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.

Nawaz joins Polaris Live to discuss the Biden administration’s China strategy

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
Nawaz joins Polaris Live to discuss the Biden administration’s China strategy

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
Nawaz joins Polaris Live to discuss the Biden administration’s China strategy

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.

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Content

In the News

Mar 10, 2021

Nawaz joins Polaris Live to discuss the Biden administration’s China strategy

By Atlantic Council

China Indo-Pacific

In the News

Mar 8, 2021

Lakhani quoted in Dawn on the era of venture capitalism and start-ups in Pakistan

By Atlantic Council

Economy & Business Inclusive Growth

In the News

Mar 8, 2021

Lakhani joins the Embassy of Pakistan in Washington, DC to discuss Pakistani-American women leaders

By Atlantic Council

Civil Society Pakistan

ACFrontPage

Mar 8, 2021

Transcript: Malala Yousafzai on why girls’ education is one of the most sustainable investments

By Atlantic Council

Going beyond a brick-and-mortar approach to expand access to schools for girls, Malala believes in improving the quality of education they're offered. But that quality is facing additional challenges from the pandemic.

Civil Society Education

In the News

Mar 8, 2021

Khan quoted in The Pakistan Tribune: ‘Bring change to educate, educate to bring change’
Education Pakistan

New Atlanticist

Mar 5, 2021

Malala Yousafzai: The pandemic is endangering long-term education for millions of girls

By Larry Luxner

There were already 130 million girls out of school worldwide before the COVID-19 crisis, and an estimated twenty million more may never return to their classrooms once the pandemic is over, warned female-education activist Malala Yousafzai.

Education Pakistan

In the News

Mar 2, 2021

Akhtar quoted in Daily Times on Operation Swift Retort

By Atlantic Council

Defense Industry Defense Policy

In the News

Mar 2, 2021

Akhtar quoted in The Nation on #whatstrending

By Atlantic Council

Defense Industry Defense Policy

In the News

Mar 2, 2021

Lakhani joins Clubhouse to discuss the importance of Spotify Launch in Pakistan

By Atlantic Council

Digital Policy Economy & Business

In the News

Mar 1, 2021

Nawaz joins the American Muslim Institution to discuss the future of democracy in South Asia

By Atlantic Council

Bangladesh India
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Experts

Staff

Manal Fatima

Assistant Director, Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

Middle East North Africa

Fellow

Nik Foster

Nonresident Fellow

Global China Hub

China Energy & Environment

Fellow

Erum Haider

Assistant Professor, Political Science and Environmental Studies, The College of Wooster

South Asia Center

Civil Society Economy & Business

Fellow

Hameed Hakimi

Nonresident Senior Fellow

South Asia Center

Migration Security & Defense

Staff

Michael Kugelman

Resident Senior Fellow, South Asia

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Afghanistan Bangladesh

Fellow

Paul D. Miller

Nonresident Senior Fellow

GeoStrategy Initiative Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Afghanistan Pakistan
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