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RESEARCH, POLICY ANALYSIS, AND STRATEGIC ENGAGEMENT

FOUNDERS & CEO

Mr. Shahid Hayat

Founding Director & CEO

Mr. Shahid Hayat leads the organization’s vision of advancing rigorous research and strategic dialogue

Mr. Shahid Hayat

Founding Director & CEO

Mr. Shahid Hayat leads the organization’s vision of advancing rigorous research and strategic dialogue on global affairs, security, and emerging geopolitical challenges. His work focuses on fostering policy-oriented scholarship, strengthening academic and institutional collaboration, and creating platforms that empower the next generation of researchers and strategic thinkers.

Phone:+92-329-9409552
Email:info@theisi.org.pk

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Air Cdre Raza Haider (Retd)

Board of Directors

Air Cdre Raza is a former Director at the think tank Centre of Aerospace and Security Studies (CASS),

Air Cdre Raza Haider (Retd)

Board of Directors

Air Cdre Raza is a former Director at the think tank Centre of Aerospace and Security Studies (CASS), Islamabad and currently serving as an instructor in National Defence University (NDU), Islamabad. An experienced Aerospace Engineer with an M-Phil in Strategic Studies and a PHD scholar of International Relations (IR), his area of research revolves around the fusion of emerging technologies with Security, Future Warfare, International Relations and Techno-Politics. He brings decades of emerging technologies experience including five years in China Aviation Industry. He is a recipient of Sitara-i-Imtiaz from Pakistan Air Force and a Gold Medal from NDU on his commendable performance. He is a prolific writer, speaker and contributing regularly to various magazines, media and newspapers. An experienced Aerospace Engineer with an M-Phil in Strategic Studies and a PHD scholar of International Relations (IR), his area of research revolves around the fusion of emerging technologies with Security, Future Warfare, International Relations and Techno-Politics. He brings decades of emerging technologies experience including five years in China Aviation Industry. He is a recipient of Sitara-i-Imtiaz from Pakistan Air Force and a Gold Medal from NDU on his commendable performance. He is a prolific writer, speaker and contributing regularly to various magazines, media and newspapers

Phone:+92-329-9409552
Email:info@theisi.org.pk

BOARD OF ADVISORS

Prof. Dr. Adam Saud

Senior Advisor

Professor of International Relations, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences Bahria University, Islamabad.

Prof. Dr. Adam Saud

Senior Advisor

I’m co-editor of the book “China’s Globalisation and the New World Order” published by Springer in year 2025. I have over 20 years of academic experience at undergraduate, postgraduate and PhD levels. Besides teaching and research supervision, I also served as the Dean of Social Sciences Faculty from June 2020-January 2026, Principal Bahria Humanities and Social Sciences School, Head of Department, Humanities and Social Sciences, Coordinator Quality Assurance, and Head of IR Program at Bahria University. I was the In-charge Students Affairs at the Department of Political Science, Government Postgraduate College, No.1. Abbottabad. I am HEC approved supervisor and the member of HEC National Curriculum Review Committee on International Relations. I am a member of the Board of Governors for Area Study Center, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad. I’m the core member of the Working Group on Countering Violent Extremism under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. I’m a member of the advisory board of a few research journals and reviewer of several international and national journals. I’m also core member and Secretary of Pakistan Society for International Studies. I have served as international observer for Uzbekistan presidential elections in 2021. I have published 46 articles in reputed international and national journals, and presented in 42 international and national conferences.

Phone:+92-329-9409552
Email:info@theisi.org.pk

Editorial Board

Dr. M. Farhan Khan Abbasi

Chief Editor

Dr. Muhammad Farhan Abbasi is an academic, researcher, policy professional, and media

Dr. M. Farhan Khan Abbasi

Chief Editor

Dr. Muhammad Farhan Abbasi is an academic, researcher, policy professional, and media analyst with expertise in international relations, political economy, public policy, governance, and education. He has contributed extensively to academic development, youth mentorship, and institutional capacity-building through your leadership, teaching, training, and research initiatives. He is associated with FARI Group (Farhan Abbasi Research Institute) as founding director and the Executive Coaching Centre, where you have played an active role in student mentoring, policy discussions, and professional training programs, particularly for CSS/PMS aspirants and young researchers. In addition to his academic and policy work, he also serves as an analyst at 92 News, where you provide commentary and analysis on national and international affairs. Alongside his professional engagements, he has remained involved in social welfare and community development initiatives focusing on education, social justice, women’s empowerment, and youth development.

Phone:+92-329-9409552
Email:info@theisi.org.pk

Dr. Abdul Rauf Iqbal

Senior Editor

Dr. Abdul Rauf Iqbal is serving as a Senior Research Scholar at the Institute for Strategic Studies, Research & Analysis (ISSRA),

Dr. Abdul Rauf Iqbal

Senior Editor

Dr. Abdul Rauf Iqbal is serving as a Senior Research Scholar at the Institute for Strategic Studies, Research & Analysis (ISSRA), National Defence University (NDU), Islamabad, with over seventeen years of progressive experience in academic and policy research. He holds a PhD in Peace and Conflict Studies, and has published sixteen peer-reviewed research articles with more than a hundred citations, focusing primarily on geopolitics, hydropolitics, environmental conflict dynamics, internal conflict management, and transregional security issues of South Asia. He has also contributed as Assistant Editor of ISSRA Papers, Margalla Papers, and NDU Journal and later as the Editor of ISSRA Papers and NDU Journal. He also teaches undergraduate and graduate level courses and supervises MS-level military students. He has co-organized major national and international workshops, written policy papers for Pakistan's policy circles, and participated in reputed national and international security programs. He is a graduate of Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, George C. Marshall European Centre for Security Studies, Germany and NDU, Pakistan.

Phone:+92-329-9409552
Email:info@theisi.org.pk

Executive Leadership

Ms. Munaza Zainab

Operations Supervisor

Munaza Zainab is lead operations supervisor at Indus Strategic Institute - ISI and Strategic Studies student

Ms. Munaza Zainab

Operations Supervisor

Munaza Zainab is lead operations supervisor at Indus Strategic Institute - ISI and Strategic Studies student at the National Defence University, Islamabad. Her research focuses on national and regional security, strategic stability, and South Asian geopolitics. Her undergraduate thesis, “India’s Limited War Doctrine and Controlled Escalation: Implications for Strategic Stability in South Asia,” examines Indian military doctrines, escalation dynamics, and their impact on regional deterrence. She has experience in strategic research, policy analysis, and studying contemporary security challenges, including terrorism, information, and psychological warfare.

Phone:+92-329-9409552
Email:info@theisi.org.pk

Muhammad Izhar Alam

Research Associate

Muhammad Izhar Alam Mphil History Quaid-e-Azam University

Muhammad Izhar Alam

Research Associate

Muhammad Izhar Alam Mphil History Quaid-e-Azam University

Phone:+92-329-9409552
Email:info@theisi.org.pk

Ms. Anfal Zahra

Fellow Researcher

Anfal Zahra, BS International Relations student at National Defence University, Islamabad. Her academic and research

Ms. Anfal Zahra

Fellow Researcher

Anfal Zahra, BS International Relations student at National Defence University, Islamabad. Her academic and research interests include geopolitics, foreign policy analysis, international security, and emerging global challenges. She is particularly interested in examining regional dynamics, great power competition, and contemporary issues in global governance and diplomacy.

Phone:+92-329-9409552
Email:info@theisi.org.pk

Ms. Amna Zahid

Fellow Researcher

Amna Zahid, International Relations student at National Defence University. She has strong interest in peacebuilding

Ms. Amna Zahid

Fellow Researcher

Amna Zahid, International Relations student at National Defence University. She has strong interest in peacebuilding, conflict management, human rights, diplomacy, and global political affairs. she enjoys research, critical thinking, and analyzing political and security issues from different perspectives.

Phone:+92-329-9409552
Email:info@theisi.org.pk

Ms.Fatima Altaf

Fellow Researcher

Fatima Altaf, International Relations student at National Defence University with a strong interest in international relations

Ms.Fatima Altaf

Fellow Researcher

Fatima Altaf, International Relations student at National Defence University with a strong interest in international relations, governance, peacebuilding, and security studies. Her areas of focus include political analysis, conflict and peace studies, and regional security issues.

Phone:+92-329-9409552
Email:info@theisi.org.pk

IT Support

Nabila Mughal

Research Executive

Nabila Mughal is the CEO of (EEE) and proudly holds the title of Pakistan’s First Awarded Freelancer,

Nabila Mughal

Research Executive

Nabila Mughal, the proud CEO of Empower Edge Enterprise (EEE) — a platform dedicated to digital empowerment and startup growth in Pakistan. I hold the honor of being Pakistan’s First Awarded Freelancer, recognized by the Ministry of IT, and have achieved multiple national recognitions for my work in tech and freelancing. I’m also a motivational speaker, as well as a tech and startup mentor, passionate about helping individuals — especially women and youth — realize their potential in the digital economy. Excited to connect, collaborate, and contribute! Web: https://empoweredgeenterprise.com/

Phone:+92-329-9409552
Email:info@theisi.org.pk

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Analysis. Publications. Dialogues. Advisory

RESEARCH, POLICY ANALYSIS, AND STRATEGIC ENGAGEMENT

FOUNDERS & CEO

Mr. Shahid Hayat

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Air Cdre Raza Haider (Retd)

BOARD OF ADVISORS

Prof. Dr. Adam Saud

Editorial Board

Dr. M. Farhan Khan Abbasi

Dr. Abdul Rauf Iqbal

Executive Leadership

Ms. Munaza Zainab

Muhammad Izhar Alam

Ms. Anfal Zahra

Ms. Amna Zahid

Ms.Fatima Altaf

IT Support

Nabila Mughal

Let’s Work Together

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