ISLAMABAD: Raabta, a public diplomacy initiative, was launched on Thursday with great fanfare at the Serena Hotel.

British High Commissioner Thomas Drew delivered the keynote address, while Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua was invited as a guest speaker and a diverse panel discussed `Pakistan of Tomorrow Culture & Heritage, Economy and Future of Pakistan` The initiative is premised on the idea that inclusive dialogue can lead the world towards a sustainable future. Speakers at the launch raised interesting issues, drawing from their experience and sector expertise.

The panel discussion was moderated by journalist Sidra Iqbal, who drew the various strands of the discussion together.

Serena Hotels CEO Aziz Boolani said: `Raabta means contact and public diplomacy will only be effective if there is contact between people.

Delivering the keynote address,Mr Drew said: `Exactly one month after the 70th birthday of Pakistan is a good time to look at the past and the future of Pakistan. I returned from my first visit to Faisalabad today and I was struck by the history and not just the Union Jack layout of the city. I have an 11-year association with the country and the 70th anniversary is also a time to revisit the founding ideals of the two founding giants, Jinnah and Iqbal, who shared a vision of a country at peace within and without.

He added: `Relationships between states are enhanced and sustained by relationships between places. As we look at the next 70 years, our vision should be of a vibrant, peaceful, prosperous Pakistan at the centre of trade and exchange as it was in the past.

The panellists included director general of the Walled City of Lahore Authority Kamran Lashari, Jazz CEO Aamir Ibrahim and World Bank Country Director Patchamuthu Illangovan, all of whom discussed the future of Pakistan from their own perspectives.

Mr Ibrahim said: `Talking about Pakistan of the future, I was part of think tank and my question there was, where do we go from here? You cannot drive a car looking in the rear view mirror and we can learnfrom the past but we need to start looking to the future. I feel we are not putting in enough energy into looking to the future.

Mr Lashari culture was a dynamic force, `which is why we hold on to our own culture and traditions`.

`But it isn`t only how you dress or eat but it is your values and your social outlook. These things have a direct bearing on your worl( ethics and productivity. Until a society focuses on improving the outlook and values it cannot compete with others. We have much to be proud of from our history and our religion but we need to also focus on education, science, technology and innovation.

Mr Illangovan said: `We can look at the glass as half full or half empty and I always say Pakistan is a glass half full. With the population levels and growth rate Pakistan has to bring down the growth rate and 1(eep the economic growth high.

It can be done and it has been done in various countries around the region.

`There is a role for the federal government, the provinces, the private sector and all stakeholders.

The state must move the health and education agenda and the private sector must create jobs. The challenge of climate change and water scarcity has to be addressed.