On March 30, 2004, WorldBoston was pleased and honored to welcome the Pakistani Ambassador to the United States, Ashraf Jehangir Qazi to Boston. The luncheon sponsored by and held at the Offices of Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo P.C. at One Financial Center in Boston, featured a lecture by Ambassador Qazi on the topic of “U.S.-Pakistan Relations.” Ambassador Qazi spoke to more than 100 people about the various challenges that the two nations face in their attempts to forge stronger relations with each other, to secure lasting peace in South Asia and to achieve success in their continued battle against international terrorism.

Speaking about tests on “two fronts,” Ambassador Qazi framed his lecture around two general problems facing Pakistan. The “eastern front” for Pakistan is improving relations with India. The Ambassador cited the tremendous progress made in relations between India and Pakistan over the past two years. He pointed out that in 2002, the armies of the two nations were fully mobilized against each other and stood looking “eye-ball to eye-ball across the border,” while in 2004 an Indian Cricket Team received a standing ovation from a Pakistani crowd after a brilliant match against Pakistan.

Ambassador Qazi was quick to note that these improved relations allow the potential for increased trade between the two neighbors. He stated that while current trade between India and Pakistan equaled nearly $1 billion, continued trade could result in nearly $5 billion in just a few years. But, Ambassador Qazi also noted that continued improvement in relations is contingent upon a resolution of the conflict in Kashmir. The Ambassador stated that the two sides must realize that no solution can be immediately agreed upon. Instead he called for the two nations to begin a process wherein a resolution to the problem can be slowly worked toward.

Improved relations with India and a resolution of the conflict in Kashmir will also help Pakistan in its fight on the “western front.” This “front” is the battle against al-Qaeda and the Taliban in Waziristan and Afghanistan as well as the battle against international terrorism in general. The Ambassador spoke at length about the progress being made in Afghanistan as well as the need for continued support and investment in the government of Hamid Karzai. He also spoke about the success of the “hammer and anvil” tactic being used by Pakistani and U.S./Afghani forces along the border between the two nations. Ambassador Qazi claimed that while recent fighting had not resulted in the capture of Ayman al-Zawahiri, as was widely expected, the recent campaign had caused international terrorists to realize that Pakistan was no longer a safe-haven. He said that the Pakistani military had killed over 100 militants and that this would force international terrorists to relocate.

The fight against terrorism will not simply be won on the battlefield, however. Ambassador Qazi went on to discuss how the Pakistani Government has begun, with U.S. aid, to put tighter controls on religious schools throughout Pakistan. Through tighter regulation and better teacher training, the Pakistani Government hopes to weed out those schools that serve as ideological training grounds for radical extremists. Through better education, as well as more economic opportunities, Ambassador Qazi hopes that Pakistan will soon become an infertile ground for the ideas of international terrorism.

Ambassador Qazi’s lecture was organized by WorldBoston and sponsored by Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo P.C. WorldBoston is a private, non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to creating a more informed citizenry on matters of national and international significance. WorldBoston sponsors speaking programs by some of the world’s leading decision-makers. This enables members to see, hear, and question first-hand the views of some of the most influential people of our time. WorldBoston programs provide members with the opportunity to network while discussing relevant issues of the day. WorldBoston also facilitates an exchange program for emerging leaders so they can be exposed to the United States and its industries, people and institutions. Established in 1961, WorldBoston does not endorse candidates for public office or lobby for policies. WorldBoston has a broad base of corporate support and the involvement of well over 1000 individuals from the greater Boston area. For more information about WorldBoston and their upcoming programs please visit their website at http://www.worldboston.org.

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