Center for Law and Security - CLAS

07/07/2026

The Center for Law and Security (CLAS), in collaboration with the National Institute of Maritime Affairs (NIMA), hosted a Seminar on ‘Regional and Global Maritime Security Challenges: Lessons from the Gulf Crises’ to discuss the importance of maritime domain in an increasingly interconnected world. The discussion centered around the maritime security challenges in the backdrop of the recent Gulf Crisis.
The keynote speech was delivered by Rear Admiral Javaid Iqbal HI (M), President NIMA, and the discussion was moderated by Rehman Azhar, Executive Director CLAS. The event featured Dr. Hassan Daud Butt – Former Project Director CPEC, Professor Dr. Azhar Ahmad – Maritime Expert, and Dr. Jahanzeb Butt – Maritime Security Analyst & Senior Assistant Professor, Bahria University, and Miss Maureen Zaidi – HOD LAWS, TMUC. The discussion was concluded with the remarks of Vice Admiral Iftikhar Ahmad Rao, followed by concluding remarks of Ambassador Sardar Masood Khan – President CLAS.
The event was attended by researchers, faculty members and students from law and social sciences

02/07/2026

The recent U.S.–Iran war, set against the backdrop of the Gulf crisis, has served as a reminder of the strategic importance of the maritime domain in an increasingly interconnected world. In addition to regional conflicts, this crisis has demonstrated the fragility of key Sea Lines of Communication (SLOCs), the vulnerability of global energy supply routes, and the far-reaching impact that maritime disruptions can have on international trade and security. As maritime spaces assume greater strategic significance, the current Gulf crisis offers an important case study for examining contemporary maritime security challenges.

Recognizing the significance of these developments, the Centre for Law and Security (CLAS), in collaboration with the National Institute of Maritime Affairs (NIMA), seeks to convene a seminar titled “Regional and Global Maritime Security Challenges: Lessons from the Gulf Crisis.” on Monday, July 06, 2026 at TMUC, Islamabad.

01/07/2026

Pakistan is showing all the features of being a middle power. Over the past several decades, Pakistan has frequently been seen as a state faced with challenges in terms of security, politics, and economy. Discussions have constantly depicted the state in the image of someone who was a passive participant to the events taking place around him rather than an active one shaping them. However, recent changes may indicate that the picture of Pakistan might change soon. The question is no longer whether Pakistan matters, but whether it is beginning to matter in new ways.

To read complete article authored by Research Associate Eeshah Fatima, visit CLAS website.

24/06/2026

CLAS takes a look at the diplomatic process mediated by Pakistan. It provides a list of chronological events during the U.S.-Iran Peace Process, leading to the signing of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding.

23/06/2026

The Centre for Law and Security (CLAS) recently hosted a Roundtable discussion on US- Iran War: Pakistan’s Mediatory Role to discuss Pakistan's emerging role as a key diplomatic actor in securing this breakthrough that it has recently demonstrated through a diplomatic achievement by facilitating a significant peace agreement between the United States and Iran, two longstanding rivals whose confrontation had posed serious risks to regional stability, global trade, energy security and international peace for over three months.

Ambassador Sardar Masood Khan, President CLAS opened and concluded the session with his remarks and Rehman Azhar ED, CLAS moderated the session. The event featured Dr. Bilal Zubair – Director Research, CISS, Ms. Aiza Azam – Director Strategic Affairs StrafAsia Pakistan, Ms. Zunaira Azhar – Anchorperson, Mr. Hannan Hussain – Research Officer, West Asia Desk, IRS, Syed Basim Raza – Assistant Director Research NIPS, Ms. Arhama Siddiqua – Research Fellow, ISSI and Ms. Maureen Zaidi, HOD Laws, TMUC.

The event was attended by researchers, faculty members and students from law and social sciences.

19/06/2026

The Centre for Law and Security (CLAS) takes a closer look at the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding's 14 key points shaping U.S.–Iran bilateral relations.

Swipe through to explore the key policy areas shaping engagement between the two states and their implications for regional security, global diplomacy, and the evolving international order.

18/06/2026

CLAS held another insightful Podcast featuring Ambassador Sardar Masood Khan on 9th June 2026 titled, Why Pakistan became a mediator in the US–Iran conflict?

The discussion examined Pakistan’s evolving diplomatic role in facilitating communication between the two adversaries amid heightened regional tensions, highlighting its strategic ties and growing relevance in crisis diplomacy. It also reflected on whether Pakistan is emerging as a middle power, concluding that while it is increasingly demonstrating attributes of middle-power behavior in select crises, its status is still in transition and requires sustained institutional and economic strength to consolidate. The podcast further noted that any de-escalation in the US–Iran conflict could reshape Gulf security dynamics and will have significant implications for regional stability, global trade, energy security and global peace.

CLAS held another insightful Podcast featuring Ambassador Sardar Ma...

16/06/2026

The Centre for Law and Security (CLAS) takes a glance at the Federal Budget for the fiscal year 2026–27 proposed by the Government of Pakistan. The budget outlines the government's fiscal priorities for the upcoming year while prioritizing the areas crucial for the national security and sustainable development of Pakistan.

15/06/2026

The recently agreed peace deal is a significant milestone achieved between the U.S and Iran. However, it is important to examine the cost, this conflict has imposed on both states, the region, Pakistan and the world so far. The Centre for Law and Security (CLAS) has prepared a report on the cost of this war, based on different projections and reports to estimate the impact of this conflict.

03/06/2026

The Centre for Law and Security (CLAS) initiated its podcast series with an insightful discussion featuring Ambassador Zamir Akram, one of Pakistan’s most distinguished diplomats. Having served as Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations and Adviser to Pakistan’s Strategic Plans Division, Ambassador Akram brought valuable perspectives on the evolving regional security environment and Pakistan’s foreign policy challenges.

The podcast explored the future dynamics of Pakistan- India relations in the aftermath of Marqa-e-Haq, while assessed the strategic and diplomatic implications for the region. A key focus of the discussion was India's expectations at the outset of the conflict, including perceptions of military superiority and assumptions regarding Pakistan’s response. The conversation examined how the outcome of Operation Bunyanum Marsoos reshaped regional perceptions, challenged prevailing narratives about the military balance in South Asia and reinforced Pakistan’s deterrence credibility.

The discussion also addressed whether the post-conflict environment presents opportunities for dialogue and cooperation between the two nuclear-armed rivals.

The session was hosted by the ED CLAS, Mr. Rehman Azhar

The Centre for Law and Security (CLAS) initiated its podcast series...