Lahore
\nThe Centre for Aerospace and Security Studies (CASS) Lahore organised an event titled, \u201cRedefining Power: Geoeconomics, Technology and Security in an era of Strategic Competition\u201d on 19 August 2026.
\nAs 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.
\nMr 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.
\nHe highlighted opportunities arising from Pakistan\u2019s strategic location. He underscored the need to diversify the country\u2019s energy mix and reduce vulnerability to imported oil, accounting for 85 per cent of requirements.
\nHe 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.
\nDr Safdar Sohail, Executive Director, SPRC, Islamabad, emphasised the need to link Pakistan\u2019s geopolitical relationships with economic transformation by converting strategic opportunities, particularly through the US and CPEC, into manufacturing capacity, technology partnerships and export competitiveness.
\nGiven Pakistan\u2019s narrow export base, he stressed the importance of development finance and industrial policy. He highlighted the provinces\u2019 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.
\nIn 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\u2019s vision of strengthening PAF by harnessing best available human resources and wisely spending the PAF resources, which contributed to Pakistan\u2019s success during Marka-e-Haq.
\nThe 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\u2019s initiative in hosting an engaging and thought-provoking discussion.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Lahore The Centre for Aerospace and Security Studies (CASS) Lahore organised an event titled, \u201cRedefining Power: Geoeconomics, Technology and Security in an era of Strategic Competition\u201d 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 […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":563260,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-563235","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-national"],"yoast_head":"\n