Sada-e-Watan
Sydney ™
sadaewatan@gmail.com
The University of Canberra organized a Roundtable on Latest Situation of Pakistan
The University of Canberra (UC) organized a Roundtable on Pakistan on 2nd June 2011, to discuss the latest situation in Pakistan, following the death of Osama bin Laden in a covert operation in Abbottabad. The Roundtable was the initiative of Dr. Tahmina Rashid, Associate Professor, Discipline Head Arts and Humanities, University of Canberra. Dr. Tahmina is a Pakistani origin Australian academic and had recently visited Pakistan for a project on de-radicalization efforts in Swat valley. The roundtable was followed by an exhibition of photographs of paintings made by the children of Swat valley, especially those who had been de-radicalized by Pakistan Army.
The Roundtable was chaired by Prof. General (Retd) Peter Leahy, Director of National Security Institute, University of Canberra and the Acting High Commissioner of Pakistan Mr. Tasawar Khan. Before assuming academic responsibilities in the University of Canberra, General Peter Leahy was the Chief of Australian Army from June 2002 to June 2005. He visited Pakistan during his command of the Australian Army and has excellent understanding of the situation and challenges posed by extremism and terrorism.
The first part of the roundtable comprised remarks/presentations on different subjects made by the following:-
*Prof. Peter Leahy, Director, National Security Institute.
*Mr. Tasawar Khan, Acting High Commissioner of Pakistan
*Brig. Zahoor Ahmed, Defence Adviser, Pakistan High Commission
*Brig. (Rtd) Babar Virk, former DA, Pakistan High Commission
*Prof. Tahmina Rashid, Associate Professor International Studies, UC
*Mr. Nicholas Stuart, Senior journalist, The Canberra Times
*Mr. Mark Briskey, Ph.D. scholar at Australian Defence Forces Academy
*Dr. Jason Flanagan, Assistant Professor International Studies
The following officials, journalists and academics attended the Roundtable and participated in the discussion after the presentations:
§ Mr. Brendon Nicholas, Defence Editor, Daily “The Australian”
§ Ambassador Khizer Hayat Niazi, Former High Commissioner of Pakistan to Australia.
§ Mr. Merrill, PhD Scholar, University of Canberra
§ Dr. Sandra Mustafa, Community Development, University of Canberra.
§ Ms Barbara O’Dewyer, Former Gender Advisor – AUSAID
§ Dr. Nawal.El-Gack, Assistant Professor, University of Canberra
§ Dr. Sue Thompson, The Asia Pacific Civil-Military Centre of Excellence
§ Dr. Abdul Hakeem, Australian Bureau of Statistics
§ Mr. Khalid Chohan, PhD Scholar, Australian National University
§ Dr. Greg Battye, International Relations, University of Canberra
§ Dr. Takele Bulto, Post Doctorate Fellow, Australian National University
§ Dr. Ravindra Tomar, Senior Researcher, Foreign Affairs, Defence & Security Section, Australian Parliament.
§ Mr. Mustafa Ali, Defence Section, UAE Embassy.
§ Mr. Faisal Ali, Australian National University.
A range of subjects relating to post OBL situation, future scenario for Pakistan, history and present state of radicalization and terrorism in the region, current state of Pak-US relations, challenges faced by Pakistan and role of armed forces in the country were discussed. The Acting High Commissioner presented Pakistan’s official position and reaction on the US covert operation, killing of Osama bin Laden and ensuing efforts to iron out wrinkles in Pak-US relations. Dr Tahmina and Nic Stuart shared their thoughts and personal experiences in Pakistan.
The Roundtable was followed by the opening of an exhibition of photographs of painting made by children of Swat Valley, which reflected their innocent minds had been scared by the fear and violence perpetrated by extremists and terrorists in the valley of Swat, which was once known as a heaven for Pakistani and international tourists.
