Dr. Ishtiaq Ahmad Choudhry
Professor
Vice Chancellor
Multan University of Science & Technology (MUST)
Dr. Ishtiaq Ahmad Choudhry is a distinguished scholar of international relations and peace studies with a long and impactful academic career in Pakistan and abroad. He earned his Ph.D. from the University of Wales, Aberystwyth, UK, and served for over a decade as Professor of Political Science at Bahauddin Zakariya University (BZU), Multan, where he contributed significantly to the development of IR and political science education. He later joined the National Defence University (NDU), Islamabad, where he has been Professor and Head of the Department of Peace & Conflict Studies, guiding research and teaching on critical issues of security, peacebuilding, and international affairs. Dr. Choudhry has also been a Quaid-i-Azam Professor at the Centre for South Asia Studies, University of California, Berkeley (USA), reflecting his international engagement and scholarly recognition. Throughout his career he has combined academic leadership, research supervision, and participation in global academic forums, making him a leading expert in his field.
Dr. Mansoor Akbar Kundi
Professor
Department of Politics and International Relations
International Islamic University Islamabad, Pakistan
Dr. Mansoor Akbar Kundi is a highly respected academic leader, public intellectual, and scholar of International Relations with an exceptional record of service in Pakistan’s higher education and public policy spheres. He has served as Vice Chancellor of the University of Balochistan, Gomal University, and Bahauddin Zakariya University (BZU), Multan, where he played a transformative role in academic governance, institutional reform, and the promotion of research culture. In addition to his university leadership, he has also served as Executive Director of the Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan, contributing directly to national-level higher education policy, quality assurance, and institutional development. Dr. Kundi’s career reflects a rare combination of scholarly depth, administrative excellence, and policy experience, making him a valuable guiding voice for strategic academic and research institutions.
Dr. Adnan Sarwar Khan
Professor
Department of International Relation
Peshawar University
Dr. Adnan Sarwar Khan is a seasoned academic and expert in International Relations, widely recognized for his long-standing contribution to higher education in Pakistan. He has served as Professor and Chairman of the Department of International Relations at the University of Peshawar (UoP), where he played a leading role in advancing teaching, research, and curriculum development in the discipline, and has also been Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences at UoP in recognition of his meritorious service. Dr. Khan’s scholarly work encompasses Pakistan’s foreign policy, regional security, and international affairs, and he has significantly influenced academic discourse and institutional growth in the field over several decades.
Dr. Zafar Nawaz Jaspal
Vice Chancellor QAU
Dean FSS / Professor
School of Politics and International Relations
Quaid-e-Azam University (QAU) Islamabad.
Dr. Zafar Nawaz Jaspal is a distinguished scholar of international politics and strategic studies, serving as Meritorious Professor of International Relations and Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences at the School of Politics and International Relations, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad. He has also previously served as Director of the School of Politics and International Relations at QAU. Before joining academia, Dr. Jaspal worked as a research fellow at the Institute of Strategic Studies, Islamabad and the Islamabad Policy Research Institute. He holds a Ph.D. and M.Phil. in International Relations and an M.A. in Political Science, and has advanced training in peace and conflict studies from institutions in Austria, Norway, and the United States. Dr. Jaspal’s research focuses on Pakistan’s national security, nuclear proliferation and arms control, South Asian strategic stability, emerging technologies, terrorism and counter-terrorism, and biosecurity. He is a prolific author with over 130 academic publications and several books, including Arms Control in South Asia: Politics, Postures and Practices and India’s Surgical Strike Stratagem: Brinkmanship and Responses. A sought-after expert, he regularly delivers lectures at professional institutions around the world and contributes analysis to national and international media.
Dr. Adil Sultan
Professor
Dean Faculty of Aerospace and Strategic Studies
Air University, Islamabad
Dr. Adil Sultan is a distinguished academic and strategic expert, currently serving as Dean of the Faculty of Aerospace and Strategic Studies (FASS) and Head of the Department of Strategic Studies at Air University, Islamabad. He is a retired Air Commodore of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF), having served the country for over 31 years, including more than 14 years at the Strategic Plans Division (SPD) of Pakistan’s National Command Authority, where he held key roles such as Director Arms Control and Disarmament Affairs (ACDA) and Director Research and Analysis at the Policy, Doctrine & Strategy (PDS) branch. Dr. Sultan has been a Visiting Research Fellow at several prestigious international institutions including the War Studies Department, King’s College London, the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), London, and the Henry L. Stimson Centre, Washington D.C. He is also a published author, including the book Universalizing Nuclear Nonproliferation Norms: A Regional Framework for the South Asian Nuclear Weapon States (Palgrave Macmillan, 2019), and his research focuses on arms control and nonproliferation, nuclear deterrence, strategic stability, emerging technologies and national and international security. Dr. Sultan contributes regularly to academic and policy platforms nationally and internationally, making him a valued expert in strategic and security studies.
Dr. Hussain Shaheed Soherwardi
Professor
Department of International Relations
University of Peshawar
Dr. Hussain Shaheed Soherwardi is a distinguished scholar and senior academic in International Relations, serving as Professor in the Department of International Relations at the University of Peshawar, Pakistan. He completed his M.Phil. and Ph.D. at the University of Edinburgh, UK, with a focus on U.S. foreign policy and international security. Dr. Soherwardi joined the University of Peshawar as a lecturer in 1996 and has since held key academic and leadership roles, including Chairman of the Department of International Relations and Director of the Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies. He has also directed the Cell for FATA Studies and has consulted for international development organizations such as the UNDP, USAID, and provincial government bodies on governance, conflict, and policy reform. Dr. Soherwardi’s research and teaching cover international relations, conflict resolution, peacebuilding, countering violent extremism, regional security, and foreign policy, and he has authored 40+ research papers and edited volumes on these subjects. He has also served as a Fulbright, Carnegie, Charles Wallace, HEC, and Edinburgh University fellow and taught peace and conflict studies internationally. Dr. Soherwardi contributes regularly to scholarly journals, media outlets, and public debates on strategic and regional issues.
Dr. Minhas Majeed Khan
Professor
Department of International Relations
University of Peshawar
Prof. Dr. Minhas Majeed Khan is a respected academic and senior scholar in the field of International Relations, currently Professor and Chair of the Department of International Relations at the University of Peshawar, Pakistan. Born in Lakki Marwat, she overcame early life challenges to pursue higher education and earned her Ph.D. in International Relations in 2013, focusing on religion, politics, and foreign policy. Dr. Khan has extensive teaching experience at MA, MPhil, and Ph.D. levels and supervises advanced research in key areas such as religion and politics, gender and security, conflict resolution, foreign policy decision-making, U.S.–Pakistan relations, and regional politics of South, South-West and Central Asia. She has published in reputable national and international journals and her scholarship is noted for combining theoretical insight with real-world relevance. Dr. Khan has also engaged in postdoctoral research and international fellowships, including at the Institute for Global Engagement, Washington D.C., highlighting her global academic connections and contributions to peace and security studies. Her work reflects a strong commitment to peacebuilding, tolerance, and inclusive international society, particularly through strengthening the role of women in conflict transformation.
Dr. Amir Ahmed Khuhro
Professor
Former Director, Faculty of Social Sciences, Institute of International Relations
Shah Abdul Latif University, Khairpur
Prof. Dr. Amir Ahmed Khuhro is a senior academic and scholar of international relations, serving as Professor and former Director of the Institute of International Relations (Department of International Relations & Peace and Conflict Studies) at Shah Abdul Latif University, Khairpur, Sindh, Pakistan. He has played a central role in developing IR and peace studies programs at the university, guiding both teaching and research in areas such as foreign policy analysis, regional and global politics, and governance. Dr. Khuhro has actively contributed to academic events, dialogues, and seminars on contemporary international issues — for example leading discussions on Middle East dynamics and regional cooperation — reflecting his engagement in advancing scholarly discourse and student engagement in IR. His work includes supervising research at the postgraduate level and publishing on topics ranging from democratic movements to governance and policy in Pakistan and beyond. As a senior faculty member, he has also supported international collaborations and institutional development within the social sciences.
Dr. Muhammad Munir
Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences & Humanities
MY University (Muslim Youth University), Islamabad
Dr. Muhammad Munir is a senior academic, researcher, and educational leader with extensive experience in academic management, research, and teaching. He currently serves as Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences & Humanities at MY University (Muslim Youth University), Islamabad, where he provides academic leadership, curriculum development, and research guidance. Dr. Munir holds a Ph.D. from the Department of Defence and Strategic Studies at Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad and has over 26 years of experience in research, academic management, and teaching across leading universities and think tanks. His research has appeared in national and international journals, with 18 research papers published in HEC-recognized journals including category X and Y, along with co-authorship of two books, about 150 articles in English newspapers (notably Pakistan Observer), and co-editing of six academic books. Dr. Munir’s scholarly work spans topics in international relations, security studies, and strategic affairs, and he has contributed significantly to policy debates and intellectual discourse through research publications, academic events, and lectures. He has also held important academic and research roles, including involvement with research institutes and editorial boards, reflecting his commitment to advancing the quality of social sciences scholarship in Pakistan. In addition to his university leadership, Dr. Munir has engaged with national and international academic communities, serving as a speaker at seminars, resource person in academic sessions, and contributor to scholarly projects, shaping the next generation of researchers and thinkers in social sciences.
Dr. Fazal ur Rehman
Executive Director
Regional Centre for South Asian Affairs
Islamabad
Dr. Fazal ur Rehman is a distinguished expert on South Asian affairs and Pakistan–China relations, with a long and impactful career in research, policy analysis, and institution building. He holds a Ph.D. in South Asian Studies from Peking University, China, along with advanced qualifications in defence and strategic studies, conflict resolution, and national security from leading universities in Pakistan, Sweden, Germany, and the United States. Dr. Rehman served at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI) from 1986 to 2013, where he rose to become Director of the China Study Centre and East Asia Programme, leading research on China’s foreign policy, regional security, and bilateral relations with Pakistan. He was among the founding members of the Pakistan Council on China (PCC) — a think tank focused on deepening understanding of Pakistan–China ties — and serves as its Executive Director. In addition to his work at ISSI and PCC, Dr. Rehman has been the Director of the Pakistan Institute of China Studies (PICS) at the University of Sargodha, where he has played a leading role in promoting research, language studies, and academic engagement on China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and related areas. He has contributed extensively to scholarly literature, authoring numerous research articles and book chapters on China, East Asia, and Asian multilateral organizations, and has represented Pakistan at expert-level meetings and international forums. Dr. Rehman’s work bridges academic scholarship and policy dialogue, making him a key voice in the study of regional geopolitics and strategic partnership between Pakistan and China.
Dr. Abdul Wadood
Professor & Chairperson
Department of International Relations
Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities
Balochistan University of Information Technology, Engineering and Management Sciences (BUITEMS),
Quetta, Pakistan
Dr. Abdul Wadood is a distinguished academic and scholar of International Relations, serving as Professor and Chairperson of the Department of International Relations in the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities at Balochistan University of Information Technology, Engineering and Management Sciences (BUITEMS), Quetta, Pakistan. He also holds leadership roles as Director of the Directorate of Student Affairs & Academics and Associate Dean of the Faculty. Dr. Wadood earned his Ph.D. in International Relations from Shah Abdul Latif University, Pakistan, and his MPhil/MS in International Relations from the University of Malaya, Malaysia. He began his academic career at BUITEMS in 2007 and has since played a key role in curriculum development, research supervision, and quality enhancement across social sciences disciplines. He previously served as Chairperson of the Department of Social Sciences (covering International Relations, Mass Communication, Psychology, Sociology, Statistics, Islamic Studies, and Pakistan Studies) and since 2016 has been leading the Department of International Relations. Dr. Wadood’s research interests include regionalism, strategic and defense studies, terrorism and extremism, politics of the Muslim world, human rights, conflict resolution, and peace studies. He has published in reputable national and international journals and serves as Chief Editor and editor of academic journals, including the BUITEMS Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities. Dr. Wadood is an active member of important academic, curriculum, research, and quality enhancement committees and teaches courses such as International Relations in the New Millennium, Regional Politics, Political Islam, and Research Methodology. His work contributes to advancing critical scholarship and academic excellence in International Relations in Pakistan.