The negative trends that have characterized the regional situation are likely to persist and amplify in the year ahead, multiplying Pakistan’s concerns in the domains of security and economy. 

On Saudi Arabia’s initiative joined by Pakistan, an extraordinary session of the Foreign Ministers of OIC states is being held in Islamabad on Dec. 19 to evolve a joint framework of cooperation with regards to the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan.

The Troika Plus format of meetings on Afghanistan has proven to be exceedingly useful in bringing China, Russia, the United States and Pakistan to evaluate and coordinate their positions relating to Afghanistan.

On September 15, Australia, UK and the US made public an arrangement termed AUKUS intended to ramp up three-way cooperation in new and emerging technologies for defense, including the provision of sensitive technologies and equipment to Australia for building nuclear powered submarines.

The scale, rapidity and lethality of the double mutant COVID-19 virus now circulating in India is causing fatalities and sufferings of an unprecedented magnitude.