ISLAMABAD, Jan. 30 (China Urdu) — Pakistan has played a frontline role in combating terrorism, making immense sacrifices to restore peace and stability in South Asia and beyond, said experts on Thursday.
The Institute for Strategic Studies, Research and Analysis (ISSRA) at National Defense University (NDU), Islamabad, hosted an international seminar on “Pakistan’s Role in Counter-Terrorism: Promoting Peace and Stability.”
The event brought together renowned experts, diplomats, and security analysts from Pakistan and beyond, including Amb. Dr. Hazrat Omar Zahilwal (Afghanistan), Prof. Dr. Seyed Muhammad Marandi (Iran), Amb. Anne Woods Patterson (United States), and Amb. Syed Abrar Hussain (Pakistan).
A diverse audience comprising government officials, diplomats, scholars, journalists, and university students attended the seminar, underscoring the growing global interest in counter-terrorism and regional security.
Discussions during the seminar highlighted Pakistan’s extensive contributions to global counter-terrorism efforts over the past two decades.
Speakers reviewed Pakistan’s counter-terrorism strategies, including its military operations Zarb-e-Azb and Radd-ul-Fasaad, which effectively dismantled terror networks, restored stability in volatile regions like North Waziristan and Swat, and significantly reduced terrorist incidents across the country. However, the abrupt U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021 has led to a resurgence of militant activity in Pakistan, posing renewed security challenges.
Addressing the seminar, Ambassador Mohammad Sadiq, the Guest of Honour, and Federal Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif, the Chief Guest, emphasized the importance of regional collaboration in tackling terrorism.
The seminar concluded with a strong call for deeper cooperation between Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran, and other regional partners to strengthen security frameworks and combat terrorism collectively.
Experts stressed that enhanced intelligence-sharing, joint counter-terrorism operations, and diplomatic coordination are essential to achieving lasting peace and stability in the region.
The discussions reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to counter-terrorism efforts, while highlighting the need for a comprehensive, multi-dimensional approach to address emerging security threats.
Muhammad Sohail Bhatti
Senior journalist and Editor of daily China Urdu in Islamabad.