About TPI

A platform to rethink Pakistan with perspective

The Pakistan Initiative (TPI) is a premier academic and policy platform anchored at Harvard. We aim to shape how Pakistan is understood globally by closing the knowledge, platform, and perception gaps that surround the country.

The Pakistan paradox

Immense potential, structural risk

Pakistan is at a crossroads. Demographics, economy, climate, and human capital are all at an inflection point. The stakes of getting its trajectory right are generational.

TPI starts from this paradox and asks: what policies, institutions, and coalitions will allow Pakistan to reach 2047 in a way that is stable, prosperous, and just?

Demographics

A population of over 240 million, with roughly two-thirds under 30 — a potential demographic dividend or a looming frustration.

Economy

A large and diversified economy under fiscal stress, but with a growing tech, services, and exports footprint.

Climate

Among the most climate-vulnerable countries, with recent floods affecting tens of millions of people.

Human capital

Millions of children out of school or unable to read at grade level; a young population seeking skills, dignity, and voice.

Harvard as a launchpad

A vantage point for global impact

TPI is rooted at Harvard but oriented toward Pakistan’s future. This position allows us to bridge between scholarship, policy, and practice.

Connect faculty, researchers, and students across Harvard and the broader Boston ecosystem.
Convene practitioners from multilaterals, governments, philanthropy, and the private sector.
Engage the Pakistani and South Asian diaspora in a structured, sustained way.

A bridge between worlds

TPI acts as a bridge between Pakistan-based actors and global institutions, using Harvard as a neutral, credible, and visible platform.

Our approach

Four pillars of our work

Community & Connectivity

Build a network of students, scholars, practitioners, and diaspora voices who care about Pakistan’s future, and keep them connected beyond one-off events.

Research & Policy Impact

Surface and synthesize rigorous work on Pakistan, and channel it into formats that are accessible to policymakers and the public.

Dialogue & Thought Leadership

Curate serious, solutions-focused conversations at Harvard and beyond, shifting the narrative from crisis management to long-term thinking.

Opportunity & Access

Create pipelines for young Pakistanis and Pakistan-focused students to access institutions, mentorship, and platforms.

People

Steering Committee

TPI is advised by a steering committee of practitioners, scholars, and philanthropists who bring deep experience on Pakistan and its place in the world.

Reza Baqir

Former Governor, State Bank of Pakistan

Moeed Yusuf

Former National Security Adviser of Pakistan

Ziad Bashir

Executive Director, Gul Ahmed Group

Abrar Hasan

Chief Executive Officer, National Foods Limited

Erum Sattar

Assistant Professor, Tufts University; Former Harvard Fellow

Hassan Abbas

Professor, National Defense University, Washington DC

Raheel Warraich

Founder, Sarmayacar Venture Capital

Michael Kugelman

Director, South Asia Institute, Wilson Center

Shafiq Khan

Founder, Teach the World Foundation

Looking ahead

Our ambition by 2047

By Pakistan’s centenary, TPI aims to be a reference platform on Pakistan: trusted for its research, respected for its convening power, and known for cultivating the next generation of leaders and bridge-builders.

Expand global dialogue on Pakistan’s future.
Strengthen research and policy capacity on Pakistan in major institutions.
Create pipelines for young leaders to participate in shaping Pakistan’s trajectory.