Zainab Akhter

He worked at Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses.

Publication

SAV Explainer: People’s Movement for 6th Schedule for Ladakh

Research Analyst, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Dr Zainab Akhter’s article ‘SAV Explainer: People’s Movement for 6th Schedule for Ladakh’ was published in South Asian Voices, on 22 March 2024.

In a region strife with political and religious divides, it is notable that the Kargil and Leh districts have joined forces in their demand for the 6th Schedule. In this case, no middle ground will work. The government should revisit its decision and administer Ladakh into the 6th Schedule to safeguard tribal culture and the ecologically sensitive region from unnecessary development, says Dr Akhter.

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From Wheat Subsidy to Greater Autonomy: ‘Chalo Gilgit’ Movement Raging on by Zainab Akhter

February 05, 2024

Research Analyst, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Dr Zainab Akhter’s article ‘From Wheat Subsidy to Greater Autonomy: ‘Chalo Gilgit’ Movement Raging on’ has been published by International Centre for Peace Studies, on 05 February 2024.

The Chalo Gilgit movement is catching the attention of the people and popular sentiments are hardening in favour of meeting all the 15 demands they are making on the State, says Dr Akhter.

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PTI’s Hobbled Race for election 2024: The Fight for Survival

Research Analyst, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Dr Zainab Akhter’s article ‘PTI’s Hobbled Race for election 2024: The Fight for Survival’ has been published by the International Centre for Peace Studies, on 30 January 2024.

There is no political future for the PTI and its chief Imran Khan in the upcoming general elections. There is no way Imran Khan can come out of jail before the election, even if ironically, his popularity has increased since the time he was put behind jails and being tried in more than two hundred cases. At the same time, although the road is all clear for Nawaz Sharif to be the next Prime Minister of Pakistan, experts believe that despite having what many perceive to be behind-the-scenes support from the powers to be, it may not be all smooth sailing for Mr. Sharif, due to the PTI factor, says Dr Akhter.

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The Politics of ‘Wheat-Subsidy’ in Gilgit-Baltistan

December 15, 2023

Research Analyst, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Dr Zainab Akhter’s commentary ‘The Politics of “Wheat-Subsidy” in Gilgit-Baltistan’ has been published by the International Centre for Peace Studies on 15 December 2023.

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Climate Change & the Himalayas: Time for a new Sustainable Tourism Strategy?

Research Assistant, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Dr Zainab Akhter’s article ‘Climate Change & the Himalayas: Time for a New Sustainable Tourism Strategy’ has been published in the Sunday Special of Rising Kashmir, on 27 August 2023.

The need of the hour is a revised climate policy or a sustainable tourism strategy for the mountain regions, which must impose strict limits on a number of visitors, provide universal basic income to the local population, and invest in ecological restoration. Bhutan-style policy needs to be adopted or these areas will be destroyed, says Dr Akhter.

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The Pashtuns: A Contested History

Research Assistant, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Dr Zainab Akhter’s review of Tilak Devasher’s book ‘The Pashtuns: A Contested History’ has been published in Rising Kashmir Newspaper on 30 April 2023.

Assessing the Human Impact of the India-China Border Dispute

Research Analyst, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Dr Zainab Akhter’s article ‘Assessing the Human Impact of the India-China Border Dispute’ has been published by South Asian Voices (SAV) on 24 October 2022.

Despite assurances by both governments and many rounds of disengagement talks, the LAC remains tense and the stalemate continues, adversely affecting the livelihoods of border dwellers and herders along the border, says Dr Akhter.

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