THIS EVENT HAS BEEN POSTPONED UNTIL EARLY NEXT YEAR. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: Dawn Williams - email dawnw@rusi.org

Pakistan: Strategic Challenges and Prospects

4th December 2006

RUSI, Whitehall, London

Because of its geostrategic location and as one of the leading partners in the world-wide coalition against terrorism and political extremism, Pakistan is a pivotal state. The country has deployed significant forces against militants in its northern border region, sustaining considerable casualties. And its security services continue to play a crucial role in fighting terrorism and containing the spread of extremism.

President Pervez Musharraf has stressed that the root causes of global terrorism have to be tackled in a holistic manner, with a combination of soft and hard power. He has also argued that Pakistan is becoming an engine of economic growth exerting a positive influence in the region. This conference will aim to explore Pakistani and British experiences in combating terrorism and to define the road ahead for regional peace and security.

Guest speakers include:

Dr Kim Howells, Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Lt Gen (Retd) Ali Muhammad Jan Aurakzai, Governor North West Frontier Province

Mr Phil Woolas MP, Minister for Local Government and Community Cohesion

Mr Inam Ul Haq, Chairman, BOG, Institute of Strategic Studies, Islamabad

Brigadier Javed Iqbal Cheema, Director General, Pakistan’s National Crisis Management Cell

Vice Admiral Charles Style, Deputy Chief of Defence Staff

Brian Cloughley, commentator on South Asian political and military affairs

Dr. Ashfaq Hassan Khan Economic Adviser to Pakistan’s Ministry of Finance

Dr Lawrence Saez, London School of Economics

Dr Pervaiz Iqbal Cheema, President, Islamabad Policy Research Institute

Dr Matthew Nelson, School of Oriental and African Studies

Core themes:

The War on terror: Pakistan’s role as a front line state

Pakistan and the regional security environment

Tackling extremism in Pakistan

Pakistan’s road to progress and prosperity