Chairman Pathfounder group, Pakistan and renowned security analyst, Mr. Ikram Sehgal was invited to a talk on Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition (IMCTC), at the DSS department on Tuesday, December 05, 2017. Addressing an audience comprising f students and faculty, Mr Sehgal covered a wide range of issues at the regional and international level affecting Pakistan.
Discussing India in the light of US-Pakistan relations, he said that the flux in the latter’s bilateral relations is independent of US’ relations with India which would remain long term, given Washington’s interest in containing China through New Delhi. Islamabad realistically has no reservations with regards India US growing terms, however it must not be at Pakistan’s expense. He furthermore touched upon the potential benefits of the CPEC, and the need for Islamabad to logically avail itself of this opportunity for sustainable growth and development. Pakistan needs to be fully confident of its potential as well as cognizant of the challenges it is facing from the regional actors and competitors. Developing the nuclear potential provides Pakistan with a formidable defence, which provides the country with strongest fortification.
With regards the IMCTC, he covered the rational for the need of a strong voice for the Muslim world in these challenging transitional times, and for the need to have a well-knit intelligence sharing network, joint action plan and capacity to counter terrorism and such rising challenges. There is a need to have a uniformity in actions and words when addressing these complex problems, however the option to place boots on ground should be exercised as the last and least favourable. He also examined Pakistan’s role and position in the IMCTC and changing Middle Eastern dynamics and how we can best explore the situation as a favourable starting point. The students and faculty alike asked a wide range of questions dealing with the alliance, CPEC, regional as well as international developments. The guest was thanked by the department’s head Dr Nasrullah Mirza and presented a commemorative shield.