Institute of Policy Studies (Pakistan)

The Institute of Policy Studies Islamabad (IPS) is a Pakistani think tank founded by Jamaat-e-Islami leader, renowned economist and political thinker and former senator Khurshid Ahmad in 1979, who continues as its chairman.[1][2][3] IPS declares itself to be an autonomous, not-for-profit, civil society organization, dedicated to promoting policy-oriented research. It claims to provide a forum for informed discussion and dialogue on national and international issues.[4]

IPS has established partnerships with National Institute of Public Administration, International Islamic University and others.[2] Research matters are overseen by the IPS National Academic Council composed of diplomats, academics, educationists, military and industry experts.

Activities

[4] The IPS achieves its objectives through a wide range of activities and outcomes ranging from seminars, symposia, conferences and roundtables on multi-dimensional topics to reports, periodicals and publications, Interaction, dialogue, thematic research and capacity-building programs are instrumental in its research endeavors. IPS formulates viable plans and presents key initiatives and policy measures to policy makers, analysts, political leaders, legislators, researchers, academia, civil society organization, media and other stakeholders. IPS believes in good governance, transparency (behavior), professionalism, and program effectiveness. IPS strictly upholds its independence, credibility and Integrity. It operates as a self-financed think-tank through endowments, sponsorships, voluntary services and private donations. Aside from its periodicals, publications and membership fees it generates revenues by providing consultancy services.

IPS has defined Pakistan Affairs, International Relations and Religion and Faith as its major areas of research and has developed an effective system of coordination of research activities by local and foreign scholars through a dedicated team of research coordinators. Through this scheme of work IPS is not only able to conduct in-house research on areas of interest but also coordinates research activities by IPS associates working at their respective places. Its academic programs are designed and run under the supervision of National Academic Council (NAC), which plays a pivotal role in functioning of IPS by providing policy guidelines, reviewing its plans and setting its priorities. IPS garners collaboration as well as extends its active cooperation to other organizations in one or more areas of research. Such coordination could be time- specific or discipline-based for conducting joint research, cosponsoring of seminars and exchange of library and other facilities. IPS currently reciprocates with a number of national and international institutions and is engaged in scholars’ exchange arrangements with various research institutions within Pakistan and abroad.

Funding sources

Endowments, Sponsorships and Memberships, Professional Training Programmes, Seminars & Publications, Collaboration and Contract Research[4]

Publications

Journals

  • Policy Perspectives (English Bi-annual)
  • Nuqta-e Nazar (Urdu Bi-annual)
  • Maghrib aur Islam

Books

  • Over 250 titles

Team

Chairman

Director general

  • Khalid Rahman

Research team

  • Anis Ahmad (PhD), vice chairman and senior research fellow (comparative religions)
  • Safir Akhtar (PhD), senior research fellow (Pakistan studies)
  • A.I. Shafaq Hashemi, senior research fellow
  • Irfan Shahzad, lead coordinator (China, economy, development and globalization), assistant editor of Policy Perspectives
  • Nadeem Farhat Gilani, senior research coordinator (Pakistan affairs)

Administration

  • Naufil Shahrukh, General Manager Operations

Controversies

According to media reports, the Auditor General of Pakistan exposed a controversial deal, whereby the Institute sold land given to it by the government on a lease to commercial interests. The deal brought an un-known amount to the Institute, allegedly causing a loss of 462 million to the exchequer.[5] The institute then issued a clarification to the media explaining their gradual transactions and commercialization approvals from the Islamabad Capital Development Authority starting one year after the possession of the land in 1981 with the details of date of transactions and amount paid to the Government as commercialization fee.[6]

References

  1. ↑ Bowen, Inside British Islam 2014, p. 105.
  2. 1 2 Institute of Policy Studies (IPS), Insight on Conflict, Peace Direct, retrieved 14 August 2016.
  3. ↑ "IPS advises govt to adopt growth-oriented approach in new budget". Pakistan Today. 21 June 2015. Retrieved 2016-10-24.
  4. 1 2 3 "IPS Introduction". Institute of Policy Studies. Retrieved 2016-11-17.
  5. ↑ "PAC to probe dirty deal involving Jamaat-e-Islami". National Courier. 28 May 2016. Retrieved 2016-10-24.
  6. ↑ "Clarification Regarding IPS' Old F-7 Building Controversy - Institute of Policy Studies". Institute of Policy Studies. 2016-05-26. Retrieved 2017-11-08.

Bibliography

  • Bowen, Innes (2014), Medina in Birmingham, Najaf in Brent: Inside British Islam, Hurst, ISBN 978-1-84904-529-2
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