Agenda 2025
All Day
Arts & Culture Showcase
Location: Harvard Cambridge Campus
Browse visual exhibits, art displays, and cultural presentations throughout the day.
8:30 – 10:00 AM
Registration, Breakfast & Networking
Location: Venue disclosed in Ticket
10:00 – 10:10 AM
Art Opening
Masuma Halai Khwaja,
Visiting Artist Fellow, Mittal Institute
Prof. Iram Zia Raja,
Dean and Professor of Design at the National College of Arts
10:10 – 10:20 AM
Opening Remarks
Academic Advisor & Conference Co‑Chairs
10:20 – 10:40 AM
Opening Addresses by the Ambassador of Pakistan to the United States
Setting the stage for discussions on Pakistan’s evolving global positioning, strategic interests, and the critical role of diplomacy in times of transition.
Mr Rizwan Saeed Sheikh,
Ambassador of Pakistan to the United States
10:50 – 11:40 AM
Panel 1 – A Storm Coming: U.S.–China Competition, Middle Powers, and the Future of U.S.–Pakistan Relations
Explores how middle powers like Pakistan navigate an era of intensifying U.S.–China competition. The conversation will examine Pakistan’s evolving strategic calculus, the broader role of regional actors, and the trajectory of U.S.–Pakistan relations—reflecting on history while looking to the future.
Speakers:
Ambassador Robin Raphel,
Former U.S. Assistant Secretary of State
Dr Hassan Abbas,
IR Professor, National Defense University, Washington DC.
Moderator:
Dr. Meghan O’Sullivan
Director, Belfer Center, Harvard University
11:50 AM – 12:30 PM *
Panel 2A – The Enlightened Muslim
Examining the intersection of religion, modernity, and state formation in Pakistan. This panel explores how religious and secular ideas have influenced national identity and shaped the political discourse in a diverse and evolving society.
Speakers:
Dr Ayesha Jalal, Historian, Tufts University
Moderator:
Hitesh Hathi, Executive Director, Mittal Institute
11:50 – 12:30 PM *
Panel 2B – From Dysfunction to Reform: Rebuilding Governance in Pakistan
Assessing reform and good governance across Pakistan’s health sector, fiscal architecture, and public administration. Speakers will draw on provincial health delivery, pension and budget reforms, and federal policy design to outline system-wide steps toward transparent finance, reliable services, and accountable institutions.
Speakers:
Taimur Khan Jhagra,
Former Minister of Health & Finance, KP
Mosharraf Zaidi,
CEO, Tabadlab
Shahid Ahmed Khan,
Former Member Biden Administration
Moderator:
Adil Haider,
Dean at Aga Khan University & Professor of Surgery
12:30 – 12:40 PM
ClassAct HR 1973 Presentation
A brief segment highlighting the initiatives and contributions of ClassAct HR 1973.
12:40 – 1:40 PM
Lunch Break
Relax and network with fellow attendees.
1:40 – 2:40 PM
Panel 3 – Pathways to Democracy: Resilience & Reform
Pakistan’s democratic trajectory, addressing the balance between civilian and military authority, the role of the judiciary, and pathways for meaningful institutional reform.
Speakers:
Salman Akram Raja,
Senior Constitutional Lawyer
Hamid Mir,
Journalist & Political Analyst
Moderator:
Michael Kugelman,
Writer, Foreign Policy Magazine
2:50 - 3:40*
Panel 4A – Building a Knowledge-Based Economy: Innovation, Education & Strategy
With the global economy shifting toward knowledge and creativity, how can Pakistan foster an innovation-driven future? This session focuses on building human capital, reforming education systems, and supporting knowledge-based industries.
Speakers:
Abrar Hasan,
CEO, National Foods
Shafiq Khan,
CEO & President, Teach the World Foundation
Momina Mustehsan,
Artist & Activist
Ehsan Malik,
CEO, Pakistan Business Council
Moderator:
Dr Kathryn Boudett,
Senior Lecturer, Harvard GSE
2:50 – 3:40*
Panel 4B – Climate and Resilience: Pakistan’s Environmental Future
Addressing Pakistan’s environmental vulnerabilities and proposing sustainable adaptation policies for long‐term climate resilience.
Speakers:
Dr Erum Sattar,
Sustainable Water Management Program Director, Tufts University
Gerald Brown,
Senior Advisor for Climate; Professor, Tufts University
Asad Ejaz Butt,
Economist and Policy Advisor
Moderator:
George Sarrinikolaou,
Executive Director, Salata Institute
3:40 – 4:00 PM
Coffee Break
4:00 – 4:50 PM *
Panel 5A – The Political Economy of Pakistan
Pakistan’s macroeconomic challenges, financial reforms, and investment potential.
Speakers:
Dr Reza Baqir,
Former Governor State Bank of Pakistan & Global Head of Sovereign Advisory, Alvarez & Marsal.
Dr Carmen Reinhart,
Former Chief Economist, World Bank & Professor at Harvard
4:00 – 4:50 PM *
Panel 5B – U.S.–Pakistan Business and Innovation Dialogue
How can Pakistan better position itself in the global economy through innovation, entrepreneurship, and diaspora-driven partnerships? This panel will showcase success stories and collaborative solutions.
Speakers:
Ziad Bashir,
Director, Gul Ahmed
Tariq Khan,
Professor, NYU & President, OPEN Global
Dr Sajid Tarar,
Pakistani‑American Businessman
Prof. Imran Sayeed,
Entrepreneurship & Innovation, MIT
Moderator:
Shahid Azim,
CEO, C10 Labs
5:00 – 5:45 PM
Keynote: Pakistan’s Economic Future
A high-level dialogue on the future of Pakistan’s economy with the Finance Minister, addressing debt, growth strategy, global partnerships, and institutional cooperation.
Speakers:
Muhammad Aurangzeb,
Finance Minister of Pakistan
Nikolay Gueorguiev,
Division Chief, IMF
6:15 – 7:00 PM
Closing Session — Mushaira & Cultural Showcase
A celebration of Pakistan’s diverse heritage through music, poetry, and storytelling—featuring voices from the creative community and diaspora.
Jawad Sheikh,
Cultural Commentator & Performer
*Two panels will be taking place at the same time in different rooms