visits of dignitaries
Visit of Advocate Salahuddin Mengal
Date: August 21, 2023
The head of the Brahvi Academy and a senior practicing lawyer at the Supreme Court of Pakistan, Advocate Salahuddin Mengal called on Balochistan Think Tank Network (BTTN) on August 21, 2023 and exchanged views about Balochistan’s social economic development and various aspects of CPEC and its development. He also opined that rather than putting full reliance on road transport, government of Pakistan and China both should consider laying the railway line up to Noshki. From Noshki, then the national railway grid network can help pass on the goods arriving at Gwadar or being dispatched from Gwadar to the neighborhood.
Head of BTTN, Agha Ahmad Gul recognized that Brahvi is the oldest language in the world, some listed it to be more than 7000 years old. But most certainly, if not 7000 years, there is no language which is even close to it in antiquity. This is a heritage of Balochsitan and thereby a heritage of Pakistan. He emphasized that Brahvi language should be spread for knowledge and general education.
BTTN presented Salahuddin Mengal with some of the research work which is directly related to Balochsitan and has serious interest of Pakistan. The head of BTTN thanked him and Mr. Mengal invited him to visit the Brahvi Cultural Center.
Visit of Agha Masood Akram
Date: August , 2023
Head of AIMH, Agha Masood Akram visited Balochistan Think Tank Network (BTTN) on August 17, 2023. He was received by Head of BTTN Agha Ahmad Gul. In his welcome remarks, Head of BTTN introduced DG AIMH with the Faculty of Research and the workplace. Executive Director, Dr. Zafar Khan briefed on BTTN`s progress, aims, objectives and achievements. He provided a detailed account of BTTN’s organizational structure and framework of research. He pointed that BTTN is currently focusing on strategic, political, economic, and most specifically the socio-economic issues of Balochistan. BTTN has produced numerous research articles, policy papers and a considerable number of opinion articles on contemporary issues.
DG AIMH lauded the efforts of the institute in promoting the culture of research in the province which, according to him, is a crucial step in informing and empowering the people of the region and is a dire need of hour. He appreciated the efforts and the achievements of BTTN attained in such a short time and expressed his best wishes for the progress of BTTN and Balochistan. During interactive session, he introduced AIMH, its vision and scope while defining it not to be precisely a Think Tank but a cousin to it. He said that the mission of AIMH is to record, preserve and promote the military history of Pakistan, act as a center of excellence for the study of military history, and provide a forum for open-source intellectual input to the Pakistan Army on contemporary affairs, through two-way interaction with civil society. He expressed his wish for BTTN’s Faculty of Research to visit AIMH.
At the end, with the exchange of souvenirs, Head of BTTN presented DG AIMH with the major publications and booklets produced by BTTN in the year 2023.
Former Chief Minister Dr Abdul Malik Baloch Visits BTTN Quetta
Date: April 27, 2023
Former Chief Minister Balochistan Dr Abdul Malik Baloch visited Balochistan Think Tank Network (BTTN). He was received by Head of BTTN Brig Agha Ahmad Gul (R). In his welcoming remarks, Brig Gul thanked the former Chief Minister Dr Abdul Malik Baloch for his visit to BTTN. In his introductory remarks, Brig Gul highlighted the need for establishing a research think tank in Balochistan and its importance in mapping pathways for sustainable policy solutions.
Executive Director, Dr. Zafar Khan gave a briefing on BTTN`s progress, aims, objectives and achievements. He provided a detailed account of BTTN’s organizational structure and framework of research. He also added that Balochistan lags in academic research and development, BTTN aims to fill that gap. He pointed that BTTN is currently focusing on strategic, political, economic, and most specifically the socio-economic issues of Balochistan. BTTN has produced numerous research articles, policy papers and a considerable number of opinion articles. Furthermore, he stated that there is a need to promote research culture.
Dr Abdul Malik Baloch, in his address, appreciated the establishment of a think tank in Balochistan and valued the progress of BTTN in such a short period. He provided a brief overview of the socioeconomic and political issues of Balochistan. He said that Balochistan`s main issues are political and economic that require immense policy-oriented solutions.
Highlighting the political issues, he said that real representation of the people is key to the development and political stability of the province. Also, the consistent influence of tribalism has impeded the socioeconomic development of the province. He further stated that quality and technical education is crucial to the socioeconomic development of the province. He stressed that there is a need for quality and technical education in Balochistan.
While highlighting economic problems, Dr Malik Baloch said that poverty is widespread in Balochistan which demands the reconsideration of economic policies. Also, climate change has further aggravated water scarcity which is alarming and needs an effective management mechanism. There is a dire need for effective policies to uplift the agriculture and livestock and fisheries sectors which are key to the economic development of the province. Issues of water scarcity, and infrastructure especially in Quetta need to be addressed. Also, there should be an effective mechanism for accountability to cope with the ever-increasing corruption in the province. He concluded his talk by stating that research, development, and integration are key to the overall socio-economic development of Balochistan. He also responded to questions from the faculty of research of the BTTN and stated that Balochistan needs special attention from the federal government. The federal government should address Balochistan`s concerns regarding the CPEC projects in the province.
In his concluding remarks, Brig Gul highlighted that there is a need to enhance the role of technical education in the province of Balochistan. Awarding degrees and increasing the number of universities in this competitive environment would not do any good for the young generation of the province without quality and skill-based technical education. He mentioned that BTTN, in this short period since its inception, has produced policy papers on water scarcity, border management, and higher education in Balochistan.
In the end, souvenirs were presented to the esteemed guest along with research booklets, followed by the refreshment.
Farewell to Engr. Ahmed Farooq Bazai – Outgoing VC BUITEMS
Date: Monday 27th March 2023
Engr. Ahmed Farooq Bazai Vice Chancellor of BUITEMS retired after a meritorious service of 16 years. BTTN invited him for an official farewell visit. Mr. Bazai was accompanied by Pro-Vice Chancellor BUITEMS, Dr. Abdul Rehman Khan and Registrar Dr. Zahid Rauf. Head of BTTN Brig Agha Ahmad Gul, (R) and the entire Team of BTTN welcomed him.
Brig Gul appreciated the unqualified support lent out by Engr. Ahmed Farooq Bazai to BTTN. He said Mr. Bazai had been helping right from the beginning in finalizing the Concept Paper, Advisory Board and finally allowing spacious place for raising the Think Tank. By signing an MOU with BTTN, his support became historic and will always be remembered. His support was all out. He also trusted mentoring of China Study Center to BTTN which has been a fine example of cooperation and trust.
Brig Gul paid rich tribute to Mr. Bazai’s contributions for the development of BUITEMS and his services to this nation. He mentioned that Mr. Bazai is one of the few civilians who has been awarded Hilal e Imtiaz by the President of Pakistan as a recognition of his remarkable service to the nation. Mr. Bazai will cease to be on the Advisory Board as he leaves the ex-officio appointment, but he has kindly accepted to be a Friend of BTTN forum. Our association will therefore, continue.
Engr. Ahmed Farooq Bazai appreciated BTTN’s work and efforts over the past two years under the leadership of Brig Gul. Mr. Bazai said, establishing a think tank in BUITEMS was always a dream for him which was fulfilled in the shape of BTTN. He took pride in BTTN and lauded it as one of the few things which are very close to his heart. He said his support for BTTN would always be there and he is pleased to be member of the Friend of BTTN forum. The event ended with the presentation of gifts and souvenirs to Engr. Ahmed Farooq Bazai.
Visit of The Provincial Health Minister: Mr. Syed Ehsan Shah
Date: September 01, 2022
The Provincial Health Minister of Balochistan and the advisory board member of BTTN, Mr. Syed Ehsan Shah visited Balochistan Think Tank Network on September 01, 2022. The Minister held a meeting with the head of BTTN, Brig Agha Ahmad Gul (R) and later met with the Faculty of Research at BTTN. He lauded the efforts of the institute in promoting the culture of research in the province which, according to him, is a crucial step in informing and empowering the people of the region.
Visit of Former-Governor Balochistan Justice ® Amanullah Khan Yasinzai
Date: December 30, 2022
BTTN patron and former-Governor Balochistan Justice ® Amanullah Khan Yasinzai paid a visit to the BTTN on December 30th, 2021. He was received by Consultant BTTN, Brig Agha Ahmad Gul (R). Justice Amanullah Khan Yasinzai met and interacted with the faculty of research and was briefed by the Executive Director Dr. Zafar Khan about the progress and achievements of BTTN. Justice Amanullah Khan Yasinzai appreciated the efforts and the achievements of BTTN attained in such a short time and expressed his best wishes for the progress of BTTN and Balochistan
Visit of Ambassador (R) Masood Khan
Date: November 02, 2021
On November 2, 2021, the former President of AJK, and the then designated Ambassador to United States Mr. Masood Khan, visited BTTN, where he held an interactive session with the BTTN faculty of research. During his talk, he emphasized on the need for dedication to the prosperity and development of Pakistan. He appreciated the efforts of the faculty and wished them well for their future endeavors.
