LAHORE: The Afkar-i-Taza ThinkFest has unveiled the detailed schedule of its eighth edition. The two-day ThinkFest would start at 11am at Alhamra on Saturday.

Speaking on the occasion, ThinkFest’s Chairman Najam Sethi said famous film-maker Mira Nair would be a part of a panel to discuss South Asia cinema with Fifi Haroon, Saim Sadiq and Ahad Raza Mir.

As per the programme revealed by the committee, the national politics will take the centre stage in a conversation between former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and Mohammad Malick on “Why is Pakistan always in a Political Crisis?’ Two more panels, one with Punjab Assembly Speaker Malik Ahmed Khan, PTI Senator Barrister Syed Ali Zafar and Mustafa Khokkar will tackle how to navigate polarised times in Pakistan.

Another panel, made up of eminent lawyers, including Salman Akram Raja, will talk about the 26th Amendment to the Constitution and its ramifications.

The policy panels also have a wide range at the ThinkFest this year as FBR Chairman Rashid Langrial will speak about taxation in conversation with former finance minister Miftah Ismail.

Another panel, featuring Oxford professor Stefan Dercon, will focus on Pakistan’s development with Federal Finance Secretary Imdad Bosal and Miftah Ismail. A panel will also focus on Bangladesh and its recent upheaval with economist Mushtaq Khan from the SOAS who has advised several Bangladeshi governments.

The conflict in the Middle East will be a critical topic of discussion with a panel on the viability of the two state solution with Professor Mamdani, as well as a session with veteran journalist Leila Hatoum who is coming directly from the war zone in Lebanon.

A panel on Trump and his priorities will feature former foreign minister Hina Rabbani Khar, with Moeed Yusuf, Leila Hatoum and Ejaz Haider.

At the festival, over 12 books would be unveiled authored by Prof Ayesha Jalal, Prof Mahmood Mamdani, former Portuguese minister Burno Macaes, Laurent Gayer and Munib Qadir.