ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, Aug 21 (NNN-PPI) – An Afghan delegation of political leaders, parliamentarians, retired army officers, members of civilian society and journalists, arrived in Pakistan on Tuesday, for four-day Track-II dialogue, to explore ways for bringing people of the two countries closer, organisers said.
The dialogue, known as Beyond Boundaries, is being organised by the Islamabad-based think-tank Centre for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) and the Kabul-based research centre Organisation for Economic Studies and Peace (OESP), at a time when the Taliban and the United States are believed to be closer to conclude a much-anticipated peace deal.
Project Director at CRSS, Aized Ali, said, delegates at the dialogue will also meet Pakistani officials and visit universities, besides bilateral discussions on key issues, including the peace process, Pakistan-Afghan relations, problems of Afghan refugees, students and visa issues.
Ali said that, a 13-member Afghan delegation is led by former member of parliament, Khalid Pashtoon.
The delegates will also discuss the impact on Pak-Afghan relations of Afghan President, Ashraf Ghani’s successful visit to Pakistan in June, this year.
Pakistani Prime Minister, Imran Khan, and Ghani agreed that, relationship of equality and cooperation can be developed through systematic mechanisms for political, trade, energy, peace and prosperity cooperation.
Ali said, the delegates will also review issues related to over two million Afghan refugees still living in Pakistan, visa issues, problems of businessmen and difficulties in transit trade.
A joint statement will be issued at the conclusion of the dialogue, with recommendations on how to improve relations and increase cooperation between the neighbouring countries, in different fields.– NNN-PPI
