The establishment of the Centre of Security Studies and International Law (CSSAIL) is a landmark step towards study and research in the areas of Security Studies and International Law when there is no quality research and promotion of research in the country in such important areas. The Centre is established with two major ambitious objectives, firstly, to carry out study and research in the field of Security Studies, and secondly, in the area of International Law although International Law cannot be visualized without properly understanding and appreciating domestic or national laws as all the issues relating to application of International Law have their roots in domestic issues. Similarly, there is not a single problem of state(s) which is not ultimately linked with law or its solution is not finally reached through principles, rules, doctrines, treaties, conventions or agreements, etc. Even if there was intervention from the United Nations Organization (UNO) but the same is also working under its Charter which is the supreme piece of International Law which is applicable on all the member states as well as existing on globe. Therefore, this is my view that solution of all international problems lies in compliance of existing International Law which will be more strengthened with passage of time. Thus, it is the first ever organization or think tank which preferred to keep the international politics and law together. So that the experts and scholars of this centre my come up with solutions which are also examined in the light of existing international legal frameworks. In this way, political theory is simultaneously in action and application in this Centre.

A question may be asked that in the presence of so many thinks tanks and research organization even working in Islamabad what is the need for a new one. The answer is again that the parameters adopted and scope determined for this Centre is not being pursued to any other such facility. Thus, being unique in its composition, structure and ideological combination of political and legal philosophy the Centre is expected to come up with better solutions and approaches to analyse political and legal problems. Therefore, the Centre will surely come up with more practical and legal possible political solutions as compared to mere political philosophies or dreams not having easy practical applications.

Another and the most important issue is relating to quality of research being conducted at the moment. Certainly, none can say that it is even satisfactory whereas competitive to international standards of research. Consequently there is no quality work in the field of political philosophy, international relations and security studies as well as in international law or combining both of these for advancement of mutually or internationally beneficial political solutions or giving new orientation to political and legal philosophy.

There is no doubt that Pakistan is facing unique problems and all existing research facilities are applying formula approach to redress political, economic, security or legal problems without caring whether those are ideologically or practically suitable for Pakistan or not. This is the reason that political, constitutional and legal problems of country are gigantic without most suitable solutions in sight. It means there is need of new approach to view such problems with new solutions which is not possible without adopting a new learning and analysis approach. Since its inception, Pakistan is also facing threats to its very existence, internally or externally. However, there is no such thinking process which may have capability to perceive such threat well before time and recommend their solutions or preventive measures to the political and strategic decision-makers.

From purely security point of view, there different schools of security studies or conglomerates of political philosophers, scholars and analyst who are working in different parts of the world including scholars and intellectuals linked with the Copenhagen School of Security Studies, Welsh School of Security Studies, Paris School of Security Studies, School of Critical Security Studies or Third World Security School, etc. However, there is no which is Asia specific or studying and analysing political, security and strategic problems of the South Asia which is hub of international politics at least for last five decades whether it was the containment of Communism or US’s War on Terrorism, etc. Therefore, there was the need to fill such gap. As the world is now diametrically changed with invention of more sophisticated weaponry from convention to strategic and tactical, etc., which had practically made traditions wars practically difficult but highlighted dire need of political and legal solution of problems of the states. Although there is still not end of China-India Border Conflict at the roof of the world but the use of the conventional or tactical weapons is not resorted so far as both the countries are perceiving the implication of past war tactics. Hence, there is need to seriously embark upon all such issues which are international or national, between two neighbouring states or affecting the region and certainly with all possibility of global intensity. Similarly, every international problem has its national impact and every national problem may have international implications. The scholars, experts and analysts perceived for creation and establishment of the Centre for Security Studies and International Law are certainly preoccupied and pre-empted by such reasons and justifications to exploit their rich intellect to challenge such issues with in-depth analysis by resorting philosophical and legal approaches.

I hope the Centre will soon become a well-known political research facility amongst such facilities through the world.