ISLAMABAD: The Center for Afghanistan, the Middle East and Africa (CAMEA) at the Institute for Strategic Studies (ISSI), in collaboration with the office of the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung Pakistan, has published “Pakistan Pakistan’s Emerging Geopolitical Landscape.
Mrs. Amina Khan, Director of CAMEA, in her opening speech emphasized the need for global cooperation and fair development, highlighting the fundamental changes taking place on earth. In the midst of these global changes, the world, including Pakistan, emphasizes the need to adopt international norms to explore the complexity of the current global landscape, affecting regional dynamics, especially in Western and Central Asia, affecting Pakistan’s foreign policy and security. . Focusing on the discussion of the one-day conference, she said it will focus on three main areas: Afghanistan after August 2021, the emergence of the Middle East and unconventional security threats in Afghanistan, Central Asia, and the Middle East; It is crucial for the future of Pakistan.
Director General of ISSI Sohail Mahmood said in his congratulatory speech that today the world is characterized by strong polarization, instability and division in the midst of historical changes. Traditional threats such as major power competition, wars in Europe and the Middle East are being replaced by new challenges such as cyber warfare and climate change. A shift towards multipolarity is also evident. Likewise, technology adds complexity, from information warfare to the militarization of AI. He said Pakistan, like others, faces these challenges, ranging from cross-border terrorism to fluctuating food and fuel prices to extreme weather events. From instability in South Asia to conflicts in the Middle East and cross-border terrorism to hybrid warfare, Pakistan faces a myriad of challenges. Like others, Pakistan needs to address these threats and challenges by taking advantage of the opportunities available. “We believe that national and international cooperation is needed to successfully solve all these cases,” he said. In particular, adherence to the principle of time-honoring interstate relations and international law, renewing confidence in equal security, fostering international cooperation and solidarity, and strengthening cooperative multilateralism is a preferred approach. In addition, an approach that prioritizes peaceful coexistence, avoids a zero-sum perspective, and seeks win-win outcomes is essential.
Ambassador Asif Durrani, Pakistan’s Special Envoy to Afghanistan, said in his speech that Pakistan’s environment is full of problems, disputes and conflicts, which are exacerbated by power rivalry. In the past, the Iranian revolution, the collapse of the Soviet Union, and the rise of China created a new paradigm for peace and security in the region. He pointed out that the Ukraine crisis is considered a revival of Cold War rivalry; Israel-Hamas conflict exacerbates global war; If not directly, the Iran-Israel conflict can engulf the Middle East and other countries. Advocating Pakistan, Ambassador Durrani said that Pakistan’s unique geography increases its geopolitical and geoeconomic importance as it is located in the middle of important regions such as Central Asia and the Middle East. In addition, during the past two decades, Pakistan has suffered from post-Soviet withdrawal and conflict due to American involvement in Afghanistan. Commenting on Pakistan’s internal and external challenges, Ambassador Durrani said that Pakistan is always rooted in history and partly because of the unstable situation in the region. He identified four important factors affecting Pakistan’s regional and global prospects; Pakistan-India relations, the situation in Afghanistan, Pakistan’s proximity to the Middle East and Pakistan-China relations. Ambassador Durrani concluded by pointing out that the future outlook for Pakistan in the region will be mixed: India is working on its actions against Pakistan; the western border remains an unavoidable irritant in the short to medium term; and Iran-China relations lay the foundation for long-term security and economic cooperation. In addition, the Indo-U.S. relations, political currents in the Middle East and Israeli atrocities against the Palestinians are difficult issues for Pakistan. While these challenges are daunting, they also highlight the importance of pursuing a stable regional policy in Pakistan that puts its neighbors first.
FES Pakistan Country Director Dr. Almut Weiland-Karimi said in his speech that we will go through difficult times because the world order is changing from the West to the East and the Global South. These changes don’t happen on their own. Today, the world is interconnected, and the impact of decisions made in South Asia has a close impact on the climate and other regions of the world. To overcome this challenge, the world must work together to overcome issues that threaten or challenge each other, especially climate change and the global economy. He stressed the need to develop a dialogue on this issue. Similarly, Pakistan is located in a critical area and with a complex geopolitical environment, it is important for Pakistan to approach its position judiciously. Concluding his speech, he thanked all the participants of the conference.
The opening session of the conference was attended by a large number of academicians, practitioners, think tank experts, diplomats, civil society and members of the media.
