Live tonight – Pakistan turmoil

Tonight we discuss the roots of turmoil in Pakistan at the Frontline Club. As usual we start at 7pm GMT/11am PST. If you can’t make it to the Club in person, please join us online on the Frontline Club live channel, on this blog or on the Club events page. Feel free to embed the discussion on your own blog too, leave a comment or email me if you would like some help doing that.

The military offensive against the Taliban near its border with Afghanistan has been viewed as critical for Pakistan’s credibility as the US steps up demands for increased effort in fighting terrorism.

In a new book Making Sense of Pakistan Dr Farzana Shaikh, associate fellow at Chatham House, claims that ultimately Pakistan’s ability to respond to demands that it “do more” to resist terrorism lies in its response to deeper issues about its identity and its relationship with Islam.

Join us at the Frontline to discuss Dr Farzana Shaikh’s claim that uncertainty about Pakistan’s identity lies at the heart of its social and political decline and that its leaders will only be able to combat terrorism once the country’s vexed relationship with Islam is resolved link

Taking part will be; David Loyn, the BBC’s Developing World Correspondent, Dr Farzana Shaikh, associate fellow, Asia Programme, Chatham House, Bronwen Maddox, chief foreign commentator for The Times, Victoria Schofield has been reporting as a writer and broadcaster on Pakistan and South Asia for thirty years and Owen Bennett-Jones, BBC World Service presenter of Newshour and The Interview. He was also the BBC’s correspondent in Pakistan for three years till 2001.