LAHORE: (Friday, April 26, 2013): Punjab University on Friday signed a MoU with Lahore Council for World Affairs (LCWA) to collaborate in research and objective discussions on national issues. The MoU signing ceremony was held in the committee room of VC office in which PU VC Prof Dr Mujahid Kamran, Director External Linkages Maria I Maldonado, Chairperson Department of Political Science Prof Dr Umbreen Javed, deans of various faculties, LCWA CEO and President former ambassador Javid Husain, former ambassadors including Shaukat Omar, Khalid Mahmood, Tauheed Ahmed and legal advisor Rass Masood were present on the occasion. While briefing the meeting on LCWA, Mr Javid Husain said that under the patronage of former foreign secretary Shamshad Ahmed, a group of former ambassadors and other interested Pakistanis had agreed to establish the council as an independent, non-political, non-partisan and non-profit organization dedicated to better comprehension of foreign policy issues facing Pakistan and the world at large on the part of opinion makers and the public in the country.

He said that its focus in particular would be on the strategic, security and economic challenges confronting the country. He said that the council would seek to achieve these goals by undertaking a wide variety of scholarly activities to produce and disseminate ideas and opinions on different aspects of Pakistan’s external relations keeping in view the global and regional strategic, political and economic environment and would also involve eminent national and international personalities and opinion makers from official and private sectors. He said that the council would also maintain regular interaction with Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry, diplomatic missions in Islamabad and the consular corps in Lahore. PU VC Dr Mujahid Kamran appreciated LCWA delegation for taking such initiative and said that the academic collaboration with LCWA would bring fruits in this regard. Later, the VC presented souvenirs to the delegates.