In recent years, Pakistan has stumbled from one crisis to another. Insurgencies along its northwestern borders, regular terrorist attacks across the country, continued tensions with India, and the ongoing war in neighboring Afghanistan have all contributed to deepened instability in the country. Pakistan's transition from a near-decade long rule under a military dictatorship is slow and complicated as corruption and incompetence of the bureaucracy present huge obstacles to progress and good governance.

In parallel, Pakistan's return to democracy, increasingly active civil society, relatively open media, and the rise of an independent higher judiciary provide glimmers of hope, though poor economic and development indicators coupled with worrying demographic trends continue to pose serious challenges to the well-being of millions of Pakistanis. Energy shortages have worsened in recent years, and the destruction caused by the floods of 2010 has exacerbated the country's many strains. In short, how Pakistan manages these challenges in the coming years holds great consequences for its future prospects.

On May 20, 2011, USIP and the Asia Society hosted the launch of a new report, Pakistan 2020: A Vision for Building a Better Future, which presents recommendations focused on seven areas essential to realizing a sound future for the country by 2020: (1) strengthening democratic institutions; (2) supporting the rule of law; (3) improving human development and social services, especially in health and education; (4) developing the energy infrastructure; (5) assisting the 2010 flood victims in their recovery; (6) improving the internal security situation; and (7) advancing the peace process with India. Join members of the Study Group as they discuss how Pakistan can forge a path toward peace and stability in the coming decade.

Speakers

• Najam Sethi
  Editor-in-Chief
  The Friday Times & Dunya TV
• Hassan Abbas
  Bernard Schwartz Fellow and Project Director
  Asia Society
• Christopher Candland
  Associate Professor of Political Science and Co-Director, South Asia Studies Program
  Wellesley College
• Moeed Yusuf, moderator
  South Asia Adviser
  U.S. Institute of Peace

Explore Further

• Watch video of the event from C-SPAN
• Read "Pakistan 2020," a News Feature by Gordon Lubbold
• Learn more about USIP's work in Pakistan
• Read the Peacebrief, "The Future of Pakistan"
• USIP Center for Conflict Analysis and Prevention

Related Academy Courses

• Supporting Police Reform: Capacity Building for Advisors/Trainers
  
• Governance and Democratic Practices in War to Peace Transitions
• Overseas Religious Engagement