ISLAMABAD: The Centre for Afghanistan, Middle East and Africa (CAMEA) at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI), in collaboration with the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, Pakistan office, hosted a one-day International Conference, titled ‘Pakistan in a Transforming Geopolitical Environment.’
Speakers, including Murtaza Solangi, Spokesperson for the President of Pakistan, Felix Kolbitz, Country Director, FES Pakistan, and Arno Kirchhof, Charge d’Affaires, Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany, Islamabad, delivered their speeches.
Solangi said that Pakistan today is also at the intersection of several transitions: unsettled Pakistan-Afghanistan relations and a fast-moving global order. These are the most consequential years for Pakistan. Last year’s India-Pakistan war and the continued conflict between the United States and Iran affect Pakistan.
Pakistan maintains good ties with the GCC, China, and the US. Pakistan has tried to reposition itself and has tried to bring peace to a volatile region. Pakistan seeks a peaceful and stable relationship with Afghanistan and has historically stood with the Afghan people. Pakistan would not like to see Afghanistan become a global sanctuary for terrorism.
Pakistan welcomes China’s, Turkiye’s, and Qatar’s mediation about its relationship with Afghanistan. Pakistan is also interested in trans-regional connectivity. Pakistan’s defense pact with Saudi Arabia is part of our broader agenda of improving relationships with the GCC, and Pakistan has a very sound relationship with Iran.
Arno Kirchhof presented the European Union as an example to express optimism regarding the functionality and sustainability of the ‘rule-based world order’, despite persistent challenges. He identified several key areas in which Pakistan could establish and strengthen its partnership with Germany and other European countries. He stressed the need to further enhance trade, investment, and human resource exchange between Pakistan and Germany.
Felix Kolbitz applauded Pakistan’s recent global diplomatic maneuvering in the region and beyond as remarkable. With successfully brokering a peace deal between Iran and the United States, as well as, concluding a defense agreement with Saudi Arabia, Pakistan has emerged as a net security provider for the region. Indicating Pakistan’s unique geography, he identified several key challenges facing Pakistan, such as water and climate security and transnational terrorism.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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