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| Pakistani students sit on top of an overloaded mini bus as they ride home from school in Lahore (Arif Ali/AFP/Getty Images) |
Pakistan 2020: A Vision for Building a Better Future - Asia Society, May 18, 2011
In recent years, Pakistan has stumbled from one crisis to another. Insurgencies along its northwestern borders, regular terrorist attacks across the country, continued tensions with India, and the ongoing war in neighboring Afghanistan have all contributed to deepened instability in the country. Pakistan's transition from a near-decade long rule under a military dictatorship is slow and complicated as corruption and incompetence of the bureaucracy present major obstacles to progress and good governance.
In parallel, Pakistan's return to democracy, increasingly active civil society, relatively open media, and the rise of an independent higher judiciary provide glimmers of hope, though poor economic and development indicators coupled with worrying demographic trends continue to pose serious challenges to the well-being of millions of Pakistanis. Energy shortages have worsened in recent years, and the destruction caused by the floods of 2010 has exacerbated the country's many strains. Issues and questions related to the killing of Osama bin Laden are multifaceted and likely will have policy implications vis-à-vis Pakistan's relations with the U.S. and more broadly. In short, how Pakistan manages these challenges in the coming years holds great consequences for its future prospects.
The Asia Society is pleased to invite you to the launch of a new report, Pakistan 2020: A Vision for Building a Better Future, which presents recommendations focused on seven areas essential to realizing a sound future for the country by 2020: (1) strengthening democratic institutions; (2) supporting the rule of law; (3) improving human development and social services, especially in health and education; (4) developing the energy infrastructure; (5) assisting the 2010 flood victims in their recovery; (6) improving the internal security situation; and (7) advancing the peace process with India. Join members of the Study Group as they discuss how Pakistan can forge a path toward peace and stability in the coming decade and the future of U.S.-Pakistan relations in the aftermath of bin Laden's death. Copies of the Pakistan 2020 Study Group Report will be available at this event.
This event will feature the following speakers:
Hassan Abbas (Project Director), Bernard Schwartz Fellow, Asia Society; Quaid-i-Azam Professor, Columbia University's South Asia Institute
Najam Sethi, Editor-in-Chief,The Friday Times and Host, Aapas Ki Baat, Geo TV
Frank Wisner, Foreign Affairs Advisor, Patton Boggs LLP; former US Ambassador to India; former US Undersecretary of Defense for Policy
Shirin Tahir-Kheli, former Senior Advisor for Women's Empowerment, US Department of State; former Senior Director for Democracy, Human Rights and International Operations, National Security Council
Suzanne DiMaggio, Vice President, Global Policy Programs, Asia Society
8:00 – 8:30 am: Breakfast and registration
8:30 – 10:00 am: Panel discussion/Audience Q & A
For more information, please visit AsiaSociety.org/Pakistan2020
Can't make it to this program? Tune in to the free live video webcast on AsiaSociety.org/Live from 8:30 to 10:00 am ET. Online viewers are encouraged to submit their questions to moderator@asiasociety.org during the webcast.
In parallel, Pakistan's return to democracy, increasingly active civil society, relatively open media, and the rise of an independent higher judiciary provide glimmers of hope, though poor economic and development indicators coupled with worrying demographic trends continue to pose serious challenges to the well-being of millions of Pakistanis. Energy shortages have worsened in recent years, and the destruction caused by the floods of 2010 has exacerbated the country's many strains. Issues and questions related to the killing of Osama bin Laden are multifaceted and likely will have policy implications vis-à-vis Pakistan's relations with the U.S. and more broadly. In short, how Pakistan manages these challenges in the coming years holds great consequences for its future prospects.
The Asia Society is pleased to invite you to the launch of a new report, Pakistan 2020: A Vision for Building a Better Future, which presents recommendations focused on seven areas essential to realizing a sound future for the country by 2020: (1) strengthening democratic institutions; (2) supporting the rule of law; (3) improving human development and social services, especially in health and education; (4) developing the energy infrastructure; (5) assisting the 2010 flood victims in their recovery; (6) improving the internal security situation; and (7) advancing the peace process with India. Join members of the Study Group as they discuss how Pakistan can forge a path toward peace and stability in the coming decade and the future of U.S.-Pakistan relations in the aftermath of bin Laden's death. Copies of the Pakistan 2020 Study Group Report will be available at this event.
This event will feature the following speakers:
Hassan Abbas (Project Director), Bernard Schwartz Fellow, Asia Society; Quaid-i-Azam Professor, Columbia University's South Asia Institute
Najam Sethi, Editor-in-Chief,The Friday Times and Host, Aapas Ki Baat, Geo TV
Frank Wisner, Foreign Affairs Advisor, Patton Boggs LLP; former US Ambassador to India; former US Undersecretary of Defense for Policy
Shirin Tahir-Kheli, former Senior Advisor for Women's Empowerment, US Department of State; former Senior Director for Democracy, Human Rights and International Operations, National Security Council
Suzanne DiMaggio, Vice President, Global Policy Programs, Asia Society
8:00 – 8:30 am: Breakfast and registration
8:30 – 10:00 am: Panel discussion/Audience Q & A
For more information, please visit AsiaSociety.org/Pakistan2020
Can't make it to this program? Tune in to the free live video webcast on AsiaSociety.org/Live from 8:30 to 10:00 am ET. Online viewers are encouraged to submit their questions to moderator@asiasociety.org during the webcast.
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