Pakistan

Formed after gaining independence in 1947 from the British empire, Pakistan continues to be plagued by internal and external instability. It has been hard for Pakistan to achieve strong economic growth over the years, but it still provides opportunities for private sector investors. Security remains a primary concern for Pakistan, as the decades-long conflict in Afghanistan and tensions with its eastern neighbor India persist.

Khuda hafez Afghanistan and maybe Pakistan!

Issue Brief Apr 1, 2025

Rescuing Pakistan’s economy

By Aasim M. Husain

For decades, Pakistan has struggled with a declining standard of living, skyrocketing public debt, and economic policies that have failed to address the root causes of its stagnation.
Economy & Business Middle East
Khuda hafez Afghanistan and maybe Pakistan!

Issue Brief Nov 14, 2024

Mapping South Asia’s digital landscape

By Mark Linscott, Gopal Nadadur

Data protection regulations are becoming critical for South Asia, where some countries are increasingly driven by digital economies.
Bangladesh Digital Policy
Khuda hafez Afghanistan and maybe Pakistan!

Memo to… May 16, 2024

Memo to the UN secretary-general: Establish a UN conflict prevention mechanism for the Afghanistan region

By Laurie Nathan and Nilofar Sakhi

The risk of conflict between Afghanistan and its neighbors has been rising since the Taliban returned to power in 2021, and is now at a critical point. The UN has tools that have lowered the risk of major conflict in other tense neighborhoods. It’s time to deploy them for Afghanistan.
Afghanistan Central Asia

Events

Public Event Fri, July 25, 2025 • 10:30 am ET

Pakistan’s foreign minister on tensions with India and the future of US ties

AN #ACFRONTPAGE EVENT—Pakistani Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar joins the Atlantic Council for a timely conversation on India-Pakistan tensions, regional stability, and the future of US-Pakistan relations.

Defense Policy Economy & Business Indo-Pacific Pakistan

The South Asia Center is the hub for the Atlantic Council’s analysis of the political, social, geographical, and cultural diversity of the region. ​At the intersection of South Asia and its geopolitics, SAC cultivates dialogue to shape policy and forge ties between the region and the global community.

Learn more

Content

SouthAsiaSource

Apr 15, 2021

Khuda hafez Afghanistan and maybe Pakistan!

By Shuja Nawaz

20 years after invading Afghanistan to punish the Taliban for harboring Osama bin Laden, President Joe Biden is saying goodbye to Afghanistan. Regardless of the main reason why President Biden is extracting the US military and hence NATO from Afghanistan, the people of Afghanistan may end up being sacrificed and left to the depredations of the Taliban and Islamic State.

Afghanistan Pakistan

In the News

Apr 8, 2021

Lakhani joins daftarkhwan fireside to discuss her organization Invest2Innovate and early-stage startups in Pakistan

By Atlantic Council

Economy & Business Pakistan

In the News

Apr 8, 2021

Ghori-Ahmad joins USIP to discuss Pakistan’s post-pandemic economic outlook

By Atlantic Council

Coronavirus Economy & Business

In the News

Mar 31, 2021

Khan on gender equality: Gender Equality in a COVID-19 World: Actions in Pakistan
Pakistan Resilience & Society

In the News

Mar 30, 2021

Lakhani joins Clubhouse to discuss Bitcoin, cryptocurrency, and Pakistan

By Atlantic Council

Digital Policy Economy & Business

In the News

Mar 30, 2021

Akhtar joins King’s College CSSS to discuss the language of nuclear deterrence in South Asia

By Atlantic Council

India Nuclear Deterrence

In the News

Mar 29, 2021

Riaz in The Daily Star: A cancelled 1971 conference in Pakistan sends a message

By Atlantic Council

Bangladesh Disinformation

In the News

Mar 29, 2021

Nawaz joins the Qamar Cheema Show to discuss how Pakistan and India should engage with lessons of history

By Atlantic Council

India Pakistan

In the News

Mar 29, 2021

Riaz in the New Age: The unkept promises

By Atlantic Council

Bangladesh Pakistan

In the News

Mar 25, 2021

Lakhani joins Clubhouse to discuss Pakistan’s talent opportunity and the future of work

By Atlantic Council

Economy & Business Pakistan
Load More

Experts

Fellow

Cameron Munter

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Europe Center South Asia Center

National Security Conflict

Millennium fellow

Anoosha Shaigan

Chief Operating Officer and Editor, Courting The Law

Millennium Leadership Program

Human Rights Media

Fellow

Thomas S. Warrick

Nonresident Senior Fellow, Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

Adrienne Arsht National Security Resilience Initiative GeoStrategy Initiative

National Security Terrorism

Fellow

Sofyan Yusufi

Senior Advisor

South Asia Center

Financial Regulation Technology & Innovation