The English-Speaking Union (ESU)

LECTURE: University of Hamburg Guest House

Rothenbaumchaussee 34, 20148 Hamburg

5000 Years of Pakistan Monday,19th September, 2016 at 19:30

Prologue
Pakistan, is a relatively new country.

However, it’s history, culture and economics predates the country itself. Pakistan has cushioned the
cradle of the most sophisticated ancient Indus Valley civilization (3300 –1300 BCE) and has hosted
meetings of great cultures: Buddhist (563-483 B.C), Greek (400 BC ), Persian (180 B.C - 150) Hindu
(78-600) and Muslim (711-Present day). It represent traditions rooted in it's rich mystic ocean, rivers,
mountains and soil of the land – which has risen empires of the Mughal (1526-1858) and British
(1757-1947) to their zenith.

The birth of Pakistan is an integral of miraculous chain of unforeseen historical events.

Who imagined that an idea first incepted in 1875 by the philosopher Sir Syed Ahmed Khan – would
lead a group of students in Cambridge – to publish the word Pakistan? Who foresaw the great
master Poet of the East – Sir Muhammad Iqbal (1877-1938) – would be influenced by Friedrich
Nietzsche – and write an Ode to Goethe in Heidelberg – and shortly after envision a Muslim state in
the Indian subcontinent? Who thought a Karachi-born-London-trained barrister Muhammad Ali
Jinnah (1876-1948) – would stop rallying for separate electoral seats and spearhead for
independence that would result in formation of the State of Pakistan in 1947?

Fast forward seven decades (1947-2016) of monumental challenges and lost growth: cyclic military
rule, imperfect democracy, constitutional amendments, health care & educational reforms, political
instability, war against terrorism, devastating floods and shattering earthquakes – just to name a few.

Pakistan has recently emerged as the most geopolitically strategic country in South Asia and
beyond due to its demographics, geographic size and military power. It has signs of great economic
growth with its significant natural resources, vibrant provincial cultures and entrepreneurial skills. Join
in this holistic lecture for a thorough, balanced, insightful tour d'horizon of culture, customs, and
contemporary life in Pakistan.

About the speaker

Humza Mirza born in Karachi, Pakistan has obtained British and
German academic qualifications. Mirza is a graduate student and has
worked as a researcher in advanced industry conglomerates for
analytics, design, and simulations. He is passionate about connecting
people, cultures and technology to shape the new emerging world and
has been named for numerous governmental and private awards for
voluntarily work and tangible achievements.

September, 2016