Prominent personalities from Pakistan’s political, business, academic, and entertainment sectors came together in the United States for the annual Pakistan Conference held at Harvard University.
The event was organized by the Pakistan Student Association at Harvard’s Graduate School of Education. It aimed to create dialogue between Pakistani and international speakers on national challenges, development priorities, and future opportunities.
Fashion designer Hassan Sheheryar Yasin was among the key speakers. He said he was proud to represent Pakistan on a global stage. He noted that discussions went beyond fashion, covering entrepreneurship, culture, heritage, and inclusion.
Yasin highlighted the importance of women’s empowerment, disability inclusion, and education. He expressed optimism about Pakistan’s future, saying the country’s greatest strength lies in its people. He also praised Harvard students for celebrating cultural identity through the conference.
A cultural panel featured musician Faisal Kapadia and designer Faraz Zaidi, with the session moderated by singer Momina Mustehsan.
The conference concluded with a keynote address by actor and entrepreneur Mahira Khan, who also serves as a UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador. She described her participation as a memorable experience and thanked organizers and attendees. She also appreciated the warmth of students who made her feel at home despite the cold weather.
Political and policy discussions included former foreign minister Hina Rabbani Khar, former national security adviser Moeed Yusuf, and Ambassador Rizwan Saeed Sheikh, who spoke on diplomacy and regional affairs.
Economic perspectives were shared by former State Bank governor Reza Baqir along with business leaders and economists. Judicial and governance issues were discussed by Justice Mansoor Ali Shah.
The conference also featured powerful personal narratives. Author Zafar Masud and writer Shahbaz Taseer shared stories of survival and resilience, reflecting on life-changing experiences including captivity and a major air crash survival.
