Aasim Consultancy

02/09/2026

Research Article Analysis Series
Article No. 3

Title: The Migrant Hazara Shias of Pakistan and Their Social Determinants for PTSD, Mental Disorders and Life Satisfaction
Authors: Sara Rizvi Jafree, Syed Mujtaba Hasnain Nadir, Qaisar Khalid Mahmood, and Syeda Khadija Burhan
Journal: Journal of Migration and Health
Published: 2023

Overview
This study explores the mental health and overall wellbeing of Hazara Shia migrants living in Quetta, Pakistan. The Hazara community has endured decades of targeted violence, sectarian persecution, discrimination, social exclusion, and economic hardship. Against this backdrop, the researchers examined how these experiences affect psychological wellbeing, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and life satisfaction.
The study surveyed 251 Hazara Shia adults using internationally recognised assessment tools that measured:
• PTSD symptoms
• Common mental health disorders
• Community support
• Household stability and satisfaction
• Job satisfaction
• Financial security
• Overall life satisfaction

Key Findings
The results reveal a community facing significant psychological challenges.
High Levels of Psychological Distress
A large proportion of participants reported symptoms associated with poor mental health:
• 70% experienced excessive worry.
• 77% worried about their health.
• 70% reported feeling fearful.
• 70% felt hopeless about the future.
• 70% experienced loneliness.
• More than half (51%) reported thoughts of ending their lives.
These findings suggest that psychological distress is widespread within the community.

Groups Most at Risk
PTSD symptoms were particularly high among:
• Women
• Unemployed individuals
These groups appeared to be especially vulnerable to the combined effects of insecurity, economic hardship, and social pressures.

The Importance of Community Support
One of the study's strongest findings was the protective role of social support. Individuals who reported weak connections with:
• Ethnic or national communities,
• Religious communities, or
• Other social groups,
were significantly more likely to experience mental health difficulties.
The findings highlight how social networks and a sense of belonging can act as important buffers against psychological distress.

Factors That Improve Life Satisfaction
Using structural equation modelling, the researchers found that life satisfaction was positively associated with:
• Household satisfaction (β = 0.25)
• Community support (β = 0.26)
• Financial security (β = 0.11)
• Job satisfaction (β = 0.13)
In other words, people tended to report higher levels of wellbeing when they felt supported by their community, financially secure, satisfied with their work, and comfortable in their home environment.

Major Barriers to Wellbeing
Participants identified three main challenges affecting their quality of life:
1. Fear of violence, discrimination, and targeted attacks.
2. Obstacles to education and employment, including language barriers and limited opportunities.
3. Poverty, food insecurity, and difficulties meeting basic household needs.
The study also found that many households were struggling financially:
• 65.3% had difficulty paying utility bills.
• 35.1% had sold personal belongings to survive.
• 27.9% reported going without meals.
• 19.9% relied on welfare organisations for support.

Overall Conclusions
This research provides one of the first detailed examinations of the wellbeing of Hazara Shias in Pakistan. The findings suggest that prolonged exposure to violence, discrimination, social isolation, and economic deprivation has had a profound impact on the community's mental health and quality of life.
While security remains a major concern, the authors argue that improving safety alone will not be enough. Meaningful improvements in wellbeing will also require efforts to address poverty, expand educational and employment opportunities, strengthen social inclusion, and improve access to mental health services.
The study calls for coordinated action from government institutions, civil society organisations, community leaders, and international stakeholders to support the long-term wellbeing of the Hazara Shia population.

Strengths of the Study
The research has several notable strengths:
• It is among the first quantitative studies focused specifically on Hazara Shias in Pakistan.
• It uses internationally validated tools to assess PTSD and mental health.
• It combines statistical analysis with participants' personal experiences, providing a more complete picture of their lives.
• It identifies practical social and economic factors that can inform policy and humanitarian responses.

Limitations
The authors acknowledge several limitations:
• Participants were selected through convenience sampling rather than random sampling, limiting how widely the findings can be generalised.
• The research focused only on Hazara Shias living in Quetta and may not reflect the experiences of Hazara communities elsewhere.
• Individuals who are highly isolated and do not engage with community centres may face different, and possibly more severe, challenges than those captured in the survey.
• Safety concerns and low participation rates restricted the size of the sample.
Recommendations for Future Research
The authors recommend further studies to:
• Better understand the needs of women and unemployed Hazara Shias, who appear to face higher PTSD risks.
• Examine su***de and self-harm in greater depth.
• Explore the experiences of Hazara communities outside Quetta.
• Assess the effectiveness of community-based mental health and social support programmes.
• Evaluate the long-term impact of policies aimed at improving security, employment, education, and social integration.

27/08/2026

Research article analysis series, Hazaras of Pakistan

27/08/2026

Research Article Analysis Series
Article No. 2

Title: Pakistani Hazara Shia Victims: Challenges, Survival Techniques, and Protective Needs
Authors: Sara Rizvi Jafree, Nudra Malik, and Amna Khawar
Published in: Conflict, Security & Development, Volume 23, Issue 1 (2023)

Key Points:
• The study explores the lived experiences of Pakistani Hazara Shias who have lost immediate family members to targeted violence and persecution.
• Using interviews with 13 Hazara Shia victims in Quetta, the researchers identified two major themes: "Challenges and Fears" and "Coping and Hope for a Better Future."
• Participants reported experiencing constant fear, psychological trauma, discrimination, social exclusion, financial insecurity, and restrictions on movement due to ongoing violence.
• Many respondents described a process of normalizing violence, believing that attacks, loss, and martyrdom had become an unavoidable part of Hazara life.
• The study found evidence of severe mental health challenges, including depression, trauma, drug abuse, and suicidal thoughts among community members.
• Religious faith, spirituality, and narratives of sacrifice and martyrdom served as important coping mechanisms that helped victims endure suffering and loss.
• Participants were divided between wanting to migrate abroad for safety and remaining in Pakistan out of patriotism and attachment to their homeland.
• Respondents emphasized the need for stronger protection, educational opportunities, employment support, healthcare coverage, and targeted government policies for affected families.
• The authors argue that violence against Hazara Shias extends beyond physical killings and contributes to a form of "social death" characterized by the loss of security, identity, culture, and meaningful social participation.

Short Summary:
This article investigates the experiences of Hazara Shia families in Quetta who have suffered the loss of loved ones through targeted violence. Through qualitative interviews, the authors reveal the profound psychological, social, and economic consequences of prolonged persecution. Participants described living with fear, trauma, exclusion, and uncertainty while relying on religious faith and community resilience to cope. The study concludes that the Hazara Shia community faces not only physical violence but also social marginalization that threatens its cultural identity and wellbeing. The authors call for urgent protective policies, improved security, mental health support, and greater recognition of the community's rights and needs.

Analysis:
Shortcomings
• The study relies on a relatively small sample of 13 participants, limiting the generalizability of its findings.
• Most participants were male (11 men and 2 women), meaning female perspectives are underrepresented.
• As a qualitative study, the research provides rich personal experiences but does not offer extensive quantitative evidence regarding the prevalence of issues such as trauma, poverty, or su***de within the broader Hazara population.
• Much of the analysis is based on participants' perceptions and experiences, which may not fully capture broader political and institutional dynamics.

Future Research
The authors specifically recommend more ethnographic and quantitative research on the Hazara community, particularly regarding physical and mental health outcomes, coping mechanisms, resilience, and effective sociopolitical interventions.
Additional future studies could:
• Examine the long-term psychological effects of violence on Hazara youth and children.
• Investigate mental health issues such as depression, trauma, su***de, and substance abuse using larger datasets.
• Explore women's experiences of violence, exclusion, and resilience in greater depth.
• Assess the effectiveness of government protection policies and support programs.
• Compare the experiences of Hazara communities in Pakistan with Hazara diaspora communities living abroad.

Overall, the article's main contribution is its detailed documentation of the lived experiences of Hazara Shia victims and its argument that prolonged violence creates not only physical suffering but also a broader process of social exclusion and "social death."

24/08/2026

Race, Sect, and Security in the Hazara Community of Pakistan

24/08/2026

Research Article Analysis Series
Article No. 1

Title: Minority Ethnic, Race and Sect Relations in Pakistan: Hazara Residing in Quetta
Author(s): Sarfraz Khan and Noor Ul Amin
Published in: The Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences (JHSS), Vol. XXVII, No. 2 (2019)

Key Points:
* The article examines the social, political, ethnic, and sectarian challenges faced by the Hazara community living in Quetta, Pakistan.
* It argues that Hazaras have experienced systematic persecution, ethnic profiling, targeted killings, discrimination, harassment, and increasing ghettoization.
* The paper traces the historical origins of the Hazara people, their migration from Afghanistan to British India and later Pakistan, and their struggle for recognition and security.
* The authors discuss allegations that many Hazaras face difficulties obtaining or renewing Computerized National Identity Cards (CNICs), which affects access to education, travel, employment, and citizenship rights.
* The study highlights the role of sectarian militant groups, particularly L@shkar-e-Jh@ngvi, in attacks against the Hazara community.
* It places Hazara victimization within broader regional dynamics, including Iran-Saudi Arabia rivalry, sectarian conflict, and proxy wars in the Middle East and South Asia.
* The article discusses legal and political responses, including interventions by the Supreme Court of Pakistan, activism by Hazara organizations, and peaceful protests demanding protection and equal rights.
* The authors argue that constitutional protections and human rights guarantees have not been adequately realized for the Hazara community.
* The paper recommends stronger law enforcement, protection of minority rights, better political inclusion, elimination of discrimination, and regional policies that discourage the use of militant proxies.

Short Summary:
This article explores the historical background and contemporary experiences of the Hazara community in Quetta, Pakistan. It argues that Hazaras face multiple forms of discrimination based on ethnicity, race, and sectarian identity, including targeted violence, social marginalization, and barriers to citizenship-related documentation. The authors connect these challenges to domestic sectarian extremism, regional geopolitical rivalries, and weaknesses in state protection. The paper concludes that Pakistan must take stronger measures to ensure security, citizenship rights, political inclusion, and equal treatment of the Hazara community.

Short Analysis:
Strengths
* The article provides a comprehensive historical overview of the Hazara people and connects past experiences with present-day challenges.
* It combines historical, political, legal, and human-rights perspectives to present a broad picture of Hazara experiences in Pakistan.
* The discussion of constitutional rights, Supreme Court proceedings, and policy implications adds practical relevance to the study.
Shortcomings
* The article relies heavily on secondary sources, media reports, legal documents, and advocacy perspectives, with limited original empirical data collected directly from Hazara respondents.
* Some of the arguments involve allegations and perceptions regarding state policy, geopolitical influence, and citizenship issues that would benefit from more systematic quantitative evidence.
* The study focuses primarily on documenting grievances and insecurity, providing less analysis of variations within the Hazara population based on age, gender, class, or education.
Future Research could:
* Conduct large-scale surveys of Hazara communities across different sections of the community.
* Explore the psychological and socioeconomic impacts of prolonged insecurity on Hazara youth and families.
* Compare Hazara experiences with those of other ethnic and religious minorities in Pakistan.
* Examine the effectiveness of government security measures and minority-rights policies through longitudinal research.
* Investigate the role of migration, diaspora networks, and transnational identities in shaping Hazara political and social experiences.

Overall, the article is a valuable contribution to research on minority rights, ethnic relations, and sectarian conflict in Pakistan, highlighting the challenges faced by the Hazara community and the need for stronger protections and inclusion.

23/08/2026

23/08/2026

Strengthening Our Future Through Research: A Call to the Hazara Community in Quetta

22/08/2026

Strengthening Our Future Through Research: A Call to the Hazara Community in Quetta

For more than two decades, the Hazara community in Quetta has lived through persecution, loss, and political marginalization. In a country shaped by a majoritarian political system, our voices often struggle to be heard, our concerns are frequently misunderstood, and our lived experiences are rarely documented in ways that influence policy or public debate.

Yet despite these challenges, one truth remains: knowledge is power, and research is one of the strongest tools we have to shape our own narrative.

Within our community, many opinions and decisions are still formed through personal perceptions, hearsay, or long‑held assumptions. This is understandable—when a community is under pressure, survival becomes the priority. But today, as we look toward a more secure and empowered future, we must begin building a research culture that helps us understand ourselves, our needs, and our place within Balochistan and Pakistan.

Why Research Matters for Us?

• Community empowerment — Research helps us identify real problems and real solutions, instead of relying on guesswork.
• Policy influence — Governments and institutions respond to data. When we produce credible research, our issues gain legitimacy.
• Youth development — A research mindset encourages critical thinking, innovation, and leadership among young Hazaras.
• Preserving our history — Our story deserves to be documented accurately, by us, for future generations.

A New Direction

It’s time for us to move from perception‑based understanding to evidence‑based thinking. Even small steps—community surveys, youth research groups, documentation of local issues, academic collaborations—can create long‑term impact.

Building a research culture is not just an academic exercise. It is an act of resilience. It is a way of reclaiming our narrative. It is a path toward a stronger, more informed Hazara future.

Let’s encourage our students, professionals, activists, and community leaders to explore, question, document, and learn. Our story is powerful—and research will help us tell it with clarity, confidence, and truth.

07/08/2025

Celebrating our 4th year on Facebook. Thank you for your continuing support. We could never have made it without you. 🙏🤗🎉

01/03/2025

🌙 Ramazan Mubarak from Aasim Consultancy! 🌙

As we step into the holy month of Ramazan, may this time of reflection, patience, and gratitude bring peace, prosperity, and countless blessings to you and your loved ones. ✨🙏

At Aasim Consultancy, we believe in the power of learning, growth, and community. May this Ramazan inspire us all to strive for knowledge, kindness, and success in both our personal and professional lives.

Wishing you a month filled with peace, prayers, and positivity! 🌙❤️