Institute of Policy Studies (Pakistan)
The Institute of Policy Studies Islamabad (IPS) is one of the leading think tanks founded and headed by activist Khurshid Ahmad since 1979.[1][2] IPS is an autonomous, not for profit, civil society organization, dedicated to promoting policy-oriented research. IPS provides a forum for informed discussion and dialogue on national and international issues. The contributions spanning over about thirty years and the overall impact signifies the importance of pragmatic research on policy issues.[3]
Historically, the institute has maintained ties with various different organizations to maintain a multi-dimensional approach and bring positive change in Pakistan through contemporary methods. The Institute was established during the regime of Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq,[4] IPS now works closely with leading universities of Islamabad and the country including, National University of Science and Technology, [5] International Islamic University,[6] and others. Research matters are overseen by the IPS National Academic Council composed of diplomats, academics, educationists, military and industry experts. Some of the salient names on this list are Akram Zaki, Dr. Adnan Sarwar, Khalid Iqbal, Amanullah Khan and Prof. Dr. Sarah Safdar.[7]
Activities
[3] The IPS achieves its objectives through a wide range of activities and outcomes ranging from seminars, symposia, conferences and roundtables on multi-dimensional topics to reports, periodicals and publications, Interaction, dialogue, thematic research and capacity-building programs are instrumental in its research endeavors. IPS formulates viable plans and presents key initiatives and policy measures to policy makers, analysts, political leaders, legislators, researchers, academia, civil society organization, media and other stakeholders. IPS believes in good governance, transparency (behavior), professionalism, and program effectiveness. IPS strictly upholds its independence, credibility and Integrity. It operates as a self-financed think-tank through endowments, sponsorships, voluntary services and private donations. Aside from its periodicals, publications and membership fees it generates revenues by providing consultancy services.
IPS has defined Pakistan Affairs, International Relations and Religion and Faith as its major areas of research and has developed an effective system of coordination of research activities by local and foreign scholars through a dedicated team of research coordinators. Through this scheme of work IPS is not only able to conduct in-house research on areas of interest but also coordinates research activities by IPS associates working at their respective places. Its academic programs are designed and run under the supervision of National Academic Council (NAC), which plays a pivotal role in functioning of IPS by providing policy guidelines, reviewing its plans and setting its priorities. IPS garners collaboration as well as extends its active cooperation to other organizations in one or more areas of research. Such coordination could be time- specific or discipline-based for conducting joint research, cosponsoring of seminars and exchange of library and other facilities. IPS currently reciprocates with a number of national and international institutions and is engaged in scholars’ exchange arrangements with various research institutions within Pakistan and abroad.
Funding sources
Endowments, Sponsorships and Memberships, Professional Training Programmes, Seminars & Publications, Collaboration and Contract Research [3]
Publications
Journals
- Policy Perspectives (English Bi-annual)
- Nuqta-e Nazar (Urdu Bi-annual)
- Maghrib aur Islam
- IPS News
- Mabahis
Books
- Over 200 titles
Some of the recent publications
- Medical Ethics, An Islamic Perspective
- Pakistan between Secularism and Islam (Ideology issues and conflict)
- Dehshat gardi or Musalman (Urdu)
- China of today and tomorrow (Dynamics of relations with Pakistan)
- International Refugee Law, Islamic Shariah and Afghan Refugees in Pakistan
- Islam International Law and The World Today
- Essays on Muslims and the Challenges of Globalization
- Asr-e-Hazir and Shariat-e-Islami (Urdu)
- Afghans in Pakistan: Plight, Predicament and the Way Forward
- Policy Perspectives, Special Issue on Afghanistan
- Pakistan's Economic Journey: Need for New Paradigm for Development
Upcoming publications
- Policy Perspectives, Special Focus on Middle East
- Study on Pakistan's Religious Educational Institutions
Team
Chairman
Director general
- Khalid Rahman
Research team
- Anis Ahmad (PhD), vice chairman and senior research fellow (comparative religions)
- Safir Akhtar (PhD), senior research fellow (Pakistan studies)
- Tarik Jan, senior research fellow (Pakistan studies and international relations)
- A.I. Shafaq Hashemi, senior research fellow
- Irfan Shahzad, lead coordinator (China, economy, development and globalization), assistant editor of Policy Perspectives
- Saleem Zafar, research coordinator (international relations), assistant editor of Policy Perspectives
- Nadeen Farhat Gilani, research coordinator (Pakistan affairs)
- Muttaqeen ur Rehman, senior editor
- Akif Sattar, assistant research coordinator
- Hajra Zia, assistant executive HR/ outreach
- Hina Habib, assistant research coordinator (Bangladesh issues)
- Fatima Habib, assistant research coordinator (strategic and security issues)
- Fehmeeda khalid, assistant research coordinator (Afghanistan and Central Asia)
- Maria Khawer, editor
- Waqar-un Nisa, assistant research coordinator (energy crises in Pakistan and energy security)
- Rashida Hameed, assistant research coordinator (IPS China Study Program)
Administration
- Afzaal Naveed, senior manager administration and HR
- Naufil Shahrukh, manager of publications and outreach
- Faheem Ashraf, deputy manager of finance
References
- ↑ "IPS advises govt to adopt growth-oriented approach in new budget". Retrieved 2016-10-24.
- ↑ "National Academic Council". www.ips.org.pk. Retrieved 2016-10-24.
- 1 2 3 "IPS Introduction". www.ips.org.pk. Retrieved 2016-11-17.
- ↑ "PAC to probe dirty deal involving Jamaat-e-Islami - National Courier". nationalcourier.pk. Retrieved 2016-10-24.
- ↑ "1st Stakeholders’ Consultative Workshop to Establish a Panel on Climate Change in Pakistan". www.nust.edu.pk. Retrieved 2016-11-17.
- ↑ "October 2012 | International Islamic University". www.iiu.edu.pk. Retrieved 2016-10-24.
- ↑ "National Academic Council". www.ips.org.pk. Retrieved 2016-10-24.