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.

In Pakistan, It’s Imran Khan’s Turn to Bat

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

In Pakistan, It’s Imran Khan’s Turn to Bat

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

In Pakistan, It’s Imran Khan’s Turn to Bat

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

New Atlanticist

Jul 26, 2018

In Pakistan, It’s Imran Khan’s Turn to Bat

By James Schwemlein

The apparent victory of cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party in the July 25 parliamentary election marks a new inflection point in Pakistan’s politics and external policies.  This election, though marred by allegations of tampering and violence, marks Pakistan’s second consecutive transition from one civilian-led government to another through an election.  Additionally, PTI’s ascent […]

Pakistan

New Atlanticist

Jul 24, 2018

Pakistan’s Election May Further Fracture its Polity

By Shuja Nawaz

Pakistanis will elect a new parliament and prime minister on July 25 marking only the second transfer of power from one civilian government to another in the nation’s seventy-year history. Though this should be cause for celebration in a country where governments have been abruptly changed by military coups or presidential fiats, there are genuine […]

Pakistan

In the News

May 23, 2018

Nawaz Quoted in Real Clear Life on a U.S. Attaché’s Diplomatic Immunity Following a Deadly Crash in Pakistan

By Shuja Nawaz

Read the full article here

Pakistan

In the News

May 7, 2018

Biberman in The Washington Post: Pakistani Militants Have Created their Own Political Party. Can it Actually Win Votes?

By Yelena Biberman

Read the full article here

Pakistan

In the News

May 7, 2018

Ahmad in The National Interest: Pakistan’s Secret War Machine

By Javid Ahmad

Read the full article here

Pakistan

In the News

May 7, 2018

Biberman in The Washington Post: Pakistani militants have created their own political party. Can it actually win votes?

By Atlantic Council

Elections Pakistan

In the News

Mar 26, 2018

Gopalaswamy Quoted in Newsweek on Trump Slamming Pakistan Companies With Sanctions

By Bharath Gopalaswamy

Read the full article here

Pakistan

New Atlanticist

Feb 28, 2018

Is Peace Possible in Afghanistan?

By Carmen Gentile

Amid ongoing, deadly attacks in the Afghan capital and elsewhere, the Taliban has reached out to the United States to begin peace talks aimed at ending more than seventeen years of conflict between US-led forces and the once-ruling extremist group. At least, that’s what the group’s open letter in February reads. In it, the Taliban […]

Afghanistan Pakistan

New Atlanticist

Jan 18, 2018

Trump Gets Tough on Pakistan

By Ashish Kumar Sen

This article is part of a series that reflects on the first year of the Trump administration. US President Donald J. Trump started off 2018 with a tweet blasting Pakistan for providing safe havens to terrorists. Days later, the Trump administration cut off what is expected to be $1.3 billion in annual security aid to […]

Pakistan

In the News

Jan 13, 2018

Gopalaswamy Joins The Wire to Discuss What Trump’s Tweet on Pakistan Means For India

By Bharath Gopalaswamy

Watch the full discussion here.

India Pakistan
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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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