Federal Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal has said knowledge should be used to create opportunities and cope with emerging challenges as countries are facing many security challenges because of continuous transformation in the global system. "Knowledge should be used to create opportunities and to defend itself against challenges," he added.
He was speaking at a conference on "Security Outlook 2025: national security and defence transformation" held at local hotel on Wednesday as a part of the ongoing Ideas 2014. He said that paradigm of human progress underwent transformation and now machines have been replaced by ideas. "We need to look at new trends, challenges and opportunities so we become beneficiaries of those changes and challenges," he added.
Lauding the efforts made by SASSI (South Asian Strategic Stability Institute) University and the Defence Export Promotion Organisation for organising a series of conferences, he said that `Industry Summit' was of the utmost importance. Ahsan also praised the role of Pakistan Navy in keeping Indian Ocean secure and said Pakistan is blessed with a commendable naval force, which has played a vital role in the stability of Indian Ocean region.
He said emerging scenario has thus necessitated a more dynamic role for Pakistan Navy for safeguarding our maritime interests, which is pivotal for the economic well-being and influence in the region. Delivering his keynote address, chief of Maldivian National Defence Forces, Major General Ahmad Shiyam, said: "In the globalized world, no country can provide security on its own and there is a need for collective efforts."
Praising Pakistan Navy, he thanked Pakistan Navy for protecting the Indian Ocean and also for helping Maldives during the Tsunami in 2004. He emphasised the need for collaboration between Pakistan and Maldives for overcoming the issues of terrorism, piracy and trafficking.
Vice Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Khan Hasham Bin Siddique, in his speech, said that Pakistan Navy gave a description on the strategic and economic importance of Indian Ocean. He said: "There has been a radical transformation in warfare and Pakistan is directly affected by instability taking place in the Indian Ocean." Elaborating, he said: "Impact of globalisation in strategic sea security has led to the menace of terrorism, piracy, and drugs, human and arms trafficking." Later, he gave an overview of various exercises and activities of Pakistan Navy being undertaken in collaboration with other countries. Director General of SASSI University, Dr Maria Sultan, also spoke on the occasion.
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