The NDU follows a policy of non-attribution and hence the information passed on is perhaps based on hearsay
ISLAMABAD: This is with reference to an article by Raza Rumi of June 4 titled “Is America really our Enemy No 1?”.
The National Defence University (NDU) has the status of a think tank and regularly organises workshops, seminars and scenario development exercises to provide a platform to people from various walks of life to have an interaction with fellows, analysts, policymakers, journalists, think tanks and others to share their perspectives. Here fellows may share experiences and hone their problem-solving skills to make suggestions. A large number of prominent guest speakers are invited to speak on various current issues to the audience which is made up of prominent civilians, alumni of national security workshops, ex-ambassadors and representatives from think tanks such as the ISSI, IPRI and SASSI.
The NDU follows a policy of non-attribution and hence the information passed to the writer is perhaps based on hearsay and has been based on an incorrect proposition. Ambassador Husain Haqqani did not solely address military officers, rather he addressed a mixed gathering of approximately 77 people from think tanks, faculty members, eminent civilians and around 18 military officers. On his inquiry the audience gave a mixed response and was evenly divided on the main threat to Pakistan between domestic context, India or the US. This has been misinterpreted by the writer to think that that the overwhelming opinion expressed by the audience members regarded the US as the number one threat to Pakistan. The proceedings are recorded and can be shown as documentary evidence to verify the factual position.
Lieutenant-General Agha M Umer Farooq
President, National Defence University
Published in The Express Tribune, June 19th, 2011.
