PNWC organizes a seminar on CPEC & Emerging Maritime Security Challenges

Lahore: Pakistan Navy War College, Lahore hosted a seminar on “China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) & Emerging Maritime Security Challenges, today.  Federal Minister for Planning Development and Reform, Ahsan Iqbal was the Chief Guest.

A total of four papers were presented in the seminar by renowned speakers.  In first session, the speaker Masood Khan deliberated on the topic ‘The Chinese One Belt One Road (OBOR)and developing Geopolitics in the Indian Ocean Region’ which was followed by Siddiq-ur-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,  V/Adm (Retd) Asaf Humayun spoke on ‘CPEC and Maritime Security’ which was followed by the last paper by R/Adm Kaleem Shaukat on ‘CPEC and expanding role of PN’. Towards the end,   analysis and debrief of the seminar was conducted by V/Adm (Retd) Ahmad Tasnim; being the moderator of the seminar. Interactive sessions were also held during the seminar in which the audience clarified their queries about the subject.

The Chief Guest Ahsan Iqbal, Federal Minister for Planning Development and Reform, in his address highlighted the importance of CPEC and termed it as a game changer for the country. He stated that 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 emphasized upon security challenges being posed to this mega project and reaffirmed the resolve of the Government, Defence Forces and People of Pakistan in countering them.

While talking about the importance of Pakistan Navy, Federal Minister for Planning Development and Reform said that Pakistan with its long coastline can not realise its economic potential if we don’t have a strong Navy. He further 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 Chief Guest, Speakers, 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, organized 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.