PICSS brings together researchers, security specialists, policy practitioners and professionals with extensive experience in conflict, security and regional affairs.
Leadership
Major General Muhammad Saad Khattak (R)
Chairman
Major General (Retd) Muhammad Saad Khattak has served as Chairman of the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS) since 2017. Drawing on his extensive military experience, he provides strategic guidance to the institute on national security, counterterrorism, regional geopolitics, and defence affairs. He actively contributes to policy discussions and research initiatives aimed at promoting informed debate on Pakistan’s security challenges.
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Dr Gul Dad
Director Research & HR
Dr Gul Dad is Director Research and HR at the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS), Islamabad, where he leads the Research and Publication Division. One of the pioneers of PICSS, he brings nearly three decades of experience in defence and security analysis, foreign policy research, applied policy analysis, teaching, and educational management.
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Mr. Abdullah Khan
Managing Director
Abdullah Khan is Managing Director of the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS) and a security analyst with nearly three decades of experience in journalism, conflict monitoring, and counterterrorism research. He founded the Conflict Monitoring Center in 2010, which later became part of PICSS. His expertise includes militant movements, Pakistan-Afghanistan security dynamics, countering violent extremism, and national security policy.
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Dr. Ashfaq Ahmed
Non-Resident Fellow
Dr. Ashfaq Ahmed is Professor (BPS-21) and Chairman, Department of International Relations, University of Sargodha, and an HEC Approved Supervisor. He holds a Ph.D. in Strategic & Nuclear Studies from National Defence University, Islamabad (2019), M.Phil and M.Sc. in Defence…
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Dr Zain Rafique
Non-Resident Fellow
Dr Zain Rafique is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Governance and Public Policy at the National University of Modern Languages (NUML), Islamabad. He holds a PhD in Public Policy and Planning from Universiti Sains Malaysia and an MPhil…
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Dr. Farah Naz
Non-Resident Fellow
Dr. Farah Naz is a distinguished scholar in the fields of security and international relations. She has served in various Australian universities and currently holds a position at the University of Sydney and National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST).…
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Dr. Muhammad Shafiq
Non-Resident Fellow
Dr Muhammad Shafiq is an educationist, researcher and policy analyst with over 23 years of professional experience in the public and development sectors. He holds a PhD in History from Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, and currently serves as Assistant Professor in…
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Dr Ali Hussain Arif
Senior Research Fellow
Dr Ali Hussain Arif is an academic, educational researcher and curriculum expert with a PhD in Education from the National University of Modern Languages (NUML), Islamabad. He serves as an Associate Professor at Al-Kauthar Islamic University, Islamabad, and has experience…
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Dr Sajid Iqbal
Non-Resident Fellow
Dr Sajid Iqbal is a scholar of International Relations and an Assistant Professor in the Department of International Relations at the National University of Modern Languages (NUML), Islamabad. He holds a PhD in International Relations from NUML, awarded with distinction,…
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Dr Hassam Ahmed Siddiqi
Senior Research Fellow
Dr Hassam Ahmed Siddiqi is a researcher and academic with over ten years of experience in research, policy analysis, strategic communications and programme management. He holds a PhD in International Relations from the National University of Modern Languages (NUML), Islamabad,…
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Dr Muhammad Rehman
Non-Resident Fellow
Dr Muhammad Rehman is a scholar of Governance and Public Policy and a Lecturer in the Department of Arts and Media at Foundation University Islamabad. He holds a PhD in Governance and Public Policy from the National University of Modern…
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Dr Azhar Waqar
Non-Resident Fellow
Dr Azhar Waqar is an academic and researcher currently serving as a Lecturer in the Department of International Relations, Faculty of Contemporary Studies, at the National Defence University (NDU), Islamabad. He previously served as a Lecturer in the Department of…
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