L AHORE: In a thought-provoking session that drew a hall full of audience, includingacademics, scholars and students, known economist and educationist Prof Dr Anjum Altaf delivered the 61st THAAP Talk on the theme of `Culture and Development` here on Saturday evening.

The talk offered a sharp, critical examination of how culture interacts with modern development models-highlighting both harmony and resistance, and questioning the dominant narratives shaping today`s societies.Dr Altaf, former dean at the Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS), an author and a poet with deep insight into South Asian urbanism, argued that development without cultural consciousness results in alienation and dislocation.

He reflected on how cultures often resist changes that are imposed rather than organically grown and emphasised the dangers of societies disowning their own languages, knowledge systems and indigenous identitieswhile ironically, other nations work to preserve and celebrate theirs.

He spoke candidly about theimpact of climate change on cultural practices, the commodification of land through real estatecentric urban growth, and the erosion of creative and intellectual production in contemporary society.

Dr Altaf warned against a rising `acquisitive culture` driven by consumerism, rather than rooted in shared values, community, and reflection. He questioned the country`s disengagement from global development frameworks, such as the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), noting that our negative approach to internationalbenchmarks reflects deeper social andintellectual stagnation.

The talk was followed by a vibrant question-and-answer session in which Dr Altaf responded to questions posed by the audience. He concluded the evening by presenting two English poems by acclaimed Indian writer Vinod Kumar Shukla, adding a poetic and reflective dimension to the evening.

This event was part of the ongoing THAAP Talk Series, now in its 61st iteration. Prof Pervaiz Vandal, in his closing remarks, thanked the speaker for his valuable insights and reaffirmed THAAP`s commitment to inclusive, critical discourse.