Zainab Akhter

Research Analyst, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Dr. Zainab Akhter contributed a chapter titled “India-Pakistan Cross-LoC Connectivity: Bridging the Gap between Ladakh and Baltistan by Invoking the ‘Balti Culture’”, has been published in the book, ‘Gilgit-Baltistan under Pakistan's Occupation’, edited by Ashish Shukla (KW Publisher, 2021).

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Imran Khan’s overemphasis on further mainstreaming the religious education might result in increased conflict between his government and the opposition and also the civil society in Pakistan.

• Zainab Akhter |
• June 01, 2021 |
• IDSA Comments

Research Analyst, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Dr. Zainab Akhter’s commentary ‘Imran Khan’s Rant on ‘Kashmir’ After Judicial Snub’ has been published by All India Radio (AIR) World Service, an external services division of AIR, on March 25, 2021.

Although, Imran Khan’s clash with the institutions is bad news for democracy, it is good for the establishment. So far as India is concerned, New Delhi has made it clear that Kashmir is India’s internal matter and the onus is on Pakistan to stop cross-border terrorism first. Terror and talks do not go hand in hand. New Delhi’s position has been consistent, credible and cohesive, writes Dr. Akhter.

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Research Analyst, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Dr. Zainab Akhter’s article, ‘India-Pakistan Cross-cultural Connectivity: The Baltis of Ladakh & Baltistan’, has been published in the Journal of Himalayan & Central Asian Studies, (Pages 51-65), Volume 24, Number 4, October-December 2020 Issue.

With the recent creation of Ladakh as a new Union Territory and the opening of the Kartarpur Corridor, the Balti people of Ladakh and Baltistan are hopeful that things might change, writes Dr. Akhter.

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Even as the India-Pakistan ceasefire decision on the LoC is in effect, India has affirmed that there would not be any let-up in its counter-terrorism efforts.

• Zainab Akhter |
• March 12, 2021 |
• IDSA Comments

Research Analyst, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Dr. Zainab Akhter’s commentary ‘Political Shenanigans Continue in Pakistan’ has been published in All India Radio (AIR) World Service, an External Services Division of AIR, on January 05, 2020.

Amid the political brinkmanship, the Imran Khan government, in a rare display of fighting against terrorism; has arrested Zaki-ur-Rahman Lakhvi, one of the masterminds of the 26/11 Mumbai terrorist attacks after 5 years of bail. This is to only to impress the Paris based anti-terror funding watchdog, Financial Action Task Force (FATF); whose plenary is scheduled to take place next month to decide if Pakistan remains in the ‘grey-list’ or is further down-graded to the “black-list, writes Dr. Akhter.

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Research Analyst, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Dr. Zainab Akhter’s article ‘Pakistan Towards A Political Stalemate’ as been published by the All India Radio (AIR) World Service, an external services division of AIR, on November 24, 2020.

Pakistan is moving towards a political impasse. Corona cases in the country are also increasing. It remains to be seen how the military establishment reacts to break the stalemate. Would the Pak army break its vow not to interfere in the country’s politics? This possibility cannot be ruled out!, writes Dr. Akhter.

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Research Analyst, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Dr Zainab Akhter's write up 'Peoples Democratic Movement & FATF: PTI Government In A Fix' has been published by the External Service Division, All India Radio (ESD-AIR), on October 24, 2020.

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) government led by Imran Khan is in a tight spot, writes Dr Akhter.
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Research Analyst, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Dr Zainab Akhter’s commentary ‘Imran Khan’s Illusive Dream of Riyasat-E- Madina’ has been published by All India Radio (AIR) World Service, an external services division of AIR, on September 17, 2020.

Imran Khan had promised to redefine the image of his country with his dream of a ‘Naya Pakistan’, one which is corruption-free. Most importantly, he pledged to turn Pakistan into an Islamic welfare state, one based on the model of the State of Madina and on the guiding principles of the Prophet. With a battered economy, allies leaving his coalition government, internal disputes within the party and the fear of blacklisting by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), the balance sheet of the PTI government on the completion of its the second year in power, certainly does not look encouraging, says Dr. Akhter.

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Research Analyst, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Dr. Zainab Akhter’s article ‘Bajwa’s Saudi Visit: An Attempt To Mend The Fences’ has been published by the All India Radio (AIR) World Service, an External Services Division of AIR, on August 22, 2020.

The recent bickering between Islamabad and Riyadh point to the fact that all is not well between the two nations. Thus, Bajwa’s visit was an attempt to salvage the deteriorating relationship.

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