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Aman: Pakistan’S Dynamic Initiative for Peace WEBINAR REPORT AMAN: PAKISTAN’S DYNAMIC INITIATIVE FOR PEACE www.maritimestudyforum.org Category: Event Report Title: Webinar Report – AMAN: Pakistan’s Dynamic Initiative for Peace Written by: Muneeb Salman – Research Associate MSF Shazia Habib – Research Associate MSF Reviewed by: Baber Ali Bhatti – Senior Research Associate MSF Designed by: Haadia Nasir – Graphic Designer MSF Published: January 2021 A publication of Maritime Study Forum – an Islamabad based independent think tank. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or information storage and retrieval system, without prior written permission of the publisher. MSF envisions itself as a leading platform for stakeholders in generating policy- oriented discourse on national, regional and global maritime affairs domains. Contact Information: Maritime Study Forum Waqar Plaza, Street 67, F-10/3, Islamabad – Pakistan Telephone: +92 518315615 Email: [email protected] Website: www.maritimestudyforum.org Concept Note Pakistan has always been a responsible state, and its commitment to ‘peaceful existence’ and desire for regional stability is reflected through its participation in various international peace keeping missions, Combined Task Forces 150 and 151, various indigenous initiatives and multilateral exercises like Regional Maritime Security Patrols (RMSP) and AMAN exercises. AMAN series of multi-national naval exercises was initiated by Pakistan Navy in 2007. The aim of this exercise was to enhance naval cooperation, promote regional stability and strengthen interoperability with regional navies. It also aims to strengthen mutual understanding and areas of common interests. The significance of AMAN exercises grew with the participation of major naval powers. It is one of the most important initiatives taken by Pakistan Navy in combating threats at sea. AMAN exercise, held biennially since 2007, also reflects Pakistan’s desire for peace in the entire Indian Ocean. This year the 7th AMAN naval drill will be held in February 2021. AMAN exercise is the harbinger of cooperation that brings different ships, corvettes, aircrafts, and observers from participant countries closer. This year AMAN exercise will feature ships from Russia’s Black Sea fleet, as well as NATO member states. It is the first time that Russia and NATO members are participating in any naval drills jointly after the change of government in USA. This shows Pakistan’s profound commitment for peace and stability in the region at a time when the region is being militarized and polarized on lines of major power competition. This naval drill is also significant because the three maritime giants; the USA, China and Russia are going to be present on one platform at AMAN. This year’s brief by Directorate General Public Relations (DGPR) Pakistan Navy states the concept of exercise as to provide common forum for: a. Information sharing, mutual understanding and identifying areas of common interests for group analysis and dialogues through lnternational Maritime Conference. b. Developing and practicing response tactics, techniques and procedures against asymmetric and traditional threats during sea phase of the exercise. c. lntermingling of multinationals with depiction of their respective cultures during cultural shows/food galas. The focused objectives of the exercise are stated as: a. Enhance interoperability with regional and extra regional navies thereby acting as a bridge between the regions. b. Display united resolve against terrorism and crimes in the maritime domain. ( 1 ) The exercise will be divided into harbour phase and sea phase. The harbour phase will include different ceremonies, wreath laying at Yadgaar-e-Shuhada, a cultural festival, calls and visits to friendly ships, a maritime counter-terrorism demo, and an International Maritime Conference (IMC) held at National Center for Maritime Policy Research (NCMPR), Bahria University. While the sea phase at exercise will include an international fleet review, and various drills and demonstrations by Pakistan Navy and participant countries’ fleets. As the region has witnessed the upsurge of polarized naval coalitions, this is the only exercise that aims to promote cooperation and peace in the entire region. Thus, in order to deliberate upon Pakistan’s efforts in AMAN and its future maritime prospects, Maritime Study Forum organized a webinar titled, “AMAN: Pakistan's Dynamic Initiative for Peace”, on Friday, January 29, 2021. The webinar was held via Zoom from 03:00 PM – 04:30 PM. The panelists at webinar included Commodore (R) Syed Mohammed Obaidullah, Member Board of Advisors MSF and Founding Director National Center for Maritime Policy Research (NCMPR), Dr. Khuram Iqbal, Member Board of Directors MSF and HOD Department of International Relations, National Defence University, and Mr. Ejaz Haider, Executive Editor Indus News. The webinar was moderated by Attorney Muslim Bin Aqeel, Research Associate MSF. ( 2 ) Speaker Profiles Commodore (R) Syed Mohammed Obaidullah, SI(M) Commodore (R) Syed Mohammed Obaidullah is Member Board of Advisors MSF. He graduated from Pakistan Navy with the distinction of coveted Sword of Honor. He established Pakistan Marines in 1990, and remained 1st Commander Pakistan Marines for 3 years. He also established National Center for Maritime Policy Research (NCMPR) in 2007. He is Recipient of Tamgha-e-Imtiaz (Military), Sitara-e-Imtiaz (Military) and two Letters of Commendation from Chief of the Naval Staff. Ejaz Haider Ejaz Haider is Executive Editor at Indus News. He received a Master’s degree in English Literature from Punjab University. He was also a Ford Scholar at the Program in Arms Control, Disarmament and International Security at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and a visiting fellow at the Brookings Institution, Washington, D.C. He has edited and written extensively for various national and foreign newspapers including The Frontier Post, The Friday Times, Daily Times, Times of India, Indian Express, The World Today, etc. Dr. Khuram Iqbal Dr. Khuram Iqbal is Member Board of Directors MSF and Acting Head of Department at Department of International Relations, National Defence University, Islamabad. He is an expert in counter-terrorism and an enthusiastic researcher, who has devoted a decade to research and teaching in Peace and Conflict Studies, Strategic Studies and Counter- Terrorism. He has also served as Head of Research at Pakistan Institute for Peace Studies (PIPS) and Researcher at Center for Policing, Intelligence and Counter-Terrorism, Australia. He received his PhD in International Security Studies from Macquarie University, Australia and M.Sc in Strategic Studies from Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. He has received various awards nationally and internationally in recognition for his research. ( 3 ) Moderator Muslim Bin Aqeel Attorney Muslim Bin Aqeel is Research Associate Maritime Study Forum. He is an experienced Advocate of Admiralty and Maritime affairs. He has worked at different national and international cases as research analyst and other various capacities and positions. His areas of expertise include admiralty, civil, criminal and corporate matters. He has worked as Member Foreign Affairs and Inter-Provincial Coordination Committee Lahore, Punjab Bar Council. He has been member of organizing team for Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court 2018, US Embassy Islamabad. AMAN: Pakistan's Dynamic Initiative for Peace The proceedings of webinar included a talk by panelists, moderated by Muslim Bin Aqeel. The talk was followed by an interactive session. Pertinent issues were raised during this session that led to an in depth view of AMAN Exercises. Commodore (R) Syed Mohammed Obaidullah highlighted the maritime diplomacy carried out by Pakistan Navy in form of AMAN exercises to promote peace in the region. AMAN exercises are not war games, but rather drills against non-traditional security threats. Pakistan Navy is actively upholding peace and stability firstly in the region and then in the world. Whereas the Malabar Exercise conducted by India is China centric. It is a message being sent by India, US, Japan and Australia to keep China out of Indian Ocean. As far as Pakistan is concerned Pakistan has been able to send its message of tranquillity to both eastern and western naval forces. We have gained the confidence of number of countries from the world, as AMAN exercise is against no one or more countries. Pakistan Navy despite being a small navy has managed to bring together 45- 50 countries together on a common forum. These are the two major exercises taking place in the region, and their objectives are completely different. Mr. Ejaz Haider deliberated on Pakistan’s steps and efforts to strengthen peace in the region. He started with description of why Pakistan Navy remained constrained despite being active in efforts to promote peace and stability, and maritime diplomacy in the region. He said that Pakistan’s military planning has largely remained land focused. Due to which there is lesser operational coordination of Pakistan Navy with the Army and Air Force. Another reason for this is the historicity. Muslim states and empires, with the ( 4 ) exception of Ottoman Empire, largely neglected naval power. The European city states and empires in contrast focused largely on naval power. However despite constraints, Pakistan Navy is actively
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