Speaking at the Devcom-Pakistan Centre for Geopolitical Studies, the experts called upon the government to take on board the civil society, academia, and the private sector to collaborate in addressing these geopolitical challenges. By adopting a proactive and strategic approach, Pakistan can strengthen its resilience, safeguard its interests, and carve a stable and prosperous path forward in an increasingly uncertain world.
The webinar put up strategic recommendations, emphasizing a multi-faceted approach to navigating the complex geopolitical landscape. Key suggestions included strengthening ties with neighboring countries and regional blocs to build collective security and economic resilience; reducing reliance on traditional markets by expanding trade partnerships and developing new economic sectors such as technology and renewable energy; actively engaging in water and resource diplomacy to secure Pakistan’s access to essential resources and mitigate the risks of conflict; and rationalizing relationships with global powers without compromising national interests, leveraging Pakistan’s strategic location as a regional pivot.
Devcom-Pakistan Centre for Geopolitical Studies organized the webinar on ‘challenges for Pakistan in the changing geopolitical scenarios’ on Saturday. The event brought together leading experts, academics, policymakers, and strategic analysts to deliberate on the evolving geopolitical landscape and its profound impact on Pakistan. The webinar focused on identifying the key geopolitical challenges faced by Pakistan, including regional instability, global power rivalries, economic dependencies, and strategic uncertainties. It also aimed to explore strategic pathways for Pakistan to effectively navigate these challenges and bolster its position on the international stage.
Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed was the keynote speaker. The panel of experts included Devcom-Pakistan Executive Director Munir Ahmed, Kinnaird College for Women Associate Professor Dr. Khushboo Ejaz, BNU Centre for Geopolitical Research Senior Fellow Dr. Zainab Ahmed, and Center for South Asia and International Studies Executive Director Dr, Mehmood ul Hassan Khan. Others who spoke on the occasion Aneela Khan, Muhammad Sadiq, Muhammad Hasnain, Shabana Kulsoom, and Hassan Raza.
Senator Mushahid Hissain Sayed urged a proactive regional foreign policy while seeing strategic space for Pakistan as an emerging Middle Power. He gave a profile of the emerging world order in which the core change is that the global centre of gravity is shifting from the West to the East, marked by the slow-motion unraveling of the Western-led political and economic order, replaced by the dawn of the ‘Asian Century’ and peaceful rise of China. He referred to three new realities in this regard. First, the retrenchment of American power clout and influence, especially in the global south. The Gaza genocide has exposed the moral bankruptcy of the West. Second, the rise of China, which is the first non-white and non-western power to challenge Western hegemony in the last 300 years. Third, the US has launched a New Cold War against China and Russia in Europe, which shows a military-centric mindset as opposed to China’s worldview based on economic connectivity, trade and investment.
Senator Mudhahid Hussain Sayed stated Pakistan now has strategic space to play an autonomous role as one of five emerging Muslim middle-powers who will be pivotal in the resurgence of the global south. He said these five Muslim middle-powers are: Pakistan, Indonesia, Turkiye, Saudi Arabia and Iran. He also referred to his upcoming visit to Moscow for the BRICS Forum where the Senator is the first and only Pakistani to be specially invited to address BRICS.
Finally, Senator Mushahid urged Pakistani policymakers to develop a new regional based foreign policy outlook, based on strategic clarity on three key areas. First, no compromise on Kashmir, Palestine and India hegemony and state terrorism, ruling out the possibility of trade with India under the present circumstances. Second, regional-reset with neighbouring countries: revitalizing CPEC, starting to build a gas pipeline with Iran and becoming part of an initiative to build Wakhan Corridor involving Pakistan, Afghanistan, China and Tajikistan. Third, Pakistan needs a proactive South Asia policy based on closer ties with Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal and the Maldives. On India, Senator Mushahid Hussain underlined the need for activating the Kartarpur Corridor, building people to people and media to media ties with India, plus opening up of a serious back channel for sustained and substantive talks.
Devcom-Pakistan Executive Director Munir Ahmed said the US-China rivalry is reshaping global alliances, and Pakistan finds itself in a delicate position due to its close ties with China and its strategic relationship with the United States. We need to maintain a rationally neutral stance while maximizing economic and strategic benefits from both nations. Also, need to think beyond the rhetoric and conventional approaches for diversifying foreign policy to engage with emerging global powers and regional players.
Dr. Zainab Ahmed emphasized the importance of a proactive foreign policy that goes beyond reactive measures. Strengthening diplomatic ties with neighboring countries, actively participating in regional forums like the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and forging strategic alliances with like-minded nations were highlighted as key strategies for enhancing Pakistan’s geopolitical standing.
Dr. Khushboo Ejaz said: Economic challenges, including dependency on foreign aid, loans, and trade imbalances, were identified as major constraints on Pakistan’s sovereignty. There is an urgent need for structural reforms to boost economic self-reliance, including diversifying export markets, attracting foreign direct investment, and strengthening local industries. Sustainable economic policies were seen as crucial for reducing vulnerabilities to external economic pressures.