U.S.-PAKISTAN RELATIONS: FINDING COMMON GROUND

His Excellency Husain Haqqani, Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to the United States

Pakistan is a key player in the war against terrorism and an important strategic partner for the United States—fighting militants in the Pakistani tribal belt and cooperating with NATO in the war in Afghanistan. However, the relationship between Pakistan and the United States has not been without its problems. As Pakistan faces domestic challenges, from ensuring its own internal security to building the infrastructure needed for its economic development, what can be done to improve this vital bilateral relationship? Join The Chicago Council for lunch with Ambassador Husain Haqqani as he discusses Pakistan’s future, as well as his vision for U.S.-Pakistan relations.

Husain Haqqani became Pakistan's Ambassador to the United States in April 2008. Born in Karachi, Pakistan, his career started with his work as East Asian correspondent for Arabia — The Islamic World Review during the turbulent years following the Iranian revolution. During this period he wrote extensively on Muslims in China and East Asia and Islamic political movements. Later, as Pakistan and Afghanistan correspondent for the Far Eastern Economic Review, he covered the war in Afghanistan and acquired a deep understanding of militant Islamist jihadi groups. Haqqani also has a distinguished career in civil service. He has been an advisor to three Pakistani prime ministers and has served as Pakistan’s Ambassador to Sri Lanka. Recently, he was honored with a nomination to receive the Hilal-i-Imtiaz, Pakistan’s second highest civilian award, in recognition of his services to the country. Haqqani has been a visiting scholar at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace in Washington, D.C. and is currently on leave from Boston University where he is an associate professor of international relations. He has contributed to numerous international publications, including The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, The International Herald Tribune, Foreign Policy, and the Financial Times. He regularly comments on Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Islamic politics and extremism on BBC, C-Span, CNN, NBC, Fox News, and ABC. He received his B.A. and M.A. from the University of Karachi.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Andrew Stern "Pakistan Behind U.S. Goal of Afghan Peace: Ambassador," Reuters, 10/28/2011

“Pakistan pursuing national interests in foreign relations: Haqqani,” Dawn, 10/16/2011