Karachi, 25 April: Oxford University Press organized a talk by the seasoned diplomat, Riaz Mohammad Khan, on his book Afghanistan and Pakistan: Conflict, Extremism, and Resistance to Modernity. The book examines the conflict in Afghanistan from Pakistan's point of view and analyzes the roots of that country's ambiguous policy supporting the United States on one hand and showing empathy for the Afghan Taliban on the other. The author considers a broad range of events and interweaves his own experiences and perspectives into a larger narrative of the Afghanistan-Pakistan relationship.
Riaz Mohammad Khan in his talk examined the development of Afghanistan and the interests of external powers both there and in Pakistan. He also discussed the rise of extremism and religious militancy in Pakistan and its links with ongoing conflicts in Afghanistan. In the end, Khan addressed Pakistan's deep confusion regarding its public discourse on issues of modernity and the challenges the country faces an intellectual crisis which must be tackled in order to secure the country's survival, progress, and constructive role in the region
The former ambassador, Dr Maleeha Lodhi, also spoke on the occasion and highlighted that the book provides extremely well-informed account of events in the Afghanistan-Pakistan region and an insightful perspective on history.
In her welcome address, Ameena Saiyid, Managing Director, Oxford University Press Pakistan, said that Riaz Mohammed Khan's views have been acknowledged as informed and insightful. "However, this is not a dry academic book and I think you will find it grippingly readable. His vast personal experience and profound knowledge of his subject makes this book unique and one of the most important works in the field", she further added.
Riaz Mohammad Khan served as Pakistan's Foreign Secretary and the country's ambassador to China, European Union and Belgium, and Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. He is also the author of Untying the Afghan Knot: Negotiating Soviet Withdrawal, and was the Woodrow Wilson Center's Pakistan Scholar.
Close