PIPS team

Muhammad Amir Rana
amir@pakpips.com
President (Pak Institute for Peace Studies)

A distinguished Pakistani scholar, Muhammad Amir Rana blends analysis and creativity. As a political economy and security analyst, he has contributed five globally acknowledged books. For over 15 years, his insightful op-eds in Dawn,Pakistan’s leading English daily, have informed readers. A novelist and short story writer, Rana showcases his storytelling prowess as well.
Rana co-founded the Islamabad-based Pak Institute for Peace Studies (PIPS) in 2006 and currently serves as its president.His expertise extends beyond PIPS, evidenced by his fellowships at the Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies in Singapore and the Australian National University Canberra. He has also lectured at various universities and security institutes worldwide.
Rana’s versatility shines not only in his fiction. His insightful analyses grace the pages of national and international journals, solidifying his reputation. A sought-after expert in electronic media, he effectively communicates complex ideas to a wide audience. As editor of PIPS’ research journal “Conflict and Peace Studies” and the Pakistan Annual Security Report, Rana plays a pivotal role in shaping the discourse on critical issues. A unique figure, Muhammad Amir Rana seamlessly integrates scholarly research, public discourse, and imaginative storytelling, leaving his audience captivated and enlightened.

Safdar Hussain
safdar@pakpips.com
Managing Director

Safdar Hussain, nom de plume Safdar Sial, has been working with the Pak Institute for Peace Studies as a research analyst since March 2007. He holds a master’s degree in political science. His work focuses on conflict, insecurity, and violence in Pakistan and Afghanistan; regional political, strategic and security issues; and media and governance. He has published extensively in national and international journals and is a co-author of “Dynamics of Taliban Insurgency in FATA,” and “Radicalization in Pakistan” and editor of “Critical Ideologies: A Debate on Takfeer and Khurooj”. He is also the associate editor of PIPS research journal “Conflict and Peace Studies.”

Abdul Qayyum
qayyum@pakpips.com
Joint Director

Abdul Qayyum has been working with Pak Institute for Peace Studies since 2020 as Admin & Finance Manager. He holds master’s degrees in commerce and economics. Previously, he worked as Manager Finance and Administration with Punjab Commission on the Status of Women-PCSW, Govt. of the Punjab. His areas of expertise are financial management and administration.

Hazrat Bilal
bilal@pakpips.com
Project Coordinator (IT & Event Management)

In his role as IT & Event Manager, Hazrat Bilal is tasked at PIPS with project execution and IT management roles across multiple domains. This includes supervising IT-related project components and coordinating multifaceted team activities to ensure seamless collaboration and synchronisation across different project areas. Furthermore, he plays a critical role in fostering cohesive teamwork and efficient task execution, transcending IT boundaries to ensure overall project success.

Imran Mukhtar
imran@pakpips.com
Media Coordinator

Imran Mukhtar is a journalist and researcher, and works as Media Coordinator at PIPS. He has over 15 years of experience of reporting and field work in the journalism and development sector. He holds a master’s degree in mass communication with specialization in ‘print media and mass communication theory.’ He is also the alumni of ‘2012 US General Election Embed Program’ and ‘US-Pakistan Professional Partnership Program in Journalism.’
Imran has reported on diverse areas including security, politics, human rights, migration, governance and climate change. His work has appeared extensively in a number of local and international media outlets including the Thomson Reuters Foundation (TRF), The Times, The New Humanitarian, The Guardian and the D+C (Development and Cooperation).

Waqas Ahmed
waqas@pakpips.com
Account Officer

Waqas Ahmed is an account officer at PIPS. He has master’s degree in commerce. At PIPS, he deals with financial analysis, auditing, and regulatory compliance, besides maintaining financial records.