This spring break, 27 Harvard students joined a trek to Pakistan, representing the Harvard Kennedy School, the Harvard Business School, the Nieman Foundation, and Harvard College. Designed to immerse the student delegation in Pakistan’s culture, history, politics, and development trajectory, this trip was organized by some of the Pakistani student groups on campus.
Over the 8 days for the trip, students visited tourist sites, cultural events (including classical music sessions and a theatre play), sporting events and attended policy engagements. They interacted with politicians, public servants and think tanks; they explored some of the challenges facing Pakistan on the education, health, climate change and communications fronts; and they even managed to squeeze in some cultural fun at a cricket game.
Ahmed Raza, a Masters of Public Administration candidate at the Harvard Kennedy School, co-organized the experience. As a student leader for various Pakistani groups on campus, he shares the motivations behind the trip.
“I was interested in setting up processes which can sustain efforts for years to come. In particular, I have been concerned about the coherence and continuity of student-led initiatives related to Pakistan. This trip helped me in making progress on both fronts. A ‘one Harvard’ approach to the design of the trek enabled coherence of efforts across campus, and secondly – and perhaps most importantly – it sowed seeds for the replication of the trek on an annual basis.
At a personal level, the trek’s visit to my ancestral village was immensely rewarding. The delegation visited my ancestral village of Pindi Umra in Punjab where they spent the night and kept a Ramadan fast with the local community. This was the first time that non-Pakistanis visited my village. The highlight was when the delegation interacted with high school students in local schools.” Ahmed Raza, MPA’24
Pakistan: A Photo Journal
Students outside the National Assembly. Photo: Taybah Crorie
Students visiting a girl’s school in Pindi Umra, Punjab. Photo: Andrea Patino
Students on tour to the Walled City of Lahore. Photo: Andrea Patino
“Seeing Pakistan through the eyes and guidance of Pakistani students at Harvard, has been one of the best experiences of my year as a Nieman Fellow. As a journalist I strive to look at the world with curiosity and nuance, and that’s exactly what this trip provided: an opportunity to explore this beautiful and complicated country through the eyes of leaders and locals, as well as its arts, culture and rich history. There are many memories I will cherish: from thoughtful meetings with leaders like the first female judge of the Supreme Court, Ayesha Malik to a visit to the village of Pindi Umra, where we were greeted by local families with open arms and generosity. I came back home very excited by what I saw and experienced and eager to return one day.” Andrea Patino, 2024 Nieman Fellow
Hindustani classical music night in Lahore. Students listened to bandish in Raag Bhopali by Muslim Shaggan. Photo: Andrea Patino
Students with tickets to the PSL cricket game. Photo: Quirin Blomberg
Students during a visit to the Faisal Mosque. Photo: Andrea Patino
“Pakistan trek was an eye-opener to the beautiful Pakistani culture that we seldom see. The kindness of the Pakistani people, with their rich history and amazing cuisine, in their scenic nation was a highlight every second of the trip. A meticulously organized trip, the trek taught me the importance of unity and learning about different nations and cultures.” David Aboge, student at Harvard College
Students being interviewed by local news channel outside the Faisal Mosque. Photo: Andrea Patino
Meeting with the Chief Justice. Photo: Namira Mehedi
Students during their visit to the Kartarpur corridor. Photo: Hamaad Mehal
“It was an incredible opportunity to meet with leaders in Pakistan and engage with their diverse perspectives on the history, present, and future of Pakistan. Additionally, it was a once in a lifetime chance to have our Pakistani peers at Harvard share the richness of their culture with us.” Azeb Yirga, student in the joint MD/MBA program
Students during a visit to the Lahore Fort. Photo: Quirin Blomberg
Students partnered with a local NGO in Mustafa Abad (Lalyani), Kasur, to organize an Iftar for local residents