ISLAMABAD: Former AJK president and former ambassador Masood Ahmed Khan on Monday stressed that diplomacy remains the only viable solution to resolve the ongoing tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan, urging Islamabad to prioritise diplomatic engagement to address outstanding disputes.
Masood Khan, President of the Centre for Law and Security (CLAS) and TMUC, was speaking during a lecture organised by the Institute of Cost and Management Accountants of Pakistan (ICMA), where he discussed Pakistan-Afghanistan relations, the country’s economic potential and the evolving role of public diplomacy.
He said Pakistan had historically extended support to millions of Afghan refugees but had faced hostile policies from the Afghan government in return. He emphasised that diplomatic engagement remained essential to resolving existing differences and improving bilateral relations.
Khan said the government was making serious efforts to improve diplomatic ties with Afghanistan. He also referred to reports that the National Defence University had invited the Afghan ambassador to Pakistan, describing diplomatic engagement as an important avenue for addressing bilateral challenges.
Highlighting Pakistan’s economic potential, the former ambassador referred to a World Bank report indicating that the country had the potential to become the world’s 10th-largest economy. He said this reflected the scale of opportunities available to Pakistan if its economic potential was effectively realised.
He also highlighted the potential role of Zakat in poverty alleviation, observing that nationwide enforcement of a 2.5 percent Zakat system could help address poverty.
Speaking about public diplomacy, Khan said technological advancements and the widespread use of digital communication platforms had transformed traditional diplomatic practices. Platforms such as WhatsApp and other social media networks had enabled diplomats to communicate directly with their counterparts abroad, changing the way international engagement was conducted.
He noted that Pakistan’s population of approximately 250 million included around 210 million mobile phone users and 160 million broadband subscribers. This extensive digital connectivity, he said, had transformed society and increased the influence of social media on decision-making.
In the evolving environment of public diplomacy, every individual mattered in shaping global engagement and influencing perceptions, he added.
Khan also stressed the need for agricultural reforms, calling for more effective utilisation of foreign direct investment to strengthen the sector and support economic growth.
He underscored Pakistan’s longstanding role at the United Nations and its engagement at the level of the UN secretary-general, describing the country as an important player in regional and international affairs.
“Pakistan is one of the most consequential states in West Asia,” he said, highlighting its substantial economic potential. He added that as Washington sought more diversified supply and value chains across Eurasia, Pakistan should be viewed as a developing hub for trade, energy, transport and broader regional connectivity.
Former diplomat said Washington had publicly acknowledged Pakistan’s contributions to promoting peace across South and Central Asia.
He further noted that Pakistan had enjoyed the confidence of both Washington and Tehran in efforts to broker a ceasefire, facilitate direct talks and secure a memorandum of understanding providing a framework for negotiations.
Although the process had not progressed further, Pakistan continued to pursue all available avenues to bring the war to an end, he added.
ICMA President Muhammad Yasin and Ghulam Mustafa Qazi also spoke on the occasion.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026