ISLAMABAD; A two days’ consultative workshop was held at National Institute of Maritime Affairs (NIMA), was held here to discuss “Security Challenges, post US/NATO withdrawal from Afghanistan at global/ regional level in general and for Pakistan in particular”.
Mr. Syed Ali Haider Zaidi,the Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs was Chief Guest. Dr. Moeed Yusuf, the National Security Advisor delivered the key note speech while Vice Admiral Faisal Rasool Lodhi HI(M) Vice Chief of the Naval Staff also addressed the workshop participants.
A selected group of senior serving PN Officers and retired Armed Forces officers, Former Ambassadors, Defense Analysts and Academicians participated in the workshop.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Ali Zaidi appreciated the efforts of NIMA for organizing the workshop with an aim to bring out pertinent input for refining policy options for Pakistan. He said that the government is keenly watching the emerging scenario in Afghanistan. A peaceful Afghanistan is in the interest of Pakistan as well as the entire world and the same will help Pakistan enhance regional connectivity with landlocked Central Asian States. Moreover, he added, increasing trade with the regional countries and boosting economic opportunities in the Maritime domain, should be capitalized. He emphasized the in order to effectively counter the evolving maritime security challenges, there is a dire need to enhance the capacity and capability of Pakistan Navy as well as Pakistan Maritime Security Agency to effectively deal with traditional and non-traditional security threats to our maritime interests in Pakistan’s maritime zones, ports and harbours.
Dr. Moeed Yusuf, in his keynote address highlighted Pakistan’s dilemma and sufferings during last four decades of Afghan war, none of which was Pakistan’s doing. He said that Taliban government is maintaining law and order in the country; however, the miseries of common people in Afghanistan are gradually cumulating due to emerging economic and logistic crisis. Pakistan, being the immediate neighbor, has no option, but to remain engaged with Afghanistan. He said Pakistan has always been supportive to the concerns and legitimate demands regarding inclusive government, protection of rights of all and no support to the international terrorist groups. He added Pakistan supported Doha process to see its successful implementation and hoped the world at large would join hands to support the existing Afghan government to bring peace and stability in Afghanistan.
The Vice Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Faisal Rasul Lodhi HI(M), underscored the evolving situation poses opportunities as well as challenges for Pakistan which demands an in-depth analysis and careful articulation of policy options to safeguard own interests in the fragile situation. India has already unleashed propaganda to discredit Pakistan, which needs to be carefully monitored and countered. The economic crisis in Afghanistan, if not averted, will result in a large influx of refugees subsequently becoming an economic and security challenge for Pakistan. He emphasized with space on land being constricted, Maritime security threats at sea will increase and the sea space can be exploited by State and Non-State Actors alike, which needs to be guarded against. He said in the strategic plan, Pakistan has to strike a balance between expectations of our own public, international community as well as Taliban while ensuring that Pakistan interests are preserved. This is like crossing a tight rope but government has already adopted a well thought out and proactive strategic approach to achieve the ends. We need to realize that history is in making and Pakistan has to be on the right side of the history.
Earlier during his welcome address, Vice Admiral (R) Abdul Aleem HI(M), Director General NIMA said that the consultative workshop has been organized to deliberate threadbare the post US/NATO withdrawal scenarios in order to further our national interests by overcoming political, security, social and economic challenges that may emerge due to evolving situation.
The eminent speakers who spoke at the workshop on 1st day included, former Ambassador AsifAli Durrani, former National Security Advisor Lt Gen (R) Nasser Khan Janjua, Vice Admiral (R) Khan Hasham Bin Saddique and Air Vice Marshal (R) Faaiz Amir. The speakers emphasized upon the need to intensify the diplomatic and political efforts to keep Taliban government engaged on positive note and convince the rest of the world to support stability and peace in Afghanistan. The participants also highlighted the possibility of the use of sea by the fleeing miscreants from Afghanistan therefore Maritime Security should remain in focus to thwart any aggressive designs of the adversaries.