1. Members of Parliaments of Pakistan and Afghanistanmet for the 12th round of Pakistan-Afghanistan Parliamentarians� Dialogue in Islamabad, Pakistan, on December 30-31, 2014.

2. Parliamentarians of the two countries acknowledged and appreciated the positive momentum in bilateral relations generated through the visit of Afghanistan�s newly-electedPresident, Honourable Mr. Mohammad Ashraf Ghani, to Pakistan,from November 14-16, 2014.

3. Parliamentarians also appreciated the vision of building a �peaceful neighbourhood� of Prime Minister of Pakistan, Honourable Mr. Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, as a fundamental element of which is the vision of a strong, comprehensive and enduring partnership between Pakistan and Afghanistan.A strong and viable bilateral relationship between the two countries is the only guarantee of the security and prosperity of the two countries as well as of peace and development in the region.

4. Parliamentarians unequivocally condemned the heinous and inhuman terrorist attack of December 16 in Peshawar. Similar dastardly terrorist attacks in Kabul and Paktikaprovince were also deplored. They believed that Afghanistan and Pakistan should take joint and steady steps for preventing such terrorist attacks and reiterated their resolve against all kinds of terrorism and extremism affecting the two countries

5. As representatives of the people of the two neighbourly countries, MPs appreciated that the two countries are now ready to, independently and along with each other, take concrete and effective stepsto counter terrorism and extremism aimed at ensuring peace and stability in the two countries and in the region

6. Participants of the Dialogue underscored the need for bilateral cooperation, particularly cooperation among the State and Security Agencies in two countries, in fight against terrorism, extremism, and for achieving and maintaining peace and stability in the region. In this regard, need for comprehensive and effective laws on combating terrorism, including cyber terrorism, was underscored. Parliaments and Parliamentary committees in both countries should oversee effective implementation of these laws.

7. Parliamentarians believed that the prospects of stability in the region can only materialize if the two neighbours improve bilateral relations. Both countries must grasp this new opportunity of peace and good relations offered by the newly-elected Governments on both sides.

8. MPs shared a common vision where Pakistan and Afghanistan will serve as the heart of Asia to ensure that economic integration in Asia becomes a reality and not just remain a dream.Parliamentarians reiterated the desire to see South Asia connected with Central Asia under a model of regional economic integration.

9. Parliamentarians stressed that trade and commerce between the two countries must be prioritised and formalised. Both sides also supported removal of bottlenecks and trade barriers and emphasised that facilities for transit trade between the two neighbouring countries must be improved.

10. They also supported the initiatives to enhance connectivity between Pakistan and Afghanistan, including through a motorway between Peshawar and Kabul, rail and road links between Parachinar and Kabul, Peshawar and Jalalabad and Chaman and Spinbolduk as well as building a trade central strategic corridor between the two countries. They also believed that mechanisms and opportunities for public private partnerships must also be enhanced.

11. MPs also favoured de-weaponisation and improved drug management across the border.

12. < p align="justify" margin-bottom="2p"> Parliamentarians stressed on putting in place a relaxed visa regime that allows multiple entry visas of citizens of each country. Speedy visas should be issued for citizens travelling for health-related reasons.

13. Affirming their commitment to build an environment of peace through dialogue, the two sides reiterated their resolve to continue the dialogue process, involving all shades of opinion, to stabilize relations between the two countries. They also resolved to find constructive, meaningful and lasting solutions to improve and strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries.

14. Parliamentarians reiterated the need for both States to put in place comprehensive and effective measures for border management, strengthening also the tribes on the two sides to effectively monitor the border/Durand line. Parliamentarians also stressedthat the soil of the two countries must not be allowed to be used against each other and concerns from both sides should be seriously and honestly addressed on priority basis.

15. MPs also believed the two Governments must also enter into a comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement.

16. Parliamentarians of the two countries urged the Governments to prepare a comprehensive roadmap for the honourable repatriation of Afghan refugees from Pakistan to Afghanistan at the earliest in keeping with the trilateral agreement.

17. In addition to the need for enhancing educational scholarships for students of Afghanistan, the two countries would greatly benefit by cooperation in education. The scope for such cooperation might include;

1. Exchange of students and teachers at the level of universities and specialised institutions, such as for medicine and technology

2. Exchange of youth delegations

3. Facilitate study in each others universities by students, faculty and researchers through appropriate provisions in the visa regime

18. A desire was expressed by the MPs of the two countries to institutionalise a regular dialogue between two Parliaments.

19. Parliamentarians from both sides recognised and appreciated the initiative of PILDAT to foster these dialogues and urged that this initiative be continued and reinforced.

Facilitated by PILDAT, the 12th round of Pakistan-Afghanistan Parliamentarians Dialogue, facilitated by PILDAT and co-Hosted by the Senate Defence Committee and Parliamentary Friendship Groups on Afghanistan.

The Afghanistan Delegation that is visiting Islamabad to engage in a two-day Dialogue under the respective Chairs Honourable Senator Baz Mohammad Zormati, Member International Affairs Commission, Meshrano Jirga and Honourable Mr. Abdul Qader Zazai, Chairman International Affairs Commission, Wolesi Jirga, include: Honourable Senator Lutfullah Baba, Honourable Senator Fowzea Saadat Zamkanai, Honourable Senator Mohammad Hassan Hotak, Honourable Senator Ghulam Mohaiudin Monsef, Honourable Senator RanaTareen, Honourable Senator Mir Bahador Wasifi, from the Meshrano Jirga and Honourable Mr. Mohammad Nazir Ahmadzai, Honourable Sayed Nader Shah Bahr, Honourable Senator QudratUllah Saied Jan, Honourable Mr. Baz Mohammad Jawzjani, Honourable Mr. Gul Badshah Majidi, Honourable Mr. Ali Akbar Qasemi, Honourable Mr. Sherwali Wardak, Honourable Mr. Zakaria Zakaria, and Honourable Mr. Qudratullah Zaki, from the Wolesi Jirga.

The Pakistan Delegation that joined the two-day Pakistan-Afghanistan MPs Dialogue included chaired by the Honourable Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed (PML-ICT), Chairman Defence Committee, Senate of Pakistan, and Honourable Senator Afrasiab Khattak (ANP, KP), Chairman Senate Functional Committee on Human Rights, Honourable Senator Haji Adeel, (ANP, KP), Chairman Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Honourable Senator Abbas Khan Afridi, (IND, FATA), Federal Minister for Textile & Industry, Honourable Senator Surriya Amiruddin (PPPP, Balochistan) Member Senate Functional Committee on Human Rights, Honourable Senator Dr. Muhammad Jehangir Badar (PPPP, Punjab), Member Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Honourable Senator Abdul Nabi Bangash (ANP, KP), Member Senate Parliamentary Friendship Group on Afghanistan, Honourable Senator Mir Hasil Bizenjo (NP, Balochistan), Member Senate Committee on State & Frontier Regions, Honourable Senator Najma Hameed (PML-N, Punjab), Member Senate Committee on Interior & Narcotics, Honourable Senator Hamza (PML-N, Punjab), Member Senate Committee on Petroleum and Natural Resources, Honourable Senator Amar Jeet (ANP, KP), Member Senate Committee on Defence Production, Honourable Senator Saeeda Iqbal (PPPP, ICT), Chairperson Senate Committee on Defence Production, Honourable Senator Nasreen Jalil (MQM, Sindh), Chairperson Senate Finance, Revenue, Economic Affairs, Statistics and Privatization Committee, Honourable Senator Karim Ahmed Khawaja (PPPP, Sindh), Member Senate Committee on Defence Production, Honourable Senator Rubina Khalid (PPPP, Punjab), Member Senate Committee on Defence Production, Honourable Senator Zahid Khan (ANP, KP) Chairman Senate Water and Power Committee, Honourable Nawabzada Saifullah Magsi (PPPP, Balochistan), Member Senate Committee on Parliamentary Affairs, Honourable Senator Abdul Rauf (PMAP, Balochistan), Member Senate Defence Committee, Honourable Senator Muhammad Saleh Shah, (IND, FATA), Chairman Senate Committee on State & Frontier Regions, from the Senate of Pakistan and Honourable Mr. Sajid Nawaz MNA (NA-3, Peshawar III, KP, PTI), Honourable Mr. Ali Muhammad Khan, MNA (NA-10, Mardan-II, KP, PTI), Honourable Mr. Shehryar Afridi, MNA (NA- 14, Kohat, KP, PTI), Honourable Mr. Sarzameen, MNA (NA-23, Kohistan, KP, PML-N), Honourable SahibzzadaTariqullah, MNA (NA-33, Upper Dir, KP, JI), Honourable Mr. Shah Jee Gul Afridi, MNA (NA-45, Tribal Area-X, IND, FATA), Honourable Malik Ihtebar Khan, MNA (NA-58, Attock-II, Punjab, PML-N), Honourable Rana Mohammad Afzal, MNA (NA-82, Faisalabad VIII, Punjab, PML-N), Honourable Mr. Abid Raza, MNA (NA-107, Gujrat-IV, Punjab, PML-N), Honourable Mrs. Nafeesa InayatUllah Khan Khattak, MNA (NA-322, Women, KP-I, PTI, KP), Honourable Mrs. Mussarat Ahmad Zeb, MNA (NA-323, Women, KP, PTI) and Honourable Ms. Aisha Sayed MNA (NA-329 Women, KP-VIII, KP, JI) from National Assembly of Pakistan.

Specific publications that have been published for the benefit of 12th round of MPs Dialogue include:

• Pakistan-Afghanistan Parliamentarians' Dialogue Report: Pace & Progress of Pakistan-Afghanistan Official Dialogue; December 2013 - December 2014
  [Download PDF English Version] [Dari Version] [Pashto Version]


• Background Paper: Changing Regional Context Beyond 2016: Pakistan -Afghanistan Relations; December 2014
  [Download PDF English Version] [Dari Version] [Pashto Version]


• Progress Report: Implementation Status on Recommendations from the Pakistan-Afghanistan Parliamentarians Dialogues since 2008
  [Download PDF English Version] [Dari Version] [Pashto Version]