New horizons of progress, development to emerge from Afghan peace: Khalili.

ISLAMABAD -- 'Peace in Afghanistan will create a situation that will benefit all countries, especially the region and our neighbours.

With such a peace, new horizons for progress and development will emerge in the region.' This was stated by Ustad Karim Khalili, Leader of Hezb-e-Wahadat-e Islami, Afghanistan during his address at a public talk organised by the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI) Wednesday under its Distinguished Lecture Series. The Afghan delegation included senators and members of parliament namely: Mr. Khodadad Erfani, Ms. Nafisa Azimi, Mr. Ali Akbar Jamshidi, Mr. Qais Wakeli, Mr. Mohammad Rahim Hassanyar, Mr. Mohammad Alem Khalili and Mr. Madar Ali Karimi. Pakistan's Special Representative for Afghanistan, Ambassador Mohammad Sadiq was also in attendance. Members of the diplomatic corps in Islamabad, academics, civil society, and former and current diplomats were also present. Ms. Amina Khan, Director Centre for Middle East and Africa (CMEA) who also works on Afghanistan gave welcome remarks. During his address, Ustad Khalili said that peace is a multidimensional phenomenon which has multifaceted effects in different dimensions of human social life and societies. He stated that when we talk about peace, in addition to the political dimension, we must also consider its cultural, economic and social dimensions. He said that we are living in an interconnected world with a vast network of global issues, where war and peace are no exception.

He went on to say that when a peace agreement upholds human rights' values such as women's rights, minority rights, non-discrimination, and many other issues, all nations and people of the world are motivated to support it. Conversely, if these global standards are not taken into account, such...