Keynote speakers at a forum aimed at promoting cross-border trade between Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Iran urged the government and provincial administration to fully utilize the opportunities presented by the peace and common borders between the three neighbourly countries.

The dialogue on cross-border trade development was held at Balochistan University of Information Technology, Engineering and Management Sciences (BUITEMS), on Thursday. It was organized jointly by the Iqbal Dialogue Research and Development Forum and Balochistan Think Tank Network (BTTN).

The conference was attended by leading intellectuals, community leaders and thought experts in the fields of security, trade, culture, and cross-border historical links.

While addressing the conference, Brig Agha Ahmad Gul, head of BTTN said that the “three brotherly countries go a long way back to more than 2,000 years of common history. In addition, for the past 1500 years, we share the same religion with many cultural commonalities. Unity and diversity have always remained the bonds that kept bringing the countries together.”

He said that “efforts should be made to devise policy frameworks according to the needs of the people of the three neighbourly countries. It will not be possible to get relief from hunger and poverty unless the three countries work together. By working together, the three countries can create and redefine a technology-based society which will be known as the Commonwealth of Khorasan.”

“Every opportunity that comes our way should be realized to its full potential. Missing out on small opportunities can create bigger problems in the long-run,” he added.

Abdul Mateen Akhunzada, who heads the ‘Majlis-e-Fikr-o-Danesh’ said that in the context of emerging situation in Afghanistan and the relationship between Pakistan and Afghanistan, it is important that both sides try to find a common ground. Dialogue, discussion, and a concerted campaign to raise awareness about the needs and mutual dependencies of the people will make it easier to make a move on the policy front. “It is important that age-old problems leftover from British rule should be done away with,” he said.

“Despite all the differences of race, language, colour, and religion, developed nations of the world have evolved sophisticated conflict-resolution mechanisms to reduce the chances of conflict and disagreements. They have changed their ideas according to their priorities. And here we are, still stuck with ossified structures from hundreds of years old. If we want to move forward, we need to get rid of this burden,” he said.

Qari Anwarul Haq Haqqani, who is the Imam of Central Jamia Masjid Quetta and an Expert in Law and Quetta-Development, said that a true government based on Islamic principles cannot be established unless the needs of people and the times in which they live are not properly understood and studied. “The coming of peace in Afghanistan will usher in new developments for the region and beyond. Pakistan, Iran, and Afghanistan should make full use of the end of war and strive to cement the peace through establishing trade networks and people-to-people contacts,” he said.

“Human social existence is dependent upon the works of scholars, intellectuals, and poets. The works of literary people serve as a guiding light for the governments to follow and for the societies to adopt. Allah has created this universe to expand, to flourish, to grow and to develop. It therefore becomes our responsibility to make full use of our intellectual capabilities to bring peace, prosperity, and progress for all people,” he said.

Barrister Sheikh Amir Khan Mandokhel stressed the importance of science and psychology in determining social outcomes. He said that “modern policy is guided by the insights that are arrived at from the study of psychology and modern sciences. Pakistan, Iran, and Afghanistan should also take cues from scientific research so that economic development can continue apace.”

Credit : Independent News Pakistan-WealthPk