Report : Tazeen Akhtar | Camera : Raja Ghulam Farid
Ambassador of Afghanistan , Sardar Ahmad Shakeeb has said that Afghanistan does not pursue a policy of confrontation, nor does it allow its territory to be used against the security and stability of any other country. Afghanistan is ready to further strengthen practical and constructive cooperation with neighbours particularly Pakistan.
He made these remarks in his address to the guests at the reception hosted by him to commemorate the 5th anniversary of the end of the occupation of Afghanistan and the restoration of the country’s independence, the Victory Day of Afghanistan, at a local hotel in Islamabad.
A large number of Pakistani friends from different walks of life were present at the celebration that was started with recitation of holy Quran. Prominent among them were Maulana Fazl ur Rehman Amir JUI , Mehmood Khan Achakzai the opposition leader in the National Assembly of Pakistan, Allama Raja Nasir Abbas the opposition leader in the Senate of Pakistan. Former Amir Jamat e Islami Siraj ul Haq, Asif Luqman Qazi, Senator Kamran Murtaza, Hafiz Hamdullah, Imam Badshahi Masjid Lahore Abdul Khabeer Azad.
Iqbal Cheema from Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan represented Gov of Pakistan.
From diplomatic community, the Ambassador of Russian Federation Mr. Albert P Khorev, Ambassador of Iran Dr. Reza Amiri Moghaddam, DHM Indian High Commission Dr. Satianjal, DHM Indonesia Rehmat Hindiyarta, DHM Oman, Vietnam, UAE, diplomats from Bangladesh, Turkmenistan graced the event with their presence.
A documentary was screened on the development of infrastructure and achievements in various sectors during the last five years in the incumbent administration’s tenure. It included work on the Turkmenistan Afghanistan Pakistan India TAPI Pipeline.
Ambassador Shakeeb in his welcome address expressed his gratitude to the participants for accepting the invitation and honouring this important national occasion with their presence.
He briefed the guests about Victory Day. He said , Five years ago, on 15 August, the Afghan people opened a new chapter in their contemporary history. After more than four decades of war, foreign intervention, and immense suffering, Afghanistan once again took into its own hands the authority to determine its own future.
” This day is not merely the anniversary of a political transformation; it also marks the beginning of a new chapter, ” the Ambassador noted.
” We have left behind the chapter of war and embarked upon a new path—one in which Afghanistan, under unified leadership and within an Islamic system, is confidently moving toward the implementation of Islamic Sharia, strengthening its independent decision-making, consolidating lasting stability, pursuing reconstruction and economic growth, and expanding relations with the international community on the basis of mutual respect, H.E Shakeeb shared.
He expressed confidence that this new chapter and the strengthened peace in Afghanistan are not only in the interest of the Afghan people, but also serve the shared interests and needs of the region and the wider world.
Ambassador underlined, ” A peaceful and stable Afghanistan creates significant opportunities for regional connectivity, economic cooperation, and collective security, and can play a constructive role in strengthening peace and prosperity across the region.”
Highlighting the connectivity potential of his country , Sardar Ahmad Shakeeb shared, ” Our region is among the most promising parts of the world in terms of its potential for growth, connectivity, and economic cooperation. If we manage our shared geographic advantages wisely, Afghanistan can play its historic role as a natural bridge between Central and South Asia, opening new opportunities for trade, transit, investment, and energy cooperation.”
He said, we firmly believe that the stability of Afghanistan is inseparable from the stability of the region, and the prosperity of the region is closely linked to the prosperity of Afghanistan.
Ambassador Shekeeb spoke highly positively about the good neighborhood. He said , ” In Afghanistan’s foreign policy vision, our neighbours hold the first and most important place. Geography has made us neighbours, but our shared history, common faith and culture, centuries old trade relations, and the family and social ties connecting millions of people have created bonds between us that cannot be easily separated.”
” These deep ties call for mutual respect, shared interests, and a shared commitment to our common future. For this reason, we do not view our neighbours merely as countries of the region; rather, we consider them natural partners in our shared future prosperity, the Afghan Ambassador added.
He continued, ” Based on this vision, Afghanistan seeks relations with all its neighbours, particularly Pakistan, founded on mutual respect, equality of sovereignty, non-interference in each other’s internal affairs, and the pursuit of shared interests.”
Sardar Ahmad Shakeeb stressed that an atmosphere of trust cannot be created through pressure or force. It can only be built through understanding, sustained dialogue, and sincere cooperation. These are principles that are fully consistent with the guidance of Islamic Sharia, the directives of His Excellency the Amir-ul-Momineen, the accepted principles of international relations, and the enduring values of good neighbourly relations.”
” History has shown us that occasional differences between neighbouring countries are natural. However, such differences should not become a reason for greater distance. Rather, during times of disagreement, the path of dialogue, mutual respect, and political wisdom should be pursued, the Ambassador said.
He emphasized that every challenge, when addressed with sincerity and goodwill, can become a new opportunity to build trust and expand cooperation. This perspective forms the foundation of Afghanistan’s relations with its neighbours and guides our approach to regional affairs.
Ambassador detailed as, every challenge, when addressed with sincerity and goodwill, can become a new opportunity to build trust and expand cooperation. This perspective forms the foundation of Afghanistan’s relations with its neighbours and guides our approach to regional affairs.
” In our view, lasting and sustainable security can only be achieved when there is a shared commitment to mutual trust, sincere cooperation, practical coordination, and respect for each other’s legitimate concerns. The stronger the trust between us, the stronger the foundations of peace, stability, and prosperity throughout our region will become, Sardar Ahmad Shakeeb mentioned.
He noted , Afghanistan does not pursue a policy of confrontation, nor does it allow its territory to be used against the security and stability of any other country. In the same spirit, we hope and remain confident that Afghanistan’s legitimate security concerns will be understood and respected, and that no country will allow its territory to be used against Afghanistan.
The Ambassador expressed the readiness of Afghanistan to further strengthen practical and constructive cooperation with neighbours on the basis of these principles. He said, “Our vision is clear: an Afghanistan that is not a field for geopolitical competition, but a bridge for regional connectivity, trade, transit, dialogue, and cooperation.”
Maulana Fazl ur Rehman on Afghanistan Pakistan Alliance
Maulana Fazl ur Rehman also addressed the participants and delivered a mind blowing speech for the guidance of the policy makers. He said Afghanistan holds a significant position in the region, and its relations with Pakistan are crucial for regional peace and stability.
“The insight with which Allama Iqbal articulated Afghanistan’s geographical importance and historical role continues to serve as a source of guidance for us today, Maulana noted.
Maulana said, Pakistan and Afghanistan can lay the foundation for a shared future by leveraging their geographical significance and their historical and Islamic ties.
” A strong alliance between the two nations would not only foster peace and development in the region but could also emerge as an influential guiding force and a symbol of unity for the entire Islamic world, Amir e Jamiat continued.
Maulana Fazl ur Rehman said , If Pakistan and Afghanistan join forces to pursue a peaceful, stable, and prosperous future—building upon their historical, religious, and cultural bonds— they can become a source of great mutual support and lay a new foundation for peace and stability in the region.
Amir e Jamiat said , ” The need of the hour is for all Islamic nations—including Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, and Iran—to consolidate their strength and forge a robust Islamic alliance so that the Ummah may become autonomous in its decision-making and emerge as an influential force on the global stage.
