KARACHI, Aug 11: A security analyst and former Director-General of the Institute of Strategic Studies (ISS) Lt-Gen (r) Kamal Matinuddin believes that Afghanistan is now progressively getting better, and says he sees a beginning of a positive change there.

He was speaking at a seminar on Afghanistan: Current Issues and Future Prospects organized under the programme, Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution (PSCR), by the Department of International Relations, University of Karachi.

He was of the view that Pakistan and Afghanistan must create an atmosphere in which they could contribute to each other’s development. “It means that Pakistan must reach out to Afghanistan and initiate a policy based upon mutual cooperation, non-interference and greater trust regarding security and strategic affairs,” he said, and added that world scenario had changed and fresher perspectives were needed to view the changed circumstances.

“When Pakistan and India can unleash the process of confidence building measures (CBMs), why such a process has not taken off between Pakistan and Afghanistan?” he argued, and said that the past mistakes could be undone by fresh constructive engagements like helping Afghanistan improve its education, infrastructure and society.

The Taliban phenomenon is now over and Afghanistan has been undergoing a process of developmental transformation which would eradicate the social and economic deprivation of its people who have been facing such a situation for long.

There were areas of cooperation which can be explored to the benefit of both Afghanistan and Pakistan. Our indecision in this regard has led others to excel us. There is strong possibility of building viable and friendly relationship with Afghanistan but it all depends on a proactive approach and mutual will to bury the past and make a new beginning.

Gen Matinuddin expressed the view that future of Afghanistan was uncertain. Insurgency, he said, would continue for a longer period of time because of the growing anti-US feelings in the Afghan society. But, it is possible that parliamentary elections due in September this year may help facilitate the ongoing democratic process in Afghanistan.

Prof Moonis Ahmar, Director of the PSCR, told the seminar that indigenous developmental efforts were needed to transform Afghanistan into a developing society. For that matter, it was imperative for that country to make indigenous efforts towards basic security its people and for its neighbours to ensure peace and stability in that country.

Among participants of the seminar were Mr Hafiz R. Khan, a former secretary of the Pakistan Institute of International Affairs, Karachi, Prof Talat A. Wizarat, Mr Naeem Ahmed, Mr Faheemuddin, Ms Nausheen Wasi and Mr Wali Khan Babar.