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.

Atlantic Council Holds India-Pakistan Track II Water Dialogue

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

Atlantic Council Holds India-Pakistan Track II Water Dialogue

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

Atlantic Council Holds India-Pakistan Track II Water Dialogue

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

Press Release

Jan 10, 2013

Atlantic Council Holds India-Pakistan Track II Water Dialogue

WASHINGTON – The Atlantic Council’s South Asia Center recently held a meeting for its India-Pakistan water project in Lahore, Pakistan. The meeting convened key experts, policymakers, and other stakeholders from both sides.

India Pakistan

Event Recap

Dec 4, 2012

Cracking the Pakistan Code

By Jason Harmala

The Atlantic Council’s South Asia Center held a discussion on December 4 with Mohsin Khan, senior fellow, Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East, Atlantic Council; and Paula Newberg, Marshall B. Coyne director, Institute for the Study of Diplomacy.

Pakistan

Transcript

Dec 4, 2012

Cracking the Pakistan Code: 12/4/12 – Transcript

By Jason Harmala

Cracking the Pakistan Code A discussion with Mohsin Khan Senior Fellow, Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East Atlantic Council Paula Newberg Marshall B. Coyne Director Institute for the Study of Diplomacy Moderated by Shuja Nawaz Director, South Asia Center Atlantic Council December 4, 2012 Atlantic Council Shuja Nawaz: – Crack the Pakistan Code. We […]

Pakistan

New Atlanticist

Dec 4, 2012

How to Build Trust Between India and Pakistan

By Ishrat Husain and Kavita N. Ramdas

This week, a delegation consisting of heads of leading Pakistani business houses are visiting India.

Economy & Business India

Event Recap

Nov 8, 2012

The Role of Youth in Pakistan’s Civil Society

By Jason Harmala

As part of the Emerging Leaders in Pakistan program, the South Asia Center hosted a panel discussion with the 2012 Fellows on November 8. Four of the Fellows, Younas Chowdhry, a student life coordinator at Salamat International Campus for Advanced Studies, Lahore; Samreen Shahbaz, cofounder, editor, and contributor to Roshni Blog; Sadiqa Sultan, journalist and […]

Pakistan

New Atlanticist

Nov 8, 2012

For Obama, a Second Chance in South Asia

By Shuja Nawaz

With a second term assured, President Barack Obama has a shot at making a huge difference in greater South Asia, an opportunity that he failed to take in his first term.

Pakistan South Asia

New Atlanticist

Nov 1, 2012

Pakistan’s Heavyweights

By Arnaud de Borchgrave

Abdul Qadeer Khan, Pakistan’s national hero who peddled nuclear weapons secrets to Iran, North Korea and Libya (under Moammar Gadhafi), now has his own political party to promote his presidential ambitions. He is also a media columnist and his anti-U.S. lucubrations are read in both English and Urdu.

Nuclear Nonproliferation Pakistan

New Atlanticist

Oct 30, 2012

Let’s Wage Cross-Border Peace Now

By Shuja Nawaz

Hurry up and wait! This seems to be the order of the day as Pakistan and India take tentative steps towards normalcy.

India Pakistan

Press Release

Oct 29, 2012

Atlantic Council Launches Emerging Leaders of Pakistan Fellowship

WASHINGTON: The Atlantic Council’s South Asia Center is pleased to announce the launch of its Emerging Leaders of Pakistan (ELP) program. The fellowship seeks to support and empower the next generation of Pakistan’s civil society leaders through the creation of a sustainable forum of collaboration. Fifteen leaders from across Pakistan, representing various issue areas, view […]

Pakistan

Event Recap

Oct 16, 2012

Philanthropy in Pakistan

By Jason Harmala

The Atlantic Council’s South Asia Center held a discussion on philanthropy in Pakistan with Robin Raphel, senior adviser on Pakistan, Office of Special Representative for Af-Pak, US Department of State; Qaisar Shareef, executive volunteer and USA representative, I-Care Fund America; and Farrokh K. Captain, chairman, i-Care Foundation and director, Shell Pakistan, Limited. South Asia Center […]

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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