Zafar Iqbal Yousafzai

Russia’s policy towards the Taliban is quite different from what we had seen in the past. The Taliban is primarily a religious group and in the Cold War, religious groups in Afghanistan used to fight against the Soviets during their invasion. However, the current dynamics are quite changed and Moscow is closely in contact with […]

The current elected government of the PTI is in shambles due to the No-Confidence Motion (NCM) by the opposition where several members of the ruling PTI has switched to the opposition to vote against PM Khan. In the past period of three and half years of the PTI government, PM Khan’s relationship was quite smooth […]

Thinktanks play a vital role in any country’s decision and policymaking by providing expert opinion and analysis. The term “think tank” was first used during World War II to refer to a secure place where military strategists could deliberate on future strategies. In today’s globalized world in addition to changing dynamics, the role of think […]

With the US withdrawal from Afghanistan at the end of August 2021 ended the US-Pakistan cooperation in Afghanistan that lasted for two decades. Despite huge losses borne by Pakistan in war on terror since the US invasion of Afghanistan, Washington is not happy with Islamabad over the precarious situation and the Taliban takeover in Afghanistan. […]

Pakistan has been facing an immense energy crisis for quite a long time. According to a World Bank report, electricity shortage is a bigger obstacle to business as compared to corruption. To fulfil, or at least shorten, its energy shortage, Pakistan and China are working in close collaboration. Some states like India have been questioning […]

The Taliban’s swift return to power shocked the world; bringing humiliation for Washington and Ghani administration. Questions about such a quick collapse of the Afghan forces keep boggling minds everywhere. The world wondered why Washington and Kabul did not do anything to handle the situation—both on the ground and table. This article seeks to answer […]

Pak-Uzbekistan relations are growing in recent times and cooperation is on the rise. The recent visit of Pakistani Prime Minister, Imran Khan, to Uzbekistan indicated the two states are expanding their multi-faceted cooperation. During his two-day visit, Mr Khan addressed Uzbekistan-Pakistan Business Forum on “Central and South Asia 2021: Regional Connectivity and Opportunities.” He expressed […]

Last month, leaders at the NATO summit declared China as a constant security threat that could undermine world order—a matter of serious concern. “We recognise that China’s growing influence and international policies present both opportunities and challenges that we need to address together as an Alliance,” read NATO’s declaration. Similarly, G7 announced the Build Back […]

As the US starts pulling out of Afghanistan, Taliban are advancing across the Afghan territory clearly indicating their victory in the war against the US-led NATO and ISAF troops. The US officials on one hand accept they have lost the Afghan war although in grim words, while the Taliban have been repeatedly and bluntly proclaiming […]

Afghanistan’s political and security situation is quite precarious given the intensity of Taliban advances, lack of progress in intra-Afghan talks, and, most importantly, the accelerated US withdrawal. This is not to overlook the American quest to establish bases in the neighbourhood to keep an eye on Afghanistan. Yet things seem to be proceeding in the […]