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.

A private briefing on US-Pakistan relations with Her Excellency Hina Rabbani Khar, former Foreign Minister of 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
A private briefing on US-Pakistan relations with Her Excellency Hina Rabbani Khar, former Foreign Minister of 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
A private briefing on US-Pakistan relations with Her Excellency Hina Rabbani Khar, former Foreign Minister of 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.

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Content

Event Recap

Jul 22, 2015

A private briefing on US-Pakistan relations with Her Excellency Hina Rabbani Khar, former Foreign Minister of Pakistan

By Ben Polsky

Speaking at an Atlantic Council briefing, Former Foreign Minister of Pakistan Her Excellency Hina Rabbani Khar offered her unique perspective on “the broad trends prevailing in Pakistan” including the recent talks between the Taliban and the Afghan government in Murree, the Iran deal impact in Pakistan, the status quo of Indo-Pak relations, and the state […]

Pakistan

In the News

Jul 6, 2015

Rakisits on Afghan-Pakistani Border Clash

By Claude Rakisits

Defense News quotes South Asia Center Nonresident Senior Fellow Claude Rakisits on the implications of continued tensions between Afghan and Pakistani troops along their mutual border:

Afghanistan Pakistan

New Atlanticist

Jun 30, 2015

Nuclear Credibility: What the United States Lost in Ukraine and Pakistan and the Implications for the Iran Deal

By Ben Polsky

As the nuclear negotiations between Iran and the P5+1 powers continue on past the June 30 deadline, the focus remains on the details of an agreement and whether the negotiators can come to a final resolution. But even as these details continue to be debated, it is important to consider the bigger picture – whether […]

Nuclear Nonproliferation Pakistan

In the News

Jun 25, 2015

Rakisits: Death Penalty Returns to Pakistan

By Claude Rakisits

South Asia Center Nonresident Senior Fellow Claude Rakisits writes for Rule of Law Updates and Perspectives on the reinstatement of the death penalty in Pakistan:

Pakistan

New Atlanticist

Jun 25, 2015

Nuclear Expert Outlines India’s ‘Command and Control’ Policy

By Larry Luxner

Retired Brigadier Arun Sahgal, one of India’s top experts on nuclear policy, reasserted his country’s “no first use” doctrine in a June 23 presentation to the Atlantic Council. Sahgal, Director of the New Delhi-based Forum for Strategic Initiative, doesn’t represent official thinking, but he spoke from thirty-six years of experience in the Indian Army. “India’s […]

China India

In the News

Jun 12, 2015

Rakisits: Pakistan’s Pivot to China

By Claude Rakisits

South Asia Center Nonresident Senior Fellow Claude Rakisits writes for Australian Strategic Policy Institute on Pakistan-China relations in light of the $46 billion Chinese investment in the China Pakistan Economic Corridor: 

China Pakistan

Event Recap

Jun 10, 2015

A conversation with Pakistan’s Foreign Secretary H.E. Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry

By Refayat Haque

On June 4, His Excellency Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry, Pakistan’s Foreign Secretary, gave public remarks at an event hosted by the Atlantic Council’s South Asia Center. He spoke about the government’s progress in restoring peace and stability in the country and their approach to pursue regional security. H.E. Chaudhry outlined the success of the counter-insurgency campaign […]

Pakistan

In the News

Jun 5, 2015

Rakisits on Pakistan’s Defense Budget

By Claude Rakisits

Defense News quotes South Asia Center Nonresident Senior Fellow Claude Rakisits on Pakistan’s double digit defense budget increase:

China Defense Industry

New Atlanticist

Jun 4, 2015

Pakistani Taliban’s Core ‘Dismantled’

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Pakistan’s Foreign Secretary says military campaign against terrorists in ‘critical phase’ The Pakistani military has dismantled the Taliban’s core in a successful operation that is now in a “critical phase,” Pakistan’s Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry said June 4 at the Atlantic Council. The terrorist group’s leadership “is on the run,” Chaudhry said.

Pakistan

In the News

Jun 4, 2015

Ullman: Pakistan’s Future – Bright and Sunny or a Lull in the Storm?

By Harlan Ullman

Atlantic Council Senior Adviser Harlan Ullman writes for the Pakistani Daily Times on the various factors at play in Pakistan’s future:

Pakistan
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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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