(ISSI) – Page 4 – Newswire Pakistan

January 18, 2023January 19, 2023

Round-Table Discussion “Evolving Situation in Afghanistan and the Way Forward for Pakistan-Afghanistan Relations”

Islamabad, January 18, 2023 (PPI-OT):The Centre for Afghanistan, Middle East and Africa (CAMEA) at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI) organized a Round-Table discussion on the ‘Evolving Situation in Afghanistan and the Way Forward for Pakistan-Afghanistan Relations’.

The Roundtable was chaired by Ambassador Sohail Mahmood, Director General, and ISSI. Participants included Ambassador Qazi Humayun, former Ambassador to Afghanistan; Ambassador Tariq Aziz Uddin, former Ambassador to Afghanistan; Ambassador Aziz Ahmad Khan, former Ambassador to Afghanistan; Ambassador Abrar Hussain, former Ambassador to Afghanistan; Mr. Imtiaz Gul, Executive Director for the Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS); Mr. Zahid Hussain, Author; Dr Ishtiaq Ahmed, Member, Development Communication, Planning Commission; Brig. Mehboob Qadir, Independent Analyst; Mr. Hassan Khan, Journalist; Mr. Rashid Safi, Dunya News; and Mr. Haroon Rashid, Independent (Urdu).

The Director General (AIT), Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Saad Ahmed Warriach, also attended the Roundtable. Ms. Amina Khan, Director CAMEA and members of the CAMEA research team were also present. During the deliberations, the primary focus was on the situation in Afghanistan as well as Pakistan-Afghanistan relations. Besides the security aspects, the political, economic, trade, investment, people-to-people, and connectivity dimensions of the bilateral relationship were discussed in detail. The participants shared their assessments and recommendations for the way forward.

For more information, contact:
Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI)
Sector F-5/2, Islamabad – 44000, Pakistan
Tel: +92-51-9202481
Fax: +92-51-9204658
E-mail: strategy@issi.org.pk
Website: http://issi.org.pk/

January 16, 2023January 17, 2023

In-House Meeting with Mr. Ubaid Ur Rehman Nizamani, Pakistan’s Head of Mission in Afghanistan

Islamabad, January 16, 2023 (PPI-OT):The Centre for Afghanistan, Middle East and Africa (CAMEA) at the Institute of Strategic Studies, Islamabad held an In-House meeting with Mr. Ubaid Ur Rehman Nizamani, Pakistan’s Head of Mission in Afghanistan. The meeting was chaired by Ambassador Sohail Mahmood, Director General, and ISSI. Ms. Amina Khan, Director CAMEA and members of the CAMEA research team participated.

During the meeting, the myriad dimensions of the situation in Afghanistan and Pakistan-Afghanistan relations were discussed. Ms. Amina Khan also apprised the Head of Mission of the various research and outreach activities undertaken by CAMEA relating to Afghanistan and the adjoining regions.

January 12, 2023January 13, 2023

ISSI-ASEAN Committee in Islamabad Dialogue Held

Islamabad, January 12, 2023 (PPI-OT):The Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI) held a dialogue session with ASEAN Committee in Islamabad (ACI), led by H. E. Nguyen Tien Phuong, Ambassador of Vietnam and Chairman of ACI. ACI comprises Ambassadors/High Commissioners and Heads of Mission of ASEAN Members based in Islamabad. Ambassador Sohail Mahmood, Director-General ISSI, led the ISSI side.

In his remarks, Ambassador Sohail Mahmood stated that Pakistan recognized the ASEAN ‘miracle’ that had contributed immensely to peace, regional economic integration, and prosperity through effective regional cooperation in Southeast Asia. He added that Pakistan’s desire to forge a closer relationship with ASEAN was driven by its ‘Vision East Asia’ policy as well as the imperatives of geo-economics. Ambassador Sohail Mahmood stressed that a deeper and elevated Pakistan-ASEAN partnership was in the mutual benefit of both sides.

The ISSI-ACI dialogue focused on exploring avenues for further deepening cordial relations between Pakistan and ASEAN members, bilaterally as well as on the institutional platform of ASEAN. Both sides exchanged views on the current state of Pakistan-ASEAN cooperation and underlined the need to enhance linkages between business communities and academic institutions/think-tanks across ASEAN member states. The ACI Chairman and other members shared valuable suggestions on strengthening overall collaboration between the two sides, including through increased people-to-people exchanges.

It was also agreed that ISSI-ACI collaboration will be utilized to raise awareness about the potential of Pakistan-ASEAN partnership and ways to optimally realize it. Besides the Chairman, the ACI delegation included H.E. Mr. Adam M. Tugio, Ambassador of Indonesia; H.E. Mr. Chakkrid Krachaiwong, Ambassador of Thailand; H.E. Mr. U Win Myint, Ambassador of Myanmar; Ms. Maria Agnes M. Cervantes, Charge d’ Affaires of Philippines; Mr. Mr. Abdul Mubdi Osman, Acting High Commissioner of Brunei Darussalam; and Mr. Nor Azuan Haji Ayub, Charge d’ Affaires of Malaysia. Ambassador Khalid Mahmood, Chairman BoG ISSI, and Dr. Talat Shabbir, Director China-Pakistan Study Center, also spoke on the occasion.

January 4, 2023January 5, 2023

ISSI Bids Farewell to Ambassador Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry

Islamabad, January 04, 2023 (PPI-OT):In a specially-hosted event, the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI) bid a fond farewell to Ambassador Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry upon completion of his term as the Director-General. Ambassador Aizaz Chaudhry joined the ISSI in June 2018, following his retirement from the Foreign Service of Pakistan after having served as Ambassador to the United States and earlier as Foreign Secretary.

During his tenure, the Institute undertook extensive reforms, upgraded the infrastructure, and established four centers of excellence. Ambassador Chaudhry launched several new initiatives and strengthened the policy advocacy role.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Talat Shabbir, Director (Admin)/CPSC, Malik Qasim Mustafa, Director (ACDC), Ms. Amina Khan, Director (CAMEA), Dr. Arshad Ali, Director (ISC), Dr. Neelum Nigar, Director (CSP), and several other Research Fellows/Research Associates shared their rich work experiences with Ambassador Chaudhry and highlighted the progress achieved in research and dialogue under his stewardship.

Chairman ISSI’s Board of Governors Ambassador Khalid Mahmood lauded the transformative contribution of Ambassador Aizaz Chaudhry in enhancing the quality of the Institute’s research activities as well as enlarging its outreach and policy input role. He also appreciated his role in the uplifting of the Institute’s premises. Ambassador Chaudhry was less of a boss and more a mentor to his ISSI colleagues, Ambassador Khalid Mahmood added.

Former Foreign Secretary and the new Director General of ISSI, Ambassador Sohail Mahmood, lauded Ambassador Aizaz Chaudhry’s dedicated efforts that had led to the Institute’s enhanced profile and trajectory and vowed that this work would be carried forward and further expanded through collective efforts. While wishing Ambassador Aizaz Chaudhry the best in his future endeavours, Ambassador Sohail Mahmood expressed the hope that the Institute would continue to benefit from his support and wise guidance.

In his valedictory address, Ambassador Aizaz Chaudhry spoke fondly about his tenure as the DG ISSI. He said hard working research faculty and administration staff were a source of strength for the Institute. He added that the Institute was set to scale new heights in both its research work and outreach efforts. Ambassador Aizaz Chaudhry appreciated the dedication and efforts of his team members and thanked them for their valuable support to him in fulfilling his duties as the Director-General. The event concluded with the presentation of a special souvenir to Ambassador Aizaz Chaudhry by Chairman Ambassador Khalid Mahmood.

January 2, 2023January 3, 2023

Ambassador Sohail Mahmood assumes charge as Director-General ISSI

Islamabad, January 02, 2023 (PPI-OT):Ambassador Sohail Mahmood has assumed charge as Director-General of the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI). He took over from Ambassador Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry upon completion of his term. Ambassador Sohail Mahmood brings with him vast experience of diplomacy and high-level decision-making. He served in the Foreign Service of Pakistan for nearly 37 years and rose to the rank of Foreign Secretary, serving in that position from April 2019 to September 2022. Prior to that, he was High Commissioner of Pakistan to India from 2017-19. Earlier, he served as Ambassador to Turkiye (2015-17) and Thailand (2009-13).

He has also served as Additional Secretary (Afghanistan/West Asia) and Director-General (Americas) and Director-General (Foreign Secretary’s Office). Earlier in his diplomatic career, he served in Pakistan Embassies in Ankara and Washington, D.C., and as a Counsellor at Pakistan’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York. He has also served as Director (Iran and Turkiye). Ambassador Sohail Mahmood holds a Master’s degree in International Affairs from Columbia University, New York, and a Masters in History from Quaid-e-Azam University, Islamabad.

December 27, 2022December 28, 2022

Bilateral Dialogue “75th Anniversary of the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations of Pakistan and Turkiye”

Islamabad, December 27, 2022 (PPI-OT):The Centre for Afghanistan, Middle East and Africa (CAMEA) at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI) and Center for Strategic Research of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkiye (SAM) had its first bilateral dialogue on “75th Anniversary of the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations of Pakistan and Turkiye”.

The discussion was moderated by Hidayet Alper Bosuter, Head of Department, and SAM.

The welcome remarks were given by Ambassador Ufuk Ulutaş, Chairman of SAM and Ambassador Khalid Mahmood, Chairman ISSI.

The first panel was on ‘Pakistan – Turkiye relations’ and the speakers were Ambassador Mehmet Pacacı, Turkiye’s Ambassador in Islamabad and Ambassador Yousaf Junaid, Pakistan’s Ambassador in Ankara.

The second panel was on ‘Areas of Cooperation in Afghanistan’ and the speakers were Omer Aslan, Associate Professor in Yıldırım Beyazıt Universitesi and Director CAMEA, Amina Khan.