International Publications
Contributing to the global discourse through rigorous research and peer-reviewed publications.
Party Affiliation and Voting Behavior
FAHAD NABEEL & KHURAM IQBAL
Abstract
Based on an analysis of Pakistan’s four most recent national elections (2002, 2008, 2013, and 2018), this study examines the dynamics of party affiliation and voting behavior in Punjab. The findings reveal a clear urban–rural divide: in urban areas, political parties maintain relatively stable support bases with strong partisan loyalties, while in less-developed and rural constituencies parties depend heavily on electables and influential families, constraining candidate selection. In these areas, voters prioritize candidates’ personal influence and kinship networks over party affiliation or electoral manifestos, highlighting the personalized nature of electoral politics in Punjab.
Read Full PaperPrivacy, Data Protection and Cyber Crimes: Mapping Perceptions of Pakistani Users
FAHAD NABEEL & KHURAM IQBAL
Abstract
Rapid advancements in information and communication technologies have heightened vulnerabilities surrounding personal data, particularly in the absence of privacy-by-design in digital devices. This gap has enabled the weaponisation of digital tools for the targeted extraction and exploitation of personal information. Moreover, users frequently consent to data processing by private entities without reading terms and conditions, facilitating the commodification of personal data by advertisers and illicit brokers. This study examines Pakistani users’ perceptions of privacy and data protection through a cross-national representative survey. The findings indicate that even among educated Pakistanis, awareness of privacy and data protection remains limited, despite a general understanding of protective measures. Notably, one in three respondents reported being a victim of cybercrime, a figure likely to be significantly higher if uneducated users were included. Given the prevailing lax digital practices, the incidence of cyber victimisation in Pakistan is expected to rise further.
Read Full PaperEmerging trends of on-campus radicalization in Pakistan
KHURAM IQBAL & ZAHID MEHMOOD
Abstract
The lack of conceptual clarity surrounding violent extremism has hindered scholarly efforts to develop systematic understandings of the threat and effective policy responses to both its violent and non-violent forms. In particular, the absence of clearly defined concepts such as “radicalisation” has rendered much Counter-Terrorism Studies (CTS) research subjective and politically driven. This article contributes to the debate on who can be considered “radical” in the Pakistani context and explores how social concepts like radicalisation can be quantified for meaningful measurement of radicalisation and deradicalisation. Drawing on a survey conducted at six secular public-sector universities in Islamabad, the study highlights the vulnerability of university youth to radical influences and underscores the urgent need for targeted counter-radicalisation initiatives on university campuses.
Read Full PaperUnderstanding Pakistani Public Opinion on China and CPEC: A Quantitative Approach
DR. KHURAM IQBAL
Abstract
This chapter examines public opinion in Pakistan regarding the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), analysing how perceptions of the project vary across regions, social groups, and levels of awareness. Drawing on survey-based evidence, it highlights a generally positive national outlook toward CPEC, driven by expectations of economic growth, infrastructure development, and employment generation. However, the findings also reveal significant gaps in information, regional disparities in perceived benefits, and concerns related to transparency, governance, and local inclusion. The chapter argues that while CPEC enjoys broad popular support, sustaining its legitimacy requires improved public communication, equitable distribution of gains, and greater engagement with local communities.
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