Muhammad Amir Rana is a security and political analyst and the director of Pak Institute for Peace Studies (PIPS). He has worked extensively on issues related to counter-terrorism, counter-extremism, and internal and regional security and politics. He was a founder member of PIPS when it was launched in January 2006 and had previously worked as a journalist with various Urdu and English daily newspapers from 1996 until 2004. He has given lectures at several universities and security institutes in Pakistan and abroad. Amir has published widely in national and international journals, professional publications and magazines. He writes regularly for Dawn, Pakistan’s leading English newspaper. He is also the editor of Pakistan Annual Security Report, and PIPS research journal ‘Conflict and Peace Studies’.
Safdar Hussain, nom de plume Safdar Sial, has been working with the Pak Institute for Peace Studies as a research analyst since March 2007. He holds a master’s degree in political science. His work focuses on conflict, insecurity, and violence in Pakistan and Afghanistan; regional political, strategic and security issues; and media and governance. He has published extensively in national and international journals and is a co-author of Dynamics of Taliban Insurgency in FATA, and Radicalization in Pakistan and editor of Critical Ideologies: A Debate on Takfeer and Khurooj. He is also associate editor of PIPS research journal ‘Conflict and Peace Studies.’
Ahmed Ali
ahmad@pakpips.com
Project Manager
Ahmed Ali is project manager at Pak Institute for Peace Studies. He studied political science at the University of Karachi. His research interests include security and conflict as well as religious minorities in Pakistan and Afghanistan. Ahmed Ali has authored reports on issues of terrorism and extremism. Previously, he served in the Pakistan civil service.
Hazrat Bilal
bilal@pakpips.com
IT Manager
In-charge of IT section, Hazrat Bilal looks after IT and technical planning, logistics, and implementation for PIPS projects. He also supervises the organization’s digital database on ‘Conflict & Security’. The designing works are also undertaken by Bilal.
Anam Fatima
anam@pakpips.com
Research Fellow
Anam Fatima works as Research Fellow at Pak Institute for Peace Studies, (PIPS), Islamabad. She holds Master of Philosophy (M Phil) in International Relations from National Defence University (NDU), Islamabad. She is a Mentor Education Youth Ambassador (EYA) at Idara-e-Talem-o-Agahi (ITA). Previously, she has worked as lecturer at Quaid-e-Azam University. Her areas of interest include politics of Asia-Pacific region, foreign policy of major powers, strategic study of China focussing on CPEC and international relations.
Mikail Shaikh
Mikail@pakpips.com
Research Fellow
Mikail Shaikh is a security analyst and researcher. Holding a Masters in Terrorism, Security and Society (MA) from King’s College London, Mikail specializes in South Asian Security and Counter-Terrorism studies. His areas of interest include regional geopolitics and history.
Qura tul ain Hafeez
qurat@pakpips.com
Research Officer
Qura tul ain Hafeez is Research Officer at Pakistan Institute of Peace Studies (PIPS), islamabad. She has done Mphill in International Relations from Quaid-e-Azam University, Islamabad. She is also a member of the International Youth Council (IYC) United Nations Youth Assembly, since 2017. Previously she has worked as a Research Officer at Inter Services Public Relation (ISPR), Pakistan and various other think tanks. She regularly contributes in various national and international magazines, Journals, newspapers and blogs. Her area of interests include International Relations broadly; Nuclear, Defence and Security Studies, Sino-Pakistan Strategic Relations and CPEC.
Azhar Khan
azhar@pakpips.com
Admin & Finance Manager
Azhar is a development professional & Human Rights Defender with more than 12 years of professional experience. He worked with many international and national organizations that successfully implemented many development projects in Pakistan. Azhar has a credit to organize several seminars, conferences pieces of training and a concert of international fame singer. Azhar is an excellent team builder with strong communication skills. He is performing the core financial & Administrative management function at PIPS.
Abdul Ahad Butt
ahad@pakpips.com
Technical Coordinator
Abdul Ahad Butt assists in the routine works of the Finance Section and also extends technical support to PIPS IT operations.