‘Pakistan needs to expand economic links’

KCFR holds a seminar on 'Strategic Neighbourhood of Pakistan'

KARACHI: A Seminar on 'Strategic Neighbourhood of Pakistan' was held by Karachi Council on Foreign Relations (KCFR), in partnership with Pathfinder Group and Martin Dow Group of Pakistan.  The topic was introduced by Institute of Business Administration Associate Dean Dr Huma Baqai, who is also a member of the Advisory Council on Foreign Affairs appointed by the Prime Minister, and the KCFR Secretary-General. The keynote speaker, President of Azad Jammu and Kashmir Sardar Masood Khan, articulated the subject, followed by a presentation by Ambassador Ali Sarwar Naqvi.

According to the speakers, in the present day, in a highly connected and communicating world, Pakistan shall have to expand its economic links through expansion of trade and exchange of services to accomplish a favourable connectivity with the rest of the world. This would remain the keyword to establish a favourable Strategic Neighbourhood for Pakistan. Though Pakistan has four immediate neighbours with whom positive interaction was mandatory, Pakistan also needs to establish strong economic ties with major regional and international powers active in the region, they maintained.

KCFR Chairman Ikram Sehgal proposed to hold two more seminars in Muzzafarabad on similar topics with the emphasis on education and trade, which was generously agreed to by the AJK President. The KCFR Vice Chairman Admiral Khalid Mir thanked all present for their participation.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 6^th, 2019.