Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Qamar Zaman Kaira, yesterday said, “Safety of Pakistan is the safety of this region and also the safety of the world.”
In his keynote address at the launching of Center for Pakistan and Gulf Studies (CPGS), a think tank, here, Kaira said, “Unless there is peace and stability in this region, we believe, peace and stability is not possible in the world.”
The country, which is the biggest victim of terrorism, is being blamed for harboring terrorism, which is unfortunate, and “our perspective is not being portrayed properly,” the minister observed.
Welcoming the establishment of the CPGS initiative as a fresh breeze of air, in its inaugural seminar “Innovating Pakistan and Gulf Relations”, the chief guest said: “With these platforms we’ll be able to succeed in giving the proper narrative and project our perspective.”
He was all praise for CPGS President Sehar Kamran: “Senator Kamran has taken the initiative which is very important in the strategic, economic, political and diplomatic relations with the Gulf countries and Pakistan.”
The chairman, advisory board of the CPGS, General (Retd) Ehsan-ul-Haq, termed the launching of the think tank as a “long overdue initiative.” Stressing the need to develop structure and initiate dialogue, and The former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, General Ehsan, said: “I’m confident that the CPGS would effectively advance the common goals.”
Addressing the seminar, member advisory board of the CPGS and Chairman Middle East Center for Strategic and Legal Studies, Major General (Retd) Dr. Anwar bin Majed bin Anwar Eshki said: “The US is strong not because of weapons, but due to its strategic centers.”
The seminar was attended by diplomats, intellectuals, scholars, former top brass, students and the civil society members.
In his concluding remarks editor-in-chief, Urdu News, Saudi Arabia, Tarek Mishkhes remarked: “Creation of the CPGS is a step in the right direction and was needed much before.”
Emphasizing the importance of research and dialogue, Mishkhes said it should be the beginning for creating a network of think tanks in the region “to provide a road map for our leaderships for our future.”
Spread into several sessions, the seminar had its first session moderated by Lt. Gen (retd) Agha Muhammad Umar Farooq, and Faheem Al Hamid, assistant editor-in-chief, Okaz newspaper.
The paper on “The emerging Dynamics of energy Security of the Gulf Region: Prospects and Challenges” was presented by Tahir Sher Muhammad while Air Commodore (retd) Khalid Iqbal spoke on “Afghanistan Sans Foreign Troops and Options for Pakistan.”
The second working session was conducted by Gen. Eshki and Dr. Pervaiz Iqbal Cheema, Dean Faculty of Contemporary of Studies at the National Defense University (NDU).
Ambassador Arif Kamal spoke about ‘Pak-Gulf Relations: Past, Present and Future.’ Syed Shaukat Hasan, director, Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission made a presentation on “The Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy: Pakistan’s Experience.”