ISLAMABAD: The Institute of Strategic Studies, Islamabad (ISSI), hosted its flagship event, the Islamabad Conclave-2023, on the theme “Pakistan in a Changing World” on Wednesday.
On its first day, the Arms Control & Disarmament Centre (ACDC) organized Working Session I with the theme “Evolving Geopolitical Dynamics, Emerging Technologies, and Shifts in Strategic Thought.”
Key speaker former Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) General (Retd) Zubair Mahmood Hayat, in his address, highlighted the emerging global landscape characterized by evolving defense partnerships, military build-up, alliance expansion, the breakdown of existing arms control regimes, nuclear modernization, and militarization of outer space, cyberspace, artificial intelligence, and biotechnologies.
He said that the growing equation between democracy and dictatorship, moral and immoral values, and superior and inferior beings, terming it a potential recipe for disaster. Concepts like de-coupling, de-risking, and building strategic resilience were taking shape.
Malik Qasim Mustafa, Director of ACDC, in his introductory remarks, noted the acceleration of new global and regional arms races, with states investing in lethal and advanced weapons and disruptive emerging technologies. The race to develop hypersonic delivery systems and the adoption of offensive military postures by major powers were also highlighted.
Pakistan’s Perspective on Emerging Technologies
Ambassador Tehmina Janjua, speaking on “Shifting Geopolitical Dynamics: A Global Perspective,” discussed the transition from a bipolar to a multi-polar system, block politics, transboundary challenges, and the impact of emerging technologies on global geopolitics.
Air Cmdre. Khalid Banuri, former Director General of Arms Control and Disarmament Affairs (ACDA), Strategic Plans Division (SPD), focused on “Emerging Trends in Strategic Thought and the Role of Emerging Technologies.” He highlighted the militarization of emerging technologies by major powers, making the global landscape more complex and imbalanced.
Dr. Naeem Salik, Executive Director of Strategic Vision Institute (SVI), addressed “Strategic Stability in South Asia: A Regional Perspective,” emphasizing the historical tenuous nature of strategic stability in the region. He discussed the structural problems in South Asia, including the disparity between countries and the changing dynamics with India’s new construct of Southern Asia.
Muhammad Kamran Akhtar, Additional Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), presented Pakistan’s perspective, expressing concerns about India’s temptations for a limited war under the nuclear threshold. He highlighted India’s rejection of Pakistan’s proposal for the Strategic Restraint Regime and emphasized the need for new confidence-building measures (CBMs) to address challenges posed by emerging technologies.
Ambassador Khalid Mahmood, Chairman BoG ISSI, concluded the session by presenting ISSI Mementos to the distinguished speakers.
