Pak-Afghan unity critical for regional peace, stability and development: Amb Shamshad A Khan

LAHORE: Pakistan’s former Foreign Secretary Ambassador Shamshad Ahmad Khan has said that Pak-Afghan unity is critical to ensuring peace, stability, and development in the region and beyond.

He made these remarks in his speech delivered here at the Afghan Debating Competition organized by the Higher Education Commission (HEC) at the University of Lahore (UoL). The Competition was part of a series of initiatives HEC and UoL have planned to launch, with a view to not only bridging differences between Pakistan and Afghanistan but also letting Afghan students express themselves.

Bringing his vast experience of diplomacy and engagements with Afghanistan into play, the former ambassador said foreign powers have used both Afghanistan and Pakistan for their own vested interests, a reality which is too conspicuous to ignore. He added that the time is right for the youth to take charge and shape the collective future of both countries, arguing that one country cannot become prosperous at the expense of the other.

The Competition, which was in the works for a month, saw 68 Afghan recipients of the Allama Iqbal Scholarships submit their applications. Six Afghan students from Islamia College, Peshawar; Institute of Management Sciences, Peshawar; International Islamic University; The University of the Punjab; Quaid-i-Azam University; and University of Lahore delivered speeches on Allama Iqbal’s philosophy, the importance of education to Pak-Afghan bilateral relations, and the prospect of healthier Pak-Afghan relations.

The judges, after careful deliberations, adjudged Muhammad Ibrahim from the Institute of Management Sciences, Peshawar as the best debater winning Rs.70,000. Bilal Ahmed Salarzai from Quaid-i-Azam University bagged the second position winning Rs. 50,000 and Naqibullah Mashwani from University of Lahore secured the 3rd position winning Rs.35,000.

Mr. Jehanzeb Khan, Project Director, Human Resource Development Division, HEC apprised the audience about the origin of the Allama Iqbal Scholarships which has reached out to a large cross-section of Afghan students bringing them to Pakistan.

The number currently stands at 6000 Afghan students studying in Pakistan in various disciplines including medical, engineering, sciences, and social sciences. Mr. Jehanzeb Khan stated that this was the first-ever Allama Iqbal Afghan Youth Debating Competition that was organized in a series of events planned for the Afghan students across Pakistan.

In her remarks, Ms. Ayesha Ikram, DG Scholarships, Human Resource Development Division, HEC praised the zest and energy with which all finalists presented their speeches. She encouraged Afghan students studying in various universities in Pakistan to develop synergies and foster positive bonds with their Pakistani fellows to enhance each other’s cultural experiences.

She further reiterated HEC’s support in solidifying the objectives of the Allama Iqbal Scholarships to bring together the younger generation of the two nations. In his closing remarks, Chairman, Board of Governors, University of Lahore, Mr. Awais Raoof, said Pakistan and Afghanistan are two parts of the same body.

Further, he said UoL and other universities are committed to developing leaders in Afghanistan and Pakistan who will think big and take both countries towards peace and prosperity. Speaking to the historical and cultural affinities between the two countries, Mr. Raoof ended his speech by saying that even though Afghanistan is the heart of Asia, it now must also become the mind of Asia. At the end, the winners, mentors and judges were given awards, cash prizes and souvenirs.