SVI Team

Dr. Cheema is the former Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences, Meritorious Professor & Chairman, Department of Defence & Strategic Studies (DSS), Quaid-i-Azam University (QAU), Islamabad – Pakistan (2005 – 2008). He also served as Professor / Head of Department of Strategic and Nuclear Studies, Faculty of Contemporary Studies, National Defence University, Islamabad, Pakistan (Feb 2011 – Feb 2012). He was previously Professor and Chairman DSS, QAU (1993 1998).

Dr. Cheema holds a PhD from Department of War Studies, King’s College London (1987-91). He also holds an Advanced Diploma in Peace and Conflict Research from University of Uppsala, Sweden (1994), Masters in International Relations from Quaid-i-Azam University (1978), Islamabad, and Masters in Political Science from Punjab University, Lahore (1971).

Dr. Cheema held four (4) post-doctoral awards: A, (Department of Peace and Conflict Research, Uppsala University, Sweden; B, (Fulbright Fellowship at School of Foreign Service, Georgetown University, Washington D.C., (1995-96); C, (Commonwealth Fellowship at King’s College London (1999-2000); and D, (Quaid-i-Azam / Visiting Fellowship at St. Antony’s College, Oxford University (Jan 2001 – Dec 2004). At the end of last fellowship, he was honoured as Senior Associate Member of St. Antony’s College. His main academic discipline has been Strategic Studies and International Affairs, while focusing on areas of specialization such as: South Asian Security (Traditional and Non-Traditional), regional nuclear proliferation and Arms Control, and Deterrence and Strategic stability.

Dr. Cheema has 35 Years of postgraduate research and teaching experience: 25 years at QAU and 10 years cumulatively at Georgetown University, King’s college London, Antony’s College, Oxford University and 1 year at NDU. The QAU experience also includes 10 years of academic administration such as Dean, Social Sciences, Chairperson DSS, President Research and Publications Cell and In-charge Student Affairs, concurrently with teaching and research.

Dr. Cheema authored a book titled: Indian Nuclear deterrence: Its Evolution, Development and Implications for South Asian Security (Karachi – Oxford, OUP, 2010), pp. 609 and edited another titled: Shifting Dynamics and Emerging Power Equilibrium in South and Central Asia around post – 2014 (Islamabad, SVI, 2014). He has published 35 research papers / book chapters most of which are on South Asia. DR. Cheema participated in 75 international seminars / conferences and presented papers in many of those.

Dr. Cheema has supervised 3 PhD, 16 M. Phil and 20 M.Sc. students on diverse topics, who successfully obtained degrees. He was member HEC’s (Higher Education Commission) Committee of Social Sciences and Humanities in Pakistan, Head of HEC Sub-Committee on the Disciplines of International Relations and Strategic Studies for recommending syllabi and quality Journals. He remained Chairperson Board of Faculty of Social Sciences and Board of Studies of Defence & Strategic Studies. The countries he has visited include: U.K., United States, France, Germany, Italy, Belgium, Holland, Switzerland, Sweden, Denmark, India, Iran, Nepal, Sri Lanka, U.A.E., Oman, Bahrain, and South Korea and Turkey.

Dr. Nasir Hafeez is Director Research at the Strategic Vision Institute, Islamabad. He has been associated with SVI since April 2022. Dr Nasir holds a PhD from Department of International Relations, National Defence University (NDU) Islamabad. He has been associated with SAIS Johns Hopkins University as visiting research associate in south Asian studies center. Has published research papers in research journals and participated in various international/ national seminars / conferences. His research areas are national and international security, nuclear strategy, nuclear diplomacy, Non-proliferation, arms control and disarmament, Discourse analysis, strategic Foresight and scenario planning.

Dr. Iqtidar Hussain is an Associate Director at the Strategic Vision Institute, Islamabad. He has been associated with SVI since April 2022. Dr. Iqtidar Hussain holds a PhD from Department of International Relations and Public Affairs, Shanghai International Studies University (SISU), Shanghai China and Master in Geography from University of Karachi. He has published 09 research papers in international journals. Dr. Iqtidar Hussain participated in 03 international seminars / conferences. His research areas are International Affairs, Peaceful usage of Nuclear Proliferation, Regional Geopolitics, Strategic Studies, Regional Integration and Economic Growth, Pak-China relations, BRI, CPEC, Central Asia and Russia. The countries he has visited include: China, Qatar, and Thailand.

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Ms.Ahyousha Khan is a Associate Director at the Strategic Vision Institute, Islamabad. She has been associated with the SVI since 2017. She completed her M.Phil. in Defense and Strategic Studies, from Quaid e Azam University, Islamabad. Her B.S. hon. is in Defense and Diplomatic Studies from Fatima Jinnah Women University. She completed both B.S. and M.Phil. Degrees with distinctions. She has authored a chapter on “Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Technology and Article IV of the NPT” in an upcoming Book, titled Problems and Prospects of the Non-Proliferation Regime: Pakistani Perspective. She has also presented on the topic of “Nuclear Doctrines in South Asia” at the SVI One Day Capacity Building Workshop on “Nuclear Doctrines, Non-proliferation and Strategic Stability in South Asia.” She has also authored a research paper on “MIRV and BMDS: Nuclear Deterrence in South Asia” in Journal of Security and Strategic Analyses.Her area of Interest are nuclear deterrence, non-proliferation, nuclear doctrines and emerging new technologies. She has been contributing in her areas of interest in newspapers, international blogs, workshops, journals and books.

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Twitter: @yousafzaiZafar5

Mr. Zafar Iqbal Yousafzai is a Research Officer at the Strategic Vision Institute, Islamabad. He has been associated with SVI since January 2021. He holds Masters in Political Science from the University of Peshawar and MPhil from Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad. He is author of the book entitled The Troubled Triangle: US-Pakistan Relations under the Taliban’s Shadow (Routledge: London and New York). He regularly contributes articles and interviews to various national and international newspapers and magazines on his area of interest which includes South Asia, Central Asia, Iran, and great powers involvement in the region.

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Ms. Amber A. Abid is a Research Officer at Strategic Vision Institute Islamabad. She has been associated with the SVI since January 2020. She holds an M.Phil degree in Strategic Studies from National Defence University (NDU), Islamabad. Her M.Phil dissertation was related to the Evolution of Pakistan Nuclear Doctrine. Her research interests include nuclear politics, nuclear deterrence, proliferation and non-proliferation regimes, and changing nuclear strategies in South Asia. She is regularly contributes opinion editorials in local newspapers and national & International blogs.

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Ms. Sher bano is a Research Officer at the Strategic Vision Institute, Islamabad. She is also the Editorial Assistant of the Journal of Security and Strategic Analyses JSSA published by Strategic Vision Institute. She has been associated with the SVI since February 2020.She holds an MSc in International Relations from National Defence University, Islamabad. She has previously worked with NIPS (National Institute of Population Studies) in two projects, PDHS (Pakistan Demographic and Health Survey) 2017-2018 and PMMS (Pakistan Maternal Mortality Survey) 2018-2019.Her areas of interest include are Nuclear, Security and domestic and regional politics of South Asia. She frequently writes on nuclear security, non-proliferation, disarmament and nuclear strategies in South Asia at different international and national blogs, newspapers and magazines.

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Mr. Akash Shah joined Strategic Vision Institute as Research Officer in April 2022. He completed his Bachelors in Social Sciences, major in International Relations, from Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Institute of Science and Technology (SZABIST), Islamabad in March 2021. He is an alumnus of the U.S State Department’s Program on ‘Comparative Public Policy Making’ held primarily at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst in 2019. During his undergrad, he was associated with Global Village Space, a current affairs magazine and online news portal, as a Research Analyst where he contributed news analysis on pertinent developments in the realm of security, military technology, and strategic affairs.

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Hamdan Khan is a Research Officer at Strategic Vision Institute. He is an Alumnus of National Defense University Islamabad and has worked for the Pakistan Council on China (PCC) and the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI). Hamdan studies Global Politics with a focus on Great-Power Politics, Programs and Policies of the Nuclear Weapon States and Emerging Military Technologies.

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Ms.Komal Khan is a Research Officer at the Strategic Vision Institute, Islamabad. She has been associated with the SVI since April 2022. She completed her M.Phil. in International Relations, from National Defence University, Islamabad. Her B.S. hon. is in Political Science from the University of Science and Technology Bannu. She has served as a lecturer in International Relations at the University of Peshawar. She has authored a research paper on Human Insecurity and the Rise of Hindutva. She has also authored research articles on Indo-Pacific security dynamic. Her area of Interest are Regional Security Dynamics in Asia-Pacific, National and International Security, Nuclear Safety and Security, and Great-Power Competition. She has been contributing in her areas of interest in newspapers, international blogs, workshops, journals and books.

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Ms. Zukhruf Amin is a Research Assistant at the Strategic Vision Institute, Islamabad. She has been associated with SVI since April 2022. She holds an MPhil degree in Peace and Conflict Studies and a Master’s in International Relations from National Defence University, Islamabad. Her area of interest include South Asian nuclear politics, Pakistan-India security issues, and non-proliferation. She regularly contributes to international and national publication platforms.

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Mr. Ross Masood Husain was born in Pune, India. Educated at Karachi, Oxford and London, he is currently a Consultant in International Affairs and International Law, with specialization in the fields of Air and Space Laws.

Mr. Husain joined Civil Services of Pakistan (CSP) in 1951, and has put in over 50 years of service / practice in the fields of Public Administration, International Law, Diplomacy and Strategic Policy Planning, including senior assignments with the Government of Pakistan and various International Organizations. He is Founder/Director/Governor/Adviser/Professor of the Boards and Faculties of several Governmental/Non-governmental organizations, Civil and Military Institutions, Universities, Area study centers, Foundations, and Research Institutions at home and abroad. He founded the Institute of Strategic Studies in 1973 and served as its first Director General from 1973-1976, and again in 1989-1990. He is Resident Representative for South Asia of the Institute for the Study of Indo-Pakistan Relations, University of Leicester, Leicester, United Kingdom.

Mr. Husain has travelled extensively around the world and can read/write/speak fluently in Urdu, Hindi, English, Spanish and all the regional languages of Pakistan. He has also written extensively on a variety of issues, and has numerous publications to his credit.

Dr. Cheema is the former Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences, Meritorious Professor & Chairman, Department of Defence & Strategic Studies (DSS), Quaid-i-Azam University (QAU), Islamabad – Pakistan (2005 – 2008). He also served as Professor / Head of Department of Strategic and Nuclear Studies, Faculty of Contemporary Studies, National Defence University, Islamabad, Pakistan (Feb 2011 – Feb 2012). He was previously Professor and Chairman DSS, QAU (1993 1998).

Dr. Cheema holds a PhD from Department of War Studies, King’s College London (1987-91). He also holds an Advanced Diploma in Peace and Conflict Research from University of Uppsala, Sweden (1994), Masters in International Relations from Quaid-i-Azam University (1978), Islamabad, and Masters in Political Science from Punjab University, Lahore (1971).

Dr. Cheema held four (4) post-doctoral awards: A, (Department of Peace and Conflict Research, Uppsala University, Sweden; B, (Fulbright Fellowship at School of Foreign Service, Georgetown University, Washington D.C., (1995-96); C, (Commonwealth Fellowship at King’s College London (1999-2000); and D, (Quaid-i-Azam / Visiting Fellowship at St. Antony’s College, Oxford University (Jan 2001 – Dec 2004). At the end of last fellowship, he was honoured as Senior Associate Member of St. Antony’s College. His main academic discipline has been Strategic Studies and International Affairs, while focusing on areas of specialization such as: South Asian Security (Traditional and Non-Traditional), regional nuclear proliferation and Arms Control, and Deterrence and Strategic stability.

Dr. Cheema has 35 Years of postgraduate research and teaching experience: 25 years at QAU and 10 years cumulatively at Georgetown University, King’s college London, Antony’s College, Oxford University and 1 year at NDU. The QAU experience also includes 10 years of academic administration such as Dean, Social Sciences, Chairperson DSS, President Research and Publications Cell and In-charge Student Affairs, concurrently with teaching and research.

Dr. Cheema authored a book titled: Indian Nuclear deterrence: Its Evolution, Development and Implications for South Asian Security (Karachi – Oxford, OUP, 2010), pp. 609 and edited another titled: Shifting Dynamics and Emerging Power Equilibrium in South and Central Asia around post – 2014 (Islamabad, SVI, 2014). He has published 35 research papers / book chapters most of which are on South Asia. DR. Cheema participated in 75 international seminars / conferences and presented papers in many of those.

Dr. Cheema has supervised 3 PhD, 16 M. Phil and 20 M.Sc. students on diverse topics, who successfully obtained degrees. He was member HEC’s (Higher Education Commission) Committee of Social Sciences and Humanities in Pakistan, Head of HEC Sub-Committee on the Disciplines of International Relations and Strategic Studies for recommending syllabi and quality Journals. He remained Chairperson Board of Faculty of Social Sciences and Board of Studies of Defence & Strategic Studies. The countries he has visited include: U.K., United States, France, Germany, Italy, Belgium, Holland, Switzerland, Sweden, Denmark, India, Iran, Nepal, Sri Lanka, U.A.E., Oman, Bahrain, and South Korea and Turkey.

He is a former Secretary defence Production, Ministry of Defence Pakistan. He holds a Masters Degree in War Studies from National Defence University, Pakistan, as well as a Masters in Defence Administration from Cranfield University, UK.Gen Owais gained commission in Pakistan army in 1974 in Army Air Defence. During his forty years in the army, he held various important command, staff and instructional assignments. In addition to military engagements, he also served as the deputy chief of staff to the President of Pakistan where he was involved in strategic policy matters pertaining to defence and foreign affairs. He recently as a three-star general.

He is currently Advisor, Strategic Plans Division, Government of Pakistan. He has served as Pakistan’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations and other International Organizations in Geneva from 2008 till 2015. Previously, he has held various diplomatic assignments in Pakistan Missions abroad, these include; Washington, Moscow, New Delhi, and Nepal. He has dealt with key issues including Afghanistan, Nuclear non-proliferation, arms controls and disarmament, UN reforms, human rights, and counter-terrorism in his career. He holds a Master’s Degree in International Relations from the London School of Economics and Political Science. He has also served as the Honorary Dean of the Geneva School of Diplomacy during 2010, where he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate.

He is currently serving as a Director ORIC, National Defence University, Islamabad. He has over thirty years of experience in the field of research and analysis in different institutions and universities in the field of nuclear, defence, security, conflict, and diplomatic affairs. He has been a Visiting Fellow, Islamabad Policy Research Institute and a Visiting Faculty, Department of Defence and Strategic Studies, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad. He is a former Senior Analyst, Ministry of Defence, Pakistan, and Professor and Head of the Department of Strategic Studies at the National Defence University, Islamabad, Pakistan. He is author of the book titled Nuclear Pakistan: Strategic Dimensions Published by Oxford University Press in 2011.

She is Advisor, COMSATS Secretariat, Islamabad. Amb. (R) Fauzia Nasreen entered the Foreign Service of Pakistan in 1973. She rose to become Ambassador to Nepal, Poland, and the Czech Republic, and High Commissioner to Australia and Fiji. Having held high-level positions within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Nasreen was the first female diplomat to reach the highest grade. She also served as Director-General of the Foreign Service Academy—an institution that trains young diplomats from Pakistan and abroad. Ambassador Nasreen’s academic grounding is in defense and strategic studies. Since she retired from the diplomatic service, she has taught as visiting faculty at various universities including Pakistan’s National Defence University, the National University of Modern Languages, and Fatima Jinnah Women University. She was a visiting fellow at Queen Elizabeth House, Oxford University. In collaboration with the US Agency for International Development, she was an expert resource for gender-related workshops organized by Lahore University of Management Sciences. Among her decorations is the Commander’s Cross of the Order of Merit, which she was awarded by the government of Poland.

He is a Professor at the School of Politics and International Relations, Quaid-I-Azam University, Islamabad, where he teaches various aspects of International Political and Defense Affairs; Nuclear/Missile Proliferation; National Security, Pakistan’s Foreign & Strategic affairs, etc. He is also a lead researcher of the Program in Domestic and International Security Communication (DISC) at the School. He holds a Ph.D. and M. Phil in International Relations and M.A. in Political Science. He did advance Post Graduate Certificate courses in Peace and Conflict Studies, from European Peace University, Austria; Peace Research, International Relations and Foreign Policy Analysis from Oslo University, Norway. He also did the CMC Training Course/ Cooperative Monitoring from Sandia National Laboratories, New Mexico, US. Dr. Jaspal is a widely published scholar with more than 110 academic research papers, monographs, and chapters in edited volumes published in Pakistan and overseas. He participated as a speaker in more than 250 National and International Seminars/ Conferences/Workshops/Group meetings etc. He is the author of book titled India’s Surgical Strike Stratagem, Brinksmanship and Response Published by Khursheed Printers (Pvt) Ltd in 2019.

He is a former Defence Minister Government of Pakistan. He was commissioned in the Corps of Engineers and rose to command a Corps, after going through all the important command, staff, and instructional assignments, including the important appointments of Directing Staff at National Defence University. Islamabad, Commander Corps Engineers, Director General Engineering Directorate, Director General Staff Duties Directorate, General Officer Commanding Bahawalpur, General Headquarters Rawalpindi, and Corps Commander Bahawalpur. On account of his distinguished military service, he has been conferred the award of Hilal-e-Imtiaz. He had a short stint as Secretary Defence as well before he was appointed Managing Director and Chief Executive of Fauji Fertilizer Company. He is a qualified civil engineer and had a Master’s Degree in War Studies and International Relations. He is a famous defense commentator and appears as a defence Analyst at different TV Channels.

He has held various important assignments during his military career such as Commander Infantry brigade in Azad Kashmir between 1998-2000, Chief of Staff, Army Strategic Force Command in 2000-2001, Director Operations and Plans at Strategic Plans Division in 2003-04, Commander Infantry Division from 2004 to 2006, DG National Accountability Bureau Punjab in 2006-07, and DG Operations and Plans at Joint Staff Headquarters in 2008-09. Since retirement Maj Gen (R) Qasim Qureshi has been involved in various Track 2 initiatives including Pakistan-US Strategic Dialogue, Ottawa Dialogue – exploring new nuclear CBMs between India and Pakistan, and India-Pakistan Military to Military Dialogue – exploring conventional CMBs between India and Pakistan. The Government of Pakistan has conferred the second-highest civilian award of Pakistan “Hilal-i-Imtiaz (Military)” to Major General (R) Qasim Qureshi for his distinguished services. Major General (R) Qasim Qureshi is also a recipient of Sitara-i-Esaar.

Qualification: BS Software Engineering from NUML Islamabad.

Experience: Having 4 years of experience in several domains of IT, ranging from Network Administration to System Administration and from Virtualization to Web Application Development.

Certifications:

• CCNA R&S (Training)
• CCNA Security (Training)
• Web Development

International Publications: “Security and Privacy Techniques and Their Solutions in Big Data”.

He has been associated with SVI since January 2021.

Qualification: MSc Commerce, ICMAP One Year Post Graduate in Accounting.

Experience: He holds more than 10 years’ experience of managing accounts, finance, audit and procurement and providing general administrative and logistic support in various NGOs funded by the International donors.

He has been associated  with SVI since April 2019.