Ashish Shukla

Pakistan is passing through one of the most difficult periods in its history. There appears to be no easy solution with regard to the multifaceted crisis in which the nation finds itself entangled. The societal fabric is being torn apart along ethno-linguistic and politico-religious lines. Prominent state institutions no longer follow the constitutional rulebook and often overstep to violate the established system of checks and balances. Some home-grown radical Islamic and religious extremist outfits are threatening to overthrow the existing state apparatus to establish an Afghan Taliban-style emirate in the country. Against this background, the present study identifies and analyses five distinct fault lines in the country that Pakistan has miserably failed to manage effectively. The study offers an in-depth analysis of the existing and emerging fault lines and contextualises them in light of recent developments in the country.

• Ashish Shukla |
• 2026 |
• Monograph

Associate Fellow, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Dr Ashish Shukla’s article ‘The Pak-Afghan Border Clashes: Fallout of Unrealistic Expectations?’ has been published by the International Centre for Peace Studies on 16 October 2025 The recent clashes indicate Pakistan’s growing frustration with the Taliban arising primarily out of its unmet expectations and recent bonhomie in India-Afghanistan relations. Given the history of instability and violence in the region, it is not a good sign that Pakistan has picked up a fight with Afghanistan at a time when the important international capitals including Russia, China and India are engaging the country with a view to facilitating peace, stability and economic development in the war torn country, says Dr Shukla. Read Complete Article [+] Disclaimer: The views expressed by the author are personal and do not in any way reflect the views of MP-IDSA or the Government of India.

Pakistan–Bangladesh bilateral relations may be witnessing some warmth due to Bangladesh's changed domestic political situation, but the ghost of 1971 still casts a shadow.

• Ashish Shukla |
• September 01, 2025 |
• IDSA Comments

With the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government on 5 August 2024, a newfound warmth in Pakistan–Bangladesh relations has come to the fore. On 7 August 2024, Pakistan issued a statement expressing solidarity with the people of Bangladesh (Momand Citation2024). Pakistanis who had once termed the separation of East Pakistan as ‘good riddance’ have suddenly become euphoric. There is a sudden spurt in interaction among diplomats, politicians and military officials and reported flow of even ammunitions and other defence material, suggesting the growing level of trust between the two countries.

• Ashish Shukla |
• January-February 2025 |
• Strategic Analysis

Associate Fellow, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Dr Ashish Shukla’s commentary ‘The Fragility of Cessation of Hostilities between India and Pakistan’ has been published by the International Centre for Peace Studies (ICPS) on 28 May 2025.

Given the history and nature of Pakistani state, the cessation of hostility between India and Pakistan appears to be fragile and could only become permanent if Pakistan mends its ways. It remains to be seen if Pakistan and more particularly its security establishment is ready to learn a fruitful lesson out of this crisis, says Dr Shukla.

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Associate Fellow, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Dr Ashish Shukla’s piece ‘Army Crafting Pakistan's Narrative: Re-establishing Grip on a Fractured Country’ has been published by the International Centre for Peace Studies (ICPS), New Delhi, on 28 April 2025.

The security establishment in Pakistan has long demonstrated a knack for transforming unfavourable circumstances into opportunities to consolidate its influence within the country. True to form, it appears to have mobilized once again, leveraging the current crisis as a strategic opening, says Dr Shukla.

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The Jaffar Express hijack has exposed the fact that as far as Balochistan is concerned, the writ of the Pakistani State has shrunk.

• Ashish Shukla |
• March 19, 2025 |
• IDSA Comments

Associate Fellow, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Dr Ashish Shukla’s article ‘Micromanagement of Politics in Pakistan’ has been published in the Journal of Peace Studies Vol. 31, Issue 3-4, July-December 2024.

Given the history of volatility and the present state of affairs in Pakistan, it would not be an exaggeration to say that political instability has somewhat become a permanent feature of Pakistani polity, says Dr Shukla.

पाकिस्तान में सरकार और संस्थाएं कुर्रम में जारी हिंसा के मूल कारणों की पहचान करने और उनके समाधान के लिए जरुरी प्रयास करने में पूरी तरह विफल रहे हैं|

• Ashish Shukla |
• December 05, 2024 |
• IDSA Comments

बांग्लादेश में शेख हसीना की सत्ता से बेदखली के एक महीने पूरे होने के बाद भी अंतरिम सरकार देश में वृहद सुधारों का रोडमैप प्रस्तुत करने में विफल रही है|

• Ashish Shukla |
• September 09, 2024 |
• IDSA Comments