IRS and BNU Host High-Level Dialogue on Peace in South Asia Amid Heightened Tensions
Sidra Sadozai
Islamabad: The Institute of Regional Studies (IRS) and Beaconhouse National University (BNU) recently convened a second high-level dialogue bringing together experts, policymakers, and leading intellectuals to discuss prospects for peace in South Asia following a recent escalation in military tensions between Pakistan and India. The session focused on both the challenges posed by the current security environment and the opportunities for pursuing stability in the region.
Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Mr. Attaullah Tarar, served as Chief Guest at the roundtable, while General Zubair Mahmood Hayat, former Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, was Guest of Honor. The dialogue was particularly timely as Pakistan formulates its regional and global strategies to address heightened insecurity stemming from what officials described as India’s “risky military doctrine,” which has brought South Asia to the brink of nuclear confrontation.
Minister Tarar stressed that lasting peace in South Asia must be anchored in reciprocity, noting that Pakistan has consistently played an active role in promoting dialogue and cooperation in the region. He reiterated that while Pakistan remains committed to peace, it retains the capability and resolve to respond firmly to any act of aggression—pointing to the country’s response during Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos as an example. On the issue of Jammu and Kashmir, Tarar asserted that the right of Kashmiris to self-determination is now recognized as a global concern. He called for an urgent resolution to the dispute, especially in light of the recent conflict, which he attributed to irresponsible behavior on India’s part, thus turning the region into a nuclear flashpoint.
The session began with an analysis of the evolving security landscape by Ambassador Jauhar Saleem, President of IRS; Dr. Moeed Yusuf, Vice Chancellor of BNU and former National Security Adviser; and Ambassador Mansoor Ahmed Khan, Director of the Beaconhouse Center for Policy Research. Their discussion was anchored around the latest developments, especially following the Pahalgam incident.
The roundtable drew participation from a distinguished panel of experts, including parliamentarians, ex-military officials, former diplomats, and leading scholars. Notable attendees included Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed; Khurram Dastgir Khan, former Minister of Defence and Foreign Affairs; Lt. Gen (r) Nasser Khan Janjua, former National Security Adviser; Admiral (r) Asif Sandila, former Naval Chief; Air Marshal (r) Saeed Muhammad Khan, former Vice Chief of Air Staff; as well as seasoned diplomats such as Ambassadors Ashraf Jehangir Qazi and Ali Sarwar Naqvi. Contributions also came from senior figures in strategic policy and academia such as Dr. Maria Sultan, Chairperson of the South Asian Strategic Stability Institute (SASSI), and Dr. Huma Baqai, Rector of the Millennium Institute of Technology and Entrepreneurship.
Throughout the dialogue, participants underscored the urgency of de-escalating tensions and restarting meaningful dialogue between Pakistan and India. They emphasized that peace and stability in South Asia remain contingent on responsible state behavior and sustained diplomatic engagement, with particular attention to long-standing regional disputes.
The high-level conference concluded with a call for continued policy engagement and academic collaboration to promote dialogue and foster solutions that can secure lasting peace in the region.
