In a landmark initiative, the London School of Economics’ South Asia Centre hosted the inaugural LSE Pakistan Summit on April 10–11, 2017, at the IBA City Campus, Karachi. Sponsored by the Aman Foundation, the summit titled Pakistan 70 commemorated the country’s 70th year of independence and served as a platform for discussing Pakistan’s pressing socio-political and economic issues.
The event featured four thematic panel discussions that brought together renowned scholars, policymakers, philanthropists, and artists to reflect on Pakistan’s development trajectory and propose actionable strategies for the future.
Panel 1: Philanthropy and Institution-Building
This panel delved into how private philanthropy complements state welfare initiatives in critical areas like public health and education. Veteran philanthropists such as Babar Ali (Founder, LUMS), Hussain Dawood (Dawood Hercules Group), and Fayeeza Naqvi (Aman Foundation) shared their experiences. The discussion also included younger voices like Tahera Hasan (Director, Imkaan) and academic insights from Zaffar Khan (LUMS), with overarching commentary by Malik Ahmad Jalal (LSE alumnus and Aman Foundation Director).
Panel 2: Art and Modernity
Focused on the cultural evolution of Pakistani art, this session explored truck art, satire, dance, and cinema as tools for social critique. Contributors included Ali Rez, Farida Batool, Fasi Zaka, and Ali Nobil Ahmad, with expert analysis by Professor Iftikhar Dadi from Cornell University.
Panel 3: The Constitution in Pakistan
This critical discussion highlighted the evolving significance of the Constitution amid fluctuating political landscapes. Prominent voices included Senator Sherry Rehman, constitutional expert Matthew Nelson, legal icon Hina Jilani, and Dr. Mukulika Banerjee, who examined the impact of landmark amendments like the 18th Amendment on democratic governance and civic rights.
Panel 4: Development and Demographic Dividends
Given that over 60% of Pakistan’s population is under 30, the panel examined youth potential in driving long-term economic growth. The discussion emphasized the need for effective collaboration between government and non-governmental bodies to unlock this demographic advantage.
Special Sessions
- Prof. David Gilmartin (North Carolina State University) delivered a lecture on The Indus and its Peoples.
- Ambassador Maleeha Lodhi gave a special address titled A World in Tumult.
- Prof. Philip Oldenburg (Columbia University) reflected on The Making of a Loyal Opposition in Pakistan.
Summit Reflections
Dr. Mukulika Banerjee, Director of the South Asia Centre at LSE, emphasized the summit’s role in connecting academic research with real-world stakeholders to strengthen Pakistan’s global image.
Fayeeza Naqvi, Chairperson of Aman Foundation, expressed hope that such collaborative thought leadership would inspire solutions to Pakistan’s most critical issues.