Islamabad
How do we want to live? Our office in Islamabad has been working for a peaceful and progressive Pakistan since 1986. Since then FNF Pakistan office has been seeking to answer this very question: How do we want to live? As individuals we are all entitled to personal dignity and freedom. It has been FNF`s mission to make these principles valid for all. We want people to realize the project of their lives!
The office of the Friedrich Naumann Foundation in Islamabad was closed on 31 March 2025. The office's website will no longer be updated. For further information, please contact the office in Bangkok, Thailand.
News
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Trailblazers and Fighters
Women in Pakistan have historically played key roles in politics but face significant barriers. Despite increasing participation, their contributions are often overlooked. Greater efforts are needed.
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Wings of Loss: A stock-take on PIA privatisation
The Government of Pakistan has approved a restructuring plan before the privatisation of the national flag carrier airline PIA. After than, Pakistan’s government is actively looking for investors.
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Pakistan’s Budget 2024-25: Promises to Policies
With ambitious tax targets and a plot twist involving the International Monetary Fund (IMF), this year’s budget presentation was nothing short of a high-stakes drama. But behind the curtain, the reality is a mix of economic strategies and fiscal maneuvers that aim to steer the country through turbulent economic waters. Against the backdrop the government presented the annual budget 2024-2025 on 12 June. Read the critique by Dr Aneel Salman
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Pakistan: Normalising trade with India
For decades, it has been evident that major political parties on both sides (Pakistan and India) have advocated for normalizing trade relations, but some important stakeholders had reservations. However, the National Security Policy (NSP) announced in 2021 indicated that Pakistan is prepared to move on and prioritize geo-economics over geopolitics. Read the analysis by Dr. Manzoor on how Pakistan can leverage this opportunity. (Originally published Dawn 22.04.2024)
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Pakistan's Post-Election Crossroads
Pakistan's post-election landscape in 2024 is fraught with challenges and opportunities. As the country navigates this critical juncture, addressing concerns over election transparency, ensuring political stability, and upholding democratic values will be paramount. The international community is closely watching Pakistan as it moves forward, shaping its future political course. Check out the analysis by Waqar Rizvi.
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Transparency in Elections
The Election Act 2017 provides a number of mechanism for recounting, publication of polling station wise results and dispute resolutions. Ordinarily, these mechanisms and checks should be more than adequate to ensure transparency and prevent electoral fraud. But all such mechanisms fail, when there is a perception that state itself uses influence to circumvent the established mechanisms to achieve the desired results. Check out the analysis by Mukhtar Ahmed Ali.
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Energy Security in South Asia
This report demonstrates the viability of regional cooperation and transition towards renewable energy as the key to addressing energy security concerns in South Asia. It analyses the energy sector landscape of South Asia, development plans for regional cooperation, policy focus towards renewable energy upscale, and devises a roadmap for a more inclusive and green future of the energy sector in South Asia.
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Who will tell our stories?
Deadline Extended: 8th July 2024. Those who have applied earlier also need to reapply on the new email provided.
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A review of Iranian President's trip to Pakistan
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi's visit to Pakistan was a case study in “what could be.” As the first such visit by an Iranian leader to Pakistan in eight years, it marked a significant development in bilateral relations. It was rendered that much more important amid bilateral tensions triggered by a missile exchange by both sides in January and broader regional conflicts such as the Israel-Gaza issue and Iran's attack on Israel for targeting its Damascus consulate.
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Democracy hasn’t become a dinosaur (Thankfully!)
During the ‘super election year’ in the world, many countries around the world will be holding elections in 2024. Pakistan-the fifth populous country in the world-held general elections on February 8, 2024. The very happening of the 2024 elections in Pakistan was a significant step as the country’s election cycle was badly broken in January 2023. Therefore, the good news is that democracy hasn’t become a dinosaur in Pakistan. Read the analysis by Zafarullah Khan.
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Ensuring Inclusive Elections in Flood-Stricken Areas
Various studies indicate that disasters affect electoral participation differently even in developed countries. Check out the analysis by IAF Alumni Syed Raza Ali Shah as he outlines the potential for low voter turnout in Sindh and Balochistan flood affected areas and how it can be mitigated.
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Single National Curriculum in Pakistan
"Implementation of the Constitutional Values in the New Single National Curriculum in Pakistan" by Birgit Lamm was first published in the peer reviewed journal 'The Journal of Law and Islam' (Zeitschrift für Recht und Islam, ZRI) in 2021-2022. ZRI is free open access academic journal established in 2009 and is archived on the server of Leipzig University Library (Germany). Read the excerpt
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AI and Entrepreneurship
"As a former participant in the 2014 and 2015 Leadership Boot Camps and now a dedicated trainer for this year's program, it's been a journey of constant growth and commitment for me. This year's focus on AI-preneurship reflects our unwavering dedication to fostering leaders while integrating sustainability into our initiatives." Read what Khoso Saifullah has to say about the hybrid Leadership Boot Camp by our partner organization Individulland.
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Exploring Liberal Spaces
The Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom - Pakistan hosted its 21st Annual International Academy of Leadership (IAF) Alumni Network meetup in Lahore from November 10-12, 2023, themed "Exploring Liberal Spaces". The event featured diverse activities, including panel discussions, open space sessions, presentations, and opportunities for alumni to present their ideas for Alumni grants. It served as a platform for dynamic engagement, fostering dialogue and idea-sharing among attendees.
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Pakistan and EU : Trade Potential
The main objective of this report is to identify the bottlenecks hindering trade growth between Pakistan and the EU and propose reforms to enhance bilateral trade relations such that Pakistan can benefit more from the GSP+ scheme. The study undertakes a comparative analysis of trade patterns between the EU and 1)Bangladesh, 2)India and 3)Vietnam, which are major regional counterparts that are likely to influence the trading relationship between Pakistan & EU.
