PIPS team
Muhammad Amir Rana
amir@pakpips.com
President (Pak Institute for Peace Studies)
A distinguished Pakistani scholar, Muhammad Amir Rana blends analysis and creativity. As a political economy and security analyst, he has contributed five globally acknowledged books. For over 15 years, his insightful op-eds in Dawn,Pakistan’s leading English daily, have informed readers. A novelist and short story writer, Rana showcases his storytelling prowess as well.
Rana co-founded the Islamabad-based Pak Institute for Peace Studies (PIPS) in 2006 and currently serves as its president.His expertise extends beyond PIPS, evidenced by his fellowships at the Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies in Singapore and the Australian National University Canberra. He has also lectured at various universities and security institutes worldwide.
Rana’s versatility shines not only in his fiction. His insightful analyses grace the pages of national and international journals, solidifying his reputation. A sought-after expert in electronic media, he effectively communicates complex ideas to a wide audience. As editor of PIPS’ research journal “Conflict and Peace Studies” and the Pakistan Annual Security Report, Rana plays a pivotal role in shaping the discourse on critical issues. A unique figure, Muhammad Amir Rana seamlessly integrates scholarly research, public discourse, and imaginative storytelling, leaving his audience captivated and enlightened.
Safdar Hussain
safdar@pakpips.com
Managing Director
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 the associate editor of PIPS research journal “Conflict and Peace Studies.”
Abdul Qayyum
qayyum@pakpips.com
Joint Director
Abdul Qayyum has been working with Pak Institute for Peace Studies since 2020 as Admin & Finance Manager. He holds master’s degrees in commerce and economics. Previously, he worked as Manager Finance and Administration with Punjab Commission on the Status of Women-PCSW, Govt. of the Punjab. His areas of expertise are financial management and administration.
Hazrat Bilal
bilal@pakpips.com
Project Coordinator (IT & Event Management)
In his role as IT & Event Manager, Hazrat Bilal is tasked at PIPS with project execution and IT management roles across multiple domains. This includes supervising IT-related project components and coordinating multifaceted team activities to ensure seamless collaboration and synchronisation across different project areas. Furthermore, he plays a critical role in fostering cohesive teamwork and efficient task execution, transcending IT boundaries to ensure overall project success.
Imran Mukhtar
imran@pakpips.com
Media Coordinator
Imran Mukhtar is a journalist and researcher, and works as Media Coordinator at PIPS. He has over 15 years of experience of reporting and field work in the journalism and development sector. He holds a master’s degree in mass communication with specialization in ‘print media and mass communication theory.’ He is also the alumni of ‘2012 US General Election Embed Program’ and ‘US-Pakistan Professional Partnership Program in Journalism.’
Imran has reported on diverse areas including security, politics, human rights, migration, governance and climate change. His work has appeared extensively in a number of local and international media outlets including the Thomson Reuters Foundation (TRF), The Times, The New Humanitarian, The Guardian and the D+C (Development and Cooperation).
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Muhammad Murtaza
murtaza@pakpips.com
Project Manager
Muhammad Murtaza holds a master’s degree in International Relations, with a focus on international organizations. Over the past three years, he has gained experience in project management, research, and administration through his work with various international non-governmental organizations. In his most recent role as Project Manager at the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung for the Regional Program in Southwest Asia, he contributed insights on projects related to Pakistan and collaborated closely with the Director in preparing evaluation reports. During his time at Friedrich Ebert Stiftung’s Pakistan Office, he worked as a research assistant for three editions of the Afghanistan Monitor.
Hina Khaliq Taj
hina@pakpips.com
Research Officer
Hina Khaliq Taj is a skilled development professional with a Gold Medal in M.Sc. Defence and Strategic Studies from Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad. She is currently pursuing an M.Phil. in Peace and Conflict Studies at National Defence University, Islamabad. As an academic researcher, freelance writer, and report writer, Hina consistently demonstrates her commitment to making meaningful contributions. In addition to her academic pursuits, she brings valuable experience in monitoring, evaluation, research, knowledge management, and marketing.
Esham Farooq
esham@pakpips.com
Research Officer
Esham Farooq has worked as a Research officer with the Hanns Seidel Foundation (HSF) and the Asian Economic and Institutional Research Development (AEIRD). She holds a degree in International Relations from Quaid-e-Azam University, Islamabad. Her research interests include foreign policy analysis, strategic studies, non-traditional security challenges, geopolitics, and cultural studies.
Iftikhar Ahmad Momand
iftikhar_ahmad@pakpips.com
Research Officer
Iftikhar Ahmad is a researcher in Peace and Conflict Studies with a focus on political discourses, identity politics, terrorism, and Great Powers politics. A graduate in the field, he has contributed to research through affiliations with organizations such as the Kashmir Institute of International Relations and the Centre for Regional Policy and Dialogue in Pakistan.
His work examines national and regional issues through a critical perspective. Outside his research, he engages with classic English literature and Pashto poetry, exploring their influence on cultural identities. His academic and intellectual pursuits contribute to the discourse on peace and conflict in contemporary society.