Zubair Qureshi
The Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI) and Iran’s Institute for Political and International Studies (IPIS) held Annual Dialogue on bilateral and regional issues on Wednesday.
The Centre for Afghanistan, Middle East & Africa (CAMEA) had organized the dialogue.
Among those who participated in this two-nation dialogue were Dr. Muhammad Hassan Shaykh al-Islami, Deputy Foreign Minister of Iran and President IPIS; Ambassador Sohail Mahmood, Director General ISSI; Dr. Omid Babelian, Research Fellow IPIS; Amina Khan, Director CAMEA, Ambassador Hamid Reza Arshadi, Senior Research Fellow, IPIS, Ambassador Riffat Masood, Former Ambassador of Pakistan to Iran; and Ambassador Khalid Mahmood, Chairman ISSI.
The dialogue was divided into three working sessions. The first session was titled “Pakistan-Iran Bilateral Relations”, moderated by Ms. Amina Khan, Director CAMEA. The second session was titled “Changing Dynamics in the Middle East: Prospects for Regional Integration and Connectivity ” and was moderated by Arhama Siddiqa, RF CAMEA. The third session was titled “The Evolving Situation in Afghanistan” and was moderated by Sarah Akram, RF CAMEA.
In the Inaugural Session, Director General ISSI Ambassador Sohail Mahmood and Deputy Foreign Minister/President IPIS Dr. Muhammad Hassan Shaykh al-Islami, made opening statements –noting the unprecedented flux, fragility and polarization in the global environment and the profound changes taking place at the international and regional levels.
He underscored the importance of close Pakistan-Iran consultations in this milieu and expressed satisfaction at the positive trajectory of the bilateral relationship. The two principals also exchanged perspectives on the situation in Afghanistan and the tragedy unfolding in Palestine. They underscored the need for the world community’s urgent intervention to stop unabated oppression against Palestinian civilian population and provide immediate relief assistance. The proactive role of the UN and OIC in ensuring urgent action to address the current unacceptable situation was emphasised.
Ambassador Sohail Mahmood and Dr. Shaykh al-Islami also underscored the value attached to the institutional relationship between ISSI and IPIS and reaffirmed their commitment to intensify mutual exchanges and expand the scope of mutual collaboration between the two think-tanks.
During the first working session, speakers highlighted recent progress in the Pakistan-Iran bilateral relationship, including bilateral trade surpassing $2 billion, despite the challenge of sanctions. Collaboration on opening border crossings, opening of border market and importance of Iran-Pakistan Pipeline (IPI) gas were further highlighted. Pakistan-Iran mutual cooperation collaboration in ECO, SCO, OIC, UN and other multilateral fora was also positively evaluated.
