No need to do more, says ex-envoy to US

Riaz Khokhar urges maintaining ‘working ties’ with US, Russia, China

ISLAMABAD: Superpowers like the United States of America (USA), Russia and China are working on plans to increase their influence in the changing global order. In the greater game, Pakistan is advised to strengthen diplomatic relations with everyone and focus more on rebuilding economy which has emerged as a new weapon to win wars around the world.

"US would not give up its supremacy in the world…Russia and China are working on plans to increase influence. In this game, we (Pakistan) should not be on the wrong side of this [development]," former Ambassador to United States and China Riaz Khokhar said at Pakistan Army Conference on "In Pursuit of Peace" held at IDEAS 2018 on Wednesday.

Khokhar while addressing the conference reminded the US has continued to fight war in Afghanistan for the last 17 years and blamed Pakistan for its failure.  "Peace in Afghanistan means peace for Pakistan…we have paid a price in the war on terror that no one else has paid," he said.

Pakistan has already played a significant role in holding talks between US and Taliban. "Our responsibility ends here. No need to do no more," he said, adding however US is indeed a superpower and Pakistan has no option but to maintain working relationship with it.

On the other hand, Pakistan has gradually developed stronger relationship with Russia over a period of time. "But there are limits to it," he said adding Islamabad has also forged a solid relationship with China under the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) but, "We should not take China for granted," he added.

Meanwhile, former Ambassador to US Najmuddin A Shaikh said China and Japan have emerged as world powers on the basis of economic supremacy.

"Today, the world is economy, Belt Road Initiative (BRI), CPEC and ASEAN…Pakistan needs to rebuild economy. Value lies in trading partners," he said.

Moreover, National Defence University President Lieutenant General Majid Ehsan said Pakistan has lost thousands of lives and spent $108.3 billion in global war on terror. This in turn has given huge losses in political, social, economic and military terms.

‘India remains No 1 enemy’

"India has remained number one enemy of Pakistan," said Khokhar, who has also served as Pakistan's High Commissioner to India adding establishment of the Kartarpur corridor between Pakistan and India is a good initiative towards building peaceful relationship.

The regions, however, cannot achieve long lasting peace without resolving Kashmir issue. "We don’t need to get overexcited [over Kartarpur corridor initiative]. India is doing this ahead of (its) election," he said.

Meanwhile, Azad Jammu & Kashmir President Sardar Masood Khan said India has deployed 700,000 troops in Kashmir and has martyred around 500,000 people in Kashmir over the last 71 years. “The world has remained silence on this. However, United Nations and Human Rights Commission issued a comprehensive report on human rights violation in June”.

He said a peaceful Kashmir would expedite economic growth in the region, while China's CPEC and BRI projects would perform better.

Former High Commissioner to India Abdul Basit also said regional environment is likely to remain volatile and unpredictable due to Indian atrocities. "Our challenge is to massively highlight Indian violence through foreign policy and diplomatic channels," he said.

Pakistan develops indigenous drone

Pakistan has developed indigenous drone technology (BURRAQ Surveillance UAV), which was unveiled for exports at IDEAS 2018 on Wednesday.

The drone was launched for export purpose after Pakistan's armed forces successfully used that in different operations during the last three years.

"All the parts (including auto Pilate system, navigation and communication systems and camera) in the drone are developed indigenously, except for engine which was not developed here due to cost factor," Global Industrial & Dedence Solutions-Pakistan Director Sales and Marketing Asad Kamal told The Express Tribune.

Some Middle Eastern countries have shown interest to acquire the drone. "We are in talks for the potential export," he said.

Facial recognition system developed

"Pakistan has successfully developed first facial recognition monitoring system," National Radio & Telecommunication Corporation CEO Tofique Ahmed told. "The system has been deployed to ensure security at IDEAS 2018," he said.

He said one of the garrison areas in Karachi is going to be transformed into a smart city to improve security features over there. The facial recognition system would be a leading technology in the pilot project.

Besides, Sindh government has also ordered to deploy the technology at all the shrines in Sindh. "We have completed surveys almost all the shrines in the province," he said.

He said they have also booked order from Colombo. Besides, they have been providing smart city technology to different counties, including England, Saudi Arabia, Bangladesh, Egypt and Maldives.

Besides, they have also developed smart soldier kits for police. The kit is fettled with smart camera, mic and air phones and connected to operation control room and police personnel among themselves through advance internet 4G technology.

Sindh has also ordered 20 smart soldier kits for its police. Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa has already acquired the technology during its first 100-day of the rule under the present government.