STRATEGIC VISION INSTITUTE (SVI), ISLAMABAD
Pakistan and the South Asian Region
Strategic Vision Institute organized an In-House Roundtable discussion on “Pakistan and the South Asian Region”, held on April 28, 2014. A German delegation headed by Mr. Marc Frings from KAS participated as Guest Discussants while Mr. Ross Masood Hussain headed the SVI Delegation.
German Delegation
Mr. Marc Frings Desk Officer, South and Central Asia, KAS, Germany
Mr. Ronny Heine Resident Representative, KAS
Mr. Fawad Haider Program Officer, KAS
SVI Delegation
Mr. Ross Masood Hussain Chairperson SVI
Dr. Zafar Iqbal Cheema President/Executive Director SVI
Mr. Nasurullah Brohi Research Fellow, SVI
Ms. Ammarah Rabbani Rao Research Associate, SVI
Ms. Shahzadi Tooba Hussain Syed Research Associate, SVI
Ms. Beenish Altaf Research Associate, SVI
Mr. Jawad Warraich Research Associate, SVI
Mr. Ali Raza Research Associate, SVI
Discussion
Marc Frings started the discussion with reference to the internal and external affairs of Pakistan. He was concerned about the democratic government and electoral process in South Asia. Talking about another domestic issue, Frings asked that “how would you analyze the negotiation between TTP and the current Government?” Dr. Cheema replied that TTP does not accept the constitution of Pakistan, so how would one proceed further to sit with them on the table. When one cannot meet their demands then negotiating with them would only be a waste of time. The discussion ended with the last question asked by Mr. Frings that “how Pakistan takes the power change in the South Asian region?” Dr. Cheema said that from security and external perspective, India is important for Pakistan and from domestic perspective, Afghanistan has got more importance. Pakistan is seeking to have good relationship with both the countries.
VOTE OF THANKS BY DR. ZAFAR IQBAL CHEEMA
At the end, Chairperson, SVI, Ross Masood Husain profoundly thanked the entire august audience present in the house and said that their presence is valuable for the events organized by SVI. He paid special thanks to the Guest Speakers and Discussants for their precious inputs that enlightened the audience. He extended his gratitude towards the research and secretarial staff of the SVI for their hard work and dedication towards the SVI.
