The RSA, Samosa and City University London present a series of four events exploring the complex and intimate relationships between Pakistan, Britain and the Pakistani diaspora in the UK.  Pakistan is a young country with an old history. In the last year alone it has had to contend with floods, assassinations, attacks on minority communities, the revelation Osama Bin Laden had been living there, terrorist attacks and the conflict in neighbouring Afghanistan. What is the future for modern Pakistan, and what can the diaspora networks in the UK do to support it?

1. ‘An Unbreakable Friendship’? Where Next for Britain and Pakistan?

A keynote by Conservative Chairman Baroness Warsi and a Q and A session with Anwar Akhtar, director, The Samosa.

Where: The RSA, London

When: October 10, 6.30pm

Book online: www.thersa.org/events/our-events

2. British Pakistanis and Pakistan, 21st Century Citizenship and Diasporas

A panel event with Anatol Lieven, author of ‘Pakistan A Hard Country’; Zaiba Malik, author of ‘We are Muslim Please’; Jahan Mahmood, historian specialising in the role of Muslim soldiers who served in the British Military; Anwar Akhtar, director, The Samosa; and Rubia Dar, journalist, Pakistan International Peoples Association (PIPA).

Journalist and author Anatol Lieven joins a distinguished panel to discuss the relationship between Britain, Pakistan, and the British Pakistani diaspora. Do Westminster's political and media networks engage sufficiently with the national British Pakistani community? Has the Prevent strategy resulted in the alienation of British Pakistani young people, and if so, how can more positive opportunities be created? Have the negative news reports and media narratives surrounding the conflicts in Pakistan and neighbouring Afghanistan effected community relations in Britain?

Where: The RSA, London

When: October 24, 6.30pm

Book online: www.thersa.org/events/our-events

3. Pakistan in the Media: Changing the Narrative, bringing in new voices and talent.

A panel event at City University London 6.30 pm. Chaired by author Professor Ziauddin Sardar, featuring journalists, bloggers and film makers including; Medhi Hasan, senior editor, New Statesman; Zachary Latif, Brown Pundits Blog; Mobeen Azhar, assistant producer, BBC Current Affairs; Nayha Kalia, editor, The Samosa; and Homa Khaleeli, commissioning editor, Guardian G2. 

Where: City University London, Oliver Thompson Lecture Theatre

When: November 2, 6.30pm

To book contact: daroevents@city.ac.uk

4. Can Philanthropy and Aid help Development in Pakistan?

A panel event with Jehangir Malik OBE, UK director, Islamic relief; Michael Green, author of ‘Philanthrocapitalism’, previously Head of Communications at the Department for International Development; Asif Rangoonwala, chair, British Pakistani Foundation; and Hugh Mclean, director, Open Society, Soros Foundation Education Programmes.

Where: City University London, Oliver Thompson Lecture Theatre

When: November 14, 6.30pm

To book contact: daroevents@city.ac.uk