On Tuesday, 25 June 2024, Ambassador Dato' Azhar Mazlan attended the 51st Anniversary of Institute of Strategic Studies in Islamabad. His Excellency Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. His Excellency the High Commissioner was accompanied by Mr. Muhammad Zulasri Bin Rosdi, First Secretary of the High Commission. The event was attended by members of the Diplomatic Corps, senior officials, academics, scholars, researchers, representatives of civil society, think-tanks and the media.
In his welcome remarks, the Director General of ISSI, Ambassador Sohail Mahmood underscored the growing impact of think-tanks and research organizations globally, stressing their pivotal role in generating research-based inputs, fostering informed dialogue, and impacting policy. Over the past five decades, he said, the ISSI had evolved into a formidable research organization and a reputable public sector think-tank. He emphasized ISSI’s thematic priorities, which encompassed analyzing global and regional developments; supporting concept of ‘comprehensive’ security; strengthening efforts to accentuate ‘pivot to geo-economics’; and reinforcing Pakistan’s strategic engagements with major powers as well as key regions including Central Asia, ASEAN and Africa.
Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, in his remarks underscored that the world was undergoing profound transformations. He added that the world was witnessing the end of one era and the beginning of a new one — marked by the emergence of a multipolar order. He emphasized that old and traditional security threats were compounded by new and non-traditional security threats and challenges. These include ongoing conflicts in Europe and the Middle East, genocide in Palestine, and simmering tensions across several continents.
The DPM/FM underscored Pakistan’s strategic importance globally and regionally. Highlighting Pakistan’s perspective, he underscored its aversion to bloc politics and preference for cooperation over confrontation. He also highlighted that Pakistan’s regional policy was underpinned by the concept of peaceful neighbourhood and the inextricable link between peace and development.
