On Wednesday, 13 November 2024, Ambassador Dato' Azhar attended the inaugural session of Margalla Dialogue 2024 at Marriott Hotel, Islamabad. The event was organised by Islamabad Policy Research Institute (IPRI) with the theme of ‘Emerging Global Realities Challenges and Response’. Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani, Chairman of the Senate of Pakistan, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest.
In his speech, Chairman Gillani emphasized the transformative global landscape shaped by new alliances such as AUKUS and QUAD, which he argued contribute to conflict and militarization. He discussed the growing fragmentation caused by great power rivalries, which have disrupted security and economic stability. Highlighting Pakistan’s strategic vision, he stressed the importance of resilience, good governance, and leveraging the country’s strategic location. Gillani also called for fostering social cohesion, improving democratic practices, and equipping the youth with education to prepare them for global competition.
The session included a distinguished panel discussion on "Great Power Competition and its Impact on Peace and Security in the Global South." Moderated by former Ambassador Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry, the panel featured influential speakers, including Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed, Professor Vali Reza Nasr (Johns Hopkins University), Professor Igor Panarin (Academy of Military Sciences, Russia), and Professor Victor Zhikai Gao (Centre for China and Globalisation, China).
The event underscored the need for multilateralism, economic resilience, and strategic action to navigate the emerging challenges of the global order.
