Events Detail

Pakistan at the Crossroads:

Rising Radicalism

June 28, 2011

12:00 - 2:00 PM

Complementary lunch was served.

In Pakistan, recent events have brought its future into question. Will there be fanatical extremism grounded in radical Islamic teachings or a future of moderate Islamic, and even religiously pluralistic, politics grounded in the principles of modern rule of law?

This was made clear by the recent assassinations of two senior Pakistani officials who were friends, both dedicated to the moderate option—one a Muslim, Salman Taseer, Governor of the Punjab, the other a Christian, Shahbazz Bhatti, the Federal Minister of Minority Affairs. Both were murdered over attempts to reform Pakistan's blasphemy law and its notorious unjust implementation, especially with regard to minority Christian Pakistanis. The reaction to these murders—some outraged, some celebratory—raised the question: In what direction will Pakistan go?

We are pleased to invite you to a discussion with journalist Shehrbano Taseer, the daughter of the assassinated Governor of Punjab Salman Taseer. Ms. Taseer graduated from Smith College with a Bachelor's degree in government and film and currently works at Newsweek Pakistan.

Joining her for the discussion was Nina Shea, Hudson Senior Fellow and Director, Center for Religious Freedom, and Aparna Pande, Research Fellow with the Hudson's Center for Islam and Democracy and an expert on Pakistani politics. Hillel Fradkin, Senior Fellow and Director of Hudson's Center on Islam, Democracy, and the Future of the Muslim World, moderated the discussion.

Betsy and Walter Stern Conference Center

Hudson Institute

1015 15th Street, NW

Sixth Floor

Washington, DC 20005