An Academic Way towards Peace, Progress and Prosperity
January 16, 2025
With the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan, there is renewed optimism for increased trade between Afghanistan and Iran. The two neighboring countries share a long border and have had trade relations for centuries. However, these relations have been hampered by various factors, including US sanctions, security concerns, and logistical challenges. This essay examines the
READ MOREAs of April 2023, Iran remains on the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) blacklist, while Pakistan has recently been removed from the greylist in October 2022. Meanwhile, Afghanistan, despite criticism of its theocratic government, has not been placed on either list. Some have attributed Pakistan’s removal from the greylist to its ousting of Imran Khan,
READ MOREInequality remains a pervasive challenge in many countries, including Iran, Pakistan, and Afghanistan. While these countries have made some progress in reducing poverty and improving human development, significant disparities remain. To address these challenges, this essay examines policy recommendations to reduce inequalities and promote more inclusive economic and social development. Investing in Education and Healthcare
READ MOREWritten by Maryam Habib and Dr. Muhammad Asim In recent years, the importance of sustainable development has become increasingly recognized worldwide. As countries strive to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), new strategies and approaches are being developed to promote sustainable development in different regions of the world. One such approach is the
READ MOREWritten by Dr. Muhammad Asim According to the SDG Index and Dashboards Report 2021, Iran, Pakistan, and Afghanistan have scored poorly in terms of SDG 16 “Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions”. The report highlights Iran’s ranking at 110th, Pakistan at 134th, and Afghanistan at 163rd out of 165 countries. While scholars and experts criticize the
READ MOREAssistant Report Writers: Eman Abdur-Raheem and Sharjeel Ali Kamil Head Reporter and Content Analysis: Maryam Habib According to the SDG Index and Dashboards Report 2021, Iran and Pakistan have made significant progress towards achieving SDG 15 “Life on land” by implementing policies and programs to protect and restore ecosystems, combat desertification, and prevent biodiversity loss.
READ MOREReporting and Written by Maryam Habib As a landlocked country, Afghanistan faces unique challenges in fulfilling Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14. However, the country has several rivers and lakes, such as the Amu Darya, Hari Rud, and Band-e Amir National Park, which are important freshwater resources and can contribute to achieving some of the targets
READ MOREClimate change is impacting Iran, Pakistan, and Afghanistan in various ways, with water scarcity, droughts, floods, and extreme weather conditions being some of the most significant effects. According to recent reports, these three countries are located in a region that is highly vulnerable to climate change impacts, known as the Middle East and South Asia.
READ MOREWritten by Maryam Habib and Dr. Muhammad Asim Abstract The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Global Index shows that Iran has a better score in SDG 12 for Responsible Consumption and Production compared to Pakistan and Afghanistan. This paper examines the progress of these three countries in achieving SDG 12 and identifies policies and initiatives that
READ MOREWritten by Maryam Habib and Dr. Muhammad Asim IntroductionSustainable Development Goal 11 aims to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. Achieving this goal requires significant efforts from governments and other stakeholders to improve urban infrastructure, access to basic services, and disaster preparedness. To assess the progress of Iran, Pakistan, and Afghanistan
READ MOREWritten by Maryam Habib and Dr. Muhammad Asim Introduction Inequalities in income, education, health, and other social indicators continue to persist across countries, hindering the progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Among the SDGs, Goal 10 emphasizes reducing inequalities within and among countries. In this essay, we will examine the Inequality Index and
READ MOREWritten by Maryam Habib and Dr. Muhammad Asim The study examined the current ratings of Afghanistan, Iran, and Pakistan in achieving the targets of SDG 9, which focuses on building resilient infrastructure, promoting sustainable industrialization, and fostering innovation. Through the use of various scientific development indexes, including the Global Innovation Index, the World Economic Forum’s
READ MOREWritten by Maryam Habib and Dr. Muhammad Asim IntroductionSustainable Development Goal 8 (SDG 8) aims to promote sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all. However, achieving these targets remains a significant challenge for many countries, including Iran, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. This comparative analysis will examine the progress
READ MOREWritten by Maryam Habib and Dr. Muhammad Asim Introduction The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a comprehensive set of 17 targets aimed at eradicating poverty, ensuring sustainable development, and promoting social, economic, and environmental well-being worldwide. Afghanistan, Iran, and Pakistan, three neighboring countries sharing a common border at the Tri-borderland, face multiple challenges in achieving
READ MOREWritten by Dr. Muhammad Asim Afghanistan has undergone significant political changes since the Taliban takeover on August 15, 2021. Despite the international community’s concerns regarding human rights violations and theocratic tendencies of the new regime, Afghanistan’s foreign policy towards its neighboring countries remains lenient, particularly towards Iran, Russia, China, and other Central Asian republics, through
READ MOREWritten by Niazmand Khan and Muhammad Asim Pakistan is a diverse country, home to many ethnic and religious groups. However, this diversity has often been a source of tension and conflict. During his time in power, General Pervez Musharraf recognized the need to address the root causes of ethnic tensions in Pakistan and took steps
READ MOREAnalyzed and Discussed by Dr. Muhammad Asim IntroductionIn ethnically divided states like Pakistan, Iran, and Afghanistan, differentiating between political parties and interest groups can be challenging, as both entities may have overlapping or conflicting interests related to ethnic identity and representation. In such a context, political parties may be legally organized along ethnic lines, use
READ MOREWritten by Maryam Habib and Dr. Muhammad Asim Afghanistan has been a country where women have been facing gender discrimination for years. The ban on women for higher education has become a significant trait of the Afghan government, forcing women to flee to neighboring countries such as Pakistan and Iran. However, there is hope for
READ MOREWritten by Maryam Habib (Director Islamabad Institute for Inter-faith Harmony and Public Life, Islamabad) AbstractGender discrimination and women empowerment are two important phenomena that are currently shaping the social, political, and economic landscape of Pakistan. While some parts of the country have made significant progress towards gender equality, others continue to face challenges due to
READ MOREIntroductionThe border areas of Pak-Afghan, Pak-Iran, and Iran-Afghan have a long history of shared cultural, economic, and social ties. The communities living in these regions have centuries-old relationships based on blood, culture, language, and religion. However, these relationships have been challenged by the imposition of border restrictions and security checkpoints that hinder the free movement
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