A sudden change of heart and policy
The issue of refugees is not new in Pakistan. Since its inception, the country has faced challenges in accommodating refugees from across the borders and even from faraway countries such…
Terrorism and drug trade
Today (June 26, 2023) marks the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. This worldwide observance was decided by the UNGA in 1987 to raise the level of awareness…
Conceptual poverty of foreign policy
By looking closely at the interlinked deprivations of poor people, this report provides valuable insights on how to tackle multidimensional poverty—referred to simply as “poverty” throughout—by addressing its multiple dimensions—Global…
Terrorism financing in Pakistan
Terrorism is a contested term -- difficult to define, and a cause of contention in academics and policymaking for years. There is no universal definition of terrorism. According to the…
The coronavirus pandemic, clerics, and terrorism
The whole ongoing kerfuffle about how to combat the coronavirus pandemic is not unique to Pakistan. Even the developed world is groping its way through the fog of incomprehension, misconception…
Cyber terrorism by India
Warnings. Threats. Deaths. Murders. Terror. For daring to speak against religion? Almost 9 out of 10 people would say, of course this is Taliban or ISIS or Hezbollah. No this…
Security policy impasse
IN Pakistan, the drafting of security policy has largely remained the preserve of national security institutions. The executive and parliament rarely intervene, apparently trusting the wisdom of those at the…
A bizarre foreign policy
The writer, a former ambassador, is adjunct professor at Georgetown University and senior visiting research fellow at the National University of Singapore. In the recent spate of writings on the…
Our Afghanistan policy
With the installation of an interim Taliban cabinet, the process of government formation has marked a step forward in the pursuit of returning Afghanistan to some semblance of normalcy. Mainly…
Policy paralysis
Since dividing and annexing the disputed state of Jammu and Kashmir on August 5, 2019, India has geared up the process of reshaping its demography and identity, using the global…
