A discussion with
Faiysal AliKhan
Carnegie Fellow, National Security Studies Program
New America Foundation

Ahmed Humayun
Fellow
Institute for Social Policy and Understanding

Moderated by
Shuja Nawaz
Director, South Asia Center
Atlantic Council

Pakistan announced its new internal security policy in February, marking a clear effort by the new government to finally tackle growing security threats from within the country. The new policy outlines an aggressive response to militant activity, including targeted attacks on hideouts in Pakistan’s northwest. However, uprooting militancy and stabilizing the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) requires a multi-pronged approach that goes beyond a military solution, and can help change the economic and social landscape of the region.

The speakers will explore the future of FATA, looking also at Gilgit-Baltistan and other provinces that have established systems of governance despite challenges. The speakers will discuss the current state of affairs in the volatile border region, including a look at the mind of the militant and the fragmentation of militant groups, to understand the implications of and challenges to a counterinsurgency strategy in FATA.

The Atlantic Council’s US-Pakistan Program is a comprehensive approach to US-Pakistan relations, focusing on the key areas of security, economic development, and public policy. The program explores these issues and their relevance in order to develop a long-term, continuous dialogue between the United States and Pakistan. This project is generously supported by the Carnegie Corporation of New York.