ISLAMABAD: Speakers at a conference noted that by year 2050 the leadership of Pakistan would be from the middle class.

The conference ‘Strategic environment: role of leadership 2050’ was organised by Pakistan House, a think-tank, and participated by former ambassadors, academics and politicians.

The speakers said the future leadership of the country would face serious challenges at multiple fronts not only limited to external threats but also climate change, food and water shortages, population and economic growth.

The conference also focused the current and historic political scenario of Pakistan.

Say future challenges will include climate change, food and water shortages, population and economic growth

MNA Kanwal Shauzab of the PTI said: “Whatever the civil and military leadership have learned in 70 years will determine the political future of Pakistan.”

She said a policy to deal with economic and political situation would have to be planned now.

Retired air commodore Khalid Banuri said the Indian elections had two dimensions: the proposal to change the status of Kashmir and its policy to improve capacity to strike.

He said the future leadership of the country had to be more aware of technology and regional developments.

However, it was unanimously agreed that the future leadership would be from the middle class due to the growing awareness among women as well as the involvement of social media.

The speakers also discussed the concept of public diplomacy which was to influence society not the government in any foreign country through appeals and attraction.

The challenge faced by future leaders will also be from a hybrid warfare that could create internal strives.

DG Pakistan House Rana Athar Javed said there should be a national policy that all institutes devised plans for 30 years.

Other speakers included ambassadors Aizaz Ahmed Chaudhry, Zamir Akram and National Defence University Associate Prof Dr Kamran Khan.

Published in Dawn, April 16th, 2019