Industry Summit (Sideline Conference -IDEAS 2014) dedicated to Pakistan Navy organized by SASSI.
Karachi, December 3rd, 2014- In the inaugural session Dr. Maria welcomed all the worthy guests and thanked them for their presence. In addition she said, “Global security environment has undergone a shift and there is a need for south to south collaboration.” She also said, “Pakistan’s defence evolution is a success story. And we hope and believe there will be prospects of industrial collaboration for needs and solutions for a better change in Pakistan.”
Vice Admiral Khan Hasham Bin Siddique HI (M), Vice Chief of the Naval Staff, Pakistan Navy gave a commendable speech on Peace and Stability in Indian Ocean- Pakistan Navy’s Contribution. He gave a description on the strategic and economic importance of Indian Ocean and said, “There has been a radical transformation in warfare and Pakistan is directly affected by instability taking place in the Indian Ocean.” Moreover, he said, “Impact of globalization in strategic sea security has led to the menace of terrorism, piracy, and drugs, human and arms trafficking.” In the end he gave an overview of various exercises and activities taking place in collaboration with other countries by the Pakistan Navy.
The session was followed with a speech by the Chief Guest of the evening, Ahsan Iqbal, Federal Minister, Ministry of Planning and Development. In his speech he praised the efforts made by SASSI and said, “I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to South Asian Strategic Stability Institute (SASSI) University and the Defence Export Promotion Organization for anticipating a series of Conferences, the Industry Summit of utmost importance.” He added, “The paradigm of human progress underwent transformation and now machines have been replaced by ideas. Knowledge should be used to create opportunities and to defend itself against challenges, as many security challenges are being faced because of continuous transformation in the global system. We need to look at new trends, challenges and opportunities so we become beneficiaries of those changes and challenges.” In the end he 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. The emerging scenario has thus necessitated a more dynamic role for Pakistan Navy, so as to safeguard our maritime interests, which are key to our economic well being and influence in the region”
Another keynote speaker for the session was Maj. Gen. Ahmad Shiyam, Chief of Maldivian National Defense Forces, Maldives. In his speech he stated that, “In the globalized world, no country can provide security on its own and there is a need for collective efforts.” While praising Pakistan Navy, he said, “We thank Pakistan Navy for protecting the Indian Ocean and also for helping Maldives during the Tsunami in 2004.” In the end he said, “Pakistan and Maldives should collaborate so they can overcome the issues of terrorism, piracy and trafficking.”
H.E. Peter Heyward, Australian High Commissioner ended the session with his speech on Australia and Maritime Security in the Indian Ocean. He said, “Regional security architecture is required for the interaction among regional countries, as the importance of Indian Ocean is increasing and regional countries are prioritizing Indian Ocean, Australia in particular.”
Cdre. (R) Ubaid Ullah, Former Director, Pakistan National Shipping Cooperation, gave a speech on the shipping industry and said that, “Pakistan’s shipping potential is rich and despite of economic recession at the global level Pakistan national shipping corporation has not only been able to sustain itself, but also profitable public sector organization.”
Mr. Faisal Iftikhar, Chief Executive Officer, Fisheries Board said, “There is a need to develop a singular body to avoid replication in all provinces. And the Fishery role is to introduce new techniques and seeds to be imported for commercial use.”
The second session of the sideline conference was focused primarily on access to global commons, shipbuilding and industrial cooperation. The session was chaied by Rear Admiral Syed Imdad Imam Jafri HI (M), Commander logistics (COMLOGS).
The first key note speaker for the session was Rear Admiral Syed Hassan Nasir Shah SI (M), Managing Director, Karachi Shipyard and Engineering Works (KS&EW), Pakistan. He stated that maritime countries have exploited this industry to become great powers. Advancement and technology has effected and improved sea trade but in policy ‘we still follow the natural domain’. He said that sea trade grew 13 times in the last few years, and discussed the potential of the Karachi Shipyard. He discussed his vision for the KS&EW saying that 120 platforms need replacement; cost being $ 5 to 6 billion however if they can be built locally, which would translate into $ 1.2 billion is savings. He said that Pakistan has the potential to build platforms for submarines and warships. In conclusion he identified the need for long-term policy where stakeholder roles are defined.
The session included discussion on indigenous warship design and construction: opportunities and challenges, public/private defence industry collaboration to meet maritime security challenges, aligning technology development with the industry to meet maritime security needs.
The concluding session was chaired by vice admiral Syed Arif Ullah Hussaini HI (M), SBT, Commander Karachi. He thanked SASSI and the federal government and the Pakistan Navy for organizing the summit. In his address he said ‘Baluchistan costal area has significant importance for maritime security’
Vice Admiral (R) Ifitikhar Ahmed Rao, Chairman Executive Committee Shipbuilding Industry, Pakistan highlighted the importance of ship building industry for the economic interest of any country. He said that China has the word’s biggest ship industry as 42% of the ship is industry owned by China being a strategic partner of china Pakistan has ample opportunity to seek assistance from its friends and develop.
Sea born trade is the highest factor in global economies; he said that ‘the world GDP grows along side the sea born trade’. Discussing this point he reminded the participants that after World War II ship building industry became part of the main global policy to develop its economic model, stating that ‘ shipbuilding is an economic catalyst’.
Dr. Abdul Malik, Chief Minister, Government of Baluchistan, Pakistan said that ‘terrorism is national problem from FATA to Baluchistan. The nation has decided to uproot it. He thanked the armed forces for moving us in the right direction and ensured the public that with the passage of time Baluchistan peace situation will improve. In conclusion he said that ‘ I would like to invite all sitting here to come out of their fears and come for investment in Quetta and Gwadar.
The South Asian Strategic Stability Institute (SASSI) University is an autonomous non-profit research organization based on public–private partnership and is a degree-awarding institute dedicated to promoting peace and stability in South Asia. It is devoted to providing a comprehensive, insightful understanding and an objective analysis of strategic stability in South Asia. SASSI University aims to make a leading contribution to regional and international academic and policy-oriented research discourses about the South Asian security.
