ISLAMABAD: The Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI) and the Arab Thought Forum (ATF), Jordan, held a bilateral meeting on Tuesday to discuss avenues for strengthening institutional cooperation, enhancing policy dialogue and exploring opportunities for joint research and engagement on issues of mutual interest.
The meeting was organised by ISSI’s Centre for Afghanistan, Middle East and Africa (CAMEA).
In October 2025, ISSI and ATF signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), establishing a framework for bilateral cooperation and institutional coordination. Tuesday’s meeting provided an opportunity to build on the institutional partnership and identify practical areas for sustained collaboration.
Reaffirming the longstanding bonds between Pakistan and Jordan, Ambassador Moin ul Haque, Director General ISSI, said Jordan held a special place in the hearts of the people of Pakistan. He highlighted the close fraternal ties and longstanding engagement between the two countries at the highest levels.
He emphasised the need for closer collaboration on regional issues, particularly developments in the Middle East, which remain a matter of shared concern for the Muslim world.
Dr Amani Ghazi Jarrar, Secretary General of the Arab Thought Forum, appreciated Pakistan’s ongoing role in the region and stressed the importance of establishing a Pakistan-Arab strategic dialogue to strengthen political engagement, deepen mutual understanding and promote greater cooperation on regional and international issues of shared concern.
She highlighted four key pillars of cooperation: promoting human dignity and shared security, strengthening intellectual and institutional engagement, advancing strategic foresight and forecasting to address emerging regional challenges, and translating shared objectives into practical outcomes through collaborative research and policy-oriented initiatives.
The discussion also focused on human dignity and the right to self-determination of the people of Jammu and Kashmir and Palestine, emphasising that both are fundamentally issues of people’s rights and political aspirations, not merely territorial disputes.
The meeting was also attended by Dr Amina Khan, Director CAMEA, and colleagues from the Centre.
