INSTITUTE FOR STRATEGIC STUDIES,
RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS

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INSIGHT
Reassessing Ease of Doing Business: A Scorecard Analysis of Small-Medium Enterprises (SMES) in Pakistan
This Insight reassesses Pakistan’s Ease of Doing Business environment through the lens of small and medium enterprises, particularly manufacturing SMEs. It applies a life-cycle scorecard covering entry, setup, operation, enforcement, and exit stages to identify key regulatory and procedural bottlenecks. The analysis finds that while business registration has improved through digitisation, setup delays, tax complexity, high energy costs, and regulatory unpredictability continue to constrain SME growth. It argues that effective implementation, single-window facilitation, regulatory clarity, and better communication of reforms are essential for improving Pakistan’s business environment.

June 15, 2026

Author(s): Faiza Qureshi

PODCAST
Aisam-ul-Haq on Tennis, Leadership, and the Future of Sport in Pakistan


Announcements ---


Call for Papers
NDU Journal - 2027
July 31, 2026
Call for Papers
Journal of International Law (Vol- VI)
July 31, 2026

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INSIGHT
Exploring Pakistan’s UNESCO Heritage Tourism Landscape
June 10, 2026
Author(s): Vania Khan
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INSIGHT
Transboundary Pollution in South Asia: The Impact of India's Emissions
June 08, 2026
Author(s): Fatima Mazhar
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INSIGHT
Guantánamo Bay Detention Regime and International Law
May 25, 2026
Author(s): Maham Ayaz
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INSIGHT
Pakistan, at the Silent Heart of the New World Order
May 19, 2026
Author(s): Mr Bryan J. Mayer
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INSIGHT
Who Will Blink First?
May 11, 2026
Author(s): Lt Gen Naweed Zaman (Retd)
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INSIGHT
I2U2: Economic Partnership or Strategic Alignment
May 6, 2026
Author(s): Umair Ahmad
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INSIGHT
China is in the Frame
April 30, 2026
Author(s): Ms Nasim Zehra
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INSIGHT
Yemen at the Crossroads of Geopolitics
April 23, 2026
Author(s): Ms Fatima Zafar
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INSIGHT
Red Sea Crisis and The Great Power Competition
April 21, 2026
Author(s): Maria Mansab

Upcoming Events

Jul
13-17
2026
16th National Media Workshop

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PODCAST
US-Israel War Against Iran: Disruption of Global Economic Order
PODCAST
⁠The Future of International Law: Between Norms and Power Politics
PODCAST
⁠US–Israel War Against Iran: Power Politics in the Middle East & Beyond

Global & Regional

Margalla Papers

Margalla Papers is a biannual publication of National Defence University, the premier institution for security and strategic studies. The journal is a unique publication of the country, which primarily deals with the issues related to Contemporary World Politics, Globalization, Foreign Policy, Strategic and Economic Relationships, Regional Organizations, UN Peacekeeping Operations, International Law and Global Commons. The journal has its standing among the students, researchers, experts, policymakers and intelligentsia.


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E9 Quarterly

E9 Quarterly is a periodical publication of INSIGHTS written by our research community. These briefs discover new dimensions of subjects related to National Security while focusing on practical and objective solutions to the issues for the consumption of respective stakeholders and academia.

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INSIGHT

The Global Order is Shifting

April 14, 2026


Author(s): Ms. Laurie A. Watkins

Defence, Security & Technology

Strategic Thought

In an environment of rapidly transforming geopolitical realities, a more comprehensive all-encompassing deeper understanding of the issues is necessary. Pakistan’s existence and success in achieving its critical objectives is dependent on our comprehensive understanding of the environment around us, as well as our ability to convince others about our positions. Given the complex global political and geo-strategic environment, Pakistan needs a delicate strategic balancing and intricate policy maneuvers.

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NDU Journal

NDU Journal is an annual publication of National Defence University, the premier institution for security and strategic studies. The journal is a unique publication of the country, which primarily deals with the national security issues of Pakistan. The journal has its own standing among the students, researchers, experts, policy makers and intelligentsia. Keeping the flag high, the articles appearing in the journal are selected after a rigorous scrutiny and blind peer reviews at home and abroad.

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INSIGHT

Adopting Cryptocurrency in Pakistan: Prospects and Concerns

January 5, 2026

Author(s): Adrak Hussain

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INSIGHT

Rare Earth Metals: A Strategic Tug of War


June 2, 2025

Authors(s): Umair Ahmad

Domestic & Legal

ISSRA Papers

ISSRA Papers is an annual publication of Institute for Strategic Studies, Research and Analysis (ISSRA), National Defence University. The Journal is a unique publication of the country which promotes awareness and understanding of the issues related to governance and public policy. ISSRA Papers welcomes contributions from all around the world and has a wide range of readers that include students, researchers, experts and policy makers. Articles appearing in the journal are selected after a rigorous scrutiny and blind peer reviews at home and abroad.

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Journal of International Law

The NDU JOURNAL OF INTERNATIONAL LAW is an annual publication of the Centre of Excellence for International Law (CEIL), at the Institute for Strategic Studies. Research and Analysis (ISSRA), National Defence University. CEIL is Pakistan’s first public sector think tank on international law, conducting cutting edge research on the international law aspects of defense and strategic matters, under the auspices of ISSRA. The NDU Journal of International Law aims to promote the dissemination of ideas and findings for the multifaceted challenges facing Pakistan from a law and policy perspective.

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INSIGHT

Public Sector Education in Pakistan – A Comparative Analysis

March 10, 2026

Authors(s): Ayesha Zia

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INSIGHT

A Review of United Nations Resolution 3379 and Its Contemporary Relevance

February 25, 2026

Author(s): Anqa Ghalib

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INSIGHT

Gwadar-Chabahar Dynamics: Competition or Cooperation?

December 29, 2025

Authors(s): Maria Mansab

Date of Publication: February 13, 2026
Author(s): Muhammad Shoaib
ISSRA
VIEWS & REVIEWS (PART 1)
6th International Workshop for Leadership & Stability
VIEWS & REVIEWS (PART 2)
6th International Workshop for Leadership & Stability

Activities at ISSRA

  • +92 51 9262066 (Ext: 7230)
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