Policy Perspectives is a peer-reviewed, open access, biannual journal with occasional special issues, published by Institute of Policy Studies (IPS) –an Islamabad-based think tank dedicated to promoting policy-oriented research and human development.

Established in 1979, the Institute defines Pakistan Affairs, International Relations and Faith and Society as its primary research areas, which are further divided into various sub-themes for focused studies. The Institute’s research spanning over four decades has so far produced over 1500 seminars, conferences and roundtables, around 400 publications, and about 2500 research reports.

Policy Perspectives is the flagship journal of the Institute,disseminating the research carried out by IPS and its associates on diverse range of current and evolving topics. The journal reaches out to a large number of individual and institutional researchers, policy makers, key opinion leaders and other stakeholders within the country and across the globe, extending policy-oriented analysis, perspectives and recommendations on issues of national and global significance.

EDITORIAL BOARD

Editor-in-Chief: Khalid Rahman Editor:  Dr Fakhr-ul-Islam Associate Editors: Syed Nadeem Farhat, Zahida Khalid Editorial Assistant: Shafaq Sarfaraz

EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD

Dr Aisha Ahmad Associate Professor, Department of Political Science, Centre for South Asian Studies, The Asian Institute; Co-Director of the Islam and Global Affairs Initiative, Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada. Dr Akis Kalaitzidis Professor, International Relations and Comparative Politics, School of Social Science and Languages, College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences, University of Central Missouri, Warrensburg, USA. Dr Ivan Safranchuk Director; Senior Research Fellow, Centre of Central Asia and Afghanistan of the Institute for International Studies, Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO) University, Moscow, Russia. Dr Muhammad Umer Chapra Advisor, Islamic Research and Training Institute (IRTI), Islamic Development Bank (IDB), Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Dr Robert Jensen Professor Emeritus, School of Journalism, Moody College of Communication, University of Texas, Austin, USA. Prof. Roger van Zwanenberg, Managing Director, Pluto Journals, London, UK. Dr Shahram Akbarzadeh Research Professor, Middle East & Central Asian Politics, Faculty of Arts and Education, Alfred Deakin Institute, Deakin University, Melbourne, Australia. Dr Torkel Brekke Professor, Cultural and Religious Diversity, Department of International Studies & Interpreting, Oslo Metropolitan University, Oslo, Norway. Dr Wang Xu Associate Professor, Executive Director, Department of South Asian Studies, School of Foreign Languages, Peking University, Beijing, China. Dr Zahid Hussain Bukhari Executive Director, Center for Islam and Public Policy (CIPP), Washington, DC, USA.

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Last updated on 22 March 2023

Call for Papers

Policy Perspectives is a biannual, open access, peer reviewed Journal published by the Institute of Policy Studies, Islamabad, Pakistan. The digital edition of the Journal is co-published by Pluto Journals, London, UK. The Journal brings forth Pakistani and the Muslim World’s perspectives on issues of national and global significance. The contents of the Journal appeal to a wide academic and professional readership, and reach an interdisciplinary and international audience.

Policy Perspectives invites original, unpublished, policy-oriented scholarly articles, book reviews, commentaries from national and international researchers, experts, and policy practitioners.

Thematic Areas

Policy Perspectives is distinctive in combining original, policy-oriented research papers, reflective studies and analyses on varied issues under its broad themes, namely International Relations, Pakistan Affairs, and Faith and Society.

Topics:

National and International Security, Defense and Strategic Studies, Public Policy and Governance, Foreign Policy, Issues of the Muslim World, Pakistani Society, Domestic and International Laws; Civilizational Discourses, Maritime Issues, Economy and Environment. The issues related to Pakistan and the Muslim world are preferred.

Peer Review & Publication Policy

All submissions undergo rigorous Editorial Board review; shortlisted articles are reviewed by the peer reviewers, who are experts within their fields. Policy Perspectives follows double-blind peer review process. Publication in the Journal depends on Board’s positive feedback and reviewers’ recommendation. Timeline for review process may vary from six to twelve weeks depending on reviewers’ availability and responsiveness, and subject to author’s satisfactory revisions. Selected contributions are subjected to editing for reasons of consistency, style, space and clarity.

Submissions are accepted on a continuous basis. Submission Guidelines For Articles:

• Abstracts of 200 to 250 words should be shared before submission of manuscript.
• Manuscripts should be in MS Word format.
• Article word count should ideally be around 5000 words including an abstract, key words and endnotes.
• American English should be used.
• Policy Perspectives follows Chicago Manual of Style 16th Edition, Endnotes for references. (For examples, please see detailed guidelines.)

Detailed guidelines can be accessed at:

http://www.ips.org.pk/policy-perspectives/#Guidelines-for-Contributors  

For Book Reviews:

• Book Reviews of recent books should be approx. 1000 words.

 Submission Procedure:

Authors should submit their manuscripts with duly signed undertaking, plagiarism report, brief updated CV while ensuring that guidelines have been followed at the following address:

Email: journal-pp@ips.net.pk

Postal Address: Nasr Chambers, 1, MPCHS Commercial, E-11/3, Islamabad Pakistan

Tel: +92 51 843 8391-3;  +92 51 843 8390

Note: Policy Perspectives follows strict anti-plagiarism policy. ​

The Policy Perspectives welcomes original, unpublished, policy-oriented scholarly manuscripts from research scholars, experts and policy practitioners based in Pakistan and other parts of the world. The journal reaches out to a large number of individual and institutional researchers, policymakers, key opinion leaders and other stakeholders within the country and across the globe, extending policy-oriented analysis, perspectives and recommendations on issues of national and global significance. Submissions should be made using our digital submission system while ensuring that guidelines have been followed. All submissions are screened by the Editorial Board review; shortlisted articles undergo double-blind peer reviews. Publication in the Journal depends on Board’s positive feedback and reviewers’ recommendation.

Submission Process

To submit a manuscript for consideration for publication in the Policy Perspectives click on the “Submit a Manuscript” button on ScienceOpen in the header of the journal landing page. For details, please see guidelines for online submissions. Word Count: Abstract should be of no more than 150 words, with 5-6 keywords. Total word count of the article should be ideally around 5000 words. Book Reviews of latest books of around 1000 words can also be submitted.

Submission Timeline

• Upon submitting an article, author/s will receive an acknowledgement of its receipt. After plagiarism check, the article will be evaluated by the Editorial Board for its suitability for the Journal. If selected, it will be sent to two subject experts for double-blind peer review. This process will take three to four months approximately. Timelines of review process may vary depending on reviewer’s availability and responsiveness.
• Reviewers may suggest major or minor revisions, or reject the manuscript for publication. After Editorial Board has made a decision based on reviewers’ recommendations, author/s will be informed.
• In case of major or minor revisions, reviewers’ feedback will be shared with authors. Authors will be required to incorporate the feedback in two to three weeks for reviewer/s to take a second look.
• While resubmitting, author/s should include the revised article in Track Mode along with their responses for the reviewer/s stating how their comments have been incorporated.
• Upon receiving the revised draft, it will be shared with reviewers to see if they are satisfied with the revisions. Due to reviewers’ busy schedule, this process may take one to two months. Final decision will be communicated to author/s.
• If the manuscript has been approved for publication, it will be included in the next issue. Since Policy Perspectives occasionally publishes special issues, approved article may not be published in the earliest issue. Nonetheless, the author/s will be informed and updated at each stage. Although the editorial team aims to expedite the whole process, it can still take up to a year or less between the original submission deadline and final publication.

Spelling and Style Guide

Spellings and punctuation should be used where they are optional in American English (e.g. organize, center, defense). Commas and periods should be given inside closing quotation marks. Single quotation marks are to be used throughout. Longer quotations should be indented and set off from the text, and given in smaller font size, without quotation marks. Dates should be written as May 20, 2020. Abbreviations should be given in brackets after giving the full form on first use, e.g., United Nations (UN). Subsequently, UN should be used throughout the text.

References

Chicago Manual of Style (CMOS) 16th Edition should be followed for endnotes. Main words in the titles of articles, books and journals should begin with capital letters. Titles of Books, Journals, Newspapers should be italicized. Reports should be cited like books. In case of multiple authors, give the names of all the authors in the endnotes. Examples of citations in CMOS16 are given below:

Books:

Syed Irtiqa Ahmed Zaidi, Negotiating the Power Corridors: Forty Challenging Years of Civil Service (Islamabad: IPS Press, 2020).

Chapters in books:

Ye Hailin, “Rise of Extremism in India and Chinese Response,” Hindutva: Rising Extremism in India, ed. Khalid Rahman, 2nd ed. (Islamabad: IPS Press, 2020), 117.

Journal articles:

Asma Sana Bilal and Nabiya Imran, “Emerging Contours of Transatlantic Relationship under Trump Administration,” Policy Perspectives 16, no. 1 (2019): 3-21 (7) https://doi.org/10.13169/polipers.16.1.0003.

Newspaper articles/websites:

Waqar Masood Khan, “Unified Economic Response,” Express Tribune, April 1, 2020, accessed May 12, 2020, https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/637477-.

Diagrams and Tables

Tables, charts, graphs, and figures may be included in the manuscript where necessary with consecutive numbering, proper captions and complete references. These should be in an editable form. Images should be submitted in high resolution (300-600 dpi) in .jpeg and .bitmap.Responsibility to seek permission to reproduce illustrations subject to copyright lies with the author/s.

Copyright

This journal is published under the Creative Commons License CC BY 4.0. This license allows users, scholars and readers, to read the content or any part of the content without charges. This license allows scholars to download and use the contents for educational purposes. This license does not allow the content or any part of the content to be used for commercial purposes.

Submission/Publication Charges

There is no submission fee or publication charges.

“Is the European Union Evolving or Failing?”

Brief Summary Najimdeen Bakare and Tatheer Zahra Sherazi Volume 16, Issue no. 2, Policy Perspectives (2019): 5-25. https://doi.org/10.13169/polipers.16.2.0005 Abstract In recent years, the European Union (EU) has seen and grappled with a varied degree of crisis, which a few observers considered as proof of its vulnerability and at worst scenario – existential threat. As it is with every crisis, there are gainers and losers; there are those who benefit from the fallout and others who manage to turn vulnerability into opportunity and strength. The crisis surrounding the EU can be characterized along the latter context, particularly in the backdrop of rising European populism. The rise of contemporary European populism has raised many questions and generated debates. Based on its anti-EU rhetoric and growing public acceptability, populism is interpreted as EU’s political nemesis. In the midst of rising European populism, the paper looks at the debates in which the EU is considered as a failing or failed project. It also explores the extent to which European populism impacts the European political landscape. The paper explores the notion of populism as an anti-EU movement, bent at dislodging and disintegrating the Union. It argues that the actions of the populist parties suggest otherwise; populist dramatization underscores EU’s continuous evolution and transition instead of its disintegration. Keywords Populism, EU in Transition, EU’s Demise, EU Legitimacy, EU-Exit, Brexit.

“Citizenship Laws of Pakistan: A Critical Review”

Brief Summary Syed Nadeem Farhat Volume 16, Issue no. 2, Policy Perspectives (2019): 59-85 https://doi.org/10.13169/polipers.16.2.0059 Abstract Citizenship is considered a fundamental right that guarantees every other right. Citizenship law of Pakistan was enacted in 1951 and took care of the situations that could presumably arise with respect to this right. The changes in geography, technology and demography as well as the evolution of international law on citizenship during almost seven decades have created certain gaps that may have implications for individuals and their rights might be at stake. Varying interpretations of the courts on certain dimensions of law as well as the failure to introduce the modifications suggested by superior judiciary are among the factors that cause concerns. Along with the Citizenship Act and the law for naturalization, the treatment of foreigners in the country too has certain serious shortcomings that may have severe implications. This paper focuses more on the statutes and their current interpretation. It underscores the significance of the right to citizenship and analyzes various scenarios for acquisition of citizenship, its loss, the status of foreigners and judgements under Pakistani citizenship laws. Keywords Citizenship, Nationality, Migration, Jus Soli, Irregular Immigration.

“Fatwa Institution and Product Development for Islamic Finance in Pakistan”

Brief Summary Ghazala Ghalib Khan and Atiq-uz-Zafar Volume 16, Issue no. 2, Policy Perspectives (2019): 107-126. https://doi.org/10.13169/polipers.16.2.0107 Abstract Pakistan, being an Islamic Republic, is constitutionally obliged to eliminate ribā (interest) from its economy. Thus, Islamic Finance (IF) industry was introduced as an alternate to conventional ribā-based system of financial intermediation. However, efforts towards innovative system of IF are not devoid of criticism. Thus, institutions offering IF, are denounced for excessive reliance on stratagems to legalize ribā, misuse of plurality in Islamic legal rules and gross misapplication of the principles of Islamic Law. The pivotal task of determining sharīʻah compatibility of products and services is realized through the institution of fatwa. Hence, the given scenario of industry stipulates critical appraisal of role and protocols of this very institution for product development (PD). This article argues that for consistency of Islamic financial intermediation with sharīʻah, the industry needs to standardize ‘product development procedures’ with greater focus on regulating its fatwa institution. Keywords Fatwa, Islamic Finance, Product Development, Sharīʻah, Ribā.

Policy Perspectives (Volume 23, Issue 2, 2026) Editor-in-Chief: Khalid Rahman Editor: Prof Dr Fakhr-ul-Islam Retail Price (Pak): PKR600 Annual Subscription: PKR1000 Export Price: $60 (per copy) Annual International Subscription: $120 Download Contents

About the Issue

The latest issue of Policy Perspectives presents research, analyses, and discussion on various topics concerning national and international matters from policy experts, academics, and practitioners.

Amjad Maqsood in his paper “Reserve Currency Dominance: The Status of the US Dollar, Trends, Alternatives and the Future Outlook” explores the historical evolution of international reserve currencies, the emergence and resilience of the US dollar-centered monetary order, and the prospects for future change. He traces the transition from earlier reserve currencies to the US dollar and elucidates the institutional, financial, and geopolitical foundations of its persistent dominance. Maqsood further examines the growing demand for reserve diversification driven by geopolitical tensions, sanctions, debt vulnerabilities, and strategic competition. Finally, he evaluates the evolving international role of the Chinese renminbi and other emerging alternatives, including gold and digital monetary innovations.

Author: Amjad Maqsood, Non-Resident Associate, Institute of Policy Studies (IPS), Islamabad, Pakistan; Economist, Ontario, Canada.

https://doi.org/10.13169/polipers.23.2.ra1

The next paper “Ideals vs Interests: The Evolution of US Military Interventionism” maintains that while the United States (US) was founded on the principles of liberty, human rights and self-determination, its military interventions over the years reflect strategic interests that contradict its founding ideals. This gap between policy rhetoric and policy practice becomes obvious as the US emerged first as a regional power and then as a global hegemon. To probe consistency or deviations between the country’s founding values and its policymakers’ actual motivations, the paper seeks to understand why and how the US wars, over decades, contradict its founding ideals, and what constitutes the reasons behind the persistence of such contradictions.

Author: Malik Waleed, Research Officer, Institute of Policy Studies (IPS), Islamabad, Pakistan.

https://doi.org/10.13169/polipers.23.2.ra2

India’s growing naval nuclearization has increased crisis instability while fueling an arms race in the region. Anwarul Haq in his paper “Indian Nuclearization of the Indian Ocean Region and its Implications for the Strategic Stability of South Asia” appraises the Indian naval nuclear modernization through the lens of offensive realism. He identifies three recurring patterns in India’s maritime behavior: capability expansion beyond stated minimalism, a doctrinal shift towards regional dominance, and a regional security narrative rooted in being a net security provider. He cautions that India’s naval nuclear posture, while increasing the risk of inadvertent escalation, could transform the region into a theatre of the global Great Game.

Author: Anwarul Haq, Research Scholar, Department of International Relations, National University of Modern Languages (NUML), Islamabad.

https://doi.org/10.13169/polipers.23.2.ra3

The Objectives Resolution, passed by Pakistan’s first Constituent Assembly on March 12, 1949, has served as the symbolic core of Pakistan’s constitutional journey. From the Darshan Masih Case to numerous suo moto cases before the courts today, the Objectives Resolution has exerted a profound influence on how fundamental rights are perceived and adjudicated. Despite its central role as a constitutional grundnorm, its impact has received insufficient scholarly attention, resulting in a fragmented and often confusing understanding of its significance. The paper “The Objectives Resolution – An Unfulfilled Objective?  An Analysis of Its Constitutional and Judicial Impact in Pakistan Since 1949”  seeks to examine the true constitutional importance of the Objectives Resolution, its influence on the jurisprudence of Pakistan’s courts, and its continuing relevance to future constitutional debates and developments in Pakistan.

Author: Syed Muaz Shah, LLM International Law, Geneva Graduate Institute, Geneva, Switzerland; Quran Covenant Research Center, Islamabad, Pakistan; Centre for Islamic Law & Human Rights, Karachi, Pakistan.

https://doi.org/10.13169/polipers.23.2.ra4

In academic and intellectual discourse, disagreement with scientific theories is not only expected but often encouraged as part of the pursuit of knowledge.  However, in certain cultural contexts, such disagreements can take on a personal and confrontational tone, where academics advocating for or against a theory become targets of coercion or ad hominem attacks.  Dr Farhat Taj in her paper “Misinterpreted Theories and Misplaced Criticism: The Two Case Studies in the Erosion of Rational Discourse” navigates the challenges to scientific discourse in Pashtun academic and cultural contexts in Pakistan through two cases: the coercion of a Zoology assistant professor in Bannu district to renounce Darwin’s theory of evolution and a podcast discussion critiquing a peer-reviewed article on Pakistan-Afghanistan relations. While these cases are not representative of broader trends in the country, they provide some insights into how scientific dialogue can be constrained by geopolitical, linguistic, and cultural factors, Taj contends.

Author: Dr Farhat Taj, Associate Professor, University of Tromsø, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Norway.

https://doi.org/10.13169/polipers.23.2.ra5

The controversy over 12 refugee seats in the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly has drawn renewed attention to the constitutional and political challenges of refugee representation in AJK, particularly in light of the demands raised by the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC). Although it appears to concern electoral representation, the issue raises broader questions about AJK’s constitutional identity, Pakistan’s position in the wider Jammu and Kashmir dispute, the rights of displaced populations, and the future of democratic legitimacy in Muzaffarabad. Given the constitutional, political, and historical realities, the paper “Reimagining Refugee Representation in  AJK: A Framework for Constitutional and Electoral Reform” assesses alternative options to ensure refugee representation within the AJK legislative framework without undermining the political rights of local people in AJK.

Author: Iftikhar Gilani, Senior Kashmiri Journalist, who covered Kashmir in New Delhi for over three decades, is now based in Ankara, Turkey.

https://doi.org/10.13169/polipers.23.2.ra6

Dr Waleed Rasool in his paper “Crisis, Deterrence and Diplomacy: Pakistan’s Rising Middle Power Profile after India’s 2025 Aggression” analyzes how India’s May 2025 military aggression, named as Operation Sindoor, became a strategic catalyst that elevated Pakistan’s geopolitical profile and consolidated its emergence as an emerging middle power despite clear asymmetry in conventional military and economic capabilities. Drawing on neoclassical realism and middle power theory, he evaluates the proposition that material parity is not a prerequisite for strategic advantage; rather, political will, resilience, calibrated restraint, and effective strategic balancing can offset power differentials. His findings demonstrate that Pakistan’s crisis management denied India escalation dominance while simultaneously enhancing Pakistan’s diplomatic leverage across major power centers. Rasool argues that Islamabad’s multi-alignment posture reflects classic middle-power behavior: autonomy preservation, soft balancing, and bridge diplomacy under systemic pressure.

Author: Dr Waleed Rasool, Executive Director, Institute of Multi-Track Dialogue, Development and Diplomatic Studies (IDDS), Islamabad, Pakistan.

https://doi.org/10.13169/polipers.23.2.ra7

The full text of the articles is available at ScienceOpen.