Sohail Majeed
ISLAMABAD: Ms Elizabeth Threlkeld, head of Stimson Center, USA, highlighted that the year 2024 is going to change the dynamics of the world as elections are going to be held in several countries of South Asia and also in the USA. There will be a significant impact on the South Asian region, she maintained that a peaceful and prosperous Pakistan is needed and we all wish for it. Pakistan and the US must work together to improve strategic relations and bilateral relations to make the most of the year ahead.
Karachi Council on Foreign Relations (KCFR) collaborated with a distinguished delegation from the Stimson Center, USA, headed by Ms. Elizabeth Threlkeld, for a seminar addressing Current Affairs and Climate Change and its Impact on Pakistan.
The seminar commenced with an opening address from Air Marshal (R) Masood Akhtar, the distinguished moderator of the event on behalf of Commodore (R) Sadeed Malik CEO of KCFR and the chairperson of KCFR Ms Nadira Panjwani who were unable to attend due to unavoidable circumstances.
Air Marshal (R) Masood AkhtarHe underscored Pakistan’s strategic importance amid the ongoing global transformation. Emphasizing the nation’s crucial geopolitical position at the intersection of Central Asia, the Middle East, and South Asia, he drew attention to Pakistan’s role as a pivotal player in influencing regional and international affairs. The changing geopolitical landscape worldwide was recognized, and Pakistan’s distinctive position was highlighted as a continued and essential factor in shaping diplomatic interactions, promoting regional stability, and nurturing economic partnerships.
First session, focusing on contemporary issues, Dr. Adil Sultan, Acting Dean and Head of the Faculty of Aerospace and Strategic Studies at Air University, served as the keynote speaker. The distinguished panelists included Ms Elizabeth Threlkeld, Mr Faheem Sardar, and Dr Shabana Fayyaz.
The initial session, focusing on current affairs, showcased Dr. Adil Sultan as the keynote speaker. Dr Sultan delved into persistent challenges in US-Pakistan relations, the changing regional landscape, and the ramifications of India aligning with the US-led anti-China alliance.
The second session, focusing on ‘Climate Change and its Impact on Pakistan,’ featured Mr Shahbaz Mehmood as the keynote speaker. Other panellists included Ambassador Nadeem Riaz, Ms Saira Ijaz and Mr Uzair Sattar.
Mr Ikram Sehgal, Patron-in-Chief of KCFR and Co-Chairman of Pathfinder Group. During his address, he paid tribute to his distant cousin, Maj Sabir Kamal Meyer Shaheed, on the anniversary of his demise, which occurred on December 8, 1971. Mr Sehgal then turned his attention to concerns on the economic front and challenged the notion of failure, citing recent financial data. He pointed out that, based on charts from the past few years, virtually every bank and company has been profitable. However, he acknowledged that a few banks have not declared significant profits, attributing these challenges to misguided policies influenced by external forces. Mr Sehgal emphasized the need to rectify these issues and highlighted the failure to take effective measures against both illegal and legal foreign exchange companies as a fundamental problem. He urged the government to address these policy shortcomings, emphasizing that corrective actions in these areas could pave the way for a positive trajectory in the economic landscape.
The seminar’s distinctive aspect lay in the involvement of government officials, professors, the business community, think tanks, and representatives from civil society and the development sector. The goal was to convene all stakeholders in a single forum to deliberate on crucial matters about current affairs and climate change. The discourse proved insightful, with each panelist contributing valuable knowledge and sharing their experiences.
