“IS THE BLASPHEMY LAW GOOD FOR PAKISTAN”

On 26th January 6.30pm PIPA hosts a Roundtable Discussion on


PUBLIC DISCUSSION
Pakistani authorities charged 647 people with offences under the blasphemy laws between 1986 and 2007. Fifty per cent of the people charged were Muslim and 12 per cent were Christian. Some of those charged were murdered. PIPA & panellists will be discussing Pakistan's most contentious issue of 2011.

PIPA has been established to create a common voice for Pakistan. PIPA was founded by influential and enthusiastic individuals who are associated to Britain & Pakistan in a broad spectrum of ways and hope to fulfil their goals through various events media initiatives.

Venue: SOAS Brunei Gallery

Panellists:

Abdul Rehman Malik – programmes manager “Radical Middle Way” and formerly contributing editor of Q News Muslim magazine.

Hammad Khan is a film-maker and recently produced his first full-length critically acclaimed feature film ‘Slackistan’. His short films have all focused on themes of religion and Pakistani identity. He is also a media expert on censorship and media regulation through his role as a film examiner at the British Board of Film Classification.

Dr Iftikhar Ayaz – International human rights activist and member of UN human rights committee.

Rubia Dar is a TV producer & filmmaker who has produced documentaries with the BBC and Channel 4, including 9-11 "State of Emergency" and "Generation 7/7". She is a founder of PIPA.

Zachary Latif is an investment banker, with a speciality in distressed markets. He co-wrote the dramatic piece "Postcard from Jinnah" & writes for Brown Pundits.com. He is a founder of PIPA.

Mustafa Qadri is the Amnesty International liaison for Pakistan.

Wilson Chowdhry is the Vice Chairman of the British Pakistani Christian Association. Wilson is a Keen Humanitarian and Community Activist - named "Community Crimefighter" by Primeminster Gordon Brown in 2009. Wilson was awarded for "Bridging Communities" By Boris Johnson during the London Peace Awards 2010 and named Human Rights Champion by the the British Sikh Council 2010.


Abdullah Al-Andalusi is the director of The Muslim Debate Initiative, a public discussion forum that promotes open dialogue and debate.

Myra Qureshi is a management consultant with an advisory remit in investment banking. She is a leading social activist and maintains several advocacy fronts for liberalism within a Pakistani context.

Rabia Zia. She will be representing Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf, the political party founded by Imran Khan.