While inaugurating Pakistan’s first-ever security dialogue being held in Islamabad for two days, PM Khan said that it is crucial to understand what national security is and that it is beyond just defence. ”National security is also about non-traditional issues like climate change and food security which threaten Pakistan and its overall security,” said the premier.
He further stressed that concept of national security needs to be more comprehensive. He also spoke in length about the challenge of climate change and food security and said that solving these issues would remain the country’s top priority now.
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Emphasizing the importance of human security, the premier said that the security of the common citizen is one of the most important issues. He appreciated China for devising effective economic policies to eradicate poverty and said that the Ehsaas program aims to do the same.
“Pakistan is committed to doing everything it can to facilitate the Afghan peace process,” the premier said. The key to peace for this region lies in Aghanistan, he added.
To capitalize on its geostrategic location, Pakistan needs regional peace and improved trade ties with neighbouring countries, he stressed.
PM Khan also shed light on the Kashmir issue and said that Pakistan hopes to give Kashmiris the right to self determination granted to them by the UN Security Council as it would be advantageous for both Pakistan and India.
The conference is aimed at unveiling Pakistan’s new strategic direction based on a comprehensive security framework in line with Prime Minister Imran Khan’s vision of peace, regional connectivity and development partnerships with the world.
The prime minister inaugurated the 2-day conference on Wednesday and Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa will be the keynote speaker on the second day of the conference. The summit being held in Islamabad will have top scholars and diplomats and it is also being livestreamed to reach a wider audience.
The conference is being organized by the National Security Division in collaboration with its advisory board, comprising five leading think tanks of the country including Centre for Aerospace and Security Studies, Islamabad Policy Research Institute, Institute of Strategic Studies, Institute of Regional Studies and National Defence University’s Institute of Strategic Studies, Research and Analysis.
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A first of its kind advisory portal of the National Security Division was also launched by PM Khan during the event. This portal will be an integrated platform to bridge the gap between major think tanks and universities working on the subject of national security and it would be used to share policy recommendations directly with the national leadership.
“The NSD portal will allow national think tanks and universities working on national security to directly offer policy recommendations to the government and can be pathbreaking in this regard” the official statement said.
The Munich security conference inspired summit is predicted to be Pakistan’s leading intellectual platform to debate over domestic and international security challenges and contribute to the peaceful resolution of conflicts.