PICSS -Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies

03/09/2026

And that’s a wrap on PICSS Summer Internship Batch 2026! 🎓✨

A journey filled with learning, research, teamwork, friendships, and memories came to a beautiful close with the Certificate Distribution Ceremony at FPCCI, where the Vice President presented certificates to our interns in recognition of their hard work and dedication.

The celebrations continued with a memorable day out at a farmhouse, bringing the entire batch together for one last day of fun, laughter, and unforgettable moments. ❤️

Back at the PICSS office, we marked the end of this incredible journey with a cake-cutting ceremony a simple but special moment to celebrate everything we shared throughout the internship.

One batch. Countless memories. One unforgettable journey.

Congratulations to the PICSS Summer Internship Batch 2026! May this be the beginning of many more achievements ahead. 🚀🎓

31/08/2026

Emergency First Aid Training | PICSS × Pakistan Relief IDEA

Preparedness can make the difference when every second counts.

On August 5, 2026, the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS), in collaboration with Pakistan Relief IDEA, once again organized an Emergency First Aid Training (EFAT) workshop at the PICSS office in Islamabad.

The training brought together PICSS team members and interns for an intensive, hands-on learning experience focused on essential first aid and emergency response skills. Under the guidance of Mr. Mujtahid Kamran and the Pakistan Relief IDEA team, participants learned practical techniques designed to help them respond confidently and effectively in critical situations.

This documentary captures the experience through interviews with Mr. Mujtahid Kamran and workshop participants, along with moments from the training, practical demonstrations, and the overall learning environment.

🎥 Directed & Filmed by Safwan Abdullah

At PICSS, we believe that building a safer and more resilient community begins with being prepared.

Watch the documentary to see the training, the experiences, and the lessons learned.

22/08/2026

PICSS Summer Internship 2026 Hosts Lecture on Pakistan’s Economic Security and Resilience

Islamabad, August 11, 2026: As part of the ongoing PICSS Summer Internship 2026 Guest Lecture Series, the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS) hosted Raja Amir Iqbal, former President of the Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI), for a lecture titled “Economic Security of Pakistan: Trade, Investment and Economic Resilience in an Era of Geopolitical Competition.”

During the session, Raja Amir Iqbal provided an overview of Pakistan’s economic history since independence, examining the country’s economic trajectory across different periods and highlighting key policy decisions that contributed to the challenges facing Pakistan’s economy today.

He discussed the economic policies adopted by successive governments and identified various turning points where policy choices, institutional decisions, and economic priorities affected the country’s long-term economic stability. He also highlighted the importance of trade, investment, and economic resilience in strengthening Pakistan’s economic security amid an increasingly competitive geopolitical environment.

The session concluded with an interactive question-and-answer session, providing the interns with an opportunity to engage with the speaker and seek further insights into Pakistan’s economic challenges and prospects.

21/08/2026

Islamabad, August 13, 2026: As part of the ongoing PICSS Summer Internship 2026 Guest Lecture Series, the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS) hosted Dr. Manzoor,Former Head of the Department of International Relations at the International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI), for an insightful lecture on “Use of Terrorism as a Foreign Policy: A Study of Indian-Sponsored Terrorism.”

Drawing on his academic research and thesis on the subject, Dr. Manzoor examined the use of terrorism as an instrument of foreign policy, with particular focus on India’s regional policies and its alleged support for terrorism in Pakistan.

During the lecture, Dr. Manzoor discussed India’s influence in various South Asian countries, including Nepal, and explored how regional dynamics and Indian policies have shaped the security environment in South Asia. He also discussed allegations regarding India’s support for terrorist activities in Pakistan and their implications for Pakistan’s national security.

21/08/2026

PICSS Hosts Guest Lecture on Emerging Technologies and the Future of Terrorism in South Asia

Islamabad, 18 August 2026: The Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS) hosted a guest lecture by Prof. Dr. Adam Saud, Dean, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Bahria University Islamabad, on “Emerging Technologies and the Future of Terrorism in South Asia.”

The lecture was held in continuation of the academic collaboration formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between PICSS and Bahria University Islamabad Campus on 31 July 2026. The MoU aims to strengthen cooperation between the two institutions across various areas of research, academic engagement, and knowledge exchange.

Speaking at the lecture, Prof. Dr. Adam Saud explored the evolving impact of emerging technologies on terrorism and counterterrorism in South Asia. He highlighted how technological advancements are transforming the capabilities and operational methods of terrorist groups while also presenting new challenges for states and security institutions.

20/08/2026

15/08/2026

https://www.picss.net/articles/security-first-connectivity-later-badakhshans-crisis-and-chinas-cautious-calculus/

31/07/2026

On 28 July 2026, the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS), in collaboration with the Capital Development Authority (CDA), organized an outdoor tree plantation activity for its interns under the initiative, “Let’s Plant Today for a Better Tomorrow.” The CDA facilitated the event by providing the plantation site and saplings, supporting the shared objective of promoting environmental sustainability.

Each intern and PICSS staff member planted a tree, demonstrating their commitment to building a greener and more sustainable future. The activity aimed to raise awareness about the growing challenges of climate change and emphasized the importance of community participation in environmental conservation. Through this initiative, participants were encouraged to recognize that collective efforts, no matter how small, can make a significant contribution to protecting the environment for future generations.

30/07/2026

On 23 July 2026, Air Cdre Khalid Banuri (R) was invited as a guest speaker for the PICSS Summer Internship Guest Lecture Series. He delivered a lecture on the topic, “Early Warning Indicators in Nuclear-Armed Environments: Signals, Noise, and Miscalculation,” where he discussed the importance of distinguishing meaningful warning signals from background noise and the risks of miscalculation in nuclear-armed environments.

The session concluded with an engaging Q&A session, during which interns had the opportunity to interact with the speaker and seek further insights. At the end of the event, Managing Director of PICSS, Abdullah Khan, presented Air Cdre Khalid Banuri (R) with a copy of PICSS’s book, Post August 2021: Taliban Governance, Security Dynamics and the Road to Stability in Afghanistan, as a token of appreciation for his valuable contribution.

23/07/2026

On 16 July 2026, PICSS hosted an interactive book discussion with author Sarmad Zia Khan as part of the Summer Internship Programme 2026. The session focused on his book, Rescuing the US Rangers: Mogadishu, 3rd October 1993, which examines Pakistan’s role during the Battle of Mogadishu and the Black Hawk Down operation.

Drawing on extensive research and documentary evidence presented in the book, Sarmad Zia Khan discussed what he described as the lesser-known Pakistani perspective of the operation. He highlighted the role played by Pakistani peacekeepers in assisting US forces during the mission and explained how his research challenges the widely held perception that Pakistan was reluctant to provide support. The author outlined the evidence that, in his view, demonstrates Pakistan’s significant contribution to the rescue operation.

The session concluded with an interactive question-and-answer session, during which participants engaged with the author on the historical context, his research methodology, and the findings presented in the book.