Centre for Aerospace and Security Studies Lahore convened a focused roundtable on 5 November 2025 to discuss biological risks, global conventions and Pakistan’s options, drawing academics, domain experts and practitioners to examine national preparedness and policy responses.
Ms Ezba Walayat Khan
Prof Dr Syed Javaid Khurshid
In his second session Dr Khurshid urged concrete confidence building measures to strengthen detection and response capacities at national, regional and international levels, and recommended education programmes to raise awareness across scientific and regulatory communities. He noted the renewed attention on biological concerns following the Russia Ukraine conflict and commended Pakistan’s legal framework including the BWC Act, Export Control Laws and the Biosafety Rules 2005 as important foundations for national biological security. Key recommendations included establishing a vaccine bank, expanding local production of essential vaccines and exploring Pakistan’s inclusion in export control regimes such as the Australia Group and the Wassenaar Arrangement to align with international norms while safeguarding national interests. These measures were framed as practical steps to bolster preparedness and supply chain resilience for public health emergencies. Air Marshal Asim Suleiman Retd
The roundtable concluded with an engaged interactive session in which participants highlighted Pakistan’s ongoing BWC engagement, identified biosafety challenges and urged development of a stronger biotechnology and pharmaceutical base for national health security. Attendees praised CASS Lahore for convening an informed discussion that linked policy options with practical steps to advance biological security in Pakistan.
