The inaugural Harvard Pakistan Conference was held today at Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts. The flagship Conference brought together a distinguished gathering of policymakers, academics, entrepreneurs, and students to deliberate on Pakistan’s economic prospects, governance reforms, and evolving role in global affairs. The Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, Mr. Muhammad Aurangzeb; Ambassador of Pakistan to the United States, H.E. Rizwan Saeed Sheikh; and the Consul General of Pakistan in New York, Mr. Aamer Ahmed Atozai attended the Conference.
In his opening remarks, Ambassador Rizwan Saeed Sheikh appreciated the participation of bright minds from various sectors who had come together to deliberate on Pakistan. He emphasized that Pakistan, by virtue of its size, population, and strategic importance, is too significant to be ignored. Stressing the need for serious, objective, and constructive discussions on Pakistan, the Ambassador highlighted that in today’s interconnected world, developments anywhere have global repercussions, making diplomacy more important than ever before. He underscored that diplomacy must be given a chance to address common challenges through collective efforts. Referring to the “return of history,” he observed that the evolving global landscape calls for greater cooperation among nations. Ambassador Sheikh reaffirmed that Pakistan is a peaceful nation, and that its full attention is currently directed towards maximizing economic dividends and capitalizing on its strategic geographical location to foster growth and prosperity.
In his keynote address, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb outlined Pakistan’s recent economic progress. He highlighted the successful stabilization of the economy, including the reduction of inflation to a historic low of 0.7 percent, a significant increase in foreign exchange reserves, stabilization of the national currency, and achievement of a fiscal surplus after decades. The Finance Minister emphasized that while stability has been achieved, Pakistan’s focus is now on long-term economic transformation to build a competitive, inclusive, and sustainable economy. He also interacted with participants during a question-and-answer session, responding to queries on Pakistan’s fiscal management, reform initiatives, and development priorities.
The Conference also featured insightful panel discussions on key themes including economic modernization, governance reforms, regional stability, and climate resilience. Eminent speakers from diverse fields shared their perspectives on the opportunities and challenges facing Pakistan. A cultural segment was also organized, showcasing Pakistan’s rich and diverse heritage to the participants.
The Harvard Pakistan Conference served as an important platform to project Pakistan’s economic potential, reform agenda, and positive outlook to a global audience. It provided an opportunity to strengthen Pakistan’s engagement with international academic and policy institutions and to promote the country’s narrative of resilience, opportunity, and forward-looking progress.
