Agenda 2025

All Day

Arts & Culture Showcase

Location: Harvard CGIS Building

Browse visual exhibits, art displays, and cultural presentations throughout the day.

8:30 – 9:30 AM

Registration & Breakfast

Location: Harvard CGIS Lobby

9:30 – 10:15 AM

Opening Addresses

Welcome by our co-Chairs: Sannan Pervaiz & Muhammad Hadi

Opening Remarks by Harvard Faculty

Address by Ambassador to the United States

10:30 – 11:20 AM

Panel 1 – A Storm Coming: US–China Competition and the Role of Middle Powers

Focus: How middle powers like Pakistan navigate diplomatic strategies and economic partnerships amid great power competition.

Panelists:

  1. Dr. Moeed Yusuf – Former National Security Adviser, Pakistan

  2. Dr. Meghan O’Sullivan – Director, Harvard Belfer Center

  3. Michael Kugelman – Director, Wilson Center’s Asia Program

11:30 AM – 12:20 PM

Panel 2 – The Enlightened Muslim

Focus: Examining the intersection of religion, modernity, and state formation in Pakistan. Explores how religious and secular ideas have shaped national identity and political discourse.

Panelists:

  1. Dr. Ayesha Jalal – Mary Richardson Professor of History, Tufts University

  2. Hitesh Hathi – Executive Director, Mittal Institute, Harvard University

12:20 – 1:20 PM

Lunch Break

Relax and network with fellow attendees.

1:20 – 1:30 PM

ClassAct HR 1973 Presentation

A brief segment highlighting the initiatives and contributions of ClassAct HR 1973.

1:30 – 2:20 PM

Panel 3 – Pathways to Democracy: Resilience & Reform

Focus: Governance challenges, judicial autonomy, and civil–military relations in Pakistan’s democratic evolution.

Panelists:

  1. Salman Akram Raja - Senior Lawyer, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf, Secretary General

  2. Ahsan Iqbal – Minister for Planning, Development & Special Initiatives, Pakistan

  3. President, National Defence University (TBC)

  4. Harvard Faculty

3:00 – 3:50 PM *

Panel 4 – Building a Knowledge-Based Economy: Education & Strategic Planning

Location: Main Room

Focus: The urgency of strategic economic planning, innovation, and human capital development to foster a culture of creativity and thought leadership.

Panelists:

  1. Dr. Abrar Hassan – CEO, National Foods

  2. Ehsan Malik - Pakistan Business Council CEO

3:00 – 3:50 PM

Panel 5 – Climate Change: Challenges & Opportunities for Pakistan

Location: Side Room

Focus: Addressing Pakistan’s environmental vulnerabilities and proposing sustainable adaptation policies for long‐term climate resilience.

Panelists:

  1. Dr. Erum Sattar – Adjunct Professor, Tufts University

  2. Dr. Adil Najam – Global President, WWF

4:00 – 4:50 PM

Panel 6 – The Political Economy

Focus: Pakistan’s macroeconomic challenges, financial reforms, and investment potential.

Panelists:

  1. Reza Baqir – Former Governor, State Bank of Pakistan

  2. Miftah Ismail – Former Finance Minister, Pakistan

  3. Harvard Faculty - Carmen Reinhart

5:00 – 5:50 PM

Keynote – A Conversation with Muhammad Aurangzeb, Finance Minister of Pakistan

A high‐level dialogue on Pakistan’s fiscal policies, economic reforms, and future financial strategies.

6:30 – 9:00 PM

Closing Event & Cultural Showcase

An evening celebrating Pakistan’s artistic and cultural heritage, featuring music, performances, and closing remarks.

*Note: Panels 4 and 5 run simultaneously; choose one or move between rooms.