A two days’ Consultative workshop was held at National Institute of Maritime Affairs to discuss “Security Challenges post US withdrawal from Afghanistan at global & regional level in general and for Pakistan in particular”.
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, 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, Defence Analysts and Academicians participated in the workshop.
Speaking on the occasion, Ali Zaidi, the Minister for Maritime Affairs 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. Same will help us enhance our regional connectivity with landlocked Central Asian States.
Moreover, increasing trade with the regional countries and boosting economic opportunities in the Maritime domain, should be capitalized.
He emphasized that 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 harbors.
Moeed Yousaf, 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 that 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.
The Vice Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Faisal Rasool Lodhi, underscored that 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 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.
