Livestream – Monday, October 31st
Livestream – Tuesday, November 1st
Join the Atlantic Council’s South Asia Center for an upcoming conference on the future of the US-Pakistan relationship in partnership with Engro Corporation, University of Lahore and Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies.
This two-day conference will include participation of policy experts, influencers, and academics from both the United States and Pakistan to discuss the future of the bilateral relationship, focusing on the evolution of the relationship in a multipolar world, new economic areas of collaboration including technology, and how a shift in Pakistan’s domestic political economy is creating new avenues for engagement with the world.
The conference on the future of the US-Pakistan relationship takes place at 8:30AM on Monday, October 31 and concludes on Tuesday, November 1 at Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies, Kenney-Herter Auditorium (1740 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, DC 20036).
Fireside chat with Ghias Khan, President and CEO of Engro Corporation
Tuesday, November 1st at 12:15 PM ET
Ghias Khan is the 4th President & CEO of Engro Corporation. He has played an instrumental role in stewarding Engro’s future strategy, culture, and international outreach with a focus on building the company’s digitalization capabilities, transforming it into an intelligent organization that can compete on a global scale.
Under his leadership, Engro renewed its commitment to petrochemicals through the expansion of Engro Polymer & Chemical Limited (EPCL). He also ushered Engro’s pivot towards renewable energy which aims to deliver value and deploy an energy ecosystem that will solve for Pakistan’s energy security.
Ghias spearheaded the development of Engro Enfrashare, the company’s connectivity vertical which he believes is the conduit that enables social and financial inclusion.
In 2022, Ghias was elected President of the Overseas Investors Chamber of Commerce & Industry (OICCI). In his role as President, Ghias has advocated for streamlining taxation and the formation of a long-term industrial policy to attract foreign investment into the country.
Currently, Ghias serves as Chairman on the Boards of Engro Fertilizers Limited, Engro Polymer & Chemicals Limited, Engro Enfrashare (Pvt) Limited, and Engro Energy Limited. He serves on the Board of Trustees of Engro Foundation – the social investment arm of Engro Corporation. In addition, he serves on the Board of Trustees of Karachi Port Trust (KPT).
Conference Agenda
Day 1: Monday, October 31st
Welcome Remarks – 9:00 AM ET
Fred Kempe, President & CEO, Atlantic Council
Keynote Remarks – 9:10 AM ET
Amb. Masood Khan, Ambassador of Pakistan to the US
Dilawar Syed, Special Representative for Commercial and Business Affairs, US Department of State
Understanding perspectives and finding commonalities in theaters of concern – 10:00 AM ET
This panel will discuss near-term strategic challenges facing both countries, including the war in Ukraine and its impact on developing countries in general and Pak-US relations in particular; the ongoing humanitarian and security crisis in Afghanistan; and the future of peace in South Asia.
Moderator
Shamila Chaudhary, Former President, American Pakistan Foundation & Nonresident Senior Fellow, Atlantic Council’s South Asia Center
Panelists
Adm. Tahir Afzal, Former Chief of Naval Staff, Pakistan Navy
Rabia Akhtar, Director, Centre for Security, Strategy and Policy Research, University of Lahore & Nonresident Senior Fellow, Atlantic Council’s South Asia Center
Yun Sun, Director, China Program, Stimson Center
Daniel Markey, Senior Advisor, South Asia, United States Institute of Peace
New economic opportunities in the technology sector – 11:10 AM ET
This panel will focus on Pakistan’s technology sector, the role U.S. investors and technology companies are playing in Pakistan, and policy level challenges which, if resolved, can mobilize greater investment in new ventures, and generate higher export earnings for Pakistan.
Moderator
Uzair Younus, Director, Pakistan Initiative, Atlantic Council
Panelists
Amer Hashmi, Former Chairman, Special Technology Zones Authority in Pakistan
Monica Brand Engel, Co-founder and Managing Partner, Quona
Shazia Khan, CEO, EcoEnergy
Mohammed Khaishgi, CEO, TRG International
Day 2: Tuesday, November 1st
Welcome Remarks – 9:00 AM ET
James B. Steinberg, Dean, Johns Hopkins SAIS
Pakistan’s national security pivot: Aspiration
versus reality – 9:10 AM ET
Moeed Yusuf, Former NSA, Pakistan
The US – Pakistan relationship in a multipolar world: Opportunities and headwinds – 9:30 AM ET
This panel will explore how the global world order is changing and critical areas that will shape the foreign policy of both Pakistan and the United States within and outside South Asia.
Moderator
Joshua White, Associate Professor, Johns Hopkins SAIS
Panelists
Aneel Salman, Chair, Economic Security, IPRI
Amb. Jorge Guajardo, Former Mexican Ambassador to China
Tamanna Salikuddin – Director, South Asia Program, United States Institute of Peace
Modernizing Pakistan’s agriculture sector through greater private-sector investments from the US –10:45 AM ET
This panel will focus on the evolving needs of Pakistan’s agriculture sector, which employs almost 40 percent of the country’s labor force. Panelists will talk about investment in new technologies and processes to boost yields, building a modern cold-storage supply chain, and value-added facilities that can export productive surplus to the rest of the world.
Moderator
Safiya Ghori-Ahmad, South Asia Director, McLarty Associates & Nonresident Senior Fellow, Atlantic Council’s South Asia Center
Panelists
Abid Suleri, Executive Director, Sustainable Development Policy Institute
Ehsan Malik, CEO, Pakistan Business Council
Hans Jansen, Agriculture Economist, World Bank
Maaz Gardezi, Assistant Professor, Virginia Tech
Fireside chat with Ghias Khan, President and CEO of Engro Corporation, 12:15 PM ET
Ghias Khan, President and CEO, Engro Corporation
Shuja Nawaz, Distinguished Fellow, Atlantic Council’s South Asia Center
Promoting regional cooperation to combat climate change – 1:00 PM ET
This panel will focus on the threats posed to the subcontinent by climate change and share data and forecasts about the regional outlook. This is an area where both the US and Pakistan have exhibited serious policy interest, and this panel will explore opportunities to foster greater collaboration to mitigate against risks posed by climate change.
Moderator
Irfan Nooruddin, Senior Director, Atlantic Council’s South Asia Center
Panelists
Adil Najam, Inaugural Dean, Pardee School of Global Studies, Boston University
Erum Sattar, Program Director, Sustainable Water Management Program, Tufts University
Kathy Baughman McLeod, Director, Atlantic Council’s Adrienne Arsht–Rockefeller Foundation Resilience Center
Please scroll to the bottom of the page to register for attending the event in person.
The South Asia Center (SAC) is the hub for the Atlantic Council’s analysis of the political, social, geographical, and cultural diversity of the region.
At the intersection of South Asia and its geopolitics, SAC cultivates dialogue to shape policy and forge ties between the region and the global community.
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