Views@7|PM's china visit|US Iran war and Pakistan's mediation|The Aga KhanArchitect of Hope|23-05-26

Added: 2026-05-24

[00:00:24]Good evening. You're watching Views at 7 with Manu Kureshi. Today we'll explore Pakistan's growing footprint across diplomacy, development and regional connectivity at a very very critical moment of the global affairs. We will begin with the prime minister Shabbal Sharif visit visit to China where the key issues to be discussed are the second phase of CPEC regional connectivity infrastructure development roads and railway development innovation and technological development between the two countries and then we'll move forward and discuss about a very quite but a significant role of Pakistan that is the diplomatic efforts of Pakistan as or CDF Asimon is in Thran to discuss about the reduction of tensions among the regional actors. We'll discuss about that as this visit reflects Pakistan's effort to stabilize the region to reduce tensions among the regional actors and then we'll move forward and discuss about a very interesting book Dang Khan architect of hope. We'll discuss about that as it is a new book by ambassador Dr. Jamil Ahmed. What is inside it? We'll explore in tonight's views at 7:00. That will start with Prime Minister Shabbal Sharif visit to China as Prime Minister Shabbah Sharif is currently on official visit to China at a very significant time for Pakistan's economy, regional diplomacy and obviously the strategic partnership as well as the visit comes as Pakistan seeks seeks economic stability, industrial modernization, foreign investment and obviously the stronger regional connectivity under the second phase of CPEG. Discussions are expected to focus on trade, technology transfer, um technology transfer, agricultural modernization, uh clean energy and of course the infrastructure development as well. Industrial cooperation and investment opportunities are also expected to be discussed in this uh visit alongside the regional stability and defense collaboration between the two countries. And it is believed that the visit could open a new phase of practical economic cooperation between the two countries Pakistan and China and further strengthen the longstanding Pakistan China strategic partnership. To discuss about that we are joined by international affairs expert Kamur Akram Sab and we are having geopolitical analyst Malik Aubal Sab as well. Welcome you both in program views at 7. I'll start with you Khal. So what do you think that can PM Shabbazal Shar's China visit you know open a new era for economic cooperation mainly focused on the industrial growth innovation and you know the long-term stability for Pakistan and for the region as well.

[00:03:05]>> Yes, thank you very much. Uh as we know that uh uh as we know that uh uh Prime Minister Shabbash Sharif uh last went to uh China was in September 2025 and we saw uh there was a big B2B forum over there and billions of MUS and agreements were signed and Chinese industry they pledged to come to Pakistan and ever since then we have seen lot of Chinese companies coming to Pakistan and uh uh there lot of uh Chinese tech companies coming to Pakistan. Uh now this visit of prime minister is very very important. uh not only geopolitically it's very important but also uh this visit comes at a point when uh we are seeing lot of surge of uh uh uh traffic uh at Gawadada and Karachi port and uh the Gawadada port is now uh very much operational and we have seen lots of ship because of the Middle situation coming to Gawadada and uh Pakistan has become the logistic hub not only for central Asia but also also for China and for the region and I think during this trip uh the agreements and uh the talks which are going to happen are mostly about uh they are going to be on uh the smart technologies innovation agriculture and of course the B2B cooperation uh the enhancement of B2B cooperation is very much important for CPAC phase 2 as we know that Pakistan is now connected by road with central Asia Pakistan is connected Ed through CPAC with China and through China Pakistan is now connected with the rest of the world because CPAC is one of those six initial corridors which China had planned. Uh and the work infrastructure work on all the six corridors are already completed.

[00:05:01]So I see this trip uh important because of three reasons. one the geopolitical reasons uh because as we know that Pakistan has not only become a very important player uh in geopolitics but Pakistan has emerged as a middle power in the region and China acknowledges it and China also acknowledges the role of Pakistan in mediation between uh uh US and Iran. The second thing is the CPAC phase 2. CPAC phase 2 is all about business-to- business collaboration and we see that Pakistan has started lots of new policies for the ease of business and we see that uh because of these ease of business policies lot of Chinese business coming to Pakistan and the third important is bringing the Chinese technology to Pakistan. I feel that now this is the time that Pakistan should mostly focus on the transfer of technologies on electric vehicles on or we badly need transfer of technologies in a way that for our future generations we should not only bring in the assembly lines from China but also the transfer of technology and most importantly the research and development.

[00:06:16]>> All right point is well taken. Pakistan is uh already become a logistic hub not only for China but for the regional countries as well and the second phase is all about the businessto business collaborations moving forward with the same notion what do you think that Zumbal Sab as Khalat Murab has mentioned that it is a high time for Pakistan to work for the technological advancement and technological transfer with the with China. So would you think that could the second phase of Cpek if we just talk about CPEC only could this second phase become a gamecher by moving Pakistan China cooperation towards technological advancement manufacturing and employment generation because it is the part and parcel and it is the need of an as well for Pakistan.

[00:07:02]>> Thank you very much for having me. Yes, I think that first of all the visit of the prime minister is also very important at this time because when the international heads coming to Beijing, I think prime minister Shabbah Sharif here uh it's mean that Pakistan increasing importers in the geopolitical geostrategical and international arena regarding CPAC uh yes I think that the second phase of the CPAC is vital because when we talk about the belt and road and uh CPAC was the game changer so we saw there was a pause uh so there was a lot things that happened but I think that the uh that the speed of the CPAC for the second phase in which there was the special economic zone was supposed to build I think that that was that faced some sort of the some sort of the delay but I think that now I think that the prime minister Shabbaz Sharif is here so definitely I think that the Beijing Islamabad will would collaborate uh in a way that they could have some new uh I mean that uh some some movements and some new advancement uh towards the uh the construction of the special economic zone because that could give actually the fruit of the outcome and the outcome of the CPAC that could bring the the job employment employment to the people and especially uh the technology transfer that uh that Tamusa was mentioning about this that was also one of the integral part. So these all things I think that that could be linked with the second phase of the CPAC. Uh because in the first phase we saw there was the infrastructure building there was road bridges and I think that the uh a lot of other mean that the uh the connectivity parts that was built in the first phase. So the second phase is more important and I think that that is exact ex exactly uh where we see that the the positive impact on the Pakistan economy uh will be shed on and uh I think that that that is important right now that there should be things should be moved on the second phase.

[00:08:59]>> All right. But it's not u you know always the direct investment or the direct collaboration. is sometimes the indirect efforts as well to help each other to boost the economic development there and to help each other with their issues. So what do you think that if you shed light on the benefits which both Pakistan and China can get from each other especially how can Pakistan uh I won't say benefit but learn from China in their experience in the poverty reduction industrialization and exportled growth.

[00:09:31]I think Pakistan is an agriculture country and I think that the crunch Pakistani agriculture that face some sort of the major challenges right now and I think that could be overcome only because of the Chinese uh way of the modernization toward the agriculture setup we cannot overcome uh we cannot mean that uh say that the importers of the agriculture that is more than the 70 70% of the agriculture right now so their technology could be used and I think that Pakistan could can get a very handsome amount of the revenue uh in terms of its like the uh exports in agriculture sector and uh because we saw that Pakistani culture and Pakistani rice, Pakistani uh I mean that the salt uh even so these these were the products actually that that was I think the Pakistan was on top two and three. So I think that the rev revival of these things, the revival of the Pakistani cotton, the revival of the Pakistani rice, I think that could that could that could come with some sort of the new invention, innovation into the agriculture sector. Then I think that the the new industry and the new innovation especially toward the industry because we saw there is the the AI the AI revolution that is coming all around the world and then we see the automoils especially the electric vehicles. We we we can get the assembly lines and we can uh we can uh not only import these cars but I think Pakistan can have the potential that they could use these assembly lines and set up and even can can export these these things which China is exporting. So I think that uh these things can bring innovation uh dedication and I think that more uh strengthen of the Pakistan economy and that need I think that the more cooperation between Beijing and Islamabad and some major decision uh but also it's I think that it is very much essential that this all link with the with the CPAC second phase because the major industrial units should be built under CPAC zone 2 uh that was the special economic zones. All right, your point is well taken. Moving forward towards you Khala, we have realized the importance of renewable energy and alternate source of energies while the blockade of state of Hermus and world is keeping themselves with the time and we need to move from the traditional from the conventional sources of energy to the renewable sources of energy and we need to learn from China as well in it.

[00:11:48]What do you think that can Chinese investment especially in Pakistan and clean energy and the green technology help Pakistan to overcome the energy challenges and would it be sustainable for Pakistan to overcome the challenges because we have seen that there are a lot of projects under CPEG the hydro power projects the other wind power projects that are really helpful not only in meeting the challenges of um uh power shortage but also meeting the challenges related to climate change as Well >> yes uh uh uh right now China has emerged as the only country in the world which is uh vigorously working on the clean green energy and if you go to China you would find almost every city uh now converting on solar and uh saving the solar energy uh into the big lithium batteries also and uh so China has gone uh towards clean green energy in a very big way and China has already announced that by 2030 they are going to shut down all their coal plants also uh so that uh uh the carbon emissions can be controlled and uh of course Pakistan can learn a lot from the Chinese model.

[00:13:03]Pakistan is already importing lot of electric vehicles from China and we have seen a surge of uh sales of electric vehicles since last four months ever since uh uh this uh US saran war had started and blockade of s of humus also.

[00:13:19]Uh yes so uh the alternate sources of energy is very very important not only for Pakistan but for the rest of the world and we should be following uh the Chinese model. China has created a balance between the traditional energy resources and the alternative uh source of energies. But for Pakistan, the need of the time is uh not only the energy uh resources and sources but also the grid management. We have to rebuild our transmission lines. We have to uh we have to put a system for grid management. We have to train our young generation. And we have to change our curriculum of the uh engineering universities so that the renewable energy can bring in uh into the curriculum uh of our engineering universities. And also uh we need to revise our uh grid management plan uh for the supply of electricity. And uh as far as energy is concerned, I think that uh the Chinese model for conserving the energy for using uh the clean green energy and uh for the grid management is the best in the world and Pak and China is already helping Pakistan and I think during this visit of the prime minister uh we will see uh a lot of talks on the uh on the energy sector and I'm sure that Pakistan would learn from the Chinese model and we will be very very successful in times to come and we can only attract uh the international investment and the industry in Pakistan if we have a good uh grid management system and if we move towards the clean green energy >> there are a lot of other sectors to obviously to inculcate the Chinese-led development the Chinese-led modernization the Chinese technological advancement especially when it comes to the agricultural sector of Pakistan as a huge number of uh people in Pakistan are working in the agriculture sector or economy is dependent on that. So what is uh the need of an or if we you know just uh mention the three priorities in investment or in um you know in focus what should be done when it comes to the agricultural cooperation and how important is the agricultural cooperation with China in improving Pakistan's food security productivity and climate resilience because we have discussed that uh the need of technological modernization and the transfer of technology between the two countries how much it is important to focus on the agriculture sector as well.

[00:15:57]Yeah, the agriculture sector is extremely important and we have seen China developing hybrid seeds uh in cotton, wheat and uh in vegetables also.

[00:16:08]Um uh I have been working uh with various Chinese universities and uh with Pakistani agriculture university in Mulan and I have seen the uh Chinese hybrid uh uh wheat uh seed and uh the Chinese hybrid cotton seeds because uh China is doing a lot in the uh food security and I think that the Chinese agriculture and Pakistani agriculture uh if we combine together uh we can have lots of yields. Uh the Pakistani agriculture sector uh is now getting quite outdated. We need new machinery.

[00:16:45]We need new innovations. And the Chinese agriculture sector is again become number one in the world. As we know that the Shenzhen cotton is the best cotton in the world and it is used all over the world. Even the US industry they uh prefer the shingan cotton uh because they produce the best genes. And as far as the Chinese agriculture sector is concerned, it has gone to the next level of innovation and technology. And of course, Pakistan is learning through it.

[00:17:15]And we have seen last year uh Prime Minister Shabbash Shri was able to secure 1,000 scholarships for the agriculture uh scientist. And we had sent our uh almost 1,000 scholars over there uh not only to learn the Chinese agriculture sector but also uh to know about the modern methods.

[00:17:36]>> All right. Not only agricultural sector but there are a lot of sectors in which Pakistani students are learning the new technologies and they're coming back resting back in Pakistan and that's the need of an R as well. So posing my next question to you Malika Yubsab could the technology transfer which we have just discussed with the uh Khalur Sab. this technology uh technological uh development and advancement and digital collaboration help Pakistan in modernization of uh its uh you know conventional agriculture sources and what do you think that what is the need of an or um in attraction of uh the business community in Pakistan the Chinese business community to come to Pakistan and invest it's not about the CPC only it is not about the governmenttogoment collaboration I'm asking about the people-to-people collaboration people-to-people invest investment. What needs to be done to attract the people, the business owners, business community from China to come and invest in Pakistan?

[00:18:36]Yeah, sure. I think that there is a strong uh potential of the small and v medium business entrepreneurship. We saw that a lot of Pakistani businessman they come here. There was different festivals. There was Cantonese festival, a lot of other festivals that comes and I think that the Pakistani businessmans they come but the trend that we saw is the mostly like the heavy machinery and some sort of the other automobile parts so they come here but I think that this is something like a very little part but I think that if we see uh the overall landscape of the Chinese technology, Chinese moderation and I think that overall uh the potential for the for the small and the medium business entrepreneurship. So I think that is quite vast and that is quite huge. So there is a huge potential especially for the small and medium business entrepreneur. Uh there is potential of the uh mega businesses and mega businessmen. But I think that the local businessmans and I think they should also open the open and they should move uh to the Chinese markets to explore different things not only from here but I think that there is a huge potential because China is a big market. China is not a small market. They are one of the largest consumer in the world. So they are buying everything from the world. So why not they they they can engage into the Pakistani market and buy a lot of things from Pakistan. So I think that that is also that the initiative that should taken by the Pakistani side and they should explore uh more ventures more gateways and I think that there is potential in Pakistani Pakistani market.

[00:20:00]we we can we can see uh that the uh the the the different things that that could be I think introduced into the China and uh it could it could get a very good revenue uh to uh to especially those entrepreneurship and uh we can see the impact especially at the very grassroot level in Pakistan. regarding you mentioned about the technology of the uh and the innovation towards boosting the agriculture. I think that there is a huge potential especially because when we mentioned about the Pakistani cotton so Pakistani cotton cannot be underestimated. I am I am really a very big fan of Pakistani cotton because we we remember that how the lnospur fabric was all you can see into the western markets and wherever you go and you see the Pakistani fabric lanespur fabric was one of the top fabric in the world. So why not when we can produce this fabric 20 year before why not we can produce this cotton today.

[00:20:52]>> So Mula we have already witnessed the development the betterment of people under the uh project of CPAC in Pakistan be it uh Balojasthan be it KP be it Gawada we have seen what is uh the technological advancement the developmental infrastructure projects are doing to the people there. They are just living their life to the fullest.

[00:21:14]When it comes to Gawadada, we have seen the women empowerment there. We have seen what women are doing in third as well. So it is very important to discuss about such things that are impacting the grassroot level that are impacting the people as well. Thank you so much for joining in views at 7 and sharing your views with us. We were joined by Malika Yub Sumbal who's geopolitical analyst and he has joined us from Beijing. So now moving forward towards you Karata Murab as we have discussed about the second phase of CPAC that is expected to be discussed in the official visit of PM Shabbas to China. So what do you think that can the stronger Pakistan China cooperation in education, skills development and innovations particularly create a new opportunity route for Pakistani youth and how important is the regional connectivity and infrastructure collaboration strengthen the Pakistan's trade and transit route to China and to the regional connectivity as well.

[00:22:15]Am I audible to you? Khalit amab.

[00:22:22]Khalab, can you listen to me?

[00:22:24]>> GG. Yes, I can listen to you. Yes, please.

[00:22:27]>> Uh yeah, I have asked you about uh the second ph under second phase of Cpek. We have seen there's a lot of things that are happening. The course of you know lifestyle has already changed in Gawada in KP and we have seen youth empowerment there. So when it comes to CPEC there is a lot of opportunity and there is a lot of uh space for the youth to work with the Chinese youth and to advance themsel in terms of technology in terms of innovation in terms of education in terms of skill development. But when it comes to the collaboration and relations between China and Pakistan, how important is this connectivity for the trade and transit route especially CPAC in the other projects that would happen in future if uh there would be any other project. How much it is important for the regional connectivity especially in in the time of global crisis in the time where we have seen the world is facing a critical moment especially South Asia especially Middle East.

[00:23:25]>> Yes. uh we first felt the need of the regional connectivity during the co time. I still remember that during the co time Pakistan's trade with Europe and America uh was affected and Pakistani uh small and medium traders they started exploring the regional market and uh they started their trade with central Asia and they started exploring the other original market in Malaysia and Indonesia and other countries. uh but now again uh because of the uh geopolitical situation the regional connectivity has again become need of the time and especially the people-to-people connectivity and the connectivity of the youth which you were just talking about uh there are lots of Pakistani startups and IT companies that I know they're moving towards central Asia the central Asian market uh is of 110 million people of five countries uh Turk Panistan Tajakistan an Kazakhstan, Kyrgystan and Usbakistan. So they are looking towards Pakistan as a big country as a country uh which is good in education which has a very good uh uh system of uh uh various kinds of uh industry and they are truly looking towards us and uh again uh this crisis has provided us an opportunity that we can connect with the central Asian markets and of course through China uh we can connect to the Assan markets and other markets as well. We have seen surge of ships coming in Karachi and in Gawadada port. The Gawadada port which only had a few ships last year now is seeing uh one of the world's biggest ships coming to Pakistan and the transit trade uh which was previously happening through Middle East is now happening through Pakistan. So Pakistan now needs logistic hubs. Pakistan now needs being a transit country. We needs more uh work to be done in the service sector in uh uh providing good services uh to the transit uh uh to the uh goods and people who are transiting through Pakistan especially we need to improve our hospitality industry and other services industries.

[00:25:46]>> All right. We need to improve uh few of our sectors and obviously uh to work more efficiently under the second phase of CPEG to attract more people into it.

[00:25:55]And obviously we are the transit hab as you have mentioned and we need to work on our developmental projects or our infrastructure development because in this uh scenario in this contemporary world where the conflicts are reshaping themselves it is very important to work on interdependence or connectivity and trade and transit route. Thank you so much Khaled Mura for joining us tonight in views at 7. We were joined by international relations expert Khalith Muraba. But now we are moving forward towards Pakistan's quite but significant role as a mediator in de uh escalation of tensions in the region as our chief of defense forces feels marshal is in Thran. in his recent visit to Thran. Uh we have seen that the visit come amidst the intensified diplomatic efforts by Pakistan to facilitate dialogue between US and Iran as the hopes for possible agreement continue to grow and uh all eyes on Pakistan's recent diplomatic engagements, their visits and their talks related to deescalation of tensions. The discussion in Thran are also a part of broader regional mediation efforts in which Pakistan has positioned itself as a key facilitator to reduce tensions, support the ceasefire as we have hosted the first round of Islam talks in Pakistan and um obviously Pakistan is trying to understand and discourage and negotiation negotiation negotiating between the two parties um in settlement of dispute. The engagement takes place at the sensitive moment in the regional geopolitics with ongoing conflict uh dynamics in the Middle East and it is not about the conflict in the Middle East. It is not about the economic uh aspects of this conflict which we have seen in the recent past. It is not about the blockade of uh the straight of our moves but is it is also about the energy security concerns and the international pressures for deescalation and that is shaping the diplomatic environment as well. To talk about that we are joined by our next guest that is Abdul Ro Shakuri. He has joined us from US. He's international affairs expert Abdul Ra Shaguri Sab welcome to the show. How do you think that how significant is the field marshal's role in facilitating Iran's diplomatic engagement through Pakistan? And how significant is this visit in this situation where we have seen the crisis are rapidly unfolding themselves. Every other day there is new story. Every other day there is a new thing to be discussed to be worried about. So what do you think? How significant is this tour?

[00:28:34]>> I think thank you so much for the opportunity. uh before discussing Field Marshall visit to Thran uh and how much significance it has, I think we have to discuss the gaps between Thran and Washington. Their gaps are very deep and significant. One is basically trying to get some restrictions and want verification and other one has mistrust and want want long-term commitment. And it's not just these two countries or these two sides. There is a international community which is expecting a a stability and Pakistan in the middle is trying to basically achieve all those uh whatever they are looking for. So at this time field marshall visit to Thran definitely I'm not expecting that any big announcement of settlement or agreement but I think Pakistan is trying to basic convert that ceasefire into a diplomatic uh what you can say and structural uh dialogue which basically ultimately pave the way for for a comprehensive agreement and peace in the region. So what do you think that can Pakistan's mediation efforts realistically contribute to a durable sustainable US Iran agreement given the deep strategic differences between the two sides which we have witnessed when we were all set for the second round of Islam dialogue? What do you think about it? And when we talk about the growing hopes, how do you look at it? What does the growing hope for the deal indicate about the shifting regional diplomacy in the Middle East?

[00:30:16]I think if we look at the root causes of this conflict, I think the root causes are Iran nuclear program and uranium enrichment. Then US has what you can say some concerns related to their ballistic missiles program. Similarly, there are some sanctions and restrictions from the US. Additionally the Iran's basically proxy the whatever the proxy groups sport and after that the Iran and United States both have mistrust as well. So both party if we look in a broader sense this is not an issue of just a nuclear enrichment but both sides are basically trying to they are rival and there is a decade of sanctions and military intervention military pressures operations and all that and in this situation when Pakistan Pakistan basically played a very good role and brought both the sides at the table in Islamabad and they negotiated and Pakistan basically uh got got a ceasefire as well. So at this time and in this situation I don't think so an agreement or long-term agreement at this position was an achievement but bringing them at the table and securing a ceasefire was a big achievement and Pakistan not only achieved that but Pakistan paved a way for them and brought in a position where they have a working relationship and they are basically continuously talking to each other and trying to resolve their issues diplomatically. So it's a very big achievement for Pakistan and Pakistan is trying hard to for a long-term stability and peace and Pakistan also helped uh like Middle East and South Asia and Central Asia uh and prevented them in involving a bigger conflict. So I think Pakistan role is >> Shakuri. Good.

[00:32:11]>> Or Shakuri Sab. Thank you so much for joining us in views at 7 and sharing your views about the recent visit of CDF as CDF visited uh Thran and we have seen the role of Pakistan in deescalation of tensions and in maintaining and promoting uh the stability in the region. So to talk about the same issue we are joined by Dr. Victor Jilly who's executive director of MEIS. Dr. Victor welcome to the show. We are discussing about the Pakistan's role in mediation Pakistan's role in deescalation of tensions especially when it comes to the current situation where in tensions where in conflict in crisis there are not two or three actors there are multiple actors there are multiple stakeholders there are multiple affectees of this conflict so what do you think that how important is Pakistan's geographic and political positioning in the current scenario acting as a bridge between Iran and US and could Pakistan's mediation role enhance its long-term strategic influence in the I I must say not only in the regional diplomacy but in global diplomacy. What do you think about it?

[00:33:17]>> Yeah, actually uh well thanks for having me on your program. I I think uh the the especially actually the geographic role or you know position of Pakistan was most important uh because we have to consider uh that the Iranians um you know had a hard time to travel uh to a number of other countries and actually it seems that Pakistan was one of the only countries where they could actually travel to to negotiate because otherwise why would the US negotiating team fly 22 hours uh you know across multiple continents every time to for every negotiating round um because you know don't forget that the traditional negotiation hub like Geneva was much more convenient for both parties because they could they could sort sort of meet in the middle geographically. So I think that geographical uh position was was very important. But then of course also Pakistan I mean it's undeniable that they played a very smart and clever role the government uh in in in getting a foothold into that negotiation.

[00:34:27]Pakistan is not a mediation power in the traditional sense. Um mediation business is quite a complex business. there is quite of a complex uh uh you know theory behind it and uh so so the Pakistan bridge into that role was really an an incredible achievement and uh so I think yes both on the geographical and the political position of Pakistan was crucial in bringing about this negotiation the question is what is the next step there now >> all right um as we all know Dr. Victor that it is not a game, it is not a match and it cannot be decided under a specific time frame that it would be succeed or it would not be succeed. But what do you think that that what are the main sticking points that still prevent a comprehensive agreement between US and Iran despite the ongoing talks despite the ongoing efforts and despite the important role which Pakistan is playing right now?

[00:35:27]I think the sticking points are many but I guess the main sticking point is the nuclear program because that is really the one issue where both parties >> can you hear me Dr. Victor >> am I audible to you?

[00:35:50]So basically we are discussing about Pakistan's role as a mediator between US and Iran. We have been covering this since long. Pakistan has already hosted the first round of Islamad dialogue. We were all set for the second round eyes were on Islamad still on Islamabad as we are quietly mediating as we are quietly playing a role of shuttle diplomatic entity. Shuttle diplomatic mediator. Dr. Victor please continue.

[00:36:21]Can you hear me, Dr. Victor?

[00:36:23]>> Excuse me. Uh, yes. I was just >> I can hear you. Can you hear me?

[00:36:30]>> Yeah, I can hear you. Please continue.

[00:36:35]>> Hello.

[00:36:36]>> Yeah, Dr. Victor, can you hear me?

[00:36:38]>> Okay. No, you >> No, I don't think the line is working.

[00:36:44]I'm sorry. I'm in a >> you are completely perfectly audible to us. Can you hear me?

[00:36:51]>> There is some technical issue. We are so sorry for that because u we have been uh you know discussing about a very important thing but there are some technological uh issues. When we talk about Pakistan's role, we have seen that Pakistan is playing a very important role in mediating uh and as we have already discussed about that Pakistan is playing a role of shuttle diplomatic entity and we have discussed about that it is not only about the state, it is not about the military, it is not about the civil military coordination but it is about the people as well who actually promote dialogue, who actually promote stability in the region and one of those people are Prince Ahan. So let's move towards a very interesting book. The a Khan architect of hope is a book written by ambassador Dr. Jam Ahmed Khan. It represents the life vision and humanitarian work of uh a Khan the highness prince Raheem Aakhan five. The book highlights a global role which he's uh we have seen that he has promoted in education in health care in poverty reduction in climate resilience that is the need of NR as well and especially especially in interfaith harmony and through ahan development network we have seen that he has worked tremendously in Pakistan the book describes him a leader who focuses on empowerment over charity and that is the most important thing hope to discuss about that we are joined by the author of book Dr. Jamil Ahmed he's a former ambassador of Pakistan Dr. J welcome to the show.

[00:38:25]>> Thank you very much for having me on your show.

[00:38:27]>> I'll ask you that what inspired you to write about the Aakhan as an architect of hope.

[00:38:34]>> You know I have served in United Nations also for about 10 years and I've seen developmental work and humanitarian humanitarian work um in different countries. You know as a country head I have been uh discharging my responsibilities in United Nations in about five different countries. I saw their developmental work and I found that there is uh so much parallel with AKDN which has about quite a few agencies, six major agencies which it has and the kind of developmental work they are doing the kind of service to the humanity the kind of outreach which they have it in the farflung areas where the interventions are required for the development. So that was the main focus my uh in my area. And then once I started pondering upon how these these projects and how these concepts have been conceived by the family of the Aakhan that that that really raised my inquisitiveness to explore and once I I started doing research I found that there are so many model which one could really uh emulate in in various countries and uh I've seen their work in Africa. I've seen their work in um the central Asia. Uh so the there are about 30 different countries there is involved in rendering their services and that's why I have seen the those areas which did not have anything even they did not have the sense how to really lead their life and now they are quite sustainable and they are standing on their own feet. they are sustaining themsel they are quite prudent members of the society um in their respective in our country GB is one of those examples um in this book I have covered that and I've covered that that's why the title of the book >> as you have mentioned that you have already uh discussed about GB and if you just talk about the Ahan development network so how does the Ahan development network's work uh you know translate into the idea of hope into the real development on ground in this book.

[00:40:50]So basically the ar the the Aakhan architect of hope is presented not merely as a biography but it's basically it covers the AKDN and it's some it's a moral blueprint is the developmental model the global call for compassion and the ethical uh leadership and the book also urges leaders policy makers and the uh societies to embrace education ruralism sustainability ility service to the humanity. So these are the things AKDN is doing and uh hope is basically I have emphasized and each word which has been used that hope is not merely a dream it is a responsibility and a pathway towards peace dignity and global progress so that's why I emphasize and then Ahan developmental network they transform the hope into the real implementable sustainable projects And then they they uplift the societies from those respective areas of intervention and basically highlighting uh the education. Yes, that has been a core of transformation and the empowerment sustainable uh sustainability. So education they have just emphasized and focused the as as a fundamental empowerment of the um people and once that fundamental empowerment uh what I saw myself you know I was in my young days posted there in GB long time back while I was serving in the armed forces initially as a captain um and I saw at that time and once I go there now then I started going into some details and I saw that in 1960s the first golden jubli was established there in that area at that time the rate of education was only 3% as we are running short of time Dr. Dr. Shamir as we are running short of time and I have a lot of questions in my mind about this book. So can you please shed light on the approach because I have a lot of things to be discussed and we have to wind up the show but can you please shed light on the approach of empowerment over charity that is the vision of a Khan. So um you have worked on it. You have written a book on it.

[00:43:16]Can you please u talk about it? what what is the uh things what are the things that were mentioned in the book about this empowerment over charity and what were the projects on which Ahan worked on as it has changed the traditional development thinking and at the end I want you to give a message about this book about about the working the visions of Arahan to the youth especially because there are a lot of projects for the youth which are going on in different areas of Pakistan under ahan development network >> the government basically makes the people sustainable in their life and they become the prudent citizen and that's what I have emphasized there and that's why what I have seen that what AKDN has been doing in those respective areas as a matter of fact so one that the empowerment takes a human being towards sustainability and towards uh just becoming more respectable more more independent person in the society and once you find more people prudent for the society the society flourishes more and the society further it it transform into a good nation and that's how the countries they start progressing and that this is what I found there and that's why why I s saw that there were 200 schools worldwide across 12 different countries and they're educating more than 96,000 students even now and it's It's very smart. So wherever they go instead of giving them charity you know like in so many countries there are people who are totally dependent on charity but then charity really doesn't make a person to to have a proper ego proper sustainability and be prudent for themsel and for the society and that's the reason the I've seen that the schools they are robot in in in this 20th century 21st century they started robot robot context technology see the foresightedness and that's one another point which really caught my eyes there and the way they they do the innovation the skills development so that is that is this think about a century ahead and in the context of geopolitical landscape gawad was one which was purchased $3 million by Aakhan 3 and was presented to Pakistan it was purchased from Oman and see the vision at that time and see the importance of Gawadada its connectivity ity and it's a pivotal area for the connectivity and for the prosperity of the region the SEO so and and and the Aakhan f prince rahim aakhan he he himself such a visionary leader that he wrote a letter to the prime minister of India and prime minister of Pakistan during marai to to cater and to to address the uh the the issues that humanity should really flourish and they should not be in the conflict. So the the the current president aakhan his highness prince rahan he has gone a step forward in addressing all the human as well as the geopolitical landscape within the geopolitical landscape he's rendering services to the humanity. Yes.

[00:46:41]>> All right. Thank you so much Dr. Dr. Jamil Ahmed for joining us tonight in views in seven and discussed about your recent book on Prince Aakhan that is the Allah Khan architect of hope and in tonight's views at 7 we have discussed about the expanding footprints of Pakistan be it the regional connectivity be it the developmental projects be it as a role of mediators and be it the heroes who are playing their role in development of Pakistani youth Pakistani uh technological advancement and especially the Pakistani education sector as So that's it from today's views at 7. This is your host Manu Kureshi signing off. Keep watching Pakistan TV.