Established in 1973, the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI) commemorated its 52nd anniversary today. The event was graced by the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, as Chief Guest. Foreign Secretary Ambassador Amna Baloch also attended; as did a distinguished gathering of diplomats, scholars, representatives from think-tanks and universities, and the media. The occasion severed as a day of celebration of ISSI’s five decades of contributions to policy research, and for reaffirming its commitment to continue a proactive role in impacting the policy process.
In his Keynote Address, Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar presented a comprehensive view of the whole spectrum of Pakistan’s foreign policy in a rapidly transforming world. He lauded the ISSI’s role as Pakistan’s premier think-tank in advancing research-based policy-making and thought leadership. He acknowledged ISSI’s crucial contributions in bridging the academia-policy gap, reinforcing Pakistan’s foreign policy goals, and promoting Pakistan’s strategic outreach to the outside world.
Dilating on the rapidly evolving global order, DPM/FM Ishaq Dar underscored Pakistan’s forward-looking diplomacy in a world marred by wars, climate crises, and power transitions. “We are witnessing a historic shift towards multipolarity,” he stated, citing China’s peaceful rise, Russia’s resurgence, and the growing agency of ‘Middle Powers’ and the ‘Global South’ in global politics.
The Deputy Prime Minister underlined Pakistan’s resolute response in the recent India-Pakistan escalation, and stressed that “India can neither intimidate nor coerce Pakistan.” He also warned against weaponisation of water and rejected India’s unilateral and illegal action of putting the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) “in abeyance” as having no validity. He called for regional peace based on justice, particularly through a just resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with the UN Security Council resolutions and the will of the Kashmiri people. On international issues, he condemned Israel’s genocidal war in Gaza and its aggressive actions against Iran, advocating for adherence to international law and the UN Charter. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering support for the Palestinian right to self-determination and statehood, welcomed the recent ceasefire announced between Iran and Israel, and called for peaceful resolution of all the differences and disputes in the Middle East through dialogue and diplomacy.
The DPM/FM highlighted positive momentum in the region’s trilateral engagements, particularly the Pakistan-Afghanistan-China and Bangladesh-China-Pakistan mechanisms, and welcomed more such initiatives to promote regional cooperation. He emphasized Pakistan’s commitment to geo-economics, international law and the UN Charter, and UN-centred multilateralism, underscoring Pakistan’s active role as an elected member of the UN Security Council. “We aim to be the voice of the voiceless and the power of the powerless,” he said. Concluding, he congratulated ISSI on its Foundation Day and reaffirmed the Foreign Office’s continued partnership with the Institute.
Earlier, in his remarks, Director General ISSI Ambassador Sohail Mahmood welcomed the participants and thanked the DPM/FM for gracing the occasion as chief guest. Reflecting on Pakistan’s resolute response to India’s post-Pahalgam aggression, he highlighted the unified efforts of the country’s political and military leadership, state institutions, diplomats, media, civil society and the youth in safeguarding national interests in the military, diplomatic and information domains. He noted that Pakistan’s principled and fact-based narrative had prevailed on the global stage, reaffirming the country’s rising geostrategic salience. Looking ahead, he urged continued focus on preparedness against any potential misadventure by India; fortifying internal security, political stability, and emerging economic growth trajectory; and pursuing imaginative and proactive diplomacy to seize new opportunities regionally and internationally.
In this evolving landscape, he emphasized the growing importance of think-tanks like ISSI in informing policy and advancing national interests. Reviewing ISSI’s performance since its 51st anniversary last year, Ambassador Sohail Mahmood underscored the Institute’s role as Pakistan’s premier think-tank, driven by a dedicated faculty and guided by its founding vision. Over the past year, he noted, the ISSI organized more than 165 events, published over 180 Issue Briefs, contributed scholarly articles and book chapters, and hosted international dialogues on themes ranging from the global order and major power dynamics to CPEC, climate change, critical emerging technologies, and the Jammu and Kashmir dispute.
With nearly 100 institutional partnerships and active engagement with youth and global counterparts, he stressed that the ISSI has strengthened its research-policy bridge role and deepened national and international outreach. He announced the release of 5 new books piloted by ISSI’s Centres and reaffirmed the Institute’s continued commitment to producing actionable insights, supporting Pakistan’s foreign policy, and serving as a trusted platform for informed policy discourse.
During the event, the ISSI presented its seven latest publications to the Deputy PM/Foreign Minister, including: Pakistan-China Relations: Connecting at the People’s Level by the China-Pakistan Study Centre; The Kashmir Question in a Changing World: Beyond August 2019 by the India Study Centre; A New Era of Uncertainty: Emerging Technologies and Strategic Stability by the Arms Control & Disarmament Centre; Crossroads of Conflict: Transnational Terrorism from Afghanistan to Africa by the Centre for Afghanistan, Middle East & Africa; and Pakistan-Russia Relations: A Comprehensive Historical and Strategic Analysis by the Centre for Strategic Perspectives. Additionally, ISSI’s biannual Journal Strategic Studies and Annual Report 2024 were presented.
In the end, the Chairman BoG Ambassador Khalid Mahmood presented a special shield to the DPM/FM on the occasion. The commemorative event concluded with a cake-cutting ceremony.
