Center for Global & Strategic

Studies (CGSS), Islamabad Quarterly Newsletter

January – March 2020

1

In-House discussion on

“Escalation between US and Iran; Regional Implications and

Options for Pakistan"

On 8th January 2020, Center for Global & Strategic Studies (CGSS), Islamabad

organized an In-House discussion on “Escalation between US and Iran; Regional

Implications and Options for Pakistan” at Islamabad, Pakistan. Prominent

dignitaries including defence analysts, Former Ambassadors and members of

academia participated as panelists. The participants discussed the US-Iran

situation in detail and deliberated the possible policy options for Pakistan.

Senior members of the Advisory Board and eminent security and defence

analyst participate as panelists

EVENTS

Newsletter January – March 2020

2

Roundtable Session on “25th Anniversary of Permanent Neutrality of Turkmenistan”

On 31st January 2020, a Roundtable Session was held at CGSS, Islamabad on “25th Anniversary of Permanent Neutrality of Turkmenistan”. During the discussion, His Excellency Atadjan Movlamov – Ambassador of the Republic of Turkmenistan highlighted the initiatives that have been taken for the promotion of peace, development of Turkmenistan. An interactive question and answer session was also held. The Roundtable discussion was attended by 20 members of CGSS Advisory Board, Management and Researchers.

Book launch ceremony Bleeding Kashmir by Senator Rehman Malik

On 18th February 2020, CGSS facilitated and participated in the book launch

ceremony “Bleeding Kashmir” written by Senator Rehman Malik. Maj General

Syed Khalid Amir Jaffery HI(M) (Retd), President CGSS, Syed Fakhar Imam

Chairman Parliamentary Committee on Kashmir, Senator Mushahid Hussain

Syed, Senator Mushahid Ullah Khan, Senator Javed Iqbal Abbasi also attended.

Newsletter January – March 2020

3

“Orange Festival”, Jointly Organized by CGSS and Zaildar House at Taxila

CGSS participation at the

Roundtable Session on

“Kyrgyzstan – Pakistan

Partnership for Trade and

Investment”

On 5th March 2020, Lieutenant Colonel

Khalid Taimur Akram (Retd) –

Executive Director CGSS participated at

the Roundtable Session on “Kyrgyzstan

– Pakistan Partnership for Trade and

Investment” organized by the Embassy

of the Kyrgyz Republic, Islamabad.

The event was attended by experts from

the fields of trade and investment.

On 23rd February, 2020 CGSS and Zaildar

House jointly organized an Orange Festival at

Zaildar House, Taxila.

The event was held in honor of the diplomatic

community and their families, to bring them

closer to each other in a friendly environment.

Chief Guest of the festival was, General

Nadeem Raza, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff

Committee and was attended by ambassadors

and delegates from more than 70 countries.

Newsletter January – March 2020

4

Roundtable Conference on “Al-Farabi: The Second Teacher”

On 10th March 2020, CGSS,

Islamabad in collaboration with Area

Study Centre (Russia, China and

Central Asia), University of Peshawar

(UOP), Peshawar organized a

Roundtable Conference on “Al-

Farabi: The Second Teacher” at

Peshawar.

Major General Syed Khalid Amir

Jaffery HI(M), (Retd) – President

CGSS also addressed the and

Lieutenant Colonel Khalid Taimur Akram (Retd) – Executive Director CGSS presented

speeches. Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to Pakistan was the Chief Guest of the

occasion. The event was attended by deans, faculty members and senior management of

University of Peshawar, Peshawar.

Interactive Session on “TAPI – the project for peace and prosperity”

On 11th March 2020, CGSS, Islamabad

organized an Interactive Session on “TAPI

– the project for peace and prosperity” at

Islamabad. Mr. Muhammetmyrat

Amanov, CEO & Chairman of the Board,

TAPI pipeline Company Limited (TPCL)

was the Chief Guest of the occasion. Major

General Syed Khalid Amir Jaffery HI(M),

(Retd) – President CGSS commenced the

session. His Excellency Atadjan Movlamov

– Ambassador of the Republic of

Turkmenistan also addressed the

participants. The event was attended by 35 people from various Ministries, Think Tanks,

experts of economy, trade, energy and senior Advisory Board Members of CGSS.

Newsletter January – March 2020

5

CGSS hosted a dinner to Honour Uzbek Cultural Troupe

On 31st Jan 2020, Ms Mehreen Gul- Director CGSS

hosted a dinner to honour culture Troupe, who

visited Pakistan for participation in the magnificent

ceremony of The Day of Defenders of Uzbekistan.

CGSS ensured further cooperation to enhance

cultural ties, linguistic, economic, students

exchange programs among both countries in the

year 2020. CGSS warmly welcomed Uzbek Trope to

Pakistan and wished them good luck for their future

ventures.

CGSS Delegation Meeting with Senator Rehman Malik - Chairman Senate

Standing Committee on Interior

On 21st January 2020, a delegation led by Major General Syed Khalid Amir Jaffery

HI(M), (Retd) – President CGSS met Senator Rehman Malik - Chairman Senate Standing

Committee on Interior Senator. The meeting was regarding Child Sexual Abuse Bill and

Zainab Alert Bill. Other participants of the meeting incl uded; Barrister Babur Suhail –

Vice President, CGSS, Mr. Ashfaq Ahmed Gondal – Former Federal Secretary of

Information and Senior Member Advisory Board CGSS, Mr. Masud Malik – Member

Advisory Board CGSS, Lieutenant Colonel Khalid Taimur Akram (Retd) – Executive

Director CGSS and Major Iqbal Aslam (Retd) – Manager Coordination CGSS

MEETINGS

Newsletter January – March 2020

6

Meeting between Ministerial Delegation from the Republic of

Kazakhstan and CGSS

On 28th February 2020, a meeting was held between

the Ministerial Delegation from the Republic of

Kazakhstan and the senior management of Center for

Global & Strategic Studies (CGSS). The visiting

delegation from Kazakhstan is being headed by His

Excellency Shakhrat Nuryshev – First Deputy Minister

of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Kazakhstan. The

participants of the meeting stated that Pakistan and

Kazakhstan enjoy close, friendly ties marked by trust

and understanding. The participants stated that

bilateral collaboration between the two countries is

rapidly growing in various sectors. The discussion

focused on various joint initiatives that have been

undertaken between Pakistan and Kazakhstan. It was

decided that the Researchers from Kazakhstan will visit

Pakistan to discuss issues of bilateral interest. The role

of media of both the countries was also brought under consideration. Furthermore, it was

suggested that dramas of both countries must be translated into the languages of the other

country for cultural awareness. The visiting delegation vowed to further contribute for

enhanced cooperation on the bilateral and regional planes.

Newsletter January – March 2020

7

CGSS Delegation and His Excellency Akan Rakhmetullin, Kazakhstan Ambassador Meeting at Islamabad Stock Exchange

On 19th Feb 2020, His Excellency Akan Rakhmetullin, Kazakhstan Ambassador to Pakistan met with Mr. Zahid Latif, Chairman Islamabad Stock Exchange (ISE), and Member Advisory Board CGSS, Lt. Col. Khalid Taimur Akram (Retd), Executive Director CGSS and other Advisory Board Members where future cooperation in the areas of trade and economy were discussed.

Meeting between His Excellency Furqat A. Sidikov – Ambassador of the Republic of Uzbekistan to Pakistan with CGSS Delegation

On 26th February 2020, His Excellency Furqat A. Sidikov – Ambassador of the Republic of Uzbekistan to Pakistan met with CGSS delegation led by Lt Col Khalid Taimur Akram (Retd) – Executive Director CGSS at the Uzbekistan Embassy, Islamabad. During the meeting, CGSS delegation presented a plan explaining future collaboration between Uzbekistan and CGSS.

Newsletter January – March 2020

8

Visit of CGSS Delegation as International Election Observers for

Azerbaijan’s Parliamentary Elections 2020

FOREIGN VISIT

A delegation from Center for Global and Strategic

Studies led by Col Khalid Taimur Akaram (Retd)

Executive Director CGSS and Members from Board of

Experts CGSS including, Dr. Mehmood Ul Hassan Khan

and Mr. Riaz A. Malik visited Azerbaijan as the

International Parliamentary Election Observers.

The delegation visited Azerbaijan on the invitation of

Azerbaijan’s Government to observe and analyze the

Parliamentary Elections of Azerbaijan.

On 7th February the CGSS delegation made a pre-

election visit to various polling stations in the city of

Ganja, Azerbaijan to inspect and observe the

arrangements made by the Election Commission staff.

The CGSS delegation also made a pre-election visit to

polling stations in the Nakchivan City of Azerbaijan on

8th February, 2020 where they were briefed by the

polling staff regarding the preparations of

parliamentary elections.

On the polling day, 9th February 2020, CGSS delegation

visited polling stations at Baku, Azerbaijan to observe

the on-going electoral process. CGSS team was briefed

regarding the procedure by which citizens were casting

their votes.

CGSS team members commented on the professional

and dedicated services of the Polling staff and

appreciated Azerbaijan’s Election Commissions efforts

for holding free and fair parliamentary elections.

Newsletter January – March 2020

9

VISITS OF THE DIGNITARIES

Visit of the Ambassador of Kazakhstan - His Excellency Mr.

Akan Rakhmetullin to CGSS

On 13th January 2020, Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Pakistan -

His Excellency Mr. Akan Rakhmetullin visited CGSS and

appreciated CGSS's efforts in national and international

partnerships as well as CGSS's efforts to promote bilateral ties

between Central Asian countries.

Visit of His Excellency Furqat A. Sidikov – Ambassador of the

Republic of Uzbekistan to Pakistan to CGSS

On 21st January 2020, His Excellency Furqat .A.Sidikov -

Ambassador of the Republic of Uzbekistan to Pakistan visited

CGSS. Lieutenant Colonel Khalid Taimur (Retd) – Executive

Director, CGSS briefed about the new initiatives that CGSS will

undertake in the year 2020 through which the Pakistan-

Uzbekistan relationship will also be promoted.

Visit of His Excellency Erik Beishembiev - Ambassador of the

Kyrgyz Republic to CGSS

On 22nd January 2020, His Excellency Erik Beishembiev -

Ambassador of the Kyrgyz Republic to Pakistan visited CGSS and

discussed matters of mutual interest such as tourism, education,

and culture. He also recognized and appreciated the active role

played by CGSS in regional connectivity.

Newsletter January – March 2020

10

Visit of His Excellency Noordeen Mohamed Shaheid - High

Commissioner of Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka

to CGSS

On 31st January 2020, His Excellency Noordeen Mohamed Shaheid - High Commissioner of Democratic Socialist Republic of

Sri Lanka visited CGSS office where bilateral ties between Sri

Lanka and Pakistan were discussed as well as possible future

collaborations between both countries were also brought under

consideration.

Visit of His Excellency Ismatullo Nasredin- Ambassador of

the Republic of Tajikistan to Pakistan to Center for Global &

Strategic Studies (CGSS), Islamabad

On 9th February, 2020 His Excellency Ismatullo Nasredin-

Ambassador of the Republic of Tajikistan to Pakistan visited

Center for Global & Strategic Studies. New avenues for promoting

research in matters of concerns for both, Tajikistan and Pakistan

were brought under consideration

Visit of Diplomats from the Embassy of Republic of

Azerbaijan to Pakistan to CGSS Office

On 11th March 2020 diplomats from the Embassy of Republic of

Azerbaijan to Pakistan visited CGSS office including Mr. Samir

Guliyev – Second Secretary & Deputy head of the Mission -

Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan & Mr. Elchin Mehdiyev –

Third Secretary, Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan to

Pakistan.

Meeting between Mr. Birzhan Kaneshev- Deputy CEO,

Kazakh Invest, Kazakhstan and Mr. Zahid Latif Khan -

Chairman, Islamabad Stock Exchange & Member Advisory

Board CGSS

On 28th February, 2020 Mr. Birzhan Kaneshev- Deputy CEO,

Kazakh Invest, Kazakhstan had a meeting with Mr. Zahid Latif

Khan - Chairman, Islamabad Stock Exchange & Member Advisory

Board CGSS at Islamabad Stock Exchange where investment

opportunities were discussed.

Newsletter January – March 2020

11

MoU Signing Ceremony between CGSS and Associated Press of Pakistan

On 14th February 2020, an MOU signing ceremony was held between Center for Global & Strategic Studies (CGSS), Islamabad and Associated Press of Pakistan which is the Government operated national news agency of Pakistan. The MOU was signed to promote cooperation between both the organizations in a border range of areas. The MOU was signed by Major General Syed Khalid Amir Jaffery, HI(M) Retd – President CGSS and Mr. Muhammad Qamar Ullah – Director International News Agreements, APP on behalf of their respective organizations.

MoU Signing Ceremony between CGSS and Hanns Seidel Foundation

On 17th January, 2020 a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between Center for Global & Strategic Studies and Hanns Seidel Foundation of Munich, Germany's Pakistan office. As per the agreement CGSS and Hanns Seidel Foundation will work together on initiatives of mutual interest which will result in a wider reach of projects.

MoU Signing Ceremony between CGSS and University of the Punjab, Lahore

On 4th March 2020, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing Ceremony was held between Center for Global & Strategic Studies (CGSS), Islamabad and University of the Punjab, Lahore at Lahore. Both the institutions agreed to facilitate cooperation in the areas of mutual interest. Prof. Dr. Niaz Ahmad Akhtar (S.I.) - Vice-Chancellor, University of the Punjab, Lahore and Major General Hafiz Masroor Ahmed, (Retd) - Vice President CGSS signed the MoU.

Memorandum of Understanding Ceremonies

Newsletter January – March 2020

12

International Conference Report

“Cross-Regional Media Fusion among the Belt and Road Partners”

Report “TAPI- The Project for Peace and

Prosperity”

PUBLICATIONS

Newsletter January – March 2020

13

Due to the prevailing situation of COVID-19 pandemic in the country, CGSS has initiated

‘Online Meetings’ to practice social distancing effectively as per the directives by the

Government of Pakistan. In this regard, the first online meeting was held with Embassy of

the Republic of Uzbekistan. The details are as below:

Center for Global & Strategic Studies (CGSS), Islamabad Online Meeting

with the Embassy of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Islamabad

On 30th March 2020, Lt Col Khalid Taimur Akram (Retd)- Executive Director CGSS had an

online meeting with His Excellency Furqat A. Sidikov - Ambassador of the Republic of

Uzbekistan to Pakistan and diplomats of the Uzbekistan Embassy.

During the meeting it was decided that CGSS and Uzbekistan Embassy will collaborate to

highlight the efforts of Uzbek government in battling COVID 19 and to project Pakistan’s

initiatives in combating COVID-19 in Uzbekistan through sharing of information and articles.

His Excellency Furqat A. Sidikov also suggested to jointly host an inspirational drawing

competition in collaboration with CGSS to uplift the spirits of young students in Pakistan.

ONLINE MEETING