The Institute of Strategic Studies, Islamabad (ISSI) held an in-house meeting with Brigadier (R) Feroz Hassan Khan, faculty member National Security Affairs at the Naval Postgraduate School, on September 23, 2015 regarding a workshop held in Dubai titled “Crisis Escalation and De-Escalation in South Asia.” Dr. Riffat Hussain, Head of Department of Government and Public Policy, National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Islamabad, who participated in the workshop, also spoke on South Asian strategic stability and crisis de-escalation.
Ambassador Masood Khan, Director General, ISSI, said that such exercises built confidence to promote strategic stability. However, it is necessary to avoid the threat or use of force. He agreed with the two presenters that Pakistan’s nuclear programme and deterrence was robust. Chairman Board of Governors, ISSI, Ambassador Khalid Mahmood, emphasised the need for developing de-escalation measures within the context of confidence building measures.
