Conference Report: Examining Negotiations Between Afghanistan and Pakistan – Challenges and Opportunities
On 21 Aqrab 1404 (Solar Hijri Calendar), an academic conference titled “Examining Negotiations Between Afghanistan and Pakistan: Challenges and Opportunities” was held with the participation of university professors, researchers, and scholars interested in politics and international relations. The event aimed to provide a scientific and comprehensive analysis of the various dimensions of Afghanistan–Pakistan relations, to outline the political, security, and economic challenges affecting negotiations, and to explore potential avenues for cooperation between the two countries.
The program formally began with the recitation of verses from the Holy Qur’an. Following this, the moderator welcomed the participants, explained the purpose of the conference, and emphasized the importance of academic dialogue in identifying rational solutions to political tensions between neighboring states.
In the first session, Ustad Abdul Saboor Mubarez, Head of the Political Studies Department at the Center for Strategic and Regional Studies, presented his views on the nature of the ongoing negotiations between Afghanistan and Pakistan. Drawing on structural realism, the security dilemma, and the Diversionary Theory, he explained the recent conflicts between the two countries. According to him, Pakistan seeks to divert domestic public attention away from its internal security, political, and economic crises by creating external conflict with Afghanistan. However, lacking any religious justification for war, Pakistan employs the so-called “India factor,” alleging that the Islamic Emirate is acting under Indian influence, both on the battlefield and at the negotiating table, to secure domestic support. Yet, these efforts have largely failed, as many political parties and segments of society within Pakistan oppose the conflict. Based on this theoretical interpretation, Professor Mubarez argued that achieving meaningful results in negotiations in the near future remains unlikely. He further highlighted, through international relations theory and contemporary diplomatic concepts, that historical mistrust, the absence of a clear cooperation framework, and external interference constitute major obstacles to productive dialogue.
The second speaker, Ustad Abdul Naser Shafiq, a notable media figure in Afghanistan, focused on the potential opportunities in bilateral relations. He stated that after its withdrawal from Afghanistan, the United States consistently attempted to push the country toward internal conflict, a strategy that did not succeed. He also discussed proposals concerning the handover of Bagram to the United States, which the Islamic Emirate rejected. Likewise, Pakistan has received negative responses to its own demands. According to Shafiq, Pakistan, now facing significant economic, political, and security challenges, has launched a new regional project with U.S. support. Consequently, the Pakistani government appears to be attempting to create an external crisis to unify public opinion and gain internal advantages.
In the final segment of the conference, participants raised questions and comments regarding the structural barriers to negotiations and the impact of political changes in both countries. The speakers welcomed the insights shared and provided analytical and evidence-based responses, stressing the need for continued academic engagement to strengthen mutual understanding.
The program concluded with a closing prayer. The atmosphere at the end of the conference was marked by appreciation for the organizers and presenters, and participants strongly encouraged the continuation of such scholarly events.