For the first time in Harvard’s history, graduate students will host the Pakistan Conference at Harvard, supported by the Mittal Institute as well as research centers across the Harvard ecosystem. Taking place on April 27, 2025, on the Harvard Campus, the conference aims to bring together a diverse range of voices from policy, business, and civil society to arts, highlighting Pakistan’s opportunities, pathways, and challenges.
The Mittal Institute sat down with the two conference co-chairs—Muhammad Hadi from the Harvard Graduate School of Education and Sannan Pervaiz from the Harvard Kennedy School—to learn what inspired the event, what attendees should expect, and why this matters right now.
Muhammad Hadi
Mittal Institute: What inspired the launch of the Harvard Pakistan Conference, and why now?
Hadi: When we arrived on campus last year, we recognized that a conversation on Pakistan was missing in the Harvard ecosystem. While Pakistan was present in conversations, it was often framed as a footnote to the broader region or primarily viewed through a security lens. We essentially wanted to change this narrative. We believe Pakistan deserves a space of its own—one that understands and explores its complexity, recognizes its opportunities, and celebrates its art and heritage.
Sannan: The timing is no accident. Pakistan is at a crossroads—economically, politically, and environmentally. This conference is about responding to the moment and connecting minds across borders. For us, this is very much about shaping a legacy so that every year, we can bring Pakistan’s thought leaders, academic experts, and business leaders to have a conversation about what we offer to the world, how we can work together, and what positive role we can play in the global order.
Sannan Pervaiz
Mittal Institute: What’s the theme of the conference, and what should we expect from the conference?
Hadi: This year’s theme is “Bridging Divides, Building Tomorrow.” It’s aspirational but also grounded. With growing polarization across the world, Pakistan faces its own internal challenges. Our focus remains on recognizing our differences but also identifying pathways to inclusive growth and governance—one that brings people together to chart a path for the future.
Sannan: As this is our foundational conference, we aim to set the stage for Pakistan at Harvard. You can expect engaging conversation on key issues: from responding to the climate challenge to shaping the political economy; from the role of the private sector to the importance of building a knowledge-based economy, and from the role of art to that of identity.
Mittal Institute: You have an impressive line-up. How did you approach panel curation and how did you solicit such a diverse range of panelists?
Sannan: Our panel curation was deeply intentional. We wanted to ensure we could have an intellectual conversation while also bringing together Harvard-affiliated Pakistanis back on this platform. Dr Reza Baqir, Salman Akram Raja, and Ehsan Malik are all alumni of the Harvard ecosystem. Along with this, we are deeply honored to host renowned scholars such as Dr. Ayesha Jalal as well as former Finance Minister Miftah Ismail, along with business leaders such as Abrar Hasan, the CEO of National Foods.
Hadi: One thing we were really mindful of was ensuring our conversations were supported by the faculty at Harvard. Senior leaders, including Professor Meghan O’Sullivan and Dr Kathy Boudett, have been gracious in giving us their time and play a vital role in holding conversations at this conference. We are also grateful to the Ash Center and the Salata Institute for their support and guidance.
Mittal Institute: What makes this conference different from others focused on South Asia?
Hadi: For us, we wanted to tell our own story. Pakistan is often wrapped into a broader South Asia conversation, and while the regional discourse is vital, there is also a need for Pakistan to talk about its own path. This is exactly what this conference is doing, unapologetically and boldly.
“Pakistan is often wrapped into a broader South Asia conversation, and while the regional discourse is vital, there is also a need for Pakistan to talk about its own path. This is exactly what this conference is doing, unapologetically and boldly.”
Sannan: This is a truly student-led and student-powered initiative. Every conversation has been shaped by a team of passionate students from across Harvard who believe in the potential for Pakistan and want to contribute to ensuring Pakistan also has a platform at Harvard.
Mittal Institute: What’s one thing each of you will carry with you after this conference ends?
Hadi: For me, it’s the community. We have a team of organizers and volunteers who are deeply passionate about Pakistan. I will carry with me a reminder that when students are trusted to lead, we can build spaces that are not only intellectually engaging but feel honest and transformative.
Sannan: I’ll carry the stories and conversations this platform has accorded us both—with the diverse speakers, with attendees, and with friends. Of people who believe and recognize that despite the odds, Pakistan holds a promising future.
☆ The views represented herein are those of the interview subjects and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Mittal Institute, its staff, or its Steering Committee.
