Profs to Reflect on Pakistani Elections

Mike Medley, director of EMU's Intensive English Program
Dr. Mike Medley, director of the Intensive English Program (IEP) at EMU

An EMU and a James Madison University professor will offer their views on Pakistan-US relations after the elections in a presentation, "A Million Cups of Tea," to be held 4-5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Mar. 19, in Martin Chapel of the seminary building at EMU.

Dr. Mike Medley, director of the Intensive English Program (IEP) at EMU, and Dr. Ehsan Ahmed, chair of the economics department at JMU, will present "outsider" and "insider" views, respectively, based on their personal experiences in Pakistan.

Dr. Ehsan Ahmed, chair of the economics department at JMU
Dr. Ehsan Ahmed, chair of the economics department at JMU

A general election was held in Pakistan on Feb. 18 after being postponed from Jan. 8, the original date to elect members of the National Assembly of Pakistan, the lower house of the Majlis-e-Shoora (the nation’s parliament.

Pakistan’s two main opposition parties, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and the Pakistan Muslim League (PML) won the majority of seats in the election, although the Pakistan Muslim League actually was second in the popular vote. The PPP and PML are expected to form the new government.

Medley was a Presbyterian missionary in Pakistan for 11 years before joining the EMU faculty. Last spring he was a visiting faculty member in the English departement at Forman Christian College there. Dr. Ahmed is a leader in the local Islamic Center and president of the Shenandoah Valley Pak-American Society.

Refreshments will be served. Admission is free.