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Book launching ceremony at PU
Book launching ceremony at PU


LAHORE: (Thursday, November 17, 2016): Pakistan Study Centre, University of the Punjab organized a book launching ceremony of “US Security Policy towards South Asia and Kashmir Dispute” by Dr. Ahmad Ejaz, Assistant Professor, Pakistan Study Centre, University of the Punjab, Lahore. On this occasion Dean Faculty of Arts and Humanities Prof. Dr. Iqbal Cahwla, Director Prof. Dr. Massarrat Abid, Prof. Dr. Mazhar Moeen, Prof. Dr. Rashid Ahmad Khan, Prof. Dr. Aqdas Ali Kazmi, Dr. Amjad Magsi, faculty merbers and students were present. In his keynote speech, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Iqbal Chawla, said the history of US Pakistan relations and emphasized that US had never been an ally of Pakistan and never had the will to resolve the Kashmir dispute. He further added that US will never be an ally nor a friend of Pakistan in future as well. Pakistan should rely more on own sources and less deplaned on US. Prof. Dr. Massarrat Abid said that Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah wanted Pakistan and India to live peacefully as independent neighbors, respecting each other’s sovereignty. But contrary to his vision, the post independence Pakistan – India relations were most hostile. Several disputes emerged between the two countries. Kashmir dispute become the most important one. This dispute has remained so up to the present time. The United Nation tried a number of times to find an acceptable solution but failed, mainly because India refused to accept its proposals. She said that South Asia was again facing a critical situation due to which the region has been perceived as one of the most dangerous nuclear flash points in the world. Dr. Ahmad Ejaz, the author and Assistant Professor, Pakistan Study Centre, said that his book covered a period from 1990 to 2002 and in 2012 many developments had taken place in US security policy towards South Asia. In 2000 President Clinton’s visit to India laid the foundation of US India strategic and nuclear partnership and it had taken a concrete shape in 2005 to 2008 by landmark defense and nuclear agreements. This US-India strategic and nuclear partnership has great impact on the South Asian security structure. While on the other hand, Pakistan had emerged as a frontline state in US hot pursuit of terrorists. While Pakistan had joined US war against terrorism but it had not been enjoying that status which India was rejoicing. There were also many developments in US policy towards Afghanistan which had tremendously altered the South Asian security scene. And with regard to Kashmir dispute, the US policy also had taken a shift, toeing the Indian line. Since nuclear blasts, Kashmir dispute had emerged as as nuclear flash point. Prof. Dr. Aqdas Ali Kazmi, Professor, Pakistan Study Centre, elaborated that Dr. Ahmad Ejaz’s book provides a panoramic view of triangular relations between the United States, India and Pakistan. The book clearly depicts the changing historical patterns in these relations with a declining trajectory of the US Pakistan relations and ever rising trajectory of the US India relations. The book further highlights the complexities of the Kashmir problem which has assumed explosive dimension in the nuclearized South Asia. Prof. Dr. Mazhar Moeen said that if the dispute between India and Pakistan is not resolved Kashmir may become flash point in South Asia. The relationship between US and India could become dangerous for Pakistan. India has attempted to equate freedom struggle in Kashmir with terrorism. Unfortunately US has also tacitly supported India in the policy towards Kashmir. Professor Mazhar further added that the researchers should work to find out the possible solution of Kashmir dispute. Prof. Dr. Rashid Ahmad Khan, former dean, faculty of social sciences, University of Sargodha, elaborated the region of South Asia was an arena of rivalry among the leading colonial powers of Europe. The US had not developed into a global power. South Asia attracted the attention of the United Sates during 1950s because of its geographical proximity on the Middle East. The Middle East became an area of rivalry between the US and USSR while South East Asia had came under the shadow of communist China. During the cold war era, US had no long term interests in South Asia; its interaction was based on issue to issue basis. The US showed no interest in helping to resolve the Kashmir dispute. Sino-India border was and the United States talks on Kashmir and arrival of Sheikh Abdullah in Pakistan. During 1970s the US attention was focused on India. The soviet occupation of Afghanistan and the US abandonment of Afghanistan, sanctions against Pakistan.