President of LCWA Participates in Webinar on "Israeli Diplomatic Outreach to the Gulf Countries" Organised by the Peshawar University

The Department of International Relations of the University of Peshawar orgainzed an international webinar on "Israeli Diplomatic Outreach to the Gulf Countries: Changing Political Calculus of the Muslim World" on 15 September, 2020. Ambassador Javid Husain, President of LCWA, presented a paper on "Israeli Expansionism and the Muslim World" in one of the sessions of the webinar. The paper highlighted the adverse impact of Israeli expansionism on the Palestinian cause and the solidarity of the Arab world and the Islamic Ummah.

Ambassador Javid Husain Participates in Virtual Meeting of Think Tanks Organised by ISSI

On 9 September, 2020, Ambassador Javid Husain, President, LCWA, participated in the virtual Fifth Meeting of Think Tanks Forum organised by the Institute of Strategic Studies, Islamabad (ISSI). The agenda covered exchange of views on global and regional situation and its implications for Pakistan, role of think tanks in projecting Pakistan's narratives, and cooperation in the Think Tanks Forum including the Think Tank Portal. Ambassador Javid Husain expressed his views on the international geopolitical scene and emphasised that the think tanks should be encouraged to carry out independent and objective research on national and international issues so as to make available to the policy makers their conclusions and recommendations. However, they should not be made to conform to a pre-set agenda or narrative instead of carrying out independent research in the service of national interests.

Ambassador Javid Hussain Participates in Webinar on Pakistan-Iran Relations

Ambassador Javid Husain participated in the webinar on "Pakistan-Iran Bilateral Relations" organised by the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad and the Institute for Political and International Studies, Tehran on 14 July, 2020. The Ambassador underlined the growing importance of Pakistan-Iran friendship in the context of the emerging global and regional developments, and offered several concrete proposals for strengthening Pakistan-Iran relations in various fields.

Ambassador Javid Husain, President, LCWA, chaired a session on "Hindutva--A Myth or Reality"

Ambassador Javid Husain, President, LCWA, chaired a session on "Hindutva--A Myth or Reality" at the National Seminar on "Decoding Hindu Mindset and India's Strategic Motives" held by the National Defence University on 6 February, 2020. In his concluding remarks, Ambassador Javid Husain emphasised that the growing tilt in the Hindu society in India towards religious extremism and intolerance reflected a long-term trend towards Hindu bigotry with dangerous implications for religious minorities in India including Muslims and Christians as well as for peace and stability in South Asia.

LCWA Executive Board members visited the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry

In order to increase mutual cooperation between the Lahore Council for World Affairs (LCWA) and Chambers of Commerce and Industries of other cities, a delegation of LCWA Executive Board members visited the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry on 15 January, 2020. The in-depth exchange of views resulted in the signing of an MOU for mutual cooperation as proposed and agreed to by both sides. Under this Memorandum a Committee of 10 members, with five members each from LCWA and LCCI, will follow up the implementation of the Memorandum.
The LCWA also intends to increase its outreach to Chambers of Commerce and Industry of other cities like Faisalabad and Sialkot to increase cooperation with these entitiesegards,

Interactive Session with Ambassador Ashraf Qureshi at CSAS

The Centre for South Asian Studies (CSAS) of the University of the Punjab organised an interactive session on 19 December on the fall of Dhaka. Mr Ashraf Qureshi, Pakistan's former Ambassador to the Republic of Bangladesh was the keynote speaker. He spoke in detail about various factors that led to this tragic development. The interactive session generated lively discussion amongst mostly post graduates participants, topic being timely to the month of the tragedy.

Visit of delegation from China Foreign Affairs University to Lahore

A three member delegation of China Foreign Affairs University visited Lahore from 8-12 December 2019 at the invitation of Lahore Council for World Affairs. The Chinese delegation was led by Professor SHI Yi, Dean, Department of English and International Studies and included Professor GAO Shangtao, Institute of International Relations, and Professor REN Yuanzhe, Department of Diplomacy and Foreign Affairs Management. Members of LCWA participated in the interaction.
The visit was held in coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan and the Consulate General of People's Republic of China in Lahore.
The useful exchange of views spanned topics of Pak-China mutual interest and relevant to the region.
The two sides also agreed to institutionalize such bilateral interaction and make such exchanges a regular feature.

Lecture by Ambassador Iqbal Ahmad Khan on Pak-Iran Relations

In pursuance of an MoU between LCWA and the Punjab University, Ambassador Iqbal Ahmad Khan, an LCWA member, delivered a lecture at the Centre for South Asian Studies on Friday 26 April, 2019 on “Future Directions of Pak-Iran Relations”. The lecture was followed by a lively discussion in which scholars and students of the University actively participated.

Talk by Dr Hafiz Pasha, former Finance and Commerce Minister

Dr. Hafiz A. Pasha, former Finance and Commerce Minister of Pakistan gave a talk on “Current economic situation in Pakistan and its future prospects" to members of LCWA on Thursday, 25 April, 2019 at the Lahore Gymkhana. The subject being topical evoked a lot of interest amongst participating Ambassadors, academicians, businessmen and students, and was followed by a lively question-answer session.

Dynamics of a Regional Game: Pakistan-Saudi Arabia-India-Iran Relations

Dr. Christophe Jaffrelot, a leading French scholar on South Asia gave a talk to the members of LCWA on 11 January 2019 on the 'Dynamics of a Regional Game: Pakistan-Saudi Arabia-India-Iran Relations'. The event, which was held at the Lahore Center for Peace Research (LCPR) and attended by some LCPR members also, evoked a lot of interest among the participants and led to a lively discussion on the latest developments in the region. The talk had special significance in providing the French perspective on the change in leadership in Pakistan, the latest US rethink of its Afghanistan policy, the approaching elections in India, and the evolution of Iran-Saudi Arabian relations.

Iranian IPIS delegation visits Lahore

Some members of LCWA, at the invitation of the Lahore Centre for Peace Research (LCPR), attended a luncheon meeting on 13 December, 2018 at Lahore with a delegation from the Institute for Political and International Studies (IPIS), Tehran led by Dr. Seyed Kazem Sajjadpour, President IPIS, for an exchange of views on bilateral, regional and international issues. It was agreed at the end of the highly rewarding discussion to forge ties of cooperation between IPIS, on the one side, and LCPR and LCWA, on the other. The modalities for MOU’s for this purpose between IPIS and LCPR, and between IPIS and LCWA would be worked out later.

LCWA arranges a Talk by the Chinese Consul General on CPEC

In view of the ever growing national and international interest in China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), the LCWA arranged a Talk by Chinese Consul General in Lahore, Mr. Long Dingbin on 6 December at Lahore Gymkhana. The Chinese Consul General highlighted the importance of CPEC in the regional and international context and in the light of the vision of the leadership of the two countries to take Pakistan-China strategic partnership and cooperation to new heights and to accelerate Pakistan’s economic development. He also explained in detail various stages of development of the early harvest projects in which China had already invested $ 19 billion, employing 70,000 Pakistanis. The subject evinced a lot of interest among the participants including diplomats, senior bureaucrats, businessmen and students.

President of the LCWA, delivers lecture on "Global geopolitical shifts and Pakistan" at CSAS

In pursuance of the MOU for mutual cooperation signed between the Punjab University and LCWA, Ambassador Javid Husain, President of the LCWA, delivered the first lecture of the new academic year on "Global geopolitical shifts and Pakistan" at Centre for South Asian Studies (CSAS) on 28 November. The lecture was well attended and led to a lively discussion. Further lectures on foreign policy issues are likely to be delivered by LCWA members at CSAS in the coming months. These lectures by members of the LCWA are part of an effort by LCWA to provide the students with not only academic input but also the perspective of practitioners of diplomacy.

Lahore Grammar School Model United Nations (LGS-MUN) Event

In its four day international conference, the Lahore Grammar School Model United Nations (LGS-MUN) arranged an international segment on ‘Pakistan’s relations with other countries and way forward’. The LGS invited Amb Murad Ali, Deputy Secretary General of the LCWA to address the participants from LGS Schools around the country and the world on 11 October 2018. His talk evinced a lot of interest in the young participants and was followed by a question/answer session. LGS- MUN is aimed at emulating the environment within the United Nations. The participants are made to compete for a coveted Best Delegate Award, and work towards building character and exposing students to both competitive and informative atmospheres of many disciplines including that of foreign policy.

Punjab University launches Diploma Programme in Indian Studies

The Centre for South Asian Studies of the University of the Punjab has launched a Diploma Course in Indian Studies. Ambassador Murad Ali, who is also Deputy Secretary General of the Lahore Council for World Affairs (LCWA) will conduct the Course on Indian Foreign Policy. He delivered his first lecture of the Course on 4th of July.
It may be recalled that the launching ceremony of this Diploma Course was held in early March in which former Foreign Minister of Pakistan, Mr. Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri was the Chief Guest. While appreciating the beginning, for the first time, of a Course on Indian Studies, he emphasised the need to strengthen Pakistan internally while countering India logically and rationally. Pakistan's former High Commissioner to India, Mr. Shahid Malik, a member of the Executive Board of LCWA, also attended the launch.
The initiative of starting this one-year postgraduate Diploma Course in Indian Studies by Director Prof Dr Umbreen Javed, has been widely appreciated and a sizeable number of participants are benefitting from it.

President of LCWA delivers a lecture on State Terrorism in the Indian Occupied Kashmir

In response to an invitation from Professor Umbreen Javed, Director, Centre for South Asian Studies of the Punjab University, Ambassador Javid Husain, President, Lahore Council for World Affairs, delivered a lecture on State Terrorism in the Indian Occupied Kashmir in the Centre's auditorium on 28 June, 2018. The lecture was attended by a large number of faculty members, students, and representatives of educational and security institutions. The presentation by Ambassador Javid Husain was followed by a lively interaction with the members of the audience in which the implications of India's state terrorism in the Indian Occupied Kashmir for the Kashmir cause and Pakistan were discussed.

Ambassador Shahid Malik's briefing on recent trends in Pakistan-India relations

Ambassador Shahid Malik briefed the members of LCWA on recent trends in Pakistan-India relations at the Council's meeting held on 19 April, 2018. The briefing led to a lively discussion amongst the participating LCWA members on different dimensions of this complex relationship and their likely future evolution.

LCWA President visits think tanks in Beijing, Shanghai, Jakarta, and Kuala Lumpur

Ambassador Javid Husain, LCWA Prsident, visited universities, think tanks, and scholars in Beijing, Shanghai, Jakarta, and Kuala Lumpur in March 2018. He took advantage of his meetings during the visits to introduce the Lahore Council for World Affairs and to invite his interlocutors for programmes of mutual cooperation and exchange of visits with LCWA. The response generally was positive.

Talk by Paul Salopek

Mr. Paul Salopek, a two time Pulitzer Prize winning writer and journalist from the US, gave a talk to the members of the Lahore Council for World Affairs, their spouses and guests on his journey from Ethiopia, on foot, retracing ancient human migration. The talk which took place on 15 February, 2018 evoked a great deal of interest from the audience who asked searching questions about the historical,geographical, and anthropological dimensions of Mr. Salopek's journey, covering more than a decade, which is still in the process.

LCWA members participate in the International Conference on "Changing Regional Political Dynamics in South Asia" (17-18 January, 2018)

At the invitation of the Department of Political Science and the Centre for South Asian Studies of the Punjab University, and in pursuance of the memorandum signed between LCWA and the Punjab University, members of LCWA actively participated in the International Conference on South Asia organised at the University from 17-18 January, 2018. Ambassadors Shamashad Ahmad Khan, Javid Husain and Shaukat Umer chaired several sessions of the Conference. In addition, Ambassadors Javid Husain and Murad Ali, and Mr. Ross Masud presented papers on different topics at the Conference.

Mr. Moeed Yusuf, Associate Vice President, Asia Center, US Institute of Peace meets LCWA members and guests

Mr. Moeed Yusuf, Associate Vice President, Asia Center of the US Institute of Peace gave a talk to the LCWA members and their guests at Lahore Gymkhana on 23 January, 2018 on "Prospects of Pakistan-US relations". Mr. Moeed Yusuf with the advantage of his intimate knowledge of the developments in Washington analysed the current state of Pakistan-US relations and their likely future trends. His talk was followed by a lively discussion in which the members of the audience took an active part giving their own assessment of the prospects of Pakistan-US relations.

Launch of the book "Pakistan and a World in Disorder--A Grand Strategy for the Twenty-First Century"

On 10 May, 2017, the Centre for South Asian Studies of the Punjab University in collaboration with the Lahore Council for World Affairs organised a ceremony for the launch of Ambassador Javid Husain's book,"Pakistan and a World in Disorder---A Grand Strategy for the Twenty-First Century", which had been published by Palgrave Macmillan from New York a few months earlier. After introductory remarks by Professor Umbreen Javaid, Director of the Centre, Ambassador Shamshad Ahmad Khan, former Foreign Secretary, and Professor Massarrat Abid, Director, Pakistan Study Centre of the Punjab University, offered their comments on different aspects of the book. Ambassador Javid Husain in the concluding remarks highlighted the salient features of his book. The programme ended after a lively question-answer session.

Dr. James M. Dorsey meets members of LCWA

At the invitation of the Lahore Council for World Affairs, Dr. James M. Dorsey, Senior Fellow, Rajaratnam School of International Studies, Singapore gave a talk on "Iran-Saudi rivalry in the Middle East" to the members of the LCWA and invited guests at the Lahore Gymkhana on 18 May, 2017. Dr. Dorsey elaborated the various factors influencing the situation in the Middle East and the Iran-Saudi rivalry. The talk evoked active interest of the audience who actively participated in the discussion that followed it.

Sudheendra Kulkarni, an Indian political activist, meets the LCWA Executive Board

Mr. Sudheendra Kulkarni, a well-known Indian political activist, who was visiting Pakistan to promote his latest book, 'August Voices', had a luncheon meeting with the members of the LCWA Executive Board at Lahore Gymkhana on 14 February, 2017. The meeting was also attended by Mr. Kulkarni's host, Mian Khushid Mahmood Kasuri, former Foreign Minister of Pakistan. Mr. Kulkarni shared with the Executive Board members his views on the improvement of Pakistan-India relations which were going through a tense phase. The meeting helped in highlighting the complexity of the Pakistan-India relationship and the strategic imperative of peace between the two countries.

The new US Consul General meets members of the LCWA

Mr. Yuriy Fedkiw, the new US Consul General in Lahore, addressed the members of the LCWA on Pakistan-US relations at Lahore Gymkhana on 15 November, 2016. Mr. Fedkiw elaborated the current status of Pakistan-US relations and gave his views about their future prospects keeping in view the election of Mr. Donald Trump as the President of the US. His talk was followed by a lively discussion in which the members of the audience took an active part.

Mr. Murtaza Shibli meets the LCWA Executive Board

Mr. Murtaza Shibli, a well-known journalist from the Indian occupied Kashmir, had a meeting with the members of the Executive Board of the LCWA at Lahore Gymkhana on 10 November, 2016. Mr. Shibli shared his views on the current situation in IOK and on the Kashmir issue in general with the members of the Executive Board. The discussion which followed helped clarify the evolving situation in IOK.

Chinese Consul General addresses members of LCWA

Chinese Consul General in Lahore, Yu Boren, at the invitation of LCWA, addressed its members on 'China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and its impact on Pakistan-China relations' at a meeting held at Gymkhana on 16 November, 2015. The Consul General's talk evoked considerable interest on the part of the members of the LCWA who asked searching questions and clarifications on the subject.

Foreign Secretary's lecture at the Punjab University

On 18 March, 2015, Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry delivered a lecture on 'Future Prospects of Pakistan-India Relations" at a meeting at the Punjab University attended by Vice Chancellor Mujahid Kamran, Director Umbreen Javaid of the Centre for South Asian Studies (CSAS), other faculty members and a large number of students. The lecture was arranged by LCWA in coordination with CSAS. The lecture generated a great deal of interest on the part of the members of the audience who took an active part in the question-answer session which followed it.

Lectures at the Punjab University

In accordance with the MOU signed between LCWA and the Punjab University, a series of lectures on international affairs by some members of the Lahore Council for World Affairs commenced in April, 2014 at the Centre for South Asian Studies of the University for the benefit of the students and the faculty members. So far Ambassadors Javid Husain and Shaukat Umer have delivered these lectures which would continue during the next academic session.

Talk by Mr. Shahid Kardar on "The state of Pakistan's economy"

The LCWA organized a talk by Mr. Shahid Kardar, former Governor, State Bank of Pakistan on "The state of Pakistan's economy" at the Lahore Gymkhana Club on 11th December, 2013. Mr. Shahid Kardar highlighted at some length the challenges confronting the Pakistan economy and ways and means of coming to grips with them. The audience consisting of the members of the LCWA and other interested citizens asked pertinent questions regarding various aspects of the presentation by Mr. Shahid Kardar to which the speaker responded appropriately.

Talk by Ahmad Rashid on Post-2014 Afghanistan:

In pursuance of the MOU signed with the Punjab University, the LCWA organised a talk by the well-known writer, Mr. Ahmed Rashid, on "Post-2014 Afghanistan" at the Centre for South Asian Studies of the Punjab University on 28th November, 2013. The function was attended by faculty members and students of the Punjab University as well as members of the LCWA. Mr. Ahmad Rashid described the different possible scenarios of the post-2014 Afghanistan and their implications for Pakistan. The talk was followed by a lively discussion in which the audience took an active part.

During the meeting there was a useful exchange of views and perceptions on the evolving situation in Afghanistan and the region, Pakistan-India relations and recent trends in Pakistan’s relations with the United States of America.

Meeting with Canadian Delegation, 29th November 2012

At the request of the Canadian High Commission some office bearers of the Lahore Council for World Affairs held a meeting with Mr. Christopher Martin, analyst for the National Security Adviser to the Prime Minister of Canada and Mr. Uday Sequeira, First Secretary, Canadian High Commission in Islamabad, on 29 November 2012 at the Lahore Gymkhana. Ambassador Javid Husain, President; Ambassador Shaukat Umer, Vice President; Ambassador Toheed Ahmad, Vice President; Ambassador Ashraf Qureshi, Secretary; and Ambassador Riffat Iqbal, Treasurer, participated in the meeting with the Canadian officials.

During the meeting there was a useful exchange of views and perceptions on the evolving situation in Afghanistan and the region, Pakistan-India relations and recent trends in Pakistan’s relations with the United States of America.

Meeting with Lahore Chamber of Commerce, 13 October 2012

On 13th October 2012, President Javid Hussain accompanied by Ambassadors Toheed Ahmad, Khalid Mahmood, Manzar Shafiq  visited the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and had a useful meeting with Mr. Farooq Iftikhar, President of the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and some of his senior colleagues to explore possibilities of cooperation between LCWA and LCCI. 

Panel Discussion on: Liberalization of Trade with India, 4th October 2012

The Lahore Council for World Affairs (LCWA) in collaboration with the Lahore Gymkhana organized a panel discussion on Liberalization of Trade with India on 4th October 2012. Dr. Salman Shah, former Finance Minister, Dr. Kamal Monoo, prominent businessman and economic analyst; Mr. Irfan Qaiser Shaikh, former President of the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI); and Ms. Robina Ather, Joint Secretary Ministry of Commerce, comprised the panelists.

President of the Lahore Gymkhana, Mr. Zia-ur-Rehman in his opening remarks said that South Asia had become hub of activity in the recent past and there was a huge economic potential in a healthy economic interaction between Pakistan and India Nevertheless there were political and security considerations, which had thus far prevented exploitation of this potential. Ambassador Javid Husain, President LCWA in his introductory remarks said that tension free relations were important for mutually beneficial bilateral economic relation. It was encouraging to see an emphasis on trade liberalization and corresponding enthusiasm among the business circles in both Pakistan and India. He, however, did underline the importance of level playing field and tension free environment for win–win relations.

Panel Discussion: The Endgame in Afghanistan, 22nd June 2012

A Panel Discussion on the “Endgame in Afghanistan” was organized by the Lahore Council for World Affaires (LCWA) on 22 June 2012, in collaboration with the Lahore Gymkhana. The panelists were:- Mr. Sartaj Aziz; Gen ( R ) Khawaja Ziauddin; Mr. Khalid Ahmed; and Prof.Hasan Askari. The event was held in the Main Hall of the Gymkhana from 5.00 to 7.30 Pm. The turnout was healthy and about 250 persons attended . It was the first event organized by the LCWA in collaboration with the Lahore Gymkhana following the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed between the two on 23 May 2012. The panel discussion was co-chaired by Ambassador Javid Husain, President LCWA and Mr. Muhammad Zia-ur-Rahman, President, Committee of Management, Lahore Gymkhana. Mr. Sami-ur-Rahman, Convener, Library and Reading Room Committee of the Lahore Gymkhana, acted as the stage secretary.

The proceedings started with recitation of the Holy Quran. Mr. Sami-ur-Rahman in his brief opening remarks welcomed the participants and mentioned that the event was the first in series of events to be organized jointly by the LCWA and Lahore Gymkhana. He also referred to the MOU signed between the two recently

Mr. Zia-ur-Rahman in his remarks thanked the LCWA for taking the initiative in organizing the panel discussion and expressed the hope that such events would provide the much desired platform for an informed exchange of views on matters of national and international importance. He said that the evolving situation in Afghanistan had raised a number of important questions. It was not clear how far the US strategy in Afghanistan was handicapped by the internal political and administrative problems in Afghanistan and its own military capability to handle them. It was also not clear as to how far the future Afghan dispensation would be able to manage its own affairs without external help. Mr. Zia expressed the hope that the panelists would be able to address such questions and others, which agitate concerned minds in Pakistan.....

Signing of MOU with Lahore Gymkhana, 23 May 2012

Ambassador Ashraf Qureshi, Secretary of LCWA and Mr.Sami ur Rahman,Convenor of Library and Reading Room Committee of the Lahore Gymkhana signed a Memorandum of Understanding on 23 May 2012 for joint collaboration in realization and furtheance of their common objectives. President Javid Hussain, Vice President Toheed Ahmad, Member Exective Board Member LCWA Ambassador Khalid Mahmood and Mr. Ziaur Rahman, Chairman Gymkhana Executive Committee and some memebrs of the Committee were also present.