On 12 December 2008, Shaukat Aziz, the 17th Prime Minister of Pakistan, was hosted in Paris for a conference at the Académie Diplomatique of Aga Khan, followed by a lunch gathering. The event provided a platform for in-depth reflection on Pakistan’s political and economic trajectory, as well as its role in regional stability.

The conference was moderated by Gilles Kepel, the French scholar of Islam and the Middle East, who guided the discussion toward Pakistan’s democratic transition, its economic reforms, and the challenges posed by terrorism and extremism. Aziz drew on his tenure as both Prime Minister and Finance Minister to highlight the importance of financial governance and structural reforms in addressing the country’s internal vulnerabilities.

The lunch brought together diplomats, politicians, and policymakers, allowing for a more informal exchange on Pakistan’s foreign policy, its relations with the United States and neighbouring India, and the broader geopolitical shifts affecting South Asia. The event underscored the importance of engaging with leaders who have navigated governance in one of the world’s most strategically pivotal countries.