The Global Networking Night (GNN) is an annual Harvard Alumni Association tradition whereby Harvard Clubs across the globe organize get-togethers for Harvard alumni in over a 100 cities worldwide on the same date. The Global Networking Night 2018 was announced for 9th January.
Continuing its tradition of making alumni events increasingly enriching and inspiring, the Harvard Club of Pakistan (HCP) went the extra mile for alumni in Pakistan on this occasion by organizing an interactive session at the GNN with the honorable Prime Minister of Pakistan, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi.
Attended by over 80 people, the event was organized in the Multi-Purpose Hall in Islamabad Club. Attendees started arriving at the venue at 3:30 PM and got the opportunity to reconnect with fellow alumni as well as meet newer members, while enjoying Hi-Tea and a slideshow of pictures from recent HCP events.
Upon his arrival at 5:30 PM, the honorable Prime Minister was greeted by the Executive Committee of HCP and showed to the stage where Afnan Karim Kundi, President of HCP, introduced and welcomed him and then opened the floor for a candid Q&A session with the audience moderated by Muhammad Zia Mehmood, Secretary of HCP.
In the following hour and a half, the audience engaged with the Prime Minister on a host of interesting contemporary issues faced by the country, including foreign policy challenges, education gaps and corruption etc., and how the government is working towards addressing them. Despite time constraints, the Prime Minister generously offered to answer every single question raised by the audience.
At the end of the insightful discussion, the President of HCP thanked the Prime Minister on behalf of Harvard alumni for taking out the time to grace the event with his presence and for engaging with the Harvard alumni community in Pakistan so candidly, and brought the event to a close.
The event was greatly admired by all attending alumni and, in particular, the frank interaction between the alumni and the Prime Minister was much appreciated.
The Executive Committee thanks all attending alumni for their active participation in the GNN without which it could not be a success. HCP plans more such gatherings in the near future besides social and charitable activities and looks forward to the alumni’s continued participation and support.
