Javed Jabbar, chairman and chief executive of JJ Media in Karachi, Pakistan, discussed the complexities behind U.S.-Pakistani relations on Nov. 4.

The event was hosted by the Association of Public Diplomacy Scholars, USC Annenberg's student-run public diplomacy organization. As former senator and federal minister of Pakistan, Jabbar has played a major role in international affairs, urban development and the environment in that country. He has also established himself as an advertising mogul in Pakistan. Jabbar spoke about the importance of Pakistan in the global sphere. Pakistan is the “focal point of geopolitics,” he said, with a massive oil supply and a strong presence in the United States. Jabbar also stated that Pakistan was the only state with nuclear capacity out of 57 Muslim nations. Given that Pakistan is predicted to be the sixth most populous nation within four decades, it is more important than ever for the U.S. to build relations with Pakistan, Jabbar said. Jabbar identified several reasons for the tension between the U.S. and Pakistan. He mentioned overflights by unmanned American military aircraft as a source of conflict, while Pakistani’s narrow-mindedness was to blame for their weak policies. Jabbar also discussed how the mass media has shaped U.S.-Pakistani relations, pointing out that Pakistanis are often negatively portrayed in newspapers and on television.

“With the media so busy chasing Herman Cain and Lindsay Lohan, there is no time for positive Pakistani stories that are non-news topics,” Jabbar stated.

However, he is confident that a future exists between the two nations with a blend of mutual respect, sensibility, consistency and, most importantly, integrity.

“Both countries need enhanced knowledge about each other,” Jabbar said.