Toaha Qureshi MBE meets General Sir David Richards Chief of the Defence Staff/Head of the British Armed Forces

PRESSER:

Dialogue with Taliban and involvement of OIC is the way out from Afghan quagmire: Qureshi

‘Dialogue with Taliban and paving way for a representatives government in Afghanistan would provide solutions to this complicated and multidimensional problem which demands multidimensional solutions. International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) should be replaced by military presence of those countries from Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) and United Nations (UN) which are not considered part of the problem in Afghanistan. The military expenditure in Afghanistan should be diverted to investment in social enterprise and infrastructure that might open floodgate of opportunities for the war torn country. Neutral empires should conduct free and fair elections and the government should be handed over to those who might win through the democratic process without brandishing them extremists and pro-Western as such titles will further deepen the divide.’ Toaha Qureshi MBE, Chairman Forum for International Relations Development shared these thoughts while speaking to General Sir David Julian Richards GCB, the current Chief of the Defence Staff and the professional head of the British Armed Forces at his residence at Kensington Palace recently. The meeting was held in recognition of Forum for International Relations Development’s support to Afghan Appeal Fund (AAF).

Qureshi also stressed that international community should play its crucial part in thawing relations between India and Pakistan. He asserted that the animosity between the two hostile neighbours was becoming a breeding ground for radicalisation not only in South Asia but worldwide. Qureshi emphasised that peace between India and Pakistan was not only necessary for sustaining economic growth but also vital for building pluralistic democracies and sustaining the integrity of both states. He pointed out that South Asia stood suspended between the hope of a better life and fear of cataclysmic destruction. ‘It is not only the poorest region in the world but also one whose citizens live in constant danger of a nuclear holocaust. No War Pact between India and Pakistan is not crucial to the both hostile neighbours, but imperative to the global peace as well.’ He commented. He further shared FIRD’s role in bringing both the countries together through the British, Indian and Pakistani diaspora, community and parliamentarians. He termed the recent development of Pakistan’s granting India the status of Most Favourite Nation (MFN) and the meeting between President Asif Zardari and Indian Prime Minister Man Mohan Singh a step in the right direction.

General Sir Richards appreciated FIRD’s role in peace building between India and Pakistan. He shared his recent meeting with General Kayani in London and lauded Pakistani armed forces role in refraining from indulgence in political arena. He assured support from the British community in building peace and understanding between the two countries.

Lady Caroline Richards, Mel Bradely MBE and FIRD’s International Director Talha Qureshi were also present at the meeting.