Institute of Regional Studies

Mr. Hamzah Rifaat is the Head of the Central Asia Program for Regional Connectivity at the Institute of Regional Studies (IRS) and a South Asian Voices Visiting Fellow at the Stimson Center in Washington D.C. His research focuses on emerging security dynamics in Central Asian states, regional connectivity prospects and leveraging economic potential for stability and prosperity in Eurasia. As an SAV Visiting Fellow at the Stimson Center in Washington D.C. Hamzah held regular interactions with leading American think tanks such as the Atlantic Council, the German Marshall Fund and the Brookings Institute and published a joint research publication on strategic rationales, external perspectives and challenges to effective implementation of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor which is widely cited by international and Pakistani scholars.

Prior to joining the IRS, Hamzah worked as a communications specialist/ Graduate Research Assistant for the Women’s International Perspective at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies in Monterey, California, USA and was awarded a CRDF Global scholarship to study Non-Proliferation and Terrorism Studies at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies in Monterey, California, USA. During his time in Monterey, he produced comprehensive electronic content on the state of women’s rights in Afghanistan and how community resilience in South and Central Asia can promote gender equity.

He holds a diploma in world affairs and professional diplomacy from the Bandaranaike Diplomatic Training Institute in Colombo, Sri Lanka and graduated with a gold medal and an MPhil degree from the National Defence University in Islamabad, Pakistan. Hamzah also worked as a Lecturer and Visiting Faculty member at Air University and the National University of Sciences and Technology in Islamabad where he taught courses such as ‘E-Governance’ and ‘ World History.’

Over a span of nine years, Hamzah worked as a news anchor for ThinkTech Hawaii, USA, Indus News and PTV World and also as an Assistant Research Associate at the Islamabad Policy Research Institute with regular engagements with the UNFPA, the Women’s Entrepreneurship Conference and the Uks Resource Publication Center underlining his commitment to public discourse and policy making.

In addition to his advocacy work, Hamzah has written several research papers, articles and commentaries which have been published by international and national journals.

Research

His research focuses on:

Emerging security dynamics in Central Asia, extremism, CVE and tackling terrorism emanating from Afghanistan, Tajikistan and beyond.
Leveraging Central Asia’s resource base and connectivity potential for regional prosperity.
Understanding and resolving border disputes among Central Asian States.

Publication

1. The China Pakistan Economic Corridor’s Extension into Central Asia: Challenges and Opportunities, Journal of Contemporary Studies, National Defence University, Vol. XII, No.2, pg. 15, Winter 2023 HEC Recognized Category (Y) Journal.

2. The China Pakistan Economic Corridor: Strategic Rationales, External Perspectives, and Challenges to Effective Implementation, South Asian Voices Visiting Fellow (Working Paper), Stimson Center, Washington D.C., United States (2017).

3. A Litmus Test for Pakistan’s Democracy, London School of Economics, South Asia Program, 2018.

4. Lebanon’s Maritime Deal with Israel, Sada Journal, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, Washington D.C., October 31, 2022.

5. Afghanistan’s Political, Economic and Security Scenarios after the Taliban Takeover of 2021, Regional Studies Journal, Institute of Regional Studies, Islamabad, September 25th, 2021.

6. Publication on ‘The Arab Spring: Case Study: Tunisia, an Inside story.’ Criterion Quarterly, Vol. 2, No. 3, 2012.

Conferences

1. Speaker at the 2019 Women’s Entrepreneurial Conference, WECON Movement, Islamabad, Pakistan.
Presentation: Self Belief Empowering Women to Defy Pakistan’s Patriarchal System.

2. Speaker at the Global Exchange Conference International Association of Students in Economics and Business (AIESEC), 2021, National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Islamabad, Pakistan.
Presentation: Tackling Islamophobia and Societal Issues with Tolerance and Patience.

3. Discussant at the China Study Center, Comsats University, Islamabad, 2022.
Presentation: China’s Xinjiang Policy.

4. Speaker at the School of Political Science and International Relations, University of Gujarat, Punjab, Pakistan, 2015.
Presentation: Strategic Stability and Nuclear Nonproliferation Debate in South Asia.

Awards and Achievements

1. Recipient of the Civilian Research and Development Foundation (CRDF) Scholarship, Middlebury Institute of International Studies, Monterey, California, United States (2014).

2. South Asian Voices Visiting Fellowship, Stimson Center, Washington D.C., United States (2016).

3. UNFPA participant for the Uks Media Monitoring Project (2008-2011).

4. Gold Medalist, Master of Philosophy (MPhil), Peace and Conflict Studies, National Defence University, Islamabad, Pakistan (2014).

Skills

1. Excellent analytical, research and problem-solving skills.

2. Excellent interpersonal skills.

3. Collaborative and inclusive approaches to leadership.

4. Ability to engage and build everlasting, durable partnerships with stakeholders.

5. Fluency in three languages: English, Urdu and Punjabi. Elementary knowledge of Sinhalese, Tamil and Chinese.

6. Excellent writing skills.

7. Experience of analyzing complex societal and public policy issues.

8. Ability to meet timelines with ease.

9. Prudent and forward-looking approach towards professional commitments.