Issue Briefs

Widening gulf between Pakistan and AJK
Although most of the demands have been accepted― of course, not before securitizing the political issue by deploying FC, Rangers along with police to use force against the protesters― the people of AJK are unlikely to forget the ordeal they have had to pass through, for the last more than six months, which has certainly steeled their nerves.
National Report by China in the 45th UPR Session: Hiding More than it Reveals
China’s report on human rights in the 45th session of the UPR on 23 January 2024 has drawn the attention of human rights activists worldwide. It has painted a rosy picture of the human rights situation within China.



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Strait of Hormuz, Iran Crisis and India: Why it matters?
Mohammed Badrul Alam
As conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran intensifies, the Strait of Hormuz – the world's most critical energy chokepoint – has emerged as the focal point of a growing geopolitical and economic crisis. This article examines how disruptions in the Persian Gulf threaten global oil and gas supplies, destabilize international shipping networks, and threatens a wider regional conflict extending to the Red Sea.
A Region on the Edge: The Deepening Governance Crisis in PoJK
Syed Eesar Mehdi
This comment analyses the escalating 2026 crisis in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK). Driven by the Joint Awami Action Committee, widespread economic grievances over inflation and resource exploitation have transformed into a powerful political movement. This systemic collapse of public trust directly challenges Pakistan’s governance and regional narrative.
From Assertion to Deference: How the Iran War and Shifting Power Dynamics Redefined Trump’s China Visit
Imran Khurshid
The visit was defined more by symbolism than substance, where Beijing projected confidence while Washington appeared strategically constrained. The Trump–Xi meeting in Beijing highlighted shifting power dynamics, with China setting the terms of engagement across key geopolitical issues.