as a war for religion. Religion has nothing to do with it. Pakistani Parliamentarians and we should sit together and decide a solution for this problem. I have lot of information but I do not want to bring it in the open now. I know how all these operations started near the border between our two countries. Senator Muhammad Jahangir Badar Secretary General, Pakistan Peoples Party-PPP PPP, Punjab I thank PILDAT and all those who are present here. I think we have seen some progress in the recent past. President Karzai participated in the oath taking ceremony of President Zardari and President Zardari reciprocated this good will gesture by participating in his oath taking ceremony in Kabul. We remember the recent London conference which made some breakthrough as far as Afghanistan was concerned It was decided that there should be dialogue between Afghanistan and Pakistan and strict action against cross border terrorism must be taken. President Zardari played an important role in that conference. There should be a joint commission to sort out major problems between our two countries. Chairman of the Senate Standing Committee of Foreign Affairs, Mr Salim Saifullah Khan has arranged a visit for the members of the committee to Afghanistan this March, which bore fruitful results. 16

18 Senator Rafiullah Haidari Member of the Meshrano Jirga, Afghanistan Had we started sitting like this 9 years back by now we would have achieved a lot. When the Soviets came to Afghanistan they came not to occupy that country only but wanted much deeper influence in the region. Fortunately they could not implement their designs so they went back. We appreciate Pakistan's efforts in dislodging them and we love Pakistan like our own country. During Jihad 1.5 million Afghanis got killed, as you know. We used to meet 30 years back as well but those meetings were held behind curtains and not as open as this one. If our leaders at that time had thought of us and held meetings like this we would not have gone through all those problems that we faced. The policies of our two governments are either wrong or not in support of public aspirations. We need to speak nothing but the whole truth because we will die one day and held responsible for what we did here. Like any army defending its own country the parliamentarians also defend interest of their countries. But we should discuss this issu of terrorism in open because we are brother and the same people. A Pathan killed in Afghanistan has the same blood as a Pathan in Pakistan. People from outside are killing us both for their own interest. Who is burning Madarssas and who is keeping us both illiterate? In the last 9 years I do not see any step taken in Afghanistan for the public interest they get killed by the NATO forces in their own country. During the Taliban uprising people were in agreement with them but when foreigners started interfering (ISI) they kept their distance from the Taliban. Senator Abdul Wali Raji Member of the Meshrano Jirga, Afghanistan Harkat Islami Party, Baghlan We should thank you for your cooperation and service to the people of Afghanistan. The people of Afghanistan take pride in your strength as a powerful country. You are our brothers and we are as proud of your country as you are. We are Muslims and Muslims all over the world are brothers because they share the religion of Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him. As a Parliamentarian, I have a question to all Muslims of the world. If there is any problem between Qaddafi and his people that is their internal matter and the same goes for Husni Mubarak of Egypt. There are similar problems in other countries also but no one interferes in their internal affairs. Why are we subjected to such interventions? We should work together for better understanding between us Muslims that will help us in decreasing dependence for cooperation on Zionists and other nonbelievers. If we agree on this, nobody would dare burn Quran in America. We believe that the holy books of Christians and Jews are not intact as they were revealed but still no Muslim can think of burning or desecrating them. It is so unfortunate that this does not happen with them for our Quraan. It is an irony that our governments do not even protest when such an incidents takes place. We should exert pressure on our governments to stop cooperation with Jews and pagans. If we do that then no foreign country will have the courage to interfere in our internal affairs. Senator Maulana Mohammad Saleh Shah Qurashi Chairman, Senate Standing Committee on Religious Affairs Independent, FATA We welcome all the Afghan Parliamentarians to Islamabad. We and all Afghan people are alike, having the same blood, you are our reflection and we are yours. Firstly I would like to say that this conference should not be limited to talk only but 17

19 should have the power to take solid decisions. But is this conference powerful enough or not, can this parliamentary delegation of ours is empowered to discuss to discuss solution to the problem that we face? Do we have the mandate, I think we do not but in case we have of which I am not aware then peace is within our reach. The violence in Pakistan and Afghanistan should not be seen and understood as violence for these two countries only. It is a matter of concern for the whole world. It requires empowerment of such conferences to deal with full power. We have an idiom in Pashto that a cat saw two sparrows fighting with each other. She walked to them pretending to restore peace but in the process killed and ate both of them. We should not allow the outsiders to work like this with us. We should stop looking elsewhere for peace, it lies within our reach. We should look realistically at all the problems that our Afghan brothers face today. It can engulf Pakistan as well if failed in taking preventive measures in time. Where on earth have these foreign proponents of peace established peace in the world. Conferences like this should have the mandate and be empowered if peace is to be established in the region. We should understand that Afghans are our brothers and we are theirs. There are many people in Punjab and Sindh who have migrated from Afghanistan and settled here. As far as the difference of language is concerned it is present everywhere and that does not mean that foreign forces should chart our future. We have become slave of Americans for the sake of money not looking at what that country is doing to us. This is something that we have to reconsider if we want to live with hounour and dignity. But we prefer friendship with Washington over other and feel proud of visiting that country and feel proud in speaking in their language even within our own countries. Our problem as parliamentarians that I see is the problem of empowerment. We should be empowered enough to chart our own future than leaving it to others. I talked about terrorism in Afghanistan and Pakistan and think that this is an artificial problem. Take the example of Iraq what happened. The foreign forces went there after WMD but found nothing. Similarly they will fail in Afghanistan because their motive is not clear other than occupying that country. The concern of the non-muslims is not Islam. It is the Islamic system that makes the West worried. They will never tolerate establishment of Islamic system because they are totally against it. Senator Shah Naz Ghowsi Member of the Meshrano Jirga, Afghanistan,Herat I thank the participants for discussing matters of mutual interest especially the question of terrorism. We expect that Pakistanis will continue helping the Afghan refugees for some time more till they are able to return home. Senator Molla Mohammed Faizi Member of the Meshrano Jirga, Afghanistan Jamiyat Islamic Party, Panjshir I think this discussion is fruitful particularly with regards to terrorism that has badly affected our two countries. I want to remind you of one thing as a member of the senate. The problem of terrorism is not new to us. We are facing it for the past 15 years and when it started no one listened to our advice how to control it and today our youngsters both in Pakistan and Afghanistan are recruited from within our ranks and used for acts of terrorism in the two countries. 18

20 Ms. Tahira Aurangzeb, MNA PML-N, NA-276, Punjab-IV, Punjab I am happy to have come here and benefited from this discussion. We must talk frankly and see if we have the power and authority to handle this difficult and sensitive issue. We should keep in mind that those giving us aid will give us policies also. Whether it is IMF or anyone else they all have their different agendas. As Muslims we should feel each other's pains which we are not feeling currently. We know who is responsible for drone attacks in Pakistan but we are unable to express or do anything against it. We should unite all Muslims on one platform so that we are able to resist foreign forces who want to usurp our resources. America trained Taliban and used them. I should also point out to the fact that Indians are operating from within Afghanistan against Pakistan through more than 40 Consulates that it has opened in that country. The foreign forces have double standards for us. Peace should be our priority instead of looking towards IMF or other foreign countries. Have the rich resources of stable Muslim countries dried up? When will that be used for the benefit of the Muslim world? This is a burning question. Mr. Pervaiz Khan Advocate, MNA ANP, NA-13, Swabi-II, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa I think I should say that I am honoured to be here. We are brothers; we have the same origin, the same culture and even the same religion. As for the question of terrorism is concerned we need to look at the fact as to who is its victim for the last 30 years. I shall say that if today Afghanistan is a breeding ground for recruitment for terrorism that is due to American policies. Afghanistan was left alone at the mercy of the terrorists working on the American agenda in Afghanistan. The bloodshed that has taken place for the last three decades should come to an end. First of all both Afghan and Pakistani Government have to reign in the clashing policies which both are pursing for their own interests. We cannot ignore the role of intelligence agencies that they are playing. The policy of interference of Afghanistan in Pakistan and vice versa should not be overlooked. We have no right to interfere in Afghan affairs th and vice versa. We should not regard Afghanistan as a 5 province. Both the countries should stop playing with fire. We should behave like good neighbours. Let us have a treaty over the Konar River which is an issue. If we can have a treaty with India why cannot we have a treaty with Afghanistan? Senator Dar Khail Mangul Member of the Meshrano Jirga, Afghanistan Independent, Khost We lived, studied, and went to Jihad from Pakistan. Our first government, after Soviet withdrawal, was formed in Peshawar with Mujadedi as its first President. We worked very closely but Pakistan is not happy with us today. We request our brothers in Pakistan to share with us the reasons of their unhappiness and tell us your concerns and we will take it up with our government. Pakistan is our brother country and we should share our problems frankly. I have no fear from America or anyone else. If we live like brothers we should not fear from anyone. We want to bring the two governments closer to each other. Mrs. Helay Ershad Member of the Wolesi Jirga, Afghanistan Koochi Kachi The things we have talked about should be implemented 19

21 and not ignored. The areas where terrorism is being nurtured in both countries should be monitored closely. Similarly the Madrassas near the border should be monitored by your intelligence agency as they are reportedly helping militants for activities across the border. I also want to point out that Afghanistan is backward country ripe for breeding militants if efforts towards their education particularly for girls are not taken. We should concentrate on scholarships for them in educational institutions in Pakistan. Ms. Fauzia Ejaz Khan, MNA MQM, NA-317, Women Sindh-XI My brothers and sisters, time has come for us to take the lead. We have the tendency of blaming others for our problems. It's us who have allowed others to come and take advantage of us. We should be very wary of people who want to take advantage of us. If we go back in history, for some time, we will see that there were no problems between us. But then the British came and divided us. We have to go back to the roots of our problems. The people are not only poor but war-fatigued. The people I met do not have the basic necessities for life and they do not even know the issues surrounding them. We as parliamentarians have given nothing to our people but famine and malnutrition. There were no problems between the people of our two countries until foreign powers imposed their agenda on us. Our rulers provided this region to them in a silver platter. This is not our war; we should stand up and say so. Was there anyone terrorist in our families in the past? It's politics of opportunity that has given a bad name to this region and Islam. The situation deteriorated to such an extent that there is now lack of trust between Afghan and Pakistanis. These powers used Islam for their own purpose and now Islam is their enemy. It's time that we take responsibility for our actions. Senator Hedayatullah Rahaie Member of the Meshrano Jirga, Afghanistan Independent, Bamiyan I think we need to develop a joint strategy to counter the menace of terrorism. Our cooperation during the jihad days was exemplary. We together defeated the Soviets. If we do not join hands and work against it together we will be defeated. Sayed Ishaq Gailani Member of the Wolesi Jirga, Afghanistan National Solidarity Movement of Afghanistan, Kabul In our discussion we blamed only the Taliban and did not talk about Al-Qaeda. We should work against both of them. Unfortunately, the two nations have done little in this regard. Where are these foreigners coming from? They say that there are people in Waziristan. But they must have come from somewhere! Are they coming from central Asia, Iran and Afghanistan, we have to find a solution to this. Another point that I would like to bring to your notice is the question of arms and money, who supplies them with it? We need to have a conference of the surrounding countries in the region to chalk-out a solution to this problem. It was said that the foreigner troops would leave in We have witnessed that when the Soviets got defeated Afghanistan was left alone. We do not want a repeat of that. We want to develop a system that can effectively counter all problems that may spiral Afghanistan back into terrorism after withdrawal of foreign from there. Senator Dr. Abdul Malik Chairman, Senate Functional Committee on Problems of Less Developed Areas, NP, Balochistan I would want to say that the basic problem is the mind set in Pakistan and Afghanistan. Until and unless this mind set is changed we cannot help each other. We often talk about the fact that this war is the war of Islam. I think anyone who picks up arms to appropriate and assert political power is a terrorist. We are ourselves responsible for this situation. Why do all the major terrorist plots in the world lead to Afghanistan and Pakistan? I think we cannot make others as scapegoat for our problems. We are brothers and sisters (Balochs and Afghans). Why do we make the distinction of good Taliban and bad Taliban? I think anyone who terrorise people either in Afghanistan or Pakistan is an enemy of both countries. I think if the foreign forces leave immediately Afghanistan will be dismembered and divided because Afghan forces are not capable of defending the country properly. I would also like to ask as to why we attach every problem with America. In the Middle East and Africa where people 20

22 want to change their leaders why should we bother, why should we supporting Qaddaffi? Today, Muslims are not fighting on American dictation. They have created problem for themselves. I think there is a need for a change of the mind set in our two countries. If we think Afghanistan will be our 5th province that will never happen. Similarly an unstable Pakistan is not in the interest of Afghanistan also. Now is the time that we stop living in the state of denial. Both countries have suffered enough from the menace of terrorism, both should jointly fight it out. Policies should be made according to the wishes and needs of the people otherwise we are doomed. Senator Abdur Rashid Khan Member, Senate Standing Committee on Information and Broadcasting, Federal Administrative Tribal Areas (FATA) Independent, FATA There are different interpretations of the issue. But many things are agreed upon by everyone. The first is that we are in a state of war and we should get out of this war for our better future. I think there is a need to develop trust between our two countries. We should work on that otherwise no solution would come out to resolve the problem that we face today. There should be a similar standard to judge problems and identify issues in both countries. Joint objectives should be given precedence. When we talk about stakeholders we talk about Pakistan, Afghanistan, America and Taliban. But we should include other countries as well because it is a regional and not local problem. Afghanistan should be accepted as a sovereign and independent country. If America is not going to accept Afghanistan as sovereign then no one else will. If America intervenes than there is an excuse for other countries to intervene as well. Senator Engr. Muhammad Humayun Khan Mandokhel Chairman, Senate Standing Committee on Environment Independent, Balochistan I think there is need to find a way out of the problem of this war. I think we have not involved the main stakeholders in this discussion. However, the only way out is the way of dialogue. But what will be the mechanism for a dialogue. Who will be included, who will not be included? The Taliban have been tagged as terrorists. We cannot negotiate with them because we have already labelled them as terrorists. But peace cannot be achieved without talking to Taliban. We should leave some room for people who are ready to talk. We should talk about the root causes of terrorism, why it started from this region? If we ignore these basic problems then we cannot move towards prosperity. I feel this is a very fruitful conference and who knows a solution may come out even from efforts like these. Afghanistan is a very unfortunate country. Different people have tried to undermine its sovereignty. We should talk about the basic variables that are at the heart of the matter. The problem of Palestine and Kashmir where Muslims are being subjected to violence gave rise to militancy leading to suicide attacks. When the world did not leave any choice, Muslims opted for violence. As some of the friends said that if NATO and Americans leave immediately Afghanistan will be destabilised, I tend to agree with that as their leaving without firm alternative arrangements will not only return Afghanistan to what it had experienced in the early nineties but will affect Pakistan and the region. Senator Salim Saifullah Khan Chairman, Senate Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit Baltistan PML, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa I had the pleasure of meeting the Chinese Ambassador once. He said that China had a lot of enemies but since we are stable internally no one can undermine our sovereignty and why should we listen to others to begin with. I think there is a big lesson for us in this saying of the ambassador. Trade Mr. Ahmad Farhad Majidi Member of the Wolesi Jirga, Afghanistan Independent, Herat We have great expectations from the people of Pakistan. We want to play a positive role in bringing the two countries closer together by bilateral trade between the two countries. 21

23 Senator Muhammad Jahangir Badar Secretary General, Pakistan Peoples Party-PPP PPP, Punjab There is a huge trade potential between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Pakistan offered at least 6000 scholarships to the students from Afghanistan but only few hundred student availed this opportunity from Afghanistan. To improve the interaction among female parliamentarians of our two countries as well, we also need a platform as there is no such forum available them now. Mr. Pervaiz Khan Advocate, MNA ANP, NA-13, Swabi-II, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Free trade should take place and no visa policy should be implemented. Every day drone attacks kill people by the hundreds and nobody bothers. Let us strive for a policy that helps everyone in this region. Please do not think of yourselves as migrants or a minority. You are our brothers and our friends. God forbid tomorrow if we have to come to your country then you have to look after us. I suggest that we convene a Loya Jirga of Afghanistan and Pakistan including both Pashtuns and Balochs from here. Senator Hedayatullah Rahaie Member of the Meshrano Jirga, Afghanistan Independent, Bamiyan More than 8 thousand items of Afghan goods are stuck at the Karachi port and we need help from our Pakistani brother for the quick release of these goods. Senator Salim Saifullah Khan Chairman, Senate Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit Baltistan PML, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa We should also discuss issues like media and trade, especially the media. The media plays a very important role in shaping societies. I would also like to state that the Afghan Parliament is a sovereign and independent body. They work very hard and sit for almost the whole year. If Parliaments do not play their role and do not take the lead someone else will take matters into their hands. We should also talk about the Ummah as well. Muslim countries like Bahrain and Libya are in a state of turmoil and we should discuss to see if we have some role to play. The afghan containers which are stuck at Karachi should be released without further delay. The Afghan containers, stuck at Karachi, even if released will reach to Afghanistan safely is also uncertain due to security. But now, there is a clause of bank-guarantee in the new trade agreement. I hope that some progress will be made on that. As for transit trade is concerned, we should try to remove all impediments that affect smooth flow of goods. Increases in trade will obviously bring prosperity to the region. As for India, we have no right to tell you how to keep your relations with other countries, but we have some reservations of which you are aware. President Karzai has already mentioned that Pakistan is like a conjoin brother and India a friend. We have talked about the transit trade and we should be briefed by the Board of Revenue on the problems faced by our Afghan brothers. I think we should chalk out a strategy for resolving the matter immediately. We should behave as good neighbours. Engineer Abdul Ghaffar Member of the Wolesi Jirga, Afghanistan We should have good relations with each other. The Afghan system of government is not stable at this time. No one can say the system will be stable or not when foreign forces leave Afghanistan in As for the issue of trade is concerned, I heard that most of the things are smuggled back to Pakistan with connivance of Pakistani friends. In fact, some of the goods are not even processed for crossing the border into Afghanistan and sold within Pakistan. I also want to say that the oil tankers that supply fuel for use by NATO forces are attacked and burnt frequently and you know it better as to why these oil tankers are attacked so regularly. It affects adversely the life of a common Afghan. If peace is restored that will help to increase trade tremendously between the two neighbouring countries. We look towards the government in Pakistan to work with us so that our problems are resolved because we know that Pakistan can play crucial role in restoration of peace in the region. 22

24 Senator Muhammad Jahangir Badar Secretary General, Pakistan Peoples Party PPP, Punjab We were not a democracy before but today we are a democracy. We also have coalition partners who are on the same page. The people of Afghanistan and Pakistan have been mugged by the officials of Central Board of Revenue-CBR as the volume of illegal trade between us has reached to almost 2 billion. The Government of Pakistan also gets affected by the smuggling of containers. We should devise a mechanism to ensure that these containers are not stolen within Pakistan. Mr. Ahmad Farhad Majidi Member of the Wolesi Jirga, Afghanistan Independent, Herat I think the problems that we face in trade between our two countries could be resolved by following the principles of Islamic system. We request the concerned authorities in Pakistan to cooperate with the Afghan merchants and release their good. The trade items that meant for Afghanistan come first to Pakistani ports and from there transported to Afghanistan but the goods are carried by National Logistics Cell-NLC trucks only which create problem. Pakistan should allow other companies also to carry these goods which will contribute greatly to the existing cooperation between us. Pakistani Television channels are shown in Afghanistan and the Afghan channels in Pakistan. As you know, Pakistan itself is engulfed in many problems but we will work with you on problems that we identified in countering terrorism, improving tread relations and providing better environment to the students through increase in scholarship and allocation of seats in professional institutions in Pakistan. Sayed Ishaq Gailani Member of the Wolesi Jirga, Afghanistan National Solidarity Movement of Afghanistan, Kabul I would like to thank my Pakistani colleagues in parliament for listening to our problems patiently and assuring us of its early resolution. Pakistani dramas should be shown more on TV channels because Afghan kids are good in Urdu as they have lived for long time in Pakistan and understand the anguage very well. Water Issues Mr. Pervaiz Khan Advocate, MNA ANP, NA-13, Swabi-II, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Let us have a treaty over the Konar River which is an issue between the two countries as for as Water issue is concerned between Afghanistan and Pakistan. If we can have a treaty with India why cannot we have a treaty with Afghanistan? Mr. Abdul Satar Khawasi Member of the Wolesi Jirga, Afghanistan Parwan We should talk about those things which are with in our power and not waste time on what is not. When we talk about Pak-Afghan relations, we should talk about long term initiatives based on Islamic Principles. Media Senator Salim Saifullah Khan Chairman, Senate Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit Baltistan PML, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa As far the media is concerned we should make sure that 23

25 Role of Parliamentarians Mr. Faisal Karim Kundi, MNA Deputy Speaker National Assembly PPPP, NA-24 D. I. Khan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa The first step towards strengthening of relations between our two countries was taken by President Asif Ali Zardari when he invited President Hamid Karzai to the oath taking ceremony in Islamabad which was then reciprocated by President Karzai during his oath taking ceremony in Kabul where the President of Pakistan went and participated. Primarily it is the Parliaments of the two countries that define the nature of relationship between the two countries. It would help if we continue with meeting more frequently to set the direction right for more cooperation and help to each other. Senator Salim Saifullah Khan Chairman, Senate Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit Baltistan PML, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa to this region are actually creating problems for us both and the parliamentarians of the two countries can bring peace and prosperity to the area by joining hand together. Pak- Afghan friendship association as my brother said will be established soon. There is a problem of crossing borders into each other countries. There are reports that at least fifty thousand people daily cross border without proper documents which needs to be regulated. Senator Hedayatullah Rahaie Member of the Meshrano Jirga, Afghanistan Independent, Bamiyan There should be a link between Pakistan and Afghanistan to stop the smuggling of narcotics in this region. I suggest we establish a Parliamentarian link between us which would lead to a greater dialogue and cooperation between the people of the two countries I shall congratulate this government that our relations with Afghanistan are better than in I shall request my colleagues to call you Afghan not Afghani because the word Afghani stands for the Afghan currency. We do have an Afghan-Pakistan friendship group but not in the Senate. We intend to establish it there also. We are Parliamentarians and it is our responsibility that we leave prosperous Afghanistan and Pakistan for our children. There should be hotlines between Speakers and members of the Parliament of the two countries. Only we can save ourselves from the problems that we face today. I am sure there are forces that will work to create differences between us but we should not listen to them. We should learn to trust each other. I must say there has been a lot of improvement in the past 3 years. If continue with our efforts and meet for dialogue regularly we will find a solution to this problem. There is an agreement that foreign committees of the senate should meet twice a year. We shall, Insha Allah, visit Kabul towards the end of May this year. There is a big gap between the people and the intelligence agencies of our two countries. We have created this gap ourselves and we need to bridge it and this is where the Parliamentarians can play its role. The foreigners who came 24

26 Appendices

27

28 Appendix A Joint Declaration (Agreed to by the two Co-Chairs and Participants and released to the Media upon conclusion of the Dialogue) Parliamentarians from Afghanistan and Pakistan met on March 29-30, 2011 in Islamabad and discussed issues of importance that impact the relations between the two neighbouring Islamic countries. A delegation of 20 Afghan Parliamentarians, belonging to the Senate and National Assembly of Afghanistan (Meshrano Jirga and Wolesi Jirga respectively) had a detailed dialogue with their Pakistani counterparts on issues of mutual interest including Terrorism, Afghan Transit Trade and the role of media in bringing the two countries closer to one another. Delegates from the two sides laid great emphasis on joint efforts to tackle the problem of terrorism which has not only caused death and destruction in the region but has been the major impediment in the development of both Afghanistan and Pakistan. They urged cooperation of each other's Parliament to bring to the notice of their respective Governments problems identified by the other side for immediate remedial action. This, they thought, would greatly help in bringing the two countries further closer to each other. The two sides felt the need of establishing a Joint Commission, established already, to identify problems between them. The task of the Commission would be to find solutions to these problems which will help in cementing brotherly relations between the two neighbours. The intelligence agencies of the two countries, Parliamentarians felt, were pursuing their own individual interest whereas terrorism was a common enemy demanding collective action by the agencies of the two countries. Parliamentarians expressed concern on longer delays for clearance of goods under Afghan Transit Trade which was causing huge financial loss. They agreed on finding a solution to this long over-due problem for streamlining business relation between the two countries. Parliamentarians felt the need and importance of media in moulding public opinion. It can play a positive role in bridging the trust deficit that unfortunately still exists somewhat between the people of the two countries. The two sides agreed to hold their next meeting in Kabul in May this year. 27

29 Appendix B List of Afghan MPs No Name Designation Province Political Party 1. Syed Ishaq Gailaini (Leader of the Delegation) Member Wolesi Jirga Kabul National Solidarity Movement of Afghanistan 2. Senator Abdul Wali Raji Member Meshrano Jirga Baghlan Harkat Islami Party 3. Senator Dar Khail Mangul Member Meshrano Jirga Khost Independent 4. Senator Hedayatullah Rehaie Member Meshrano Jirga Bamiyan Senator Mohammad Arsalan Rahmani Member Meshrano Jirga Paktia Harqat e Inqalab Islami 6. Senator Molla Muhammad Faizi Member Meshrano Jirga Panjshir Jamiyat Islamic Party 7. Senator Rafiullah Haidari Member Meshrano Jirga Kabul Independent 8. Senator Haji Sali Muhammad Pahlawan Member Meshrano Jirga Kandhar Senator Shah Naz Ghowsi Member Meshrano Jirga Herat Senator Sher Muhammad Akhunzada Member Helmand Independent 11. Engineer Abdul Ghaffar Member Wolesi Jirga Mr. Abdul Khaliq Bala Karzai Member Wolesi Jirga Kandhar Mr. Abdul Satar Khawasi Member Wolesi Jirga Parwan Mr. Ahmad Farhad Majidi Member Wolesi Jirga Herat Mr. Gul Badshah Majeedi Member Wolesi Jirga Paktia Mrs. Helay Irshad Member Wolesi Jirga Koochi Kachi Ms. Rangina Kargar Member Wolesi Jirga Faryab Sayed Jamal Fakory Member Wolesi Jirga

30 Appendix C Province/ No Name Designation Political Party Constituency 1 Senator Mir Jan Deputy Chairman, Balochistan PML-Q Muhammad Khan Jamali Senate of Pakistan 2 Mr. Faisal Karim Kundi Deputy Speaker NA-24, D. I. Khan, PPPP National Assembly Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 3 Senator Salim Saifullah Chairman, Senate Standing Khyber PML Khan Committee on Foreign Pakhtunkhwa Affairs and Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit Baltistan The Senate of Pakistan 4 Senator Dr. Abdul Malik Member of the Senate of Balochistan NP Khan Pakistan 5 Senator Abdur Rashid Member of the Senate of FATA Independent Pakistan 6 Senator Humayun Khan Member of the Senate of Balochistan Independent Mandokhail Pakistan 7 Senator Mir Hasil Khan Member of the Senate of Balochistan NP Bizenjo Pakistan 8 Senator Muhammad Member of the Senate of Punjab PPPP Jehangir Bader Pakistan 9 Senator Maulana Mohammad Member of the Senate of FATA Independent Saleh Shah Quraishi Pakistan 10 Senator Syeda Sughra Member of the Senate of Punjab PPPP Hussain Imam Pakistan The National Assembly List of Pakistani MPs 11 Mr. Asif Hasnain Member of the National Assembly NA-255 Karachi XVII MQM 12 Ms. Fozia Ejaz Khan Member of the National Assembly 13 Mr. Humayon Saifullah Khan Member of the National Assembly 14 Mr. Pervaiz Khan Advocate Member of the National Assembly 15 Mr. Riaz Fatiana Member of the National Assembly 16 Ms. Tahira Aurangzeb Member of the National Assembly NA-317 Sindh-X NA-27 Lakki Marwat NA-13 Swabi- II NA-94 T.T.Singh- III NA-276- Punjab-IV MQM PML ANP PML PML-N 29

31 Appendix D PROFILES OF AFGHAN DELEGATES Cultural and Educational Commission. He was the Head of the educational department in Khost. He was elected to the Meshrano Jirga from Baghlan province. Delegation Leader Sayed Ishaq Gailani Member of the Wolesi Jirga, Afghanistan Sayed Ishaq Gailani is the son of Sayed Ali Gailani (Shir Aqa Jan) and was born in 1954 in Shahr e Nau, Kabul. He completed his primary and secondary education in Masode-Sad School and completed high school education at Nadiria High School. Mr. Gailani excelled in school and received a scholarship to study Political Science in Tehran University of Iran. Upon his graduation from Tehran University, he completed his LLB. Mr. Gailani and his team established a party, named the "National Solidarity Movement of Afghanistan" (NSMA) in The party registered with the Ministry of Justice after the creation of the new constitution in Mr. Gailani has participated in various seminars, conferences and gatherings in Afghanistan and around the world. He has visited United States, Holland, France, Germany, Greece, Switzerland, Russia, India and Pakistan. Afghan Meshrano Jirga Delegation Senator Abdul Wali Raji Member of the Meshrano Jirga, Afghanistan Senator DarKhail Mangul Member of the Meshrano Jirga, Afghanistan Senator Dir Khail Mangal, son of Mir Mat Khan, was born in Khost and lives in Karte Sakhi in Kabul. He is a high school graduate and was the Chief of Police at Hazrat Omer Farooq Compound for 15 years. He also served as the leader of the Islamic Party and Head of the Safi tribe for eight years. He was appointed to the Meshrano Jirga for Khost province by the President. Senator Hedayatullah Rahaie Member of the Meshrano Jirga, Afghanistan Senator Hedayatullah Rehay, son of Sen. Mohammed Ali Khan Nargisi, was born in 1959 in the village of Kharzai in Panjab district of Bamian province. He is a graduate of Parwan Teachers' Training Institute. He is skilled in calligraphy and speaks Dari and English. Senator Rehay was indirectly elected to the Meshrano Jirga through the 2005 Provincial Council Elections in Bamiyan province. Son of Maulvi Mohammad Arif, he was born in Khost district of Baghlan province. He lives in Pule Khumri Baghlan. He has a post-baccalaureate degree in religious subjects. A member of the Harkat Islami Party, he is a member of the 30

32 Senator Mohammad Arsalan Rahmani Member of the Meshrano Jirga, Afghanistan Senator Mohammad Arsalan Rehmani, Son of Mohammad Dawlat, was born in 1940 in Khaliq Dad Babai District of Paktika Province. He graduated in In 1992, Mr. Rehmani was appointed Minister for Religious Affairs. He was also appointed the Deputy Prime Minister in In 1998, he served as Deputy Minister for Higher Education. He is well-versed in Dari, Pashto, Arabic and Urdu. Senator Rehmani is the Vice-president of Harkat e Enqelab Islami, the Islamic Revolutionary Movement Party. He was appointed to the Meshrano Jirga by the President. Senator Rafiullah Haidari Member of the Meshrano Jirga, Afghanistan Son of Haji Sher Agha, he was born in Kunar but lives in Kabul now. He has a degree in Teachers Training from Kunar. Senator Haidari is an avid short story writer. He is not affiliated with any political party and had no political experience prior to his appointment to the Meshrano Jirga. Senator Haji Sali Muhammad Pahlawan Member of the Meshrano Jirga, Afghanistan Senator Molla Mohammed Faizi Member of the Meshrano Jirga, Afghanistan Son of Faiz Mohammad, Mullah Mohammed Faizi, was born in the Paryan district of the Panjshir province. The Senator has a Bachelor's degree in Shariah Law and has previously worked in the Ministry of Education. He belongs to the Jamiyat Islamic Party of Afghanistan and was elected to the Meshrano Jirga from the Panjshir province. Senator Saleh, son of Abdul Jalal Khan was born in District Takhta Pull in the Kandhar province. Mr. Saleh is a High School graduate. Mr. Saleh has served as the Commander of the Gangplank district. He He was a member of the provincial council and chief of police in Dand district. He was elected to the Meshrano Jirga from Kandhar province. Senator Shah Naz Ghowsi Member of the Meshrano Jirga, Afghanistan Senator Shah Naz Ghausee, daughter of Sultan Ahmed, was born in Herat in She currently resides in Kabul. Ms. 31

33 Ghausee holds a Bachelor's Degree in English Literature and has served as a researcher at the Institute for Persian Studies and has also worked at the Heart National TV. She is a member of the Meshrano Jirga's Commission for International Affairs. She was elected to the Jirga in 2010 from the constituency of Herat. Afghan Wolesi Jirga Delegation Mr. Abdul Khaliq Bala Karzai Member of the Wolesi Jirga, Afghanistan Mr. Abdul Khaliq Bala Karzai was born in 1958 in Dand District, Kandahar Province and hails from Popolzai tribe. He graduated from the Military University. Mr. Karzai bagged most votes during Wolesi Jirga Election 2010 and is a popular jihadi commander and minor political figure from Bala Karz, in Dand District, with close ties to Ahmed Wali Karzai. He has previously served as the District Chief for Spin Boldak and Advisor for the Disarmament Demobilisation and Reintegration (DDR) Program in Kandahar. Mr. Abdul Satar Khawasi Member of the Wolesi Jirga, Afghanistan Mr. Ahmad Farhad Majidi Member of the Wolesi Jirga, Afghanistan Mr. Ahmad Farhad Majidi, son of late Haji Abdul Majid, was born in Heart. A businessman by profession, and a Hazara by origin, he was elected to the Afghan National Assembly in Mr. Majidi has regularly worked with the Design and Planning Affairs as well as the leadership of the Trade and Industry. Mr. Gul Badshah Majeedi Member of the Wolesi Jirga, Afghanistan Mr. Gul Badshah Majeedi, son of Haji Zir Gul, was born in He is a member of the Wolesi Jirga from Paktya Province. He has a degree in "National Security Studies, International Relations, and Constitutional Law" that he earned in Previously, he has served as the Chairman of the Immunity and Privilege Committee (Security and Entitlements Committee). He was also the Chairman of the Paktya Youth Organization. Mr. Majidi has also served as the Chief of Commerce of the Southern Zone and is an Executive Member of the National Mhaz. Saranwal Abdul Satar Khawasi, son of Abdul Ghayas Khawasi, was born 1971 in Parwan Province, Afghanistan. He served as the First Secretary of the Wolesi Jirga of Afghanistan from 2005 to Currently he is a member of the Wolesi Jirga and has been elected from Parwan province. 32

34 Province of Afghanistan. She is an elected Member of the Wolesi Jirga. Ms. Patman has completed her Master degree in Pashto from Kabul University in She speaks Pashto, Dari and English. She is married. Mrs. Helay Ershad Member of the Wolesi Jirga, Afghanistan Mrs. Helay Ershad hails from a Pashtun ethnic Background and was elected as a Member of the Wolesi Jirga in 2010 from Koochi Kachi. Ms. Rangina Kargar Member of the Wolesi Jirga, Afghanistan Ms. Rangina Kargar was born in Born in 1984 at Baghlan, Currently, Bamiyan. She is an elected Member of Parliament representing Faryab Province in the Wolesi Jirga. Kargar belongs to new generation of young Afghans entering the political scene in the country. Kargar attended the Balkh University graduating with a degree in Economics in Ms. Kargar speaks Dari, Uzbaki, English and Pashto. She is married and has a son. Ms. Toorpekai Patman Member of the Wolesi Jirga, Afghanistan Ms. Toorpekai Patman daughter of Haji Mohammad Aa Jan was born in 1972 at Sorkhroad District of Nangarhar 33

35 Appendix E PROFILES OF PAKISTAN DELEGATES Delegation Leader Senator Mir Jan Muhammad Khan Jamali Deputy Chairman, Senate of Pakistan PML, Balochistan Honourable Mir Jan Muhammad Khan Jamali, former Chief Minister of Balochistan ( ), was elected to the Senate of Pakistan in 2006 on a Pakistan Muslim League PML seat and is currently serving as the Deputy Chairman Senate. Senator Jamali hails from a political family associated with the Pakistan Muslim League since He received his schooling from Aitchison College Lahore and subsequently joined the Pakistan Army where he was commissioned in Senator Jamali resigned from the Army as Captain in 1979 and made his entry into politics in He was elected to the Provincial Assembly of Balochistan in 1991 and served as the Provincial Minister for Services and General Administration from 1991 to He also serves as a member of the Senate Standing Committee on Defence. March 19, As a young, first-time elected MNA at the age of 33, Kundi also has the distinction of being the youngest Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly of Pakistan. He serves as the Patron of the Young Parliamentarians Forum (YPF). Born on May 24, 1975 in Dera Ismail Khan, Mr. Kundi graduated with LLB in 2002 from Thames Valley College, UK. Kundi began his political career in 2003 and has served as the Divisional Coordinator of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) for D. I. Khan. Mr. Kundi hails from a well-known political family of the NWFP. Earlier, his father Mr. Fazal Karim Kundi was elected as MNA from this constituency in His maternal grandfather, Justice (Retd.) Mr. Faizullah Khan Kundi, was also a member of the West Pakistan Assembly during the 1960s while he also served as Federal Minister for Establishment in the PPP government of Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto in and later as Chairman Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC) from 1972 to Faisal Karim Kundi's great grandfather Barrister Abdul Rahim Kundi has the distinction of being the first Deputy Speaker of the NWFP Legislative Assembly from 1932 to Mr. Faisal Karim Kundi is married with one daughter. Senator Salim Saifullah Khan Chairman, Senate Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit Baltistan, PML, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Mr. Faisal Karim Kundi, MNA Deputy Speaker National Assembly NA-24 D. I. Khan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Mr. Faisal Karim Kundi was elected to the 13th National Assembly of Pakistan in the February 2008 General Election on a PPPP ticket. He was subsequently elected as the 17th Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly of Pakistan on Senator Salim Saifullah Khan, is the President of Pakistan Muslim League (Like minded group) and serving as a Senator of Pakistan and Chairman Senate Foreign Relations, Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit Baltistan Committee. He has also previously served as Provincial Finance Minister, and Minister of Industries, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (formerly NWFP). He was deputy opposition leader in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Provincial Assembly in He was elected to the Senate in March He is a member of the Standing Committee on Science and Technology, Standing 34

36 Committee on Water and Power, Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunications and Standing Committee on Narcotics Control. Committee on Religious Affairs, Standing Committee on Labor and Manpower and the Standing Committee on Government Assurances. Senate of Pakistan Senator Dr. Abdul Malik Chairman, Senate Functional Committee on Problems of Less Developed Areas Balochistan NP, Balochistan Dr. Abdul Malik hails from Turbat District, Balochistan and is a member of the Balochistan National Party (NP). An M.B.B.S. doctor by profession, Mr. Malik has served as the Provincial Minister of Health for Balochistan during He is the chairman of the Senate's Committee on Problems of Less Developed Areas and a member of the Standing Committee on Food and Agriculture, Standing Committee on Minorities Affairs, Standing Committee on Ports and Shipping, Standing Committee on Interior. Senator Engr. Muhammad Humayun Khan Mandokhel Chairman, Senate Standing Committee on Environment, Independent, Balochistan Senator Engr. Muhammad Humayun Khan Mandokhel is a member of the Senate of Pakistan from Balochistan He has no political affiliations. Mr. Mandohail is the Chairman, Senate Standing Committee on Environment. He is also a member of the Senate Standing Committee on Communication, Standing Committee on Water and Power, Standing Committee on Labour and Manpower and Standing Committee on Housing and works. He is married. Senator Abdur Rashid Khan Member, Senate Standing Committee on Information and Broadcasting, Federal Administrative Tribal Areas (FATA) Independent, FATA Mr. Abdul Rashid Khan is a member of the Senate of Pakistan from Federal Administrative Tribal Areas (FATA). He has no political affiliations. Mr. Khan is a member of the Senate Standing Committee on Information and Broadcasting, Standing Committee on Railways, Standing Committee on Planning and Development, Standing Senator Mir Hasil Khan Bizenjo Senior Vice President, National Party NP, Balochistan Eleced to the Senate in 2009 from Balochistan, Mr. Bizenjo is the Senior Vice President of the National Party (NP). He has served as a Member of the National Assembly (MNA) during as well as Mr. Bizenjo is a member of the Senate's Standing Committee on Housing and Works, Standing Committee on States and Frontier Regions, Standing Committee on Industries and Production and Standing Committee on Narcotics Control. 35

37 Senate's Standing Committee on Religious Affairs. He is also a member of the Standing Committee on States and Frontier Regions, Standing Committee on Minorities Affairs, Standing Committee on Privatization, Standing Committee on Housing and Works. Senator Muhammad Jahangir Badar Secretary General, Pakistan Peoples Party PPPP, Punjab Senator Jahangir Badar holds a Master's degree in Commerce from the Punjab University Hailey College Lahore. He also holds Law degree and a Master's degree in Political Science from the Punjab University. He was elected both to the National Assembly as well as the Punjab Provincial Assembly in 1988 elections but he vacated the Provincial Assembly seat and opted for the National Legislature. He also held the portfolios of the Ministries of Housing and Works, Science and Technology and Petroleum and Natural Resources as a Federal Minister from 1989 to He was elected as member of the Senate of Pakistan in March He is a Member, Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit Baltistan, Standing Committee on Petroleum and Natural Resources, Standing Committee on Law, Justice and Human Rights and Parliamentary Affairs, Standing Committee on Science and Technology and Standing Committee on Sports. Senator Syeda Sughra Hussain Imam Member of the Senate of Pakistan PPPP, Punjab Syeda Sughra Imam was born on November 14, 1972 in Lahore and graduated in 1994 from Harvard University, USA. After graduation, she worked at the US-based foreign policy think tank, the Council on Foreign Relations, New York, and as a consultant to the UNDP and other NGOs. She has served as Chairperson, Zila Council, Jhang during , and was elected as Member Provincial Assembly of the Punjab in General Elections She was appointed Minister for Social Welfare in November 2003 and resigned on June 18, She was elected to the Senate of Pakistan in March She is the Chairperson of the Library Committee and Member of the Standing Committee on Finance, Revenue, Economic Affairs, Statistics and Planning and Development, Standing Committee on Food and Agriculture, Standing Committee on Planning and Development, Standing Committee on Interior and Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit Baltistan. Senator Maulana Mohammad Saleh Shah Qurashi Chairman, Senate Standing Committee on Religious Affairs, Independent, FATA Senator Saleh Qurashi was elected to the Senate as an independent candidate from the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). He holds a Master's degree in Religious Studies. Mr. Qurashi is currently the Chairman of the 36

38 Assembly of Pakistan from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He th represents PML in the 13 National Assembly of Pakistan. Mr. Khan is a member of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Labour and Manpower. Syed Asif Hasnain, MNA MQM, NA-255, Karachi-XVII, Sindh Syed Asif Hasnain was born in Karachi on August 15, He completed his graduation in 1994 from Karachi University. Syed Asif Hasnain affiliated with MQM. Syed Asif Hasnain was elected Naib Town Nazim of Landi Town in 2004 and currently holds the membership of the National Assembly. He is interested in promoting education, sports activities and health. Syed Asif Hasnain is married with three daughters and a son. Ms. Fauzia Ejaz Khan, MNA MQM, NA-317, Women Sindh-XI Ms. Fauzia Ejaz Khan was born in Hyderabad India. She is a teacher by profession. She is in-charge of Women Wing of MQM. She is also a member of the Standing Committee on Women Development. Mr. Pervaiz Khan Advocate, MNA Chairman of the National Assembly's Standing Committee on Housing and Works ANP, NA-13, Swabi-II, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Mr. Pervaiz Khan Advocate was born on October 9, He was subsequently elected to the 13th National Assembly of Pakistan in the February 2008 General Election on an ANP ticket. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Law & Legislation (LLB) from Sindh Muslim Law College, Karachi. A former Civil Judge, he is also a part-time lecturer of Law and Human Rights. Mr. Pervaiz has also served as UNO's International Judge to the Special Chamber of the Supreme Court of Kosovo. He is well-versed in English, Urdu, Pushto, Punjabi and Hindko. He is the Chairman of the National Assembly's Standing Committee on Housing and Works and member of the Standing Committee on States and Frontier Regions (SAFRON), Standing Committee on Cabinet Secretariat, Standing Committee on Culture and Standing Committee on Special Initiatives Mr. Hamayun Saifullah Khan, MNA PML, NA-27 Lakki Marwat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Mr. Hamayun Saifullah Khan is a member of the National Mr. Riaz Khan Fatyana, MNA Chairman, National Assembly Standing Committee on Human Rights, NA-94, Toba Tek Singh-II, Punjab Mr. Riaz Khan Fatyana was born on January 18, 1955 in Toba Tek Singh, Punjab. He is politically affiliated with PML. 37

39 He has been serving as Chairman, Parliamentarians Commission for Human Rights, Pakistan, a 50-member entity of MNAs and Senators representing major political parties and provinces. He has been elected as a Member of the Punjab Provincial Assembly for the terms 1988, 1990 and He has served as the Provincial Minister of Education Punjab from He was elected as Member National Assembly for his second term in A psychologist by profession, he obtained his MSc. Applied Psychology degree from the University of the Punjab in He has served as President of the Pakistan Psychological Association. His areas of interest include Finance, Education and Health and he is a member of the National Assembly Standing Committees on Finance & Revenue, Parliamentary Affairs and Law, Justice and Human Rights. Ms. Tahira Aurangzeb, MNA PML-N, NA-276, Punjab-IV, Punjab Ms. Tahira Aurangzeb was born on April 03, 1949 in Sahiwal, Punjab. She did her Masters in Political Science from Punjab University in She represents Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz in National Assembly of Pakistan. She is a member of National Assembly Standing Committee on Commerce and Standing Committee on Housing and Works. 38