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.
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.
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.
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.
Events
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.

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.