Ms Sara Aslam is a British-Pakistani Cambridge and King’s College London educated corporate lawyer who is currently working at a top London-based international law firm. She was recently elected as the new chairperson of the Oxbridge Muslim Alumni, an organisation that has been dedicated to the interests of Muslim graduates from the universities of Oxford and Cambridge. In addition, she was selected by the Government of Pakistan to represent the Pakistani youth at the Commonwealth Youth Forum (CYF), as part of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), held in Malta during November 2015. She tweets at @MsSaraAslam HK: As a British-Pakistani, you’ve been quite proactive regarding welfare and political activities related to Pakistan and even led a major UK-based Pakistani youth organization called NUPSA. What inspired you and have a keen interest in activities related to Pakistan when most British-Pakistanis simply don’t wish to get involved? SA: My mother is my one and only inspiration. Mama was born and raised in Lahore but came to London when she married my very British Papa. Growing up, she would recount stories of her idyllic childhood in Gulberg. She would narrate a beautiful image of Pakistan, where it was serene and safe to cycle from her house, down MM Alam road and finally to St.Mary’s, the school that she would love to experience again. She would also tell me stories about her time at Kinnaird, where she would dabble between her Philosophy and Economics majors, and the fashion trends that she naturally gravitated towards. I could listen to her for hours on end until she would tell me that it was the last memory for the night. Mama’s descriptions, emotions and the way her face lights up whilst narrating each experience is phenomenal and that is why I have a certain affinity towards Pakistan. My regular trips to Pakistan have cemented this affection and my desire to ‘give back’ to Pakistan is stronger than ever. HK: NUPSA had many achievements on its hands and one of them was its flagship conference called the Pakistan Young Leaders’ Conference (PYLC) that was bi-annually held in Oxford/London and Islamabad. What were the objectives of hosting such a solution-based conference that focused on Pakistan’s future, especially in a country like the UK? SA: The PYLC aimed to, and did, achieve three key things. First, it ensured that those studying/working in the UK could meet with like-minded people, going through a similar journey. Second, it facilitated a dialogue that countered the standard TV shows that only highlighted and exaggerated problems, by coming up with a solution-focused approach, which would make a tangible difference. Third, it enabled British-Pakistanis and foreigners to see what the Pakistani intelligentsia actually comprised of. Why the UK? My counter question is: why not? The reality is that Pakistan and the UK have a much combined history and present. HK: Since leaving the organisation, you focused on your professional consulting career in Londonand then joined the University of Cambridge for an MPhil focusing on Pakistan. What made you choose this? SA: I am proud to be a British-Pakistani and while growing up, I lived the British lifestyle, albeit in privileged circumstances. However, as explained before, I was in awe of Pakistan. I wanted to not only know, but also to understand my roots, heritage and origins. For my own satisfaction, I needed to feel the history, the issues and the desire to see an improvement in Pakistan. In the comfort of Cambridge’s ever-supportive staff, I was able to delve into Pakistan’s rich history – its democracy, its military and, true to a lawyer, its laws. HK: On behalf of the Government of Pakistan, you were appointed as Pakistan’s National Delegate to the Commonwealth Youth Forum (CYF), as part of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), that was held in Malta during November 2015. How was your personal experience in representing Pakistan at such a large scale? SA: I have to say, I washonoured to represent Pakistan at the CHOGM’s CYF. It was a fascinating experience to witness the energy and brains of the youth from all over the Commonwealth. Having said that, it also opened my eyes to the fact that our youth is no less. The Pakistanis I met at the conference were outspoken, confident and open-minded; the nicest people one can come across but not doormats. That is how each of us should be. In comparison, my role as a corporate lawyer seems quite dull; however, each of us has a purpose in our lives and a journey that we need to take to the best of our ability. HK: While watching the live proceedings of CYF Malta 2015, I noticed that when you asked the discussion panel regarding the human rights violations being committed by the Indian Army in Indian Occupied Kashmir; the head of the panelists abruptly cut you off and immediately went to the next person. What was the reason behind not letting you speak on the issue of Kashmir and did you convey the matter to the concerned senior officials? I thought no one noticed! Yes, you are right; the microphone was cut off. I did ask why and stated that in order to resolve the issue, neutral platforms needed to facilitate dialogue; however, I received an unsatisfactory answer, i.e. that the CYF should be an inclusive platform and that it was not the appropriate forum. What was the appropriate forum? Not the CYF? That’s all I know. HK: In February 2016, you were unanimously appointed as the new Chairperson of the Oxbridge Muslim Alumni (OMA) that is an organisation, which looks after the interests of Muslim graduates of Oxford and Cambridge. What kind of plans do you have on your mind as the new Chairperson of the organisation? SA: As with the previous organisations that I have led, I have a number of key aims. First, I want to use this role to benefit OMA members internationally. Padding it out slightly more, it also means hosting regional events that cater to a variety of tastes – social, academic, political, religious and more. Second, I want to ensure that the OMA gives back to society. It includes our upcoming mentoring scheme aimed at Oxbridge aspirants, fundraising for noble causes and more. Third, Islam is stereotyped all over the international media. In Muslim-minority countries, in particular, it can be difficult for Muslims to be comfortable with their faith, the attitudes of those around them and, in turn, to integrate in wider society. Through the OMA, I hope to address these issues and bring to light the diversity that Islam harbours.I digress; however, in addition and very importantly, I would also like to educate wider society to not confuse heinous acts of terror with Islam. In my opinion it is not ‘extremism’ that needs to be condemnedbut ‘terrorism’ because such acts are simply monstrous and unislamic. HK: My final question is that being a person, who has keen interest and first-hand experience in politics in her student and professional life, are you willing to join mainstream politics in the future whether in the UK or Pakistan or would you rather focus on your corporate law career? SA: I believe that growing up in a household where your father is a well-regarded lawyer leaves an innate imprint on your personality. You’re taught the art of logic, precision and argument early on. You’re taught to aim high, to be pragmatic and, when needed, to reach a compromise. You’re even taught to know where you sit on the moral spectrum, when you have done wrong and when you have been wronged. Often, it is a fine line and in other scenarios, it is not. Where it is not, I have historically been very vocal – as my family and close friends know all too well. What I do know is that I can’t divorce the positive traits from who I am; hence, I love being a corporate lawyer and the buzz of London. Politics, on the other hand, isn’t regulated but it does have a number of positives. Unfortunately, all too often, it is used in the wrong way and a lot of people get trapped in the ‘system’. In Pakistan this is entrenched with feudalistic, chauvinistic and patriarchal thinking, which I have no respect for. In the UK, its diminishing shortfall is achieving the correct ethnic, gender and religious balance.If I were to pursue politics, it would be in the country that I could make the most difference and impact in.Whether politics becomes my main focus, however, is an entirely different ball game and for that, as is often frustrating to hear, you’ll just have to watch this space! The writer is a geopolitical analyst at Business Plus. He can be reached at hassankhan440@gmail.com and tweets @mhassankhan06