Pakistan requires outside the box approach of knowledge:Dr Maria Sultan

Lahore: Renowned Defence Analyst and Chairperson South Asian Strategic Stability Institute (SASSI) University Dr. Maria Sultan has said that today Pakistan faces enormous challenges as we stand at the threshold of the 21st Century with baggage of 19th Century, adding that global security has transformed tremendously with changes in research, technology and inter-state relations and ever changing dynamics of security itself. She was addressing the launching ceremony of SASSI University, here on Monday.

Dr. Maria Sultan, while introducing the SASSI University, expressed her gratitude to the President of Pakistan for providing the patron-ship to the University, and the Defence Minister of Pakistan, and the SASSI advisory board as well for their unconditional support to the University.

“We are happy to announce that SASSI University is a premier institute of higher learning which is geared to provide the nation a response capability to deal with growing challenges, adding that it is only through knowledge that we can bring Pakistan forward and out of these challenges.” She addressed the ceremony. The courses offered at the SASSI University on National Security, Peace Studies, Media Sciences, Counter-terrorism and Intelligence Studies are just few courses designed to enable the nation and the next generation to meet the paradoxes with knowledge, Dr. Maria informed.

Dr. Maria, while lauding the active support of Capital Development Authority (CDA), emphasized that security today is understood to be an expanded concept ranging from human security to traditional security.

“Pakistan has faced challenges which have been unprecedented both in terms of the nature, scale and degree of conflict and threats faced.” She expressed. In addition, she said that the fourteen years of global war against terror has placed Pakistan at the center of the international transitions in security where supra individuals, organized crime, networks and terrorism have dominated the security discourse.

With this at the center of the new global and regional reality it is extremely important that Pakistan remains cognizant of the emerging trends in security at the global and regional level but also creates a sustained national response based on research, innovation and a grass roots approach, she said.

Dr. Maria was of the view that Pakistan requires an outside the box approach for the changing environments and to prepare Pakistan for the challenges.

“The nation and the country await a new beginning and this can only be ensured if knowledge is our partner hence the journey of SASSI University to equip Pakistan with knowledge research and innovation through studies and higher learning.” She concluded, while thanking the participants for their support to SASSI towards this national initiative to achieve its goals in practical terms.

The ceremony was attended by a number of diplomats, academicians, intellectuals, civil society and people from different walks of life.