LAHORE: Pakistan Navy War College on Tuesday organised a seminar on ‘China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and Emerging Maritime Security Challenges’.
Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal graced the occasion as the chief guest.
A total of four papers were presented in the seminar by renowned speakers. In the first session, Masood Khan deliberated on the topic ‘The Chinese One Belt One Road initiative and Developing Geopolitics in Indian Ocean Region’ which was followed by Siddiqur Rehman Rana who presented his paper on the theme ‘CPEC(1+4) the Economic Dimension and a Great Opportunity for Coastal Belt’.
During the second session, Vice Admiral (r) Asaf Humayun spoke on ‘CPEC and maritime security which was followed by the last paper presented by Rear Admiral Kaleem Shaukat on ‘CPEC and expanding role of Pakistan Navy’.
Towards the end, analysis and debrief of the seminar was conducted by Vice Admiral (r) Ahmad Tasnim. Interactive sessions were also held during the seminar in which the audience clarified their queries about the subject.
In his address, Ahsan Iqbal highlighted the importance of CPEC and termed it as a game changer for the country. “With Gwadar port coming up fast, Pakistan and particularly Balochistan province would see a wave of economic prosperity and progression in very near future,” he added. He emphasised upon security challenges being posed to this mega project and reaffirmed the resolve of the government, armed forces and people of Pakistan in countering them.
While talking about the importance of Pakistan Navy, he said, “Pakistan with its long coastline cannot realise its economic potential if we do not have a strong Navy.” He added that Pakistan Navy is playing a very important role in protecting Pakistan’s maritime interests. In the end, he lauded the efforts of PN War College on holding seminar on such an important subject of national stature.
Earlier in his welcome address, Rear Admiral M Amjad Khan Niazi stated that overarching aim of the seminar is to acquaint the cross-section of the country’s polity with the tasks and responsibilities of Pakistan Navy and the manner in which CPEC is likely to influence these.
He asserted that PN stands firmly as the defender of national maritime interests and security of the port of Gwadar – the pivot of CPEC. He also thanked the distinguished audience and the local academia including university students for attending the seminar. As a premier institute of learning, PN War College has persistently strived in its outreach to create awareness among local populace in general and academia in particular, on issues of maritime significance. The seminar was second in the series of seminars on the subject, organised by PN War College. A large number of naval officers, faculty and students of civil services academy, FC College, Kinnaird College and Bahria University attended the seminar.
