The Centre for Afghanistan Studies hosted an online public lecture titled “Ethnic Conflicts in Pakistan: Global Perspectives vs. Reality” on 17th May 2021.
About Speaker:
Dr Javed Ali Kalhoro completed his PhD in Peace and Conflict Studies from the National Defence University, Islamabad, Pakistan. His doctoral research focused on Peace Education; Peace and Development; Political Islam; Radicalization; and South Asian Security. Presently, Dr Kalhoro is an Assistant Professor at the National University of Modern Languages, Islamabad, Pakistan. He is also a Visiting Faculty at the Bahria University and the Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto Institute of Science and Technology in Islamabad. Previously he has been associated as a Research Fellow with the Middle East Institute; the Voice of America in Washington D.C; and as a News Producer/ Reporter for Pakistan Television (PTV) News
Event Description:
Pakistan has experienced an outbreak of several ethnopolitical conflicts over the years, with the western strip of the country being in focus. Additionally, the province of Balochistan has been in the crosshairs of economic and ideological change following the conceptualisation of the much talked about China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The talk will also explore the existing education curriculum of Balochistan vis-a-vis Islamic studies subject at the government established schools. The potential of CPEC in bringing a contemporary change in the province will also be explored in the discussion.
Programme:
- 18:05 – 18:15 Opening Remarks Prof. Raghav Sharma, Associate Professor and Director, Centre for Afghanistan Studies
- 18:15 – 19:00 Keynote Speaker Prof. Javed Ali Kalhoro, Assistant Professor, NUML University and Visiting Faculty, Bharia University, Islamabad, Pakistan
- 19:00 – 1950 Discussion
- 19:50 -19:55 Vote of Thanks Mahita Valluri, Research Assistant, Centre for Afghanistan Studies
About the Event:
Dr. Kalhoro’s lecture presented rigorous analysis and scrutiny of the long-standing ethnopolitical struggles in Pakistan, particularly in the western provinces of the country and Balochistan. He located the formation of these conflicts in the background of political exclusion, socio-economic inequities, and ideological changes brought about by the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). He also discussed educational texts – including Islamic Studies courses, as tools shaping identity politics and narratives in Balochistan.
This was followed by an engaging discussion led by the participants comprised of questions at the junction of ethnicity, governance, and social development issues facing the country. The session reflected on inclusive education and equitable economic reform as a potential path to peace and social cohesion.