Many efforts similar to NAP were made in the past. In May 2014, for instance, the National Internal Security Policy (NISP) 2014-18 was presented, having many features similar to the NAP such as: reforming madrassas, building capacity of security forces, raising anti-terrorist force, enhancing coordination among security agencies, dealing with Afghan refugees, and curbing terrorist … Read more
n December 25th, 2014, nine days after Pakistani Taliban attacked Army Public School in Peshawar, killing 150, mostly children, the country’s political leadership approved a comprehensive 20-point National Action Plan against terrorism. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, in a televised address to the nation, described the incident as having “transformed the country.” Rare admission Beyond the … Read more
The purpose of this series of quarterly monitoring reports (2014) is to monitor and track the actions as well as public statements of five key STAP RP regional actors (India, Iran, Russia, China, SaudiArabia) on Pakistan; the development of, and their participation in relevant international and regional discussion meetings, including the Istanbul Process, Heart of … Read more
Jointly produced by PIPS and Barcelona Centre for International Affairs, famous as CIDOB, this quarterly monitoring brief (December 15, 2013 to March 31, 2014) tracks the actions as well as public statements of five key STAP RP regional actors (India, Iran, Russia, China, Saudi Arabia) on Pakistan. A part of CIDOB’s program, “the Sources of … Read more
The Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) are governed through the 1901 Frontier Crimes Regulation (FCR), which was enacted by the British to promote their own interests. This system was once lauded as a success and liked by the tribesmen. However, at present the system is widely seen as authoritarian—both in its form and essence—resulting in … Read more
Karachi is Pakistan’s financial hub and its most populous city with an estimated population of 23.5 million as of April 2013 (Khan, 2012a). While Islamabad is the political capital, Karachi is the country’s foremost commercial and financial centre. It accounts for the lion’s share in Pakistan’s gross domestic product and generates at least 60 percent … Read more
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
There seems to be broad agreement among analysts that Pakistan has never witnessed worse manifestations of violence fuelled by radical extremism than it does today. Against this backdrop I want to focus on the mainstream media’s role instead of talking about the fringe jihadi media. It is obvious that the media cannot remain aloof from … Read more
The Afghan Islamists’ political failure to produce realistic agendas for change1 is cited by some analysts as an example of the failure of political Islam. Some others however argue that Muslim societies seem to have been characterized in the 20th century by two contradictory structures. The clan, tribe and ethnic group does not seem to … Read more
Dialogue The Pak Institute for Peace Studies (PIPS) organized a series of policy dialogues to seek expert opinion on a PIPS research report titled ‘Understanding Militants’ Print Media in Pakistan and its Impact’. The report maps the militants’ media, its genesis and evolution, and impact on the Pakistani state and society. The report also profiles … Read more