Brunei's peace, stability impress Pakistan General
Monday, April 23, 2007
THE head of 21-men delegation from Pakistan's National Defence University that was in the country recently for a two-day study tour expressed his gratitude to the authority and people of Brunei Darussalam for the friendship extended to him and his team during the visit.
Major General Mohammad Tariq Masoud, the head of Institute of Strategic Studies, Research and Analysis (ISSRA) of Pakistan National Defence University, in an exclusive interview with The Brunei Times said that he was extremely impressed with the way his team was given the access to conduct their studies as well as the excellent treatment they received from the Ministry of Defence throughout their stay.
He also said: "Brunei Darussalam is a great country to learn from. It is a relevantly small country in terms of size, population, human resources, and in terms of military; yet, it is so successful in conducting and pursuing its national interest."
The Government of His Majesty has given the people peace and stability apart from very sound economy. Different races and religions co-exist together harmoniously. It is not easy to achieve such prosperity for a small sized nation squeezed in between few big neighbours whom are all struggling to bring about peace and order," the leader of the Pakistan delegation said.
Major General Masoud remarked: "One can say there is practically no military in this country compared to other bigger nations like Turkey and Pakistan.
"Here we have not seen air force, navy and so forth but they still can protect their nation's interest in a very effective manner. I guess this is not something only for us to study and learn from but also for many other countries around the world to look at as an example."
He said "I think this is a strong lesson for everyone, a strong military may not be the only answer to the peace and stability, and here is the example".
Major General Masoud told The Brunei Times Pakistan's National Defence University's study programme has 160 student officers from all over the world who are currently taking courses there.
"At this very moment seven similar delegations are touring seven different countries such as Argentina, Canada, Sweden, Australia, Japan, East and West Africa. Each one of these groups would visit two countries before returning to Pakistan.
"These delegations then will share the knowledge and experience and analysis them with the aim of helping student officers to obtain all-round knowledge."
According Major General Masoud, the National Defence University is an apex institution of Pakistan Armed Forces.
The mission of the National Defence University is to train selected senior officers of the armed forces and civil services of Pakistan as well as senior military officers from allied countries including Brunei Darussalam for taking higher responsibilities at policy planning levels.
It was an upgraded body of early National Defence College with his history of more than four decades.
The President of Pakistan is the Chancellor of the institution, he added.
Apart from security and armed forces, the institution has two other colleges, namely: Institute of Strategic Studies (ICS); and Institute of Contemporary Studies Research and Analysis (ISSRA) which also act as national think-tanks.
Major General Masoud said that so far more than 3,500 officers have graduated from the University. This includes, more than 500 officers from 31 friendly nations such as Brunei Darussalam.
He said that currently 20 Bruneian officer students are attending the courses there and this number shall increase to 50 in the near future.
The first-ever delegation from National Defence University, after a successful conclusion its two-day study tour of the sultanate, left for the People's Republic of China for the same purpose last Friday.
The Brunei Times
Major General Mohammad Tariq Masoud, the head of Institute of Strategic Studies, Research and Analysis (ISSRA) of Pakistan National Defence University, in an exclusive interview with The Brunei Times said that he was extremely impressed with the way his team was given the access to conduct their studies as well as the excellent treatment they received from the Ministry of Defence throughout their stay.
He also said: "Brunei Darussalam is a great country to learn from. It is a relevantly small country in terms of size, population, human resources, and in terms of military; yet, it is so successful in conducting and pursuing its national interest."
The Government of His Majesty has given the people peace and stability apart from very sound economy. Different races and religions co-exist together harmoniously. It is not easy to achieve such prosperity for a small sized nation squeezed in between few big neighbours whom are all struggling to bring about peace and order," the leader of the Pakistan delegation said.
Major General Masoud remarked: "One can say there is practically no military in this country compared to other bigger nations like Turkey and Pakistan.
"Here we have not seen air force, navy and so forth but they still can protect their nation's interest in a very effective manner. I guess this is not something only for us to study and learn from but also for many other countries around the world to look at as an example."
He said "I think this is a strong lesson for everyone, a strong military may not be the only answer to the peace and stability, and here is the example".
Major General Masoud told The Brunei Times Pakistan's National Defence University's study programme has 160 student officers from all over the world who are currently taking courses there.
"At this very moment seven similar delegations are touring seven different countries such as Argentina, Canada, Sweden, Australia, Japan, East and West Africa. Each one of these groups would visit two countries before returning to Pakistan.
"These delegations then will share the knowledge and experience and analysis them with the aim of helping student officers to obtain all-round knowledge."
According Major General Masoud, the National Defence University is an apex institution of Pakistan Armed Forces.
The mission of the National Defence University is to train selected senior officers of the armed forces and civil services of Pakistan as well as senior military officers from allied countries including Brunei Darussalam for taking higher responsibilities at policy planning levels.
It was an upgraded body of early National Defence College with his history of more than four decades.
The President of Pakistan is the Chancellor of the institution, he added.
Apart from security and armed forces, the institution has two other colleges, namely: Institute of Strategic Studies (ICS); and Institute of Contemporary Studies Research and Analysis (ISSRA) which also act as national think-tanks.
Major General Masoud said that so far more than 3,500 officers have graduated from the University. This includes, more than 500 officers from 31 friendly nations such as Brunei Darussalam.
He said that currently 20 Bruneian officer students are attending the courses there and this number shall increase to 50 in the near future.
The first-ever delegation from National Defence University, after a successful conclusion its two-day study tour of the sultanate, left for the People's Republic of China for the same purpose last Friday.
The Brunei Times
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