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Pakistan’s contemporary challenges and emerging opportunities require renewed focus on national identity, governance, institutional development, public trust, and strategic vision in order to build a cohesive and resilient future. In this context, intellectual engagement, civic responsibility, and constructive dialogue remain essential for addressing national issues and understanding Pakistan’s evolving position in the regional and global environment. This emerged as the central theme during the inaugural lecture of a 12-part series titled “Pakistan in Perspective: State, Society, and Strategy,” organized by the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS), Islamabad, in collaboration with the International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI), on May 13. The lecture series aims to provide an academic platform for discussions on Pakistan’s state, society, politics, economics, public policy, national identity, and strategic thought while encouraging meaningful intellectual engagement among scholars and students. The speakers included Air Marshal (r) Sohail Aman, former chief of the air staff; Prof Dr Ijaz Shafi Gilani, chairperson, Gallup Pakistan; Khalid Rahman, chairman, IPS; Prof Dr Manzoor Khan Afridi, dean, Faculty of Social Sciences, IIUI; and Dr Ghulam Mujaddid, assistant professor, National Defence University. Elaborating on the objectives of the lecture series, Dr. Manzoor Afridi said that it seeks to create opportunities for deeper academic reflection on governance, society, and strategic thought while promoting dialogue among students, researchers, and policymakers. Delivering the keynote address, Air Marshal (r) Sohail Aman emphasized that nations progress when citizens develop confidence in their country and institutions. Stressing the need for a clearly defined national purpose, he highlighted the importance of economic growth, technological advancement, education, and human development for Pakistan’s long-term stability. Referring to changing geopolitical realities, he discussed the rise of the Global South, artificial intelligence, and climate change, while underlining the need for institutional reform and investment in skilled human resources. Reflecting on nationhood, democracy, and civilization, Dr. Ijaz Gilani observed that many modern political concepts emerged from colonial modernity and differ from historical Islamic political traditions. He stressed that universities should remain spaces for intellectual reflection, philosophical inquiry, and critical dialogue. He also highlighted the importance of understanding civilizations and historical trajectories in broader global contexts. Addressing the relationship between state institutions and society, Dr. Ghulam Mujaddid discussed the importance of public trust, democratic legitimacy, and citizen engagement in governance. He noted that political polarization, distrust in institutions, corruption perceptions, and ineffective service delivery continue to weaken relations between citizens and the state. He emphasized participatory policymaking, institutional transparency, accountability, and stronger local government structures to rebuild public confidence. In his concluding remarks, Khalid Rahman emphasized the importance of critical thinking, historical understanding, and intellectual depth in analyzing national and global issues. He urged students to engage deeply with ideas and avoid superficial information flows shaped by modern media culture while encouraging balanced analysis and informed judgment regarding Pakistan’s society and institutions.

  The rise of Western civilization, as opposed to the rest, signifies the emergence of a qualitatively new type of civilization marked by distinct cultural, scientific, and political transformations. Contemporary debates on modernity must move beyond economic metrics and address deeper moral and civilizational questions, including balance, values, and intellectual responsibility. These reflections emerged during a discussion session titled “The Rise and Fall of Civilization: Contemporary Context” at the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS), held on February 12, 2026. This discussion was organized around Syed Sardar Ali’s thesis regarding modernity, Islam, and Pakistan. The session brought together scholars, practitioners, and students for an in-depth exchange on the trajectory of Western ascendancy and the challenges confronting the Muslim world. Presenting his thesis, Sardar Ali, founder and chairman of Pakistan Crescent Foundation, elaborated on what he termed the “Great Divergence.” He argued that until around 1800, most civilizations functioned at comparable subsistence-level productivity. Thereafter, Western societies showcased exponential growth in production and power, creating an unprecedented distinction with other societies. This transformation, he suggested, was driven by three simultaneous modernizations: a cultural shift toward philosophical rationalism, the institutionalization of the scientific method and inductive logic, and the consolidation of political authority through the Westphalian state system. Sardar Ali contended that democracy in the West emerged as a consequence of industrialization and material transformation rather than serving as its initial cause. He maintained that Muslim civilization did not undergo an absolute decline; rather, it failed to adopt and internalize the new paradigm, for which it could have used its scientific progress. He suggested objectively identifying the underlying sources of Western prominence rather than relying solely on nostalgia for past achievements. Participants raised a wide range of critical questions and offered thoughtful observations. Nasir Hafeez identified the role of war, conflict, and destruction as catalysts of Western transformation. Prof Jalil Aali highlighted the legacy of inductive reasoning within the Muslim intellectual tradition, citing figures such as Allama Muhammad Iqbal, and argued that empirical inquiry predated Europe’s scientific revolution. Sarmad Alvi noted that early modern scientists such as Isaac Newton were not necessarily antagonistic to religion, though institutional shifts gradually marginalized clerical authority in Europe. Nazir Ahmed Vaid emphasized that civilizations rise and fall on the strength of their values, warning that material advancement devoid of moral coherence leads to social fragmentation. Prof Dr Safir Akhtar observed that civilizations have historically learned from one another, citing how early Islamic governance borrowed administrative tools such as the diwan system from the Persian Empire. Dr Taimiyyah Sabiha argued that the binary of “East versus West” is itself a colonial construct and suggested that the underlying debate may instead concern differing theological and philosophical paradigms. Dr Yasir Riaz critiqued the reliance on productivity metrics, cautioning against adopting Western-centric frameworks that overlook the scale of ancient Eastern economies. Maulana Dr Mohammad Ghiyas proposed that the doctrine of the Finality of Prophethood placed greater intellectual responsibility upon Muslims to employ reason and scientific inquiry in managing worldly affairs. Dr Sohaib Zafar pointed to empirical traditions in the works of Ibn Sina and Al-Razi, suggesting that the scientific journey began centuries before the 17th century. He argued that assessing civilizational success solely through economic output risks neglecting moral and metaphysical dimensions. In his remarks, Prof Dr Khalid Masud, ad hoc judge, Shariat Appellate Bench, Supreme Court of Pakistan, observed that many Muslim societies today operate in a state of dependency, fostering a defensive posture toward knowledge. He revisited the historical tension between Ilm-ul-Kalam and philosophy, referencing debates associated with Al-Ghazali and Ibn Rushd, and suggested that prioritizing theological orthodoxy over philosophical inquiry may have had long-term intellectual consequences. Co-chair of the session, Dr Ijaz Shafi Gilani, founder and chairperson, Gallup Pakistan, summarized the author’s emphasis on modernity as the seed of a new production process but cautioned that the “pure” pursuit of Western modernity has generated significant imbalances, including environmental degradation and demographic challenges. In his concluding remarks, Khalid Rahman, chairman IPS, stated that the session formed part of IPS’s ongoing engagement with questions of civilizational renewal, knowledge, and contemporary global challenges. He emphasized that such discussions should be integral to think tank discourse, adding that analyzing and synthesizing observations from the event would help identify responses to prevailing challenges. The seminar concluded with a consensus that understanding the rise and fall of civilizations requires rigorous historical inquiry, intellectual self-critique, and a balanced framework that integrates material progress with Islam’s moral and spiritual dimensions.

Karachi University — 2nd to 4th December 2025 The Gilani Research Foundation, in collaboration with the Department of Pakistan Studies, University of Karachi, organized a three-day Refresher Course for Pakistan Studies Teachers from 2–4 December 2025. The program aimed to strengthen the teaching capacity of educators by equipping them with updated knowledge, contemporary perspectives, and improved classroom strategies. The training sessions were conducted by Dr. Ijaz Shafi Gilani, a renowned educationist, scholar of political science, and Chairman of Gallup Pakistan. His lectures combined historical insight, data-driven analysis, and engaging discussions—providing teachers with a deeper understanding of Pakistan’s socio-political evolution. Objectives of the Refresher Course Enhance teachers’ understanding of Pakistan’s history, politics, society, and identity. Introduce research-based insights from national and international surveys. Strengthen classroom pedagogy and teaching methodologies. Encourage critical thinking and inquiry-based learning among educators. Build a network of Pakistan Studies teachers for future academic collaboration. Day 1 – Opening Session & Foundations of Pakistan Studies (2 December 2025) Key Highlights: Registration and welcome remarks by University of Karachi faculty. Introductory lecture by Dr. Ijaz Shafi Gilani on “Revisiting the Objectives of Pakistan Studies in the 21st Century.” Historical overview of major milestones in the Pakistan Movement. Discussion on integrating contemporary issues into the curriculum. Day 2 – Data, Society & Modern Teaching Approaches (3 December 2025) Key Highlights: Lecture on Pakistan’s social trends, supported by Gallup Pakistan’s extensive survey data. Interactive workshop on how teachers can use data and real-life case studies in classroom discussions. Group activities focusing on curriculum design and critical analysis.   Day 3 – National Identity, Future Challenges & Closing Ceremony (4 December 2025) Key Highlights: Lecture on “Evolving National Identity: Challenges and Opportunities for Pakistan.” Question–answer session with Dr. Gilani and participating teachers. Certificate distribution ceremony and closing remarks.  

This list compiles a curated collection of books and research materials on Pakistan Studies. It features works by renowned scholars such as Allama Iqbal and Ishtiaq Hussain Qureshi, along with categorized listings of titles, publishers, languages, and availability of digital copies. The resource serves as a valuable reference for students, researchers, and readers interested in the historical, political, and cultural foundations of Pakistan.   1- Khutba Allahbaad by Alama Iqbal, (urdu translation in the book titled) “Parliament, Dastoor aur Adliya” 1.1- Khutba Allahbaad by Alama Iqbal (English) 2- The Struggle for Pakistan, Ishtiaq Hussain Qureshi, 1974, Pages 21 2.1- (Urdu Translation) Jadd o Jehad Pakistan 3- Saltanat e Dehli 3.1- (Urdu Translation) Saltanat e Dehli 4- Barr e Sagheer aur Arab Moarkheen, Khursheed Ahmad Faariq, 1986, Pages 374 5- The Rise of Islam and the Bengal Frontier 1204-1760, Richard M Eaton, 1993, Pages 199 6- Islam in South Asia in Practice, Barbara D Metcalf,1941, Pages 460 7- The Great Arab Conquests, Hugh Kennedy, 2007, Pages 592 8- Kautilyas Arthashastra by R. Shamasastry – Pages 614 9- The Penguin History of Early India, Romila Thapar, 2003, Pages 767 10- A History of the Freedom Movement 1707-1947-Vol-1 11- A Book of Conquest, The Chachnama and Muslim Origins in South Asia, Manan Ahmed Asif, 2016, Pages 252 12- Fathe Nama Sindh known as Chach Nama Urdu, Nabi Bakhsh Khan Baloch, Translated by Akhtar Rizvi, 2008, Pages 417 13.1- Dawat e Islam 14- Observations on the Law and Constitution and present government of India 15- Barr e Sagheer Mein Islam Ke Awwaleen Nakoosh, M Ishaq Bhatti, 1990, Pages 225 16- Umvi aur Abbasi Ahd Main Sindh ke Deeni aur Ilmi Halaat Ka tahqeeqi Jaiza, PHd Thesis by Hafiz Haqqani Mian Qadri, 1999, Pages 967 17- The Constitution of the Islamic republic of pakistan, NA of Pakistan, 2012, Pages 222 18- The Administration Of The Mughul Empire, Ishtiaq Husain Qureshi, 1973, Pages 346 19- India in the Persianate Age 1000-1765, Richard M Eaton, 2019, Pages 544 20- The Muslim Community of the Indo Pakistan Subcontinent (610-1947), Ishtiaq Husain Qureshi, 1977, Pages 399 21- A short History of Pakistan 21.1- A short History of Pakistan 21.2- A short History of Pakistan 21.3- A short History of Pakistan 22- Historical Atlas of Indian Peninsula, C Collin Davies, 1949, Pages 84 23- The murder of history in Pakistan, K. K. Aziz 24- Indian Musalmans, W Nassau Lees, 1871, Pages 112 25- Reimagining Pakistan, Hussain Haqqani 26- The Idea of Pakistan, Stephen Philip Cohen 27- The History of Pakistan, 20th Century, Moskalenko 27.1- Pakistan in the Twentieth Century, Lawrence Ziring 28- WHITHER_PAKISTAN_GROWING_INSTABILITY_AND, 2010, Pages 149 29- Pakistan or the partition of India, B. R. Ambedkar 30- The Cambridge Economic History of India, Vol 1 1200 to 1750, Dharma Kumar and Tapan Raychaudhuri, 2008, Pages 551 31- Edited by Tapan and Irfan Habib, The Cambridge Economic History of India, Vol 1 1200 to 1750, Dharma Kumar and Tapan Raychaudhuri, 2008, Pages 551 32- The Anarchy_ The East India Company, Corporate Violence, William Dalrymple, 2022, Pages 640 33- Qaum Mulk Saltanat, Ali Usman Qasmi 34- The Emergence of Pakistan, Chaudhri Muhammad Ali 35- Islam in South Asia A Short History by Jamal Malik (z-lib.org) 535 pages 36- Arab Seafaring, In the Indian Ocean in Ancient and Early Times, George Fadlo Hourani, 1975, Pages 153 37- Ideology of Pakistan, Javid Iqbal 37.1- The Ideology of Pakistan and its implementation, Javid Iqbal 38- Islam ka Siyasi Nizam, Mohammand Ishaq Sandhelvi 39- Ideology of Pakistan, Sharif Al Mujahid 40- Aab e kausar, Sheikh Muhammad Ikram 40.1- Roud e Kausar, Sheikh Muhammad Ikram 40.2- Mouj e Kausar, Sheikh Muhammad Ikram 41- Ulema-In-Politics, Ishtiaq Hussain Qureshi 41.1- Ulema-In-Politics, Ishtiaq Hussain Qureshi (Urdu Version)