Quarterly Newsletter No.
97
L-R: Ashfaq Mehmood, Mirza Hamid Hasan and Khalid Rahman
Quarter in Focus
IPS hosted a number of policy dialogues during
the last quarter delving upon matters of national
significance. The most prominent one was the
appraisal of Pakistan's newly formed National
Water Policy, which stressed on expediting the
policy's implementation while making use of
country’s indigenous resources. Other important
deliberations included a discussion on the basis
and processes of Pakistan's foreign policy
formulation, a review of the anticipated
socio-cultural impact of CPEC on Pakistan, and a
discussion tracing Iran's policy on Kashmir.
One important development of the period was the
signing of a tri-partite MoU in Lahore to promote
robotics-based STEAM (Science, Technology,
Engineering, Arts, Mathematics) education in
Pakistan based on South Korean curriculum,
which will be customized and introduced in the
country’s schools and institutions by IPS’ strategic
partner AFAQ (Association for Academic Quality).
IPS also hosted a delegation from Afghanistan
Institute of Civil Society – a counterpart of
Pakistan Centre for Philanthropy (PCP) –
advising it to formulate an indigenous framework
to develop their civil society sector.
The Institute also participated in two international
conferences: ‘Trans-Himalaya Regional
Cooperation under BRI’ and ‘Asia-Pacific Public
Security Forum 2018’ in China.
The quarter also saw the first issue of the year of
IPS’ biannual journal Policy Perspectives coming
out. Three policy briefs: ‘Pakistan’s National
Water Policy’, ‘Pakistan’s Energy Dependence on
CPEC’, and ‘Review of Federal Budget 2018-19’
were published and disseminated to relevant
stakeholders.
July - September 2018
“Build smaller dams if large ones attract controversies” –
Ashfaq Mehmood
Ashfaq Mehmood, a former federal secretary
and renowned water and energy expert, while
commending Pakistan’s first national water
policy’s unanimous approval despite years of
delay, has said that the world view is now
moving from construction of larger dams to
building smaller ones. The same approach
could be well-suited to Pakistan as well, he
MoU signed for robotics education in Pakistan
Time Dimensions Middle East & Africa
(TDMEA) – a leading UAE-based technology
firm with exclusive regional rights to South
Korean robotic education brand, RoboTami –
signed a tripartite memorandum of
understanding with Association for Academic
Quality (AFAQ) and Institute of Policy
Studies (IPS) on June 7, 2018 to promote
and provide robotics and artificial intelligence
Session on ‘Pakistan Foreign Policy’
A sitting studying
objectives,
determinants and
formulation of
‘Pakistan Foreign
Policy’ was held
at IPS on May 29,
2018. The
session was
Amb (r) Tajammul Altaf addressed by
said, especially when the larger dams have a
tendency of attracting controversies and need
huge investments and loans to build.
He was addressing a roundtable session titled
‘Pakistan’s National Water Policy: An
Appraisal’ held at IPS on May 11, 2018. The
session was chaired by Mirza Hamid Hasan,
former federal secretary and chairman, IPS’
Continued on Page 02
education
solutions from
pre-primary to
university level
in Pakistan. The
three signing
companies were
represented by
Khaled
Continued on Page 03
Ambassador (r) Tajammul Altaf, who was the
main speaker, and DG-IPS Khalid Rahman.
Apprising the participants about the processes
involved in the formulation of Pakistan’s
Foreign Policy, Ambassador (r) Tajammul Altaf
said that it is not the Foreign Office only that
formulates the policy, instead the policy is
prepared in coordination with country’s other
important institutions such as the parliament,
senate and the armed forces.
Continued on Page 03
 02
Afghan delegates advised on formulating indigenous framework to develop their
civil-society sector
A nine-member delegation from Afghanistan
Institute of Civil Society (AICS) visiting
Pakistan in a bid to learn about the
development of civil society sector in
Afghanistan was advised to formulate
indigenous framework in line with their local
context and native values if they were to
establish a vigorous and sturdy network of
civilian institutions and organizations in the
country.
The advice was offered in a session held at
Institute of Policy Studies (IPS), Islamabad,
Governing Body
Meeting
Dr. Hasan Sohaib Murad addressing IPS'
Governing Body Meeting (May 12, 2018).
Iftar Dinner
Annual iftar dinner held at IPS for its team members, Appreciating the approval of Pakistan’s first
alumni and associates (May 25, 2018).
on April 25, 2018. The visit was organized by
Pakistan Centre for Philanthropy (PCP) – a
government authorized organization that
evaluates NGOs in Pakistan – with a view to
capacitate the delegates from the
neighboring country by providing them an
insight over structuring, functioning, criterion
and evaluation mechanisms that were
needed to nurture and foster a robust civil
society structure in a country.
The delegation, which was addressed by
DG-IPS Khalid Rahman along with two
Continued from Page - 01 ‘Build smaller dams if large ones attract
controversies’
committee on Energy, Water and Climate
Change. The other main speakers among the
discussants were Syed Akhter Ali, former
Member Energy, Planning Commission of
Pakistan, DG-IPS Khalid Rahman and
Ambassador (r) Tajammul Altaf.
Urging to tackle the issue of water scarcity
through scientific means, Mehmood advised on
devising a mechanism to make rainwater and
muddy water usable after filtering. The speaker
also suggested limiting the cultivation of certain
crops – such as sugar and rice – which needed
a lot of water for their growth, and replacing
them with the ones which required lesser
amount of water.
Awareness-raising over water issues was
another area pointed by Mehmood that sought
attention. He termed it a need of time to train
people in using water with much care, even
stressing that the topic should be taught to
children at schools in a bid to create its
understanding from the elementary level.
National Water Policy by all the four provinces
02
members from PCP, was told that it was easy
to get influenced by and incline towards the
Western model while trying to weave the civil
society fabric. This, however, should be kept
in view that the Western model was designed
as per the demands of a Western society
whereas in an Asian-Muslim country, the
formulation of a civil society sector may pose
a different set of questions and challenges.
For detailed brief, visit:
http://www.ips.org.pk/afghan-delegates-advised-formulating-
indigenous-framework-develop-civil-society-sector/
despite having a room for improvement, the
experts participating in the roundtable stressed
on expediting the policy’s implementation by
relying on country’s own resources instead of
seeking help from others.
Mirza Hamid Hasan viewed that while the
importance of water for any country needs no
exposition, it was unfortunate that the policy
over the issue took so long in formulation due
to the disagreements among policymakers. It
was however heartening to finally see the
consensus over the matter which can be seen
as a historical happening for Pakistan.
For detailed brief, visit:
http://www.ips.org.pk/pakistans-national-water-policy-appraisal/
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 03
‘Cultural Impact of CPEC on Pakistan’
L-R: Prof Zamir Ahmed Awan and Amb (r) Tajammul Altaf
A panel of experts discussing the ‘Cultural
Impact of CPEC in Pakistan’ unanimously
viewed that the expected increase of Chinese
businessmen, professionals and workforce in
the country vis-à-vis CPEC may have a
potential to make an impression, yet it should
not be seen as a ‘cultural invasion’ – a term
being used by anti-CPEC propagandists to
promote negativity about the historic project.
The experts were rather optimist sensing an
opportunity where the bridging of two cultures
may offer mutually beneficial progression.
Chaired by DG-IPS Khalid Rahman, the
session on May 8, 2018 was participated by
Prof Zamir Ahmed Awan, deputy dean,
‘The Tide of Hindutva in India’
Sr. IPS associate Dr Waqar Masood Khan addressing PEF (Pakistan Economic Forum) participants
on the topic of ‘The Tide of Hindutva in India’ at Islamabad Club (April 27, 2018).
Chinese Studies Center of Excellence,
National University of Science and Technology
(NUST), Ambassador (r) Tajammul Altaf, Dr
Noor Fatima, chairperson & assistant
professor, department of International
Relations & Political Science, International
Islamic University, Islamabad (IIUI), Rashida
Hameed, Quaid-i-Azam University (QAU),
Islamabad, Li Yi, director, Chinese Academy,
Islamabad and the research team of IPS.
A young research student of Riphah Institute of
Media Sciences (RIMS), Shahida Batool also
presented the findings of her thesis on the
cultural impact of China-Pakistan Economic
Corridor (CPEC) on Pakistan.
03
Continued from Page - 01
‘Pakistan Foreign Policy’
The speaker bemoaned that Pakistan had a
tendency to reshape its foreign policy as per
the needs of time, as seen in the case of 9/11
attacks, as a result of which it often finds itself
dangling far from the originally intended
objectives. He said that while it was good to
have an adaptable policy, this should be made
sure that the foundations of the policy are kept
firmly unscathed.
Rahman pointed that social media in the
modern arena was playing an increasingly
influential role in reshaping and promoting the
foreign policies of many countries as many
impotant world leaders are directly
communicating through social media. He
stressed that Pakistan should also realize this
fact sooner rather than later and try to
formulate its foreign policy in light of this
evolving reality.
For further details, visit:
http://www.ips.org.pk/session-pakistan-foreign-policy/
'Iran's Kashmir Policy'
A presentation on ‘Iran’s Kashmir Policy’ by IPS
team member Kulsoom Belal (June 13, 2018).
Continued from Page - 01
MoU signed for robotics education
in Pakistan
Al-Aswadi, GM Operations, TDMEA, Shahid
Warsi, CEO, AFAQ, and Naufil Shahrukh, GM
Operations, IPS, on the occasion.
The joint venture – facilitated by IPS – is
aimed at providing the educational sector of
Pakistan the curriculum, training and labs to
prepare the new and future generations of the
country for the challenges posed by the fourth
industrial revolution.
The unique element of RoboTami – an
indigenous model of South Korean education
system – is the creative convergence of
Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and
Math (STEAM) as theory and robotics as
practical. RoboTami is a complete, one-stop
solution for robotics education for schools,
colleges, science and engineering universities
and technical education institutes.
 04

Sharing Insights

IPS represented in ‘Asia- ‘Opportunities and Challenges of Trans-Himalaya

Pacific Public Security
Forum 2018’
On the invitation of CGE Peace Development
Foundation, DG-IPS Khalid Rahman visited
Sanya, a city of China’s Hainan Island, to
attend the ‘Asia-Pacific Public Security Forum
2018’ which was held on April 17, 2018.
The forum, where Rahman delivered a
speech on the topic of ‘The Dilemma of the
Anti-Terrorism Campaign’, aimed at
establishing a new public security order in the
Asia-Pacific region and promoting regional
security cooperation under OBOR initiative.
Regional Cooperation under BRI’
DG-IPS Khalid Rahman
visited Leshan University
in Sichuan, China to
attend the international
conference ‘Opportunities
and Challenges of
Trans-Himalaya Regional
Cooperation under Belt
and Road Initiative’ which
was held from April 20-21,
2018.
The conference, which was hosted by
Leshan Normal University (LSNU) and occasion, DG-IPS presented a paper titled
co-sponsored by Center for Trans-Himalaya ‘Building Trust and Policy Coordination’ in
Studies of LSNU and Center for Myanmar which he looked at different requisites to
Studies of Sichuan University, focused on allow the trust to play its role while studying
prospects and significance of regional the changing nature of international
cooperation among Trans-Himalayan competition in the contemporary context.
countries. For further details, visit:
http://www.ips.org.pk/opportunities-challenges-trans-himalaya-
In his keynote speech delivered on the regional-cooperation-bri/

IPS partakes in dialogue on India’s influence on

Ambassador (retd)
Tajammul Altaf joins IPS
Ambassador (retd) Tajammul Altaf joined the
IPS family as senior research associate
recently. Having joined Foreign Services in
1984, he has served Pakistan as a diplomat in
several countries . His last assignment in the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs was as its additional
secretary. He has held several eminent
positions in the past including director general
for Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC)
at MoFA, director at the Foreign Services
Academy, director at the Ministry for Europe,
Afghanistan, South East Asia and Pacific,
Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO),
Central Asian Republics, as well as for
National Assembly of Pakistan and Senate
Affairs.
Western Indian Ocean
IPS was represented by Waqar-un-Nisa, a
research team member at Institute of Policy
Studies, Islamabad, in the panel discussion of
a focused talk on ‘Growing Indian Influence on
Western Indian Ocean: Response Options for
Pakistan’. The session, which was organized
by Institute of Maritime Affairs (IMA), Bahria
University, Islamabad, on June 6, 2018,
discussed Indian engagements in the region
and its implications for Pakistan while
stressing for the enhancement of naval
Delegation from UNCHR
Pakistan
A delegation of UNHCR Pakistan led by its
assistant representative (protection) Igor
Ivancic visiting IPS (June 13, 2018).
04
capabilities as well as on the need of devising
a comprehensive maritime strategy to deal
with emerging threats in the region.
For further details, visit:
http://www.ips.org.pk/ips-partakes-dialogue-indian-influence
-indian-ocean/
Delegation from Da'wah
Academy
IPS' senior research coordinator Nadeem
Farhat Geelani addressing a delegation from
Da'wah Academy (April 3, 2018)
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 05

MPhil scholars from Leadership & Management Studies Dept. NDU visit IPS

MPhil scholars from the department of
Leadership and Management Studies,
National Defence University (NDU),
Islamabad, led by their teacher Dr Zia Ur
Rehman, visited IPS on May 16, 2018, as
part of an exposure visit. The purpose of this
visit was to show the students the working
model of the Institute and provide them
information about the overall functions and
processes of research, training, publishing
and outreach at IPS.
The visiting MPhil scholars, who were
studying a course of HR staffing, were briefed
by Naufil Shahrukh, GM Operations at IPS,
about the history of the Institute and the role
of institutions like IPS in the country’s policy
arena. He also introduced the visitors with
IPD LEAD (the learning, excellence and
development program of IPS) as well as its
‘Brainstorming Research Ideas’ series of
programs which is exclusively being run for
young and emerging scholars under the
‘Indigenizing Policy Research in Pakistan’
Initiative.
The briefing was followed by an interactive
session with DG-IPS Khalid Rahman who
said that the contemporary research in social
sciences generally follows one of the many
western theorizations, which were evolved
and developed in a certain socio-political,
cultural and civilization environment. it was
easy for the students to get influenced by the
Western model while carrying out their work;
this should however be kept in mind that the
Western model was designed as per the
requirements of their society whereas we
may find a different set of issues and
challenges awaiting us in local settings which
may demand being seen from a lens of native
social, cultural and religious values.
For further details, visit:
http://www.ips.org.pk/mphil-scholars-ndu-visits-ips/

'Brainstorming Research Ideas' with alumni of NDU's Visit of LLM students from
Government and Public Policy department Bahria University, Islamabad
LLM students from Bahria University (BU),
Islamabad, who are studying a course on ‘Human
Rights and Global Security’, visited IPS on May
15, 2018 as part of an exposure visit. They had
an insightful discussion with DG-IPS Khalid
Rahman and the Institute’s senior research
coordinator Nadeem Farhat Geelani on topics like
right to fair trial, drone attacks, missing persons,
ISIS, Al-Qaeda, WoT, etc.

Under its initiative of 'Indigenizing Policy
Research in Pakistan, IPS LEAD - the
learning, excellence and development
program of IPS - hosted three sessions of
'Brainstorming Research Ideas' on April 12,
April 16 and May 10, 2018 as part of its
arrangement with National Defence
University's Government & Public Policy
Department. Aimed at publishing of papers
from the work done during MPhil and PhD
GPP Alumni, the presentations of the
summary of their thesis were presented by
scholars Mirza Taimoor Shehzad, Muhammad
Wali Farooqi and Rizwan Ali Shinwari. The
presentations were followed by an evaluative
discussion of their work by the participants.
DG-IPS Khalid Rahman concluded the
discussions providing specific guidelines for
the targeted research papers. The GPP
Alumni president, TA Bhutta and IPS' GM
Operations Naufil Shahrukh were also
present on the occasion.
05
 06
Policy Perspectives (Vol 15, No. 1)
The latest edition of
peer-reviewed IPS’
flagship journal
Policy Perspectives
– disseminating the
research carried out
by IPS and its
associates on
diverse range of
current and evolving
topics – is out now
and is widely
available for the
readers in Pakistan and abroad.
The first article ‘Indo-US Strategic
Partnership: Implications for Pakistan’
explores that in the scheme of American
grand strategy for the new world order, US
and India have complementary economic and
strategic security interests as the former
desires to maintain her economic and military
supremacy in the world. Pakistan cannot
afford to remain oblivious to these
developments and must revive her economy
and achieve more national cohesion so as to
offset the negative effects of Indo-US
strategic convergence.
The second article ‘India and Pakistan:
Outlining a Path towards Peace’ is a
multidisciplinary analysis of the relationship
between India and Pakistan, contending that
much would be gained by Pakistan and India
if normalization between the two could be
achieved. The paper puts forth areas where
there exist common interests and what they
believe could be a path to peace between
these nation-states.
The third piece ‘Developments in Indian
Missile Program: Options for Pakistan’
maintains that with the induction of new
weapon systems in South Asia, notably
BMDs, the region would gradually become
prone to risk of war especially due to
unresolved disputes such as Kashmir.
The article ‘China-South Asia
Communications under BRI: The CPEC
Model’ maintains that the physical and
functional aspects of the ‘Belt and Road
Initiative (BRI)’ would naturally attract the
maximum attention of both friends and
adversaries, thus an aggressive
communication strategy advancing the spirit
of BRI is a prerequisite to make the project a
real success.
The piece ‘Maritime Politics in South Asia and
Naval Compulsions of CPEC for Pakistan’
Institute of Policy Studies: Nasr Chambers, Plot No. 1, Commercial Centre, MPCHS, E-11/3, Islamabad, Pakistan.
Ph: +92 51 843 8391-3, Fax: +92 51 8438390, Email: ipsnews@ips.net.pk, Web: www.ips.org.pk, www.ipsurdu.com
Editor: Naufil Shahrukh, Asst. Editor: Farhan Syed, Layout: Asif Taimuri
views that the development of sea-ports as
part of BRI in general and Gwadar as part of
CPEC in particular has provided a context to
India to magnify its ‘concerns’ and aim for a
renewed naval build-up. Islamabad needs to
carefully evaluate its options and develop its
strategic response accordingly, involving but
not limited to continuous development of its
naval capability and an even closer maritime
cooperation with China.
The article ‘Human Security and Central
Asian States’ opines that the lasting security
and development cannot be obtained in the
Central Asia unless and until various
dimensions of human security become
priority of the governments in the region. The
improvement in this arena requires three level
strategies: national, regional and
international.
The next piece ‘Central Asia’s Place in
Turkey’s Foreign Policy’ beholds that with the
geopolitical developments in Ukraine and
dramatic slowdown of the Russian economy,
Turkey’s balancing act in Central Asia was
seen as beneficial by Moscow. Moreover,
after the failed military coup attempt in Turkey
(July 2016), Russian and Turkish leadership
have showed friendly overtures to each other
which can strengthen their relations and both
these players can play constructive role
towards the development of Central Asia
region.
The eighth article ‘China’s Engagement in
Afghanistan: Implications for the Region’
studies that over the last few years, China
has increased its engagement with
Afghanistan and its bilateral trade and
investment in the country has also
augmented considerably. The phenomenon is
not only going to help the war-torn nation in
its journey towards reconstruction and
rehabilitation but would also play an
important role in regional stability.
The final piece ‘16 Years of US Presence in
Afghanistan: Objectives, Strategies and
Emerging Scenario’ views that with the U.S.’
invasion of Afghanistan entering into the 17th
year, it has already become the longest war
in the U.S.’ history and arguably the costliest
one as well. While the fighting and
consequent reconstruction costs have been
estimated at more than $1 trillion for the U.S.,
its commitments in support of the
beleaguered Afghan government could well
go into the 2020s.
06
IPS’ Briefs
‘Pakistan’s National Water
Policy: An Appraisal’
This policy brief ‘Pakistan’s National Water
Policy: An Appraisal’ is based on, but not
confined to, a roundtable session held at IPS
on May 11, 2018. In the context of increasing
water concerns, the brief maintains that the
country’s first National Water Policy has
outlined a framework for tackling the
emerging water challenges in the country but
misses certain important aspects.
For detailed brief, visit:
http://www.ips.org.pk/pakistans-national-water-policy-appraisal/
‘Energy Dependence:
CPEC and Pakistan’s
Energy Portfolio’
The brief underscores that gaining energy
independence lies at the root of contemporary
national energy policies across the globe.
Though the projects under CPEC are
addressing serious bottlenecks in Pakistan’s
energy sector, yet the share of indigenous
sources is insignificant in post CPEC energy
mix. Import dependence for power generation
will thus remain. A proper framework for
development and exploitation of indigenous
resources is the need of hour.
For detailed brief, visit:
http://www.ips.org.pk/energy-dependence-cpec-pakistans-
energy-portfolio/
‘Federal Budget 2018-19
A Review’
‘Federal Budget 2018-19: A Review’ analyzes
the economic outlook of the year’s fiscal plan
from revenue, expenditure, development and
taxation perspectives.
For detailed brief, visit:
http://www.ips.org.pk/federal-budget-2018-19-review/
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