Center for Research and Security Studies

05/08/2026

Despite persistent security challenges, Pakistan and Afghanistan have no viable alternative but to pursue sustained dialogue-based engagement, pragmatic cooperation, calibrated security measures, expanded trade and stronger Track 1.5 and Track II diplomacy to rebuild trust and improve bilateral relations, experts said during a high-level stakeholder consultation on Pakistan-Afghanistan bilateral developments and the way forward, organised by the Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) under its multitrack diplomacy initiative, Beyond Boundaries VII.



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Experts urge both sides to adopt pragmatic cooperation, calibrated security measures, expanded trade and stronger Track 1.5 and Track II diplomacy.

03/08/2026

Maj Gen (Retd.) Inam-ul-Haque, during the conversation with Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) on the sidelines of the "Stakeholder Consultation on Pak-Afghan Bilateral Developments and the way forward," under the Beyond Boundaries VII initiative, discussed the long-term dynamics of Pakistan–Afghanistan relations, highlighting the importance of addressing key challenges while pursuing long-term cooperation.

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29/07/2026

Dr. Salma Malik, Assistant Professor at the Department of Defence and Strategic Studies, Quaid-i-Azam University, discussed the evolving regional landscape and Pakistan's policy towards Afghanistan. She emphasized the need to move beyond short-term diplomatic gains, strengthen confidence-building measures, invest in long-term regional cooperation, and adopt a strategic, economically driven approach to Pakistan–Afghanistan relations during the conversation in a roundtable titled "Pak-Afghan Relations: What Next? Towards Pragmatic Policy Pathways in a Shifting Regional Order" hosted by The Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS).

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27/07/2026

Ammara Durrani, senior development expert and former Assistant Resident Representative of UNDP Pakistan, examined the changing regional landscape and its implications for Pakistan–Afghanistan relations during the conversation in a roundtable titled ‘Pak-Afghan Relations: What Next? Towards Pragmatic Policy Pathways in a Shifting Regional Order’ hosted by Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS).

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20/07/2026

Ali Raza Hanjra, Project Director of CAREC-RIBS (ITTMS) at the Federal Board of Revenue, during the conversation in roundtable titled "Pak-Afghan Relations: What Next? Towards Pragmatic Policy Pathways in a Shifting Regional Order" hosted by Center for Research and Security Studies highlights the importance of trade and economic connectivity in improving Pakistan–Afghanistan relations. He reflects on past efforts to facilitate cross-border trade, joint border management, and regional cooperation.

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15/07/2026

During the conversation in a roundtable titled " Pak-Afghan Relations: What Next? Towards Pragmatic Policy Pathways in a Shifting Regional Order" hosted by CRSS, Lt General (Retd.) Asif Yasin Malik reflected on the importance of Track II diplomacy in strengthening people-to-people ties between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

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09/07/2026

Ambassador Asif Durrani, Pakistan's former Special Representative for Afghanistan, discusses the challenges shaping Pakistan–Afghanistan relations, with a particular focus on the TTP threat, cross-border security, and engagement with the Afghan Taliban during the roundtable hosted by CRSS titled "Pakistan-Afghanistan Relations: What Next? Towards Pragmatic Policy Pathways in a Shifting Regional Order". He examines Pakistan's policy dilemmas, the governance challenges in Afghanistan, the importance of the rule of law, and the need for practical measures to address terrorism and restore regional stability.

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07/07/2026

Major General (Retd.) Inam-ul-Haque shared his insights on the evolving Pakistan–Afghanistan relationship, during the conversation in a roundtable "Pak-Afghan Relations: What Next? Towards Pragmatic Policy Pathways in a Shifting Regional Order" hosted by Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS). He highlighted the historical roots of mistrust, the need for greater sociological understanding, and the importance of shifting from a purely government-to-government approach toward stronger people-to-people and business-to-business ties. He discussed the TTP as the primary obstacle to lasting peace, Pakistan's policy towards Afghanistan, and why socio-economic cooperation must take precedence over zero-sum geopolitical considerations to achieve regional stability.

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07/07/2026

Despite the nationwide decline, KP overtook Balochistan as the country’s worst-affected province, accounting for 475 deaths, or more than 61 per cent of the national total, the report said.

Fatalities in KP rose from 311 in the previous quarter, while 151 violent incidents were recorded, the highest among all regions: Center for Research and Security Studies' 2nd Quarterly Security Report.

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Report says together, KP and Balochistan accounted for almost 96 per cent of all violence-related deaths

06/07/2026

Centre for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) in its report on the second quarter of 2026 tallied as high as 774 violence-linked fatalities and 336 injuries in Pakistan among civilians, security personnel and outlaws across at least 267 incidents involving both terrorist attacks and the state’s counter-terrorism operations.

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