The Need For ‘Out of Box’ Thinking!

Salim Raza

Bradford: It is not criminal to think ‘out of box’ to set in motion a visionary debate around Towards a Greater Eurasian Civic Integration that involves cross- border cooperation between Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran, and Turkey.
The recent landmark agreement between Russia and Belarus, granting mutual voting rights and candidacy eligibility to each other’s citizens, is a remarkable step forward in regional integration.

Under the new law, citizens of either nation can now not only vote but also stand for local office in each other’s territory.

Russian President Vladimir Putin’s signature on this law formalises an era of unprecedented political interconnectivity between two sovereign nations, while setting a precedent that could deeply inspire similar efforts elsewhere, especially in the Muslim world.
As a strategic and ideological proposal, could pave a similar civic integration agreement between Afghanistan and Pakistan, as a first step, followed by inclusion of Iran and Turkey, four countries historically linked by shared religion,overlapping cultures, economic interdependence, and deep geopolitical realities.

However,a move in this regard would need to save individual state sovereignty.
For decades, Afghanistan and Pakistan have maintained complex political and social ties, with fluctuating tensions over borders, refugee crises, and counterterrorism. However, human intermingling has always remained constant.

Millions of Afghans live in Pakistan, some as refugees, others as workers, students, or citizens-in-waiting. Conversely, Pakistani traders and development workers have historically operated in Afghanistan. Despite these people-to-people realities, there exists no meaningful civic reciprocity.
A cross-border civic agreement would mark a new phase in bilateral relations, not only allowing Afghans and Pakistanis to vote in each other’s local elections (especially where they are legally residing), but also making them eligible to stand for public office under predefined conditions. Such a framework could serve as a peace-building and soft-integration mechanism, reaffirming shared regional interests and providing a democratic outlet for trans-border communities.
The long-term vision should be to build a regional bloc of Muslim-majority nations, anchored in civic trust, democratic exchange, and institutional collaboration. Iran and Turkey, both with substantial regional influence, can act as stabilisers and guarantors of the process.

Citizens from each participating country could be granted: Reciprocal voting rights in local and municipal elections; Eligibility for civic office where permanent residency is established; Freedom to participate in public referenda and consultative councils; Shared digital ID; and systems for authentication, voter rolls, and data integrity
Such an agreement would require careful foundational work to ensure both legal clarity and political viability. This would include bilateral and multilateral Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) defining eligibility criteria, legal status, and principles of reciprocity among participating states.

National electoral laws would need amendments or auxiliary clauses to allow foreign residents to participate under a special status, supported by National Integration Boards responsible for candidate vetting, dispute resolution, and monitoring compliance.

Technology and identity integration mechanisms could be developed under the framework of regional organizations such as the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) or the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO). Such a comprehensive framework would make cooperation and integration among Muslim-majority countries more visible and effective, especially in areas of shared political, economic, and cultural priorities—without undermining national sovereignty. Instead, it would provide a solid foundation for inclusive economic progress and better engagement of cross-border communities.

What Russia and Belarus have achieved through such cooperation is more than just a bureaucratic exercise—it is civilizational. If applied in the context of Muslim-majority nations, this approach would reflect a post-nationalist vision in which sovereignty is not weakened but shared to build mutual strength.

It is time for think tanks, scholars, political leaders, and civil society actors to promote this vision, rather than remain confined to the short-term dynamics of daily geopolitics.

All information and facts provided are the sole responsibility of the writer.

The author, a Pakistan-born creative based in Bradford, UK, is a versatile talent celebrated as a designer, artist, and poet. They hold a postgraduate degree in fashion design from London, showcasing their expertise in both artistic and academic pursuits.

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