Pakistan

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.

Kashmir is driving Pakistan’s mediation efforts between Tehran and Riyadh

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
Kashmir is driving Pakistan’s mediation efforts between Tehran and Riyadh

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
Kashmir is driving Pakistan’s mediation efforts between Tehran and Riyadh

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

Online Event Mon, August 17, 2026 • 9:00 am ET

The Mecca Joint Defense Agreement and the future of regional security
Middle East Pakistan Saudi Arabia Security & Defense

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

IranSource

Oct 21, 2019

Kashmir is driving Pakistan’s mediation efforts between Tehran and Riyadh

By Fatemeh Aman

From Imran Khan’s perspective, the issue of Kashmir has not attracted enough international attention. Mediating de-escalation in the Persian Gulf could strengthen his ability to bring more attention to that crisis too.

India Iran

In the News

Oct 13, 2019

Nawaz in The Indian Express on his new book, The Battle for Pakistan

By Atlantic Council

Afghanistan Corruption

In the News

Oct 11, 2019

Nawaz in India Today on his new book, The Battle for Pakistan

By Atlantic Council

Afghanistan Corruption

Issue Brief

Aug 21, 2019

Repeal of Article 370: Implications for India, Pakistan, and the United States

By Kyra Kocis, Nidhi Upadhyaya, Irfan Nooruddin

The articles have institutionalized a unique constitutional relationship between Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) and the Central Government since 1954.

Conflict India

Issue Brief

Aug 21, 2019

Repeal of Article 370: Implications for India, Pakistan, and the United States

By Kyra Kocis, Nidhi Upadhyaya, and Irfan Nooruddin

The articles have institutionalized a unique constitutional relationship between Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) and the Central Government since 1954.

Conflict India

In the News

Aug 5, 2019

Nooruddin in Foreign Policy: inside Kashmir’s crisis—And what happens next
Human Rights India

New Atlanticist

Jul 29, 2019

Pakistan PM Khan hails new relationship after Trump meeting

By Kyra Kocis

Pakistan can play a role in pushing the Taliban to participate in future talks, Imran Khan argues

Afghanistan Pakistan

In the News

Jul 8, 2019

Biberman releases Gambling with Violence: State Outsourcing of War in Pakistan and India (Oxford University Press)

By Atlantic Council

Defense Industry India

IranSource

Apr 30, 2019

Can Pakistan be the friend Iran needs?

By Fatemeh Aman

With pressure mounting on Iran from US sanctions, Iran is placing heavy emphasis on its neighbors for trade and political support.

Iran Pakistan

Event Recap

Apr 22, 2019

The future of Afghanistan: ongoing negotiations and the role of regional partners

By Sahir Amlani

On Monday April 22, the Atlantic Council’s South Asia Center hosted a panel discussion on the Afghanistan peace negotiations. The panel was moderated by the South Asia Center’s Nonresident Senior Fellow Fatemeh Aman and focused on the role of regional powers helping to secure stability and peace. Daud Khattak, Senior Editor of Radio Mashaal, outlined […]

Afghanistan India
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Experts

Fellow

Jon F. Danilowicz

Nonresident Senior Fellow

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

Bangladesh Fiscal and Structural Reform

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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