Seminar: Efter Bin Laden – enden på militarisme i Pakistan?

TIME: Tuesday, 22 November, 9.30-12.00

VENUE: Danish Institute for International Studies, Main Auditorium, Strandgade 71, ground floor, Christianshavn, 1401 Copenhagen K

TIME: Tuesday, 22 November, 9.30-12.00

VENUE: Danish Institute for International Studies, Main Auditorium, Strandgade 71, ground floor, Christianshavn, 1401 Copenhagen K

In 2009, American president Barack Obama declared Pakistan to be the toughest challenge in the fight against Al-Qaeda and the Taliban. During the 10 years of war in Afghanistan, Pakistan has witnessed a dramatic increase in religious militancy.

The intensification of American drone attacks in the tribal areas of Pakistan and the fact that many leaders of the insurgency in Afghanistan have operated from Pakistan means that parts of Pakistan have become a principle battlefield for the fight against Al-Qaeda and the Taliban.

At the same time, Pakistan has been one of the most affected countries since the War on Terror was launched in 2001. Surveys show that around 37,000 Pakistanis, including civilians and military personnel, have lost their lives in the past 10 years, and over the past five years there has been an explosive rise in terrorist incidents and suicide attacks within the country.

This seminar will focus on the reasons behind the increasing militancy in Pakistan and the perspectives for curbing the unfortunate development, both by addressing potential Pakistani initiatives but also by addressing the question of what role the international community should play in bringing peace and stability to the country.

Leading analysts and editors of Pakistan’s major media institutions will share their analysis of the recent developments in Pakistan.

Speakers:

* Mona Kanwal Sheikh, Post.doc, DIIS
* Rashid Rehman, Editor of Daily Times
* Anjum Ibrahim, Editor of Business Recorder
* Arshad Sharif, Bureau chief for Dawn News
* Rana Jawad, Bureau chief for GEO

PROGRAMME:

09.00-09.30: Arrival and Coffee

09.30-09.40: Introduction; Mona Kanwal Sheikh, Post.doc, DIIS

09.40-10.10: Diagnosing the Problem: Facts Behind the Increasing Militancy in Pakistan; Rashid Rehman, Editor of Daily Times and Anjum Ibrahim, Editor of Business Recorder

10.10-10.40: Looking Ahead: Perspectives for Peace Building and Curbing Militancy in Af-Pak; Arshad Sharif, Bureau chief for Dawn News and Rana Jawad, Bureau chief for GEO

10.40-11.30: Q & A

11.30-12.00: Sandwich lunch for speakers and participants

The seminar will be held in English.

Participation is free of charge and include lunch. Registration is required.

Read more about the speakers and use the online registration form from the website no later than Friday, 18 November at 12.00 noon.

Please await confirmation by e-mail from DIIS for participation.