Leaders Discuss Legislative Development, Counter Hydro-Terrorism, Economic Growth and Youth Engagement in Lahore
Lahore, Pakistan – Mr. Mirza Aamir Khurshid, President Coordination for Pakistan at the Global and Commonwealth SME Club, London, UK; Secretary for International Affairs at the National Peace and Justice Council Pakistan; and Special
Coordinator for Pakistan at the Norwegian Resource Center for Diversity, Integration and Peace (NRC), Norway, met with Mr. Ahmed Bilal Mehboob, Founder President of the Pakistan Institute of Legislative Development and Transparency (PILDAT), at the PILDAT Office in Lahore.
The meeting brought together leaders from the legislative, civil society and international cooperation sectors to discuss ongoing and future initiatives related to legislative
development, economic growth, poverty alleviation, youth engagement, sustainable development, global water resilience, water security and measures to counter Hydro-Terrorism in Pakistan.
During the meeting, Mr. Mirza Aamir Khurshid briefed Mr. Ahmed Bilal Mehboob on recent research by Norwegian scientist Mr. Tahir Mahmood on Hydro-Terrorism. The research presents the first academic definition of Hydro-Terrorism and was recently published in the Global
Security and Intelligence Notes (GSIN) series of the University of Buckingham’s Centre for Security and Intelligence Studies (BUCSIS).
Hydro-Terrorism is defined as the deliberate targeting, disruption or manipulation of water resources and water infrastructure to cause harm, fear, instability or political pressure. The research examines emerging security, environmental and resource management challenges that are increasingly important to global
water resilience, counter Hydro-Terrorism efforts and sustainable development.
The participants expressed their appreciation to Mr. Tahir Mahmood for his pioneering academic contribution in developing and presenting the first scholarly definition of Hydro-Terrorism.
They also acknowledged the University of Buckingham’s Centre for Security and Intelligence Studies (BUCSIS) for providing an important academic platform through its GSIN
publication series for advancing research and policy dialogue on emerging global security and water resilience challenges. The participants noted that such research contributes significantly to international understanding of water security, resilience and the protection of critical water infrastructure.
Also present at the meeting was Engineer Mirza Khudadad, Cyber Security Consultant at the University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley), USA, who shared perspectives on the growing
intersection of digital security, critical infrastructure protection and public policy.
The participants emphasized the importance of strengthening collaboration between research institutions, policymakers, civil society organizations, youth leaders and international partners to advance sustainable development, enhance legislative frameworks, promote economic opportunities and improve water security in Pakistan and beyond.
Statement
Mr. Mirza Aamir Khurshid said:
Pakistan’s future depends on stronger connections between research, public policy and youth participation. Our meeting with PILDAT demonstrated how evidence-based research, including emerging work on Hydro-Terrorism and water security, can contribute to practical solutions for sustainable development, economic growth, peace and global water resilience . Through collaboration between national institutions and international partners, we can transform
knowledge into meaningful impact.
About the Participants
Mr. Mirza Aamir Khurshid
Mr. Mirza Aamir Khurshid holds leadership roles in coordination and international affairs with organizations in the United Kingdom, Pakistan and Norway, focusing on SME development, peacebuilding, diversity, integration and international cooperation.
Mr. Ahmed Bilal Mehboob
Mr. Ahmed Bilal Mehboob is the Founder President of PILDAT, one
of Pakistan’s leading independent think tanks dedicated to legislative development, democratic governance, public policy and transparency.
Engineer Mirza Khudadad
Engineer Mirza Khudadad is a Cyber Security Consultant at the University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley), USA, specializing in cyber security, digital infrastructure protection and technology policy.
For the full research paper on Hydro-Terrorism, visit the University of Buckingham
BUCSIS GSIN Library:
https://www.buckingham.ac.uk/research/bucsis/hub/gsin/library/
For further information, please contact the respective organizations.