Lahore
The Centre for Aerospace and Security Studies (CASS) Lahore organised an event titled, “Redefining Power: Geoeconomics, Technology and Security in an era of Strategic Competition” on 19 August 2026.
As an independent think tank, CASS Lahore organises academic events for scholars and practitioners interested in national security in its wider context. The event was attended by academics, intellectuals, and domain experts. Ms Sibra Waseem, a Research Assistant at CASS Lahore, delivered the opening address.
Mr Haroon Sharif, Chairman, PREF, Islamabad, highlighted that Pakistan needs to build on its geopolitical relevance by translating strategic partnerships and CPEC into investment, technology transfer, and industrial ecosystems.
He highlighted opportunities arising from Pakistan’s strategic location. He underscored the need to diversify the country’s energy mix and reduce vulnerability to imported oil, accounting for 85 per cent of requirements.
He stressed the need to create opportunities for 4 million annual labour-market entrants. Additionally, he suggested focusing on sectors with potential for value addition, productivity and exports, alongside knowledge and technology partnerships, R&D and greater private-sector participation.
Dr Safdar Sohail, Executive Director, SPRC, Islamabad, emphasised the need to link Pakistan’s geopolitical relationships with economic transformation by converting strategic opportunities, particularly through the US and CPEC, into manufacturing capacity, technology partnerships and export competitiveness.
Given Pakistan’s narrow export base, he stressed the importance of development finance and industrial policy. He highlighted the provinces’ role following the 18th Amendment, alongside better data, standards and integration of finance, manufacturing and SMEs to build a self-sustaining economy. Taking discussion further, he also commended the PAF for its decisive victory in the May 2025 war, even in the face of severe financial constraints.
In his concluding remarks, Air Marshal Asim Suleiman (Retd), President, CASS, Lahore, emphasised that military power remains essential, but economy, technology, and national security are becoming interconnected, with disruption in one affecting others. For Pakistan, this transformation is significant given its geostrategic location, connectivity and growing digital economy, which must be converted into sustainable economic gains. Furthermore, he underscored a growth strategy that stands behind the strong while ensuring a level playing field for development. Highlighting the significance of human capital development, he cited Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu’s vision of strengthening PAF by harnessing best available human resources and wisely spending the PAF resources, which contributed to Pakistan’s success during Marka-e-Haq.
The event concluded with a lively interactive session. It highlighted economic geography, GDP growth model, and supporting policies as powerful tool. The participants appreciated CASS Lahore’s initiative in hosting an engaging and thought-provoking discussion.
