Institute of Regional Studies, Islamabad

Institute of Regional Studies, Islamabad cordially invites all to a webinar;

📝 Strait of Hormuz Tensions: Pathways for Advancing Regional Energy Flows
📅 Monday, 25 May, 2026
🕰 12:30 Hrs (PST)
🖇Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87280236580?pwd=tWtJKF2G6AjDEJ4fwQ4YZ50Mfp72MS.1
📎 Meeting Chat link
https://us06web.zoom.us/launch/jc/87280236580
🔽
Meeting ID: 872 8023 6580
Passcode: 370174

The Institute of Regional Studies (IRS), Islamabad, hosted an insightful session under its Eminent Speaker Series titled “CVE in Central Asia in 2026: Trends, Prospects and Challenges”, organized by the Central Asia Program for Regional Cooperation and Connectivity. The session was moderated by Mr. Aarish U. Khan, Head of the Afghanistan Program and Editor of Publications at the IRS. The event featured distinguished speakers- Dr. Eldaniz Gusseinov, Head of Research at Nightingale International, a political foresight institute based in Almaty, Kazakhstan, and Dr. Iftikhar Firdous, Founder and Executive Director of The Khorasan Diary in Islamabad who offered in-depth analyses of evolving security dynamics in Central and South Asia.

The Institute of Regional Studies (IRS) hosted a seminar on leveraging Pakistan's strategic position for trade and tourism-led transformation. Speakers, including Sardar Yasir Ilyas Khan, National Coordinator to the PM on Tourism, Mr Adnan Pasha, Advisor to the Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, Ms Sadaf Khalid, Director Silk Road Enterprises, and IRS President Ambassador Jauhar Saleem, discussed unlocking Pakistan's vast potential in tourism, trade, and investment.

With Pakistan's 9 million overseas nationals contributing $40 billion in annual remittances, and sectors like Buddhist and Sikh heritage tourism projected to generate up to $1.25 billion annually, the seminar made one thing clear: Pakistan's tourism economy is not a distant ambition, it is an imminent opportunity waiting to be seized.

The Institute of Regional Studies (Official) through its Türkiye & Azerbaijan Program, organized a seminar titled “Recalibrating Regional Geopolitics in the Age of Greater Eurasia” on 13 May 2026.

The discussion brought together distinguished diplomats, scholars, and policy experts to deliberate on the evolving geopolitical and geoeconomic dynamics of Eurasia, regional connectivity, the Middle Corridor, trans-Caspian cooperation, and the growing role of middle powers in shaping the emerging regional order.

The panel featured:• Amb. Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry, Former Foreign Secretary of Pakistan• Prof. Dr. Ramazan Erdağ, President, Strategic Research Center, Ankara• Amb. Jauhar Saleem President, IRS• Dr. Shafiyev, Chairman, Center of Analysis of International Relations (AIR Center), Baku, Azerbaijan• Prof. Ismail Numan Telci, Ibn Haldun University, Istanbul. Ambassador of Turkiye to Pakistan, Dr. Irfan Neziroglu also spoke on the occassion.

The seminar highlighted the importance of enhanced regional connectivity, strategic interdependence, and constructive cooperation across the broader Eurasian space.

📢📣 Mark your calendars and join us for our Eminent Speaker Series at the Institute of Regional Studies, Islamabad
📝 CVE in Central Asia in 2026: Trends, Prospects and Challenges
📆 Monday, 18 May 2026
⏰️ 1200 Hrs
📌 IRS, Ataturk Avenue, F-5/2, Islamabad

Details 🔽

📢📣 Mark your calendars and join us for a Seminar at the Institute of Regional Studies, Islamabad
📝 Leveraging Pakistan's Strategic Position for Trade and Tourism-led Transformation
📆 Thursday, May 14, 2026
⏰️ 1100 Hrs
📌 IRS, Ataturk Avenue, F-5/2, Islamabad

Details 🔽

The India Program at the Institute of Regional Studies in collaboration with Youth Forum for Kashmir, organized a discussion forum on Kashmir featuring Ms. Victoria Schofield. Kashmiris from diverse professional, political, and academic backgrounds participated in the dialogue and shared their perspectives on the evolving situation in Kashmir and prospects for peace.

The following were the key takeaways from the discussion:
• speakers emphasized that the Kashmir dispute remains the core issue driving tensions between Pakistan and India.
• Participants argued that the humanitarian suffering in Kashmir has not received adequate international attention despite its severity.
• Kashmiri speakers stressed that the right to self-determination must remain central to any discussion or resolution framework.
• The importance of countering narrative and psychological warfare through stronger strategic communication was repeatedly highlighted.
• Speakers noted that India has actively shaped international narratives on Kashmir through media, films, books, and diplomacy.
• Participants reiterated the unity between the people of Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
• Concerns were raised regarding restrictions on internet access, limited humanitarian presence, and lack of international reporting from IIOJK.
• Several speakers argued that Pakistan should move from reactionary diplomacy toward a long-term and future-oriented diplomatic strategy.
• The discussion highlighted the need to humanize the Kashmir dispute by focusing on the lived experiences of ordinary Kashmiris from IIOJK.
• Youth engagement was identified as an essential component of any sustainable roadmap for peace.
• The role and suffering of Kashmiri women in the conflict were specifically highlighted, along with the need for reconciliation and healing.

📢📣 Mark your calendars and join us for an Interactive Session at the Institute of Regional Studies, Islamabad
📝 Jammu and Kashmir Dispute - The Way Forward Navigating Pathways to Peace
📆 Tuesday, 12 May 2026
⏰️ 1230 Hrs
📌 IRS, Ataturk Avenue, F-5/2, Islamabad

Details 🔽

The Institute of Regional Studies, Islamabad in collaboration with Defence & Strategic Studies Department QAU and External Publicity Wing, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Govt. of Pakistan organized an international webinar titled; "Truth Beyond Borders: Combating Fake News in Conflict Situations".
The high-level dialogue with participation of policy makers, academics, media representatives, international journalists and Pakistan's foreign missions abroad was held to celebrate first anniversary of Marka-e-Haq and recognize the importance of credible narratives, responsible communication and examine the architecture of fake news. Distinguished speakers stressed to advance coordinated responses for safeguarding truth and credibility.

https://www.app.com.pk/national/webinar-on-truth-beyond-borders-highlights-key-risks-of-fake-news/

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DX_tAm1s1S2/?igsh=MXN6ZDlic25jOGI3MA==

The Institute of Regional Studies, Islamabad Pakistan, and the Institute of International Studies (IIS), Shandong University, China, held a joint session to mark the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening academic cooperation, policy dialogue, and collaborative research between Pakistan and China, moderated by Ms. Nabila Jaffer, Senior Research Analyst & Head China Program, IRS, and Dr. Jamal Khan, Associate Professor, IIS. Prof. Li Yuan, Executive Dean, IIS, and Dr. Rizwan Naseer, Senior Research Fellow and Director of CCTVES, IRS, introduced institutions, participants, and their research areas.
The MoU was signed by Amb. Jauhar Saleem, President of the IRS, and Prof. Zhang Yunling, Dean of the IIS, during a hybrid ceremony attended by senior scholars and researchers from both institutions. The agreement provides a framework for joint conferences, collaborative publications, scholar exchanges, especially among young researchers and postdoctoral fellows, and research programmes on regional and global issues.
Amb. Jauhar Saleem described the partnership as a meaningful addition to the longstanding intellectual and strategic relationship between Pakistan and China. He emphasized the importance of academic diplomacy, international research partnerships, and people-to-people cooperation in addressing evolving regional and global challenges.
Prof. Zhang Yunling termed the MoU a “new start” in initiating institutional cooperation between the two sides. He stressed the importance of scholarly exchanges and cooperative research on regional, bilateral, and global developments. He also appreciated Pakistan’s constructive diplomatic efforts to promote dialogue and stability amid ongoing regional tensions.
In a discussion on contemporary regional and global issues that followed the signing ceremony, Amb. Saleem underscored the need for a more effective and inclusive rules-based international order, emphasizing effective institutional mechanisms for conflict prevention and resolution. He highlighted Pakistan’s commitment to regional peace, economic stability, and constructive engagement to prevent wider geopolitical and economic repercussions from conflict. Amb. Saleem also acknowledged the constructive support extended by China, Türkiye, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and the Gulf states.
Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to translating the MoU into a substantive and results-oriented partnership through evidence-based research, scholarly exchange, and sustained institutional engagement.

📢📣 Mark your calendars and join us for a seminar at Institute of Regional Studies, Islamabad
📝 Recalibrating Regional Geopolitics in the Age of Greater Eurasia
📆 Wednesday, 13 May 2026
⏰️ 1100 Hrs
📌 IRS, Ataturk Avenue, F-5/2, Islamabad

Details 🔽