1. The 9th Round of Pakistan-Afghanistan Parliamentarians� Dialogue was held on September 24-25, 2013 in Islamabad, Pakistan. Facilitated by PILDAT, the Dialogue was hosted by Pakistan-Afghanistan Parliamentary Friendship Group in the Senate of Pakistan under the leadership of Senator Afrasiab Khattak. The Delegation of Afghan Parliamentarians was led by Senator Syed Farukh Shah Faryabi Jenab, Secretary, Meshrano Jirga, Afghanistan.

2. After evaluating the progress made in the past eight (8) rounds of the Dialogue, and taking note of the recent visit of Honourable Mr. Hamid Karzai, President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan to Pakistan, both sides agreed to continue the dialogue process to create and sustain a positive political atmosphere.

3. They also appreciated the goodwill generated by the recent visit of Pakistan Senate�s Defence and Defence Production Committee to Kabul. Parliamentarians of the both the countries expressed pleasure over the fact that their Dialogue was gradually getting institutionalized.

4. Participants of the Dialogue underlined the necessity for more active cooperation between the two countries in thwarting the nefarious designs of terrorist groups active in the border areas. They agreed that the terrorist groups were attacking innocent citizens on both sides of the border and creating misunderstanding between the two countries. Expereice has proved that this chellenage can be met only through honest cooperation between the security institutions of the two countries. MPs hoped that the Government officials in-charge of security on both sides would play their rightful role in a manner that prevents loss of life in the two countries.

5. The Parliamentarians at the Dialogue expressed deep sorrow over the loss of life in the recent terrorists attack on a Peshawar Church and pointed out that such despicable acts expose the criminal and brutal nature of the terrorists active in the both Countries. They extended condolence to the bereaved families. They opined that the sacrifices rendered by citizens of Pakistan and Afghanistan in struggle against terrorism will not go in vain as they strengthen the resolve of the people to defeat terrorism.

6. Participants of the Dialogue discussed all the issues in a frank, honest and democratic manner. The nature of the discussion revealed the fact once again that the elected representatives of the people are capable in handling the most sensitive issues with maturity. They expressed confidence that the ideas generated by the current debate would go a long way in solving the existing issues between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

7. Parliamentarians from both sides welcomed the recent democratic political transition in Pakistan and termed it as a major success for the people of Pakistan. Strengthening of democratic forces of Pakistan is also a positive factor for promoting peace and stability in the region. They also expressed hope that the coming presidential and parliamentary election in Afghanistan would also lead to strengthening of democracy in Afghanistan. Parliamentarians were of the considered opinion that the processes of peace and democracy are interlinked and strengthening of the one leads to the reinforcement of the other.

8. Participants of the Dialogue agreed that expansion of people to people contacts was paramount for the friendship between the two countries. They agreed to take further mutual steps in promoting relationship between the people of two countries as it is important for creating proper atmosphere for enhancing cooperation between the two brotherly countries. Parliamentarians from Pakistan and Afghanistan stressed that the proposed interactions between the people from both side should include people from all segments of society including women, youth, businesspersons, media, cultural and professional groups.

9. Participants of the Dialogue reiterated that although policy decisions are to be made by the executive branches of the government in the two countries, Parliaments in two countries need to play an important role by offering policy proposals to the two Governments to improve relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan as also oversee the implementation of respective Governments� policies vis-�-vis strengthening Pak-Afghan Relations. Elected representatives of the people are the ones who fully understand the aspiration of the people for peace and stability. In this connection, both sides agreed to make use of available Parliamentary instruments to promote the implementation of the recommendations made during the Dialogue between the MPs of Pakistan and Afghanistan.

10. The Afghan Delegation thanked their Pakistan hosts for warm hospitality extended to them and the excellent arrangements made for facilitating the Dialogue. They also appreciated the warm welcome to them by the Honourable Senator Nayyer Hussain Bokhari, Chairman Senate of Pakistan, and all political parties represented in the Senate of Pakistan.

11. Similarly, Parliamentarians from Afghanistan and Pakistan thanked PILDAT for facilitating 9th Round of the Dialogue between the Parliamentarians of the two countries. They hoped that PILDAT will continue to support process of the Dialogue as it was vital for removing irritants in the relationship the two countries and promoting peace between them.

The Afghan delegation that joined Pakistan-Afghanistan Parliamentarians Dialogue-IX included Honourable Senator Farukh Shah Faryabi Jenab, Secretary, Meshrano Jirga, Honourable Senator Hafiz Abdul Qayyum Nooristani, Deputy Chairman, Legislative Affairs Commission, Meshrano Jirga, Honourable Mohammed Daud Asas, Deputy Chairman, Defence, Internal Security and Local Administration Commission of Meshrano Jirga, Honourable Senator Dr. Mohammed Amin Safi, Member, Defence, Internal Security and Local Administration Commission of Meshrano Jirga, Honourable Senator Rafiullah Haieri, Member, Foreign Affairs Commission, Meshrano Jirga and Honourable Senator Lailoma Ahmadi, Member, Educational and Religious Affairs Commission, Meshrano Jirga.

Pakistani MPs who joined the Dialogue from the Senate of Pakistan under the chairpersonship of Honourable Senator Afrasiab Khattak, (ANP, KP) Convener of Pakistan-Afghanistan Parliamentary Friendship Group in Senate of Pakistan, included Honourable Senator Haji Adeel (ANP, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Honourable Senator Abbas Khan Afridi (IND, FATA), Honourable Senator Surriya Amiruddin (PPPP, Balochistan), Honourable Senator Farhatullah Babar (PPPP, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Honourable Senator Dr. Mohammed Jehangir Badar (Punjab, PPPP), Honourable Senator Abdul Nabi Bangash (ANP, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Honourable Senator Naseema Ehsan (BNP-A, Balochistan), Honourable Senator Saeed Ghani (PPPP, Sindh), Honourable Senator Najma Hameed (PML-N, Punjab), Honourable Senator Saeeda Iqbal (PPPP, ICT), Senator Amar Jeet (ANP, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Honourable Senator Rubina Khalid (PPPP, Balochistan), Honourable Senator Baz Mohammed Khan (ANP, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Honourable Senator Saeed Ul Hassan Mandokhel (PML, Balochistan), Senator Nisar Malakand, (PMLN, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Honourable Senator Shirala Malick (MQM, Sindh), Honourable Senator Malik Najam Ul Hassan (IND, FATA), Senator Kalsoom Perveen (BNP-A, Balochistan), Honourable Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed (PML, Islamabad), Honourable Senator Muhammad Saleh Shah (Indepnedent, FATA) and Honourable Senator Shahi Syed (ANP, Sindh). Members of the National Assembly of Pakistan joining the Dialogue included Honourable Mr. Aftab Khan Sherpao, MNA, (NA-8, Charsadda, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, QWP-S), Honourable Eng. Hamid Ul Haq, MNA (NA-2, Peshawar II, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, PTI), Honourable Siraj Mohammed Khan, MNA (NA-6, Nowshera II, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, PTI), Honourable Mohammed Gohar Shah, MNA (NA-7, Charsadda I, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, JUI-F), Honourable Eng. Ali Mohammed Khan, MNA (NA-10, Mardan II, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, PTI), Honourable Mujahid Ali Khan, MNA (NA-11, Mardan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, PTI), Honourable Usman Khan Tarrakai, MNA (NA-12, Swabi-I, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, AJIP), Honourable Iftikhar Uddin, MNA (NA-32, Chitral, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, APML), Honourable Mr. Junaid Akber Khan, MNA (NA-35, Malakand, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, PTI), Honourable Muhammad Jamal ud Din, MNA, (NA-42, Tribal Area VII, JUI-F), Honourable Qaiser Jamal, MNA, (NA-47, Tribal Area VIII, FATA), Honourable Ms. Nafeesa Inayatullah Khattak, MNA (NA-273, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, PTI), Honourable Ms. Arifa Khalid Pervez, MNA (NA-295, Punjab, PML-N), and Honourable Dr. Ramesh Kumar Vankwani, MNA (NA-334, Karachi, Sindh, PMLN)