Safdar Sial

CPEC in Balochistan: Local concerns and implications

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CPEC is a project of opportunity as well as risk for Balochistan. Therefore, a lot will depend on how CPEC is executed in the province in terms of giving a due share and economic benefits to the Baloch people. A perceived sense of discrimination can further fuel the anti-federation sentiments in the province and strengthen … Read more

CPEC security developments

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There has been relative improvement in the country’s overall security situation in 2016 that boded well for the security of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) as well. However some major attacks by Islamist and sectarian militants groups, mainly in Balochistan – the province that holds a pivotal place in the CPEC due to hosting Gwadar Port … Read more

Sectarian violence in Parachinar: Backgrounder on NAP actions against sectarian terrorists

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Sectarian terrorists hit a make-shift market in Parachinar on December 13 killing 25 people and wounding more than 60 others. Lashkar-e-Jhangvi Al-Aalmi and South Waziristan-based Ansarul Mujahideen separately claimed responsibility for the attack. Historically, Kurram Agency has been a hotspot of sectarian violence between local Sunni and Shia tribes. But in the past few years, … Read more

2014 withdrawal of foreign troops from Afghanistan: implications for regional security

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The withdrawal of foreign troops from Afghanistan towards the end of 2014 would have implications for the ongoing war against terrorism in the region. Since the launch of this war after the 9/11 attacks, Pakistan and Afghanistan have been fighting against local and foreign militants in their respective territories and border regions as frontline allies … Read more

Understanding North Punjab in the context of Pakistani diaspora in Britain

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A census report by the Institute for Public Policy Research in London counted that 7.53 percent of Britain’s population in 2001 was born overseas.2 Among the top non-UK birthplaces of Britain’s population, Pakistan was ranked third after Republic of Ireland and India.3 British Pakistanis mainly hail from three parts of Pakistan and Azad Kashmir: Mirpur, … Read more