Zubair Qureshi
Charge d’Affaires/ Minister Counselor, Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, Sardar Ahmad Shakeeb has highlighted the Afghan interim government’s achievements in Afghanistan’s security and economy. He was addressing a webinar “Interim Afghan Government in Power – Two Years On” organized by the Centre for Afghanistan, Middle East and Africa (CAMEA) at the Institute of Strategic Studies (ISSI).
The speakers at the webinar included Ambassador Sohail Mahmood, Director General ISSI, Ms. Nargis Nehan, Former Afghan Minister of Mining and Petroleum, Ambassador Ayaz Wazir, Former Pakistani Diplomat, Dr Malick Ceesay, Head of Office, UNAMA Liaison Office, Islamabad, Ambassador Omar Samad, Nonresident Senior Fellow Atlantic Council and Mr. Adam Weinstein, Research Fellow at the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft. The concluding remarks were given by Ambassador Khalid Mahmood, Chairman BoG, ISSI.
The webinar was moderated by Ms. Amina Khan, Director CAMEA.
Afghan Charge d’Affairs noted a substantial 90pc reduction in poppy production and highlighted the efforts such as drug addicts’ rehabilitation, which included a vocational programme for drug addiction recovery. While referring to the interim government’s other achievements, he said the economic achievements included combating food insecurity and poverty, reducing inflation from 18pc to 9pc, and strengthening the Afghan currency against the US dollar. Security measures also included a dedicated ports committee and women’s involvement in commerce. Diplomatically, he mentioned that there has been active engagement and high-level meetings between the current dispensation and representatives of various countries and international organizations. Ambassador Sohail Mahmood stated that completion of the two year since Kabul’s fall and the establishment of Interim Afghan Government’s was an important juncture to take stock. He recalled the several unanticipated developments including short timeline of eventual U.S./NATO troop withdrawal, meek response of ANDSF to Taliban advances, and sudden departure of the then Afghanistan President that shaped the turn of events culminating in the transition of 15 August 2021. Ms. Amina Khan stated that initially, there was lack of clarity regarding the Taliban’s return to power, but the past two years have provided significant insights into the Taliban’s approach, which can be described as a blend of authoritarian policies and pragmatism.Ms. Nargis Nehan stressed the importance of an inclusive government, women’s rights, and safeguarding minority rights for effective national functioning. She highlighted fundamental pre-transition institutions and urged stability through a Taliban-consensus framework, emphasizing women’s education. Ambassador Ayaz Wazir acknowledged the present peace in Afghanistan but expressed concerns over HR violations and challenges to women’s education. He proposed that a framework should be established to effectively address the matter of co-education based on religious principles.
