December 17, 2003	Wednesday	Shawwal 22, 1424

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ISLAMABAD, Dec 16: The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has approved establishment of International Institute of Peace and Stability / Conflict Resolution at the National University of Sciences & Technology, (Nust) Rawalpindi.

The specific objectives of the institute, which define its orientation, range and character are to create a centre of international repute for the promotion of peace and stability / conflict resolution, within the regions and at global level and to identify the underlying causes of tension and conflict in various regions of the world and the threat they pose to world peace.

In addition, it would have to focus on South Asia to identify the options and the means for the reduction of tension between India and Pakistan, leading to a stable and durable peace in the region.

The other objectives of the institute include: study of arms control and arms reduction methodologies for strategic stability within regions and between powers, for a salutary impact on world peace and to establish contact and collaborate worldwide with university organizations and other institutions with similar goals for a concerted drive towards global stability, security and peace.

This establishment would also be capable to promoting international understanding of Pakistan’s security concerns and its quest for peace and stability in South Asia and to provide Pakistani scholars, journalists and people concerned with an independent and neutral forum to interact with others in the field and so draw an increasing number of the “thinking public” into the mainstream of a global drive for stability and peace. The institute would also be helpful in increasing the flow of information between Pakistani scholars and their counterparts in Asia, the USA and Europe through mutual exchange of the fruits of their academic enquiry into peace and security issues (publications, articles, seminars, conferences, talk shows, panel discussions), leading to a cross-fertilisation of ideas and the evolution of a global consensus.