IPDS
Wednesday, March 17, 2021:Islamabad: Institute of Peace and Diplomatic Studies and Riphah Institute of Public Policy- Riphah International University jointly hosted a webinar on “Afghan Peace Process under Biden Administration: Way Forward”. The webinar was arranged in the backdrop of the change in the Washington’s administration, to discuss the aftermaths of approaching date of US Troops’ withdrawal in May, the upcoming meeting on the Afghan Peace Process in Russia on 18 March, and the latest ongoing intra-Afghan peace talks.
The moderator, Ms. Farhat Asif is a founding President of the Institute of Peace and Diplomatic Studies. She presided over the webinar while speakers shared their insightful discussion on the issue of the Afghan peace process under the Biden Administration. The distinguished fellows who joined this webinar and shared their expertise were from; Riphah Institute of Public Policy Dr. Rashid Aftab and the American University of Afghanistan, Dr. Victoria Fontan. In Dr. Rashid’s address, the role of Pakistan in the Afghan peace process was mentioned. Dr. Victoria analyzed the strategic role of the Biden Administration in the Afghan Peace deal. She emphasized on critical aspects such as prisoner exchange, national and social healing, stability and security of the region.
Dr. Abdul Basit from RiSIS think tank, concluded his remarks by telling that the USA is taking a hasty approach while exiting Afghanistan. His worry was true to a great extent that the current regime of Afghanistan may suffer a sudden collapse if US leaves Afghanistan in haste. Among the other dignitaries of the webinar from Afghanistan Ms. Heela Hakimi, the Youth Ambassador of Afghanistan was present. She told the webinar about the significance of the Afghan Peace process and her organizational role in this peace process.
Mr. Tahir Khan who is an expert on Afghanistan Affairs agreed with the notion that Afghan Peace is a difficult process but for strategic and economic stability, this difficult step is the ultimate choice. He also suggested a mechanism of oversight needs to be established in order to monitor human rights value practices in the post peace agreement. Dr. Adam Saud, who is a dean of the FHSS section of the Bahria University of Islamabad, emphasized on the bilateral relations of Pakistan and Afghanistan. He reiterated that Pakistan has always been conscious of its brotherly relations with its neighbouring nations.
Ms. Farhat Asif later reflected on the views and ideas of the dignitaries who participated in the webinar and she was optimistic about the fact that the Afghan peace process is the immediate solution of prolonged stagnated relations of Pakistan-Afghanistan, and USA.
