Latest news with #IslamabadPolicyResearchInstitute
Express Tribune
02-07-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Int'l moot discusses counterterrorism measures
Islamabad Policy Research Institute (IPRI) on Tuesday hosted an International Conference titled, 'Pakistan: A Bulwark against Terrorism'. It was addressed by former foreign minister and PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, who offered an olive branch to India, calling upon it to exhibit sagacity and talk it out with Pakistan. He said that Pakistan has come a long way, and has defeated terrorism at home, apart from being a genuine and instrumental partner in fighting the war on terrorism in the region. He said that with more than 90,000 civil and military casualties in the last two decades, and a collateral economic damage of more than $100 billion, it's time for the world to recognise Pakistan's sacrifices, and not to shun its utility. The conference was opened by President IPRI Lt General (retd) Majid Ehsan who outlined the need and necessity of flagging Pakistan's meticulous role in fighting terrorism, and outlined the way to go by working on a host of realms that come to integrate policymakers and those fighting this faceless war for a comprehensive success.
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
02-07-2025
- Politics
- First Post
Pakistan ready to forge historic, phenomenal partnership with India, says Bilawal
The Pakistani leader also called for India to resolve all outstanding disputes, including the Kashmir issue and IWT, that India has put under abeyance following the Pahalgam massacre where terrorists linked to Pakistan killed 26 civilians read more After trading barbs against India over the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), Pakistan's former foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto asked New Delhi on Wednesday to join its so-called efforts to combat terrorism and forge a 'historic' partnership. During an address on 'Pakistan Fighting War for the World against Terrorism' at the Islamabad Policy Research Institute, Bhutto said, 'Pakistan is ready to forge a historic, phenomenal partnership with India to jointly combat terror.' 'Not as adversaries playing a zero-sum game but as neighbours who share a moral and civilisational obligation to save a billion souls from the plague of extremism. All it requires is from India's leadership is to step down from the high horse heading in the abyss and pursue peace with Pakistan,' he added. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The Pakistani leader also called for India to resolve all outstanding disputes, including the Kashmir issue and IWT, that India has put under abeyance following the Pahalgam massacre where terrorists linked to Pakistan killed 26 civilians. 'Let us resolve Kashmir in accordance with the aspirations of the people. Let us end the weaponisation of water. And instead, build peace as mighty as the Himalayas. Let us return to our shared traditions grounded not in hatred but the ancient soil of the Indus valley civilisation. It is not weakness to extend a hand. It is wisdom." Bhutto said. This is not the first time the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader has reached out to India to seek dialogue and partnership. Following India's Operation Sindoor , which destroyed several terrorist launchpads in Pakistan, Bhutto said, 'Pakistan would still like to cooperate with India to combat terrorism we can't leave the fate of 1.5 or 1.7 billion people in the hands of non-state actors and terrorists for them to decide at a whim that two nuclear armed powers will go to war and this is the new normal of the new abnormal that the Indian government is trying to impose on the region.'
Express Tribune
28-04-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
India-Pakistan: On the Brink Again
The writer is a Research Fellow at the Islamabad Policy Research Institute Listen to article The Pahalgam attack – which claimed the lives of 26 civilians – in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJ&K) is being opportunely linked to a recent speech by Pakistan's Army Chief, in which he referred to Kashmir as Pakistan's 'jugular vein.' Indian media, both print and electronic, immediately began disseminating false propaganda against Pakistan, labeling the Army Chief's remarks as the trigger for the attack. Notably, the widespread anti-Modi sentiment in Kashmir - and even within parts of India - was conveniently overlooked as a possible contributing factor. The attack may well be an attempt to undermine the "normalcy" narrative that India is persistently portraying. Historically, India has followed a consistent pattern of swiftly blaming Pakistan for such incidents. However, in the case of the Pahalgam attack, there has been no official Indian statement directly attributing responsibility to Pakistan. Instead of explicitly blaming Pakistan, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Modi, announced five significant measures, including the closure of the Attari border, suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), and declaring Pakistani diplomats persona non grata. These steps could be a possible build up towards an aggressive Indian posturing in the days to follow. Following the Pathankot and Uri crises in 2016, Prime Minister Modi famously stated that 'blood and water cannot flow together.' Since then, his government has repeatedly hinted at intentions to scrap the IWT. While states are entitled to suspend treaties during times of war or conflict, India's suspension of the IWT would be seen as a coercive tactic aimed at disrupting water flow into Pakistan - signaling a desire to escalate tensions. Pakistan has criticized this move as hasty, impulsive, and impractical. Although Pakistan has categorically denied involvement in the Pahalgam attack, the suspension of the IWT is undeniably an escalatory measure that Pakistan is likely to address with corresponding seriousness, as indicated in the retaliatory measures announced by Pakistan in National Security Council (NSC) meeting. Despite India-Pakistan relations already being at their lowest point since the 2019 Pulwama–Balakot crisis, the current developments pose an even greater threat to fragile regional stability. The state-controlled Indian media is upping the ante by hinting at the possibility of India conducting surgical strikes inside Pakistan. This war-mongering rhetoric, coupled with mounting domestic pressure, could push India towards retaliatory actions, even if strategic prudence suggests restraint. In the absence of any official channel of communication and formal dialogue mechanism between the two nuclear-armed rivals, fueling up hyper nationalism on media platforms will only further heighten the risks. At this critical juncture, all state institutions must act rationally and responsibly to avoid escalation. In the aftermath of Pulwama-Balakot crisis, analysts argued that the risk of escalation in a similar future crisis could be much greater given the dangerous addition in response options in terms of aerial combat which has a tendency of rapid escalation. Therefore, it is imperative for India and Pakistan to defuse the situation before it escalates to a point where kinetic means are brought into the equation. The convergence of political and military posturing, provocative media narratives, and absence of dialogue has created a volatile environment where miscalculation could easily lead to unintended consequences. It is vital for both nations to prioritize de-escalation through diplomatic engagement rather than provocation. Reinstating formal communication mechanisms, respecting international agreements, and promoting responsible media are essential steps toward preventing the crisis from spiraling out of control. The current security environment after the announcement of reciprocal measures by India and Pakistan point towards serious degradation of diplomatic ties. There is a need for a conscious shift from confrontation to dialogue in order to address the root causes of conflict and avoid frequent recurrence of similar crises. In a region where peace remains elusive and brinkmanship prevails, rational decision making by the leadership and a commitment to regional stability is should not be held hostage to leadership's pride and reluctance to resolve conflicts.
Express Tribune
06-03-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Nasim Ashraf's autobiography unveiled
Nasim Ashraf, a distinguished Pakistani-American physician and former Pakistan Cricket Board chairman's autobiography titled "Ring Side" was recently unveiled at the Islamabad Policy Research Institute (IPRI). The book provides a first-hand account of a pivotal era in Pakistan's history, detailing Ashraf's close involvement in state affairs during President Pervez Musharraf's tenure. Offering unique insights into governance and Pakistan-U.S. relations, Ring Side captures the author's experiences at the heart of power and diplomacy. Covering a vast span of events from Pakistan's role as America's indispensable partner in the War on Terror to the grassroots of human development in Pakistan, the author presents a primary source account of the country's external and internal policies. He remains more concerned about human development and takes no qualms in saying that Pakistan has not done enough in this realm. The book also entails an evocative and fascinating account of military coups, intrigues and vested interests that have accented Pakistan's history. Amidst all those obstacles, the book pins that the author was able to implement a basic health and literacy scheme at the grassroots. The book nail-bitingly accounts for the events that unfolded in diplomacy after the September 11, 2001, attacks, and the outcome it had on the diplomatic mosaic with Pakistan. Ashraf made it a point to say that having worked closely with American authorities, he learnt the reality that citizens' rights are placed well above even those of the president of the United States. This is where we have to learn as we go on to buoy human confidence in the state, he observed. In a one-liner on US-Pakistan ties, he said it has been infected with a "trust deficit", and there is a need to overcome this dilemma.
