On 26 November, thought leaders, changemakers, and futurists converged at the IBA City Campus. All there to discuss one thing and ask one question: how has Pakistan progressed in its 75 years and how Pakistan can (or cannot) prosper in #TheNext75 years?
Organized by Engro Corp and the IBA, talks@Engro, was an event that was one of its kind. Each speaker provided their analysis of our Nation’s past and opens a window for a glimpse into the future, a future of Pakistan still being decided, whether good or bad.
Let us introduce you to the diverse speakers and themes of talks@Engro.
Pakistan At the Beginning
Talks@Engro started with Asad Umar’s video message. Talking of the hurdles Pakistan faced at its beginning, he outlined the lack of resources the country had; how the country had just a 3% literacy rate. Countless experts predicted Pakistan wouldn’t survive, yet the country did. And it stands tall after 75 years.
And if we focus on the big picture, Insha’Allah in the next 75 years Pakistan would be among the best.
Lessons from the Cricket Field
Reminiscing on the 1992 World Cup, Ramiz Raja, former cricketer and current chairman of PCB, outlined that leadership was crucial to success. And cricket still being one of the few sports where leadership still matters.
Bringing lessons from the field, he said, “leadership is about patience.” Reflecting on the recent tumultuous world cup campaign, Pakistan’s past has been similar. One of the ups and downs. And for the next 75 years, he saw Pakistan produce leaders, saying we must think big and always dream.
For the girls who dare to Dream
Speaking of the challenges that young girls face, a footballer and social entrepreneur from Chitral, was Karishma Ali.
Overcoming barriers and difficulties, she started the Karishma Ali foundation. Today, the foundation helps girls actively participate in sports, specifically football. For those who are still looking for inspiration, here’s a video about the foundation.
Her message was simple: “Let them be! Let the girls dream!”
Reforming Pakistan
The dean of IBA, Dr. Akbar Zaidi, did not mince his words when he said Pakistan was in its decline. Our HDI is lower than in Bangladesh and Nepal.
Our politicians are concerned about lesser issues rather than what falls in their domain. Many at times forgetting the plight of their own people who have recently faced devastating floods.
Dr. Zaidi’s emphasized that we must empower our women, as it presents a solution to half our problems. Speaking on our economic future, he provided a concept of regional economic integration and cooperation, specifically with India and Iran. For Pakistan, to progress, it must become friends with those it considers as foes.
Stories that Matter
Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, an award-winning filmmaker and journalist, spoke of many inspirational stories. Stories of Hazara. The story of her own family during Partition.
Her dogma is that we should discuss inspirational stories around us, taking motivation for change from them.
The Young Ones
Shehzad Ghias Shaikh, a digital content creator and host of The Pakistan Experience, spoke of the challenges faced by our youth. The youth’s lack of representation everywhere, from the political to the corporate world, even on the first few rows of talks@Engro.
Moreover, he provided a ten-pointer plan for the future, too grand for one article, but it could all be summarized that education and teacher quality should become our priority. As well as offering true freedom of speech to our students.
Furthermore, speaking of the Population bulge, he asked the event’s esteemed audience whether we have “a youth problem or a youth opportunity?” Raising this question is important, we expect our youth to take Pakistan onwards and upwards. The youth, on the other hand, are not given the resources to excel and are censored whenever possible.
Muzammil Hasan & Shehzad Ghias
Syed Muzammil Hasan Zaidi, the host of the TBT podcast, moderated this first talks@Engro, saying that our approach towards Pakistan’s future should be one of “cautious optimism”. Though his evening wouldn’t end there.
A wonderful dinner following the event may have served as a prelude to what’s now being referred to as EliteGate. A 3-hour podcast episode after the event, between Muzammil and Shehzad, whose one small clip had ignited a controversy of elite vs. middle class, originating from the former referring to himself as non-privileged, having said he only went USA for the first time in 9th grade.
Shehzad, on the other hand, was criticized for making a guest uncomfortable. Though as many may have skipped parts of this article, Twitterati also skipped other points in the podcast. Heavily trolling both the hosts.
#TheNext75
Coming back to the talks@Engro, IBA has truly become a place for fruitful dialogue from diverse sources. The speakers were not the only highlight of the event. The audience in itself is diverse, from students to industry leaders. Even content creators like Bilal Hassan, aka MystaPaki.
“Dreams are meant to be Unrealistic”
The evening coming full circle had another IBA alumni and current CEO of Engro Corp as its last speaker, Mr. Ghias Khan.
Lastly, his one quote would be enough to summarize his whole speech and talks@Engro:
“Khuwab wo nhi hotay jo sokar dekhay jaatay hain, Khuwab wo hotay jo sonay nhi detay”
