The main theme of the first session was the Change of Pakistan’s Afghan Policy and its Regional Implications. Najmuddin A. Shiekh, former secretary of foreign affairs (Pakistan) spoke on, “The current Pak-India impasse: prospect for an early resolution”. He said that India will not initiate a war but will continue to make war-like noises so as to deflect the pressure from the international community. Prof. Tahir Amin, while presenting his paper on Pak-Afghan relations since the fall of Taliban, said Pakistan needs to have a strategic vision in terms of devising a long-term Afghan policy keeping in view the rapidly changing domestic, regional and global scenario. He said that Pakistan’s Afghan policy has been in complete disarray since its U-turn after Taliban debacle and the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan. Pakistan has encountered a deep-seated hostility from both the Northern Alliance as well as from Pukhtuns who had formed the main support base for the Taliban.

Dr. Artem Rudnistky said that Pak-Russian relations have been substantially contributing to regional development and the academic myth was changing into political reality. He said that lack of proper economic interaction between the two countries was the main obstacle, which needs to be overcome. He was of the opinion that Russian stand on Kashmir issue was not offensive to either side. The recent visit of Pakistan president to Russia and Pakistan’s efforts against combating terrorism are milestones in redefining Pak-Russia relations. Ms. Farzin Nia of Iran in her paper on “Pak-Iran relations Back on Track” said that both countries should take solid steps to remove the prevailing hurdles in trade and economic ties including smuggling and drug trafficking. Both countries should also cooperate in the reconstruction of Afghanistan. Mr. M.B. Naqvi said that the foreign policy of a country is determined by domestic affairs, and unfortunately; Pakistan’s domestic political situation had been disturbed from 1953 onward when the Pakistan army interfered in the political affairs of the country.

Gen. (Retd) Mirza Aslam Beg presented his paper on India-Pakistan standoff and the stability of nuclear deterrence. There is no balance in respect of military might (army, navy, air force) between India and Pakistan, but he argued it is the nuclear deterrence that balances the power of the two states. Dr. Pervez Iqbal Cheema spoke on “Pakistan-India and the U.S. Campaign against terrorism.” He said that there is no universal definition of terrorism, even the UN is unable to define it, and also that there are three reasons for terrorism: denial, injustice, and deprivation. Dr. Farooq Hasnat expressed his views on new perspectives on Pakistan’s relations with Central Asian Republics.

Dr. Maqbool Ahmad Bhatti delivered his paper on Pakistan\'s relations with China and Japan. Both countries are very important for Pakistan. Pak-China and Pak-Japan has recently celebrated their golden jubilees of relations. China is the only great power with which Pakistan has direct boundaries. Pakistan and China have many common features: both are developing countries, both have similar approaches to world economics, both have a friendship based on trust and confidence. Japan is the biggest investor in Pakistan and politically it has a security pact with U.S.. Japan put economic sanctions on Pakistan in 1998 after the nuclear tests it conducted, but lifted it when Pakistan became ally of U.S. during the war against terrorism. Dr. Talat Wizarat read out her paper on Pakistan and Middle East. She said that the U.S. bases in Pakistan have negatively influenced the relations of Pakistan with many Middle Eastern Countries.

Dr. Shirin Mazari presented her paper on, “New Strains and Future Prospects for Bilateral Relations.” She said that Indo-U.S. strategic cooperation and jointly patrolling in the Indian Ocean is posing a security threat to Pakistan. The influence and presence of the two countries in Afghanistan will also create new strains in the bilateral relations. She said that the U.S. administration has ignored state terrorism of which Kashmir and Palestine are main victims. She also said that the presence of FBI in Pakistan, raids on houses and institutions would lead to conflict in civil society. She suggested that Pakistan should prefer multilateralism. Nazir Hussain presented his paper on “Pakistani Nuclear Policy and the U.S..”