A Pakistani civic activist will recount events that led to a newly elected president in the U.S.-allied country during a Constitution Day lecture at West Virginia University .
Fauzia Kasuri, president of the Womens Wing of the Pakistan Justice Movement, will speak at noon Wednesday, Sept. 17, in the Marlyn E. Lugar Courtroom of the WVU College of Law . Her talk,Comparative PerspectivesPakistani LawyersMovement Defending the Rule of Law and Justice,is free and open to the public.
Fauzia is a vibrant, talented female leader in Pakistan and the U.S.said Caprice Roberts , associate dean for faculty research and development and professor of law at the College of Law.She will focus on the struggle for judicial independence that continues to date in Pakistan and explore the critical, unified role lawyers have played in effecting change and enhancing the rule of law.
Asif Ali Zardari, widower of assassinated former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, was sworn in as president of the Islamic nation Sept. 9 after being elected by Pakistani legislators. He replaces Pervez Musharaff, who rose to power in a military coup but resigned under pressure last month. Among the acts that led to calls for Musharaffs removal was his firing of dozens of judges.
In its brief 60-year history, Pakistan has seen its share of political turmoil. It began in 1947 as a divided nation geographically, experienced a series of civil wars and several coups and has existed under three constitutions. The country is a U.S. ally in the war on terror.
Kasuri, a founding member of the Pakistan Justice Movement and former president of the womens wing of the Pakistan American Congress in Washington D.C., has been a vocal advocate and activist for the cause of justice, democracy, gender equality and the independence of the judiciary.
Besides being the host of her own television talk show,The Ambassador,she has appeared and participated in various other programs, interview shows and forums for the promotion of the rule of law in Pakistan.
She also claims three West Virginia tiestwo nephews and a niece, all WVU graduates.