Rawalpindi, March 6: Two landmark events were jointly organized, at National Defence University Islamabad today; the upgradation of National Defence College (NDC) to a University (NDU) and the holding of first ever International Conference on UN Peacekeeping in NDU.
Inaugural ceremony of National Defence University included unveiling of the plaque and address by the President of Pakistan, General Pervez Musharraf.
President, General Pervez Musharraf, in his address expressed his immense pleasure and congratulated the President of the University Lieutenant General Raza Muhammad Khan and the faculty on grant of charter to the National Defence College to University and holding of International Conference on UN Peacekeeping. Talking about the establishment of the National Defence University President said “We are aware that progress in every practical field depends on having capacities to educate our people. Education, particularly higher education is a way to foster the development of the individual, the society, also the public and the private sectors”. President said that establishment of National Defence University will go a long way in developing national cohesion and perspectives, thereby strengthening national security and stability. "Thus in pursuit of the Government's policy to promote higher education, I have already announced to set up nine universities across the country, which will offer disciplines in natural sciences," the President said.
The establishment of the National Defence University is also a
manifestation of the same policy and equally important, in a way, as it would offer new disciplines in applied arts and social sciences for the first time in Pakistan. The president said that the Government has adopted a holistic approach for betterment of education, enhancing the budget allocation from 2.7 to 4 % of GDP.
Talking about National Security President said that conflict environment has changed substantially and, therefore, there has to be a shift in the National Security paradigm. It has broadened the spectrum of unconventional risks, diversification of crisis and new dimensions of conflicts which has forced nations around and also us to rethink the response paradigm. President said that in the past we dealt with traditional security which again had a military connotation. Now we are talking of the non traditional security threat which deals basically with Human Resource and Security both, so there is a total paradigm shift.
Talking about UN Peacekeeping President said that the International Conference on UN Peace Keeping would provide substantive intellectual guidance to all present here about understanding the dynamics of UN Peacekeeping efforts across the world and how to enhance and support these efforts. . President hoped that this gathering of distinguished international and domestic speakers and audience shall share their experience to achieve this aim. He expressed confidence, that through vision, extensive experience and expertise of all participants, we would be able to meet all objectives of the Conference. President quoting the father of the Nation Mohammad Ali Jinnah; said:
“Pakistan will never be found lacking in extending material and moral support to the United Nations in upholding the principles of the UN Charter”.
President elaborated that, Pakistan firmly believes in the purpose and principles of the UN Charter and its contribution to UN Peacekeeping efforts has been as wide ranging as the varied cultural, geographic, political and security conditions prevalent in the area of operations. Pakistan’s policy of contributing troops for UN Peacekeeping Operations is based on our conviction that Peacekeeping is an essential tool for maintaining international peace and security. President also shared his personnel experience of the past as Director General Military Operations about Peacekeeping missions and highlighted some glaring achievements of Pakistani Troops; whereas in the past Pakistan has contributed peacekeepers, peace enforcers, peace makers and peace builders to 18 UN missions in 19 countries. Pakistan is one of the oldest, largest and most consistent contributors of UN Peacekeeping missions in the world. Today, Pakistan is the largest contributor to UN peace operations around the world. Pakistan’s current deployments include six major missions in Congo, Libera, Ivory Coast, Sudan, Haiti and Kosovo. In addition, we are contributing 130 Military Observers and 55 Staff Officers in 13 countries. Pakistan is also an active member of UN Peace Building Commission, charged with proposing integrated strategies for post conflict peace building and recovery. Pakistan has also provided over 690 Police personnel to UN Missions in the past and presently over 170 policemen are deployed in Kosovo, Libera, East Timor, Sudan and the Ivory Coast. President said that UN Secretary General and other high ranking UN officials and foreign Force Commanders have on many occasions complimented our contingents for their dedication and professionalism which is an honour for all of us.
Lieutenant General Raza Muhammad Khan, President National Defence University, welcomed the distinguished guests from various countries, different organizations and institutions. In his welcome address Lieutenant General Raza highlighted the importance of the International Peacekeeping conference. He welcomed the participants and hoped that their presence will be mutually rewarding for the future peacekeeping operations. He said that NDU shall host another such event in the year 2009 in collaboration with the challenges partners for peace programme. Speaking about the new charter of the University he said that within the present campus, the existing two academic wings of the erstwhile National Defence College stand upgraded as constituent colleges of the NDU and have been renamed as the Armed Forces War College and the National Security College. Both these colleges will now be in a better position to run additional, pinnacle, keystone and capstone courses. He said that the three military institutions Command and Staff College Quetta, Naval War College Lahore, Air War College Karachi will soon be affiliated with NDU. President NDU said that with the establishment of the National Defence University, the Government’s vision of promoting higher learning, quality research and academic pursuits in new disciplines has been realised.
In the proceeding sessions in the afternoon the participants dwelt at length on “Peacekeeping operations: Case Studies”. Dr Shireen Mazari chaired the session while Mr Khursheed Mehmood Karuri, Foreign Minister made the key note speech. Lieutenant General (Retd) Imtiaz Shaheen shared his experiences in Somalia.
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Rawalpindi, March 6:- General Wolfgang Schneiderhan, Chief of Staff of the German Armed Forces called on General Ehsan Ul Haq, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee at the Joint Staff Headquarters.
On his arrival at the Joint Staff Headquarters, Chairman JCSC received the Chief of Staff of the German Armed Forces. A smartly turned out tri services contingent presented a guard of honour to the dignitary.
Later, General Wolfgang joined Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee for formal talks, focusing on matters of mutual interest. He was also given a presentation on the strategic concerns of the region.
General Wolfgang Schneiderhan, who is accompanied by his wife, Mrs Elke Schneiderhan; is in Pakistan on a six-day visit. General Wolfgang joined the Budeswehr in 1966 and has been in various command and staff positions and has also served in NATO.
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