Over the last twenty years foreign and security policies have been subject to rapid change. This development is due to the end of the cold war and has been further accelerated after September 11. Traditional security policies such as deterrence and containment have been replaced by risk prevention, crisis intervention, and pre-emptive policy measures. This holds true especially in this part of the world where Pakistan and Afghanistan are meanwhile in the focus of international foreign relations and external security initiatives. Increasingly questions of foreign, security, and developmental policy have thus become intertwined.

The Peace and Security section of our website therefore provides information on issues of foreign relations and security in the broader region where instability and decreasing security are prevailing not only in the border areas between Pakistan and Afghanistan but also with India as a result of historically rooted conflicts. Animosity and mistrust are ruling amongst all segments of the respective societies. Domestic concerns of extremism and militancy are dealt at the Internal Security section of our website. Same goes to issues of sectarian violence in Pakistan and tensions between provinces and the federation of Pakistan over resources like gas, water and royalties.

South Asian security is unfortunately over and above related to the Pakistan – India relations and the policies of deterrence by their nuclear assets. That is why a separate section is reserved to concerns of Nuclear Politics. We moreover would like to generate the debate on the future of EU-Pakistan relations as we at present perceive a lack of consistent European policy on Pakistan. We understand our role and mandate as a German Foundation to portray a realistic but balanced picture of Pakistan to a European audience.

By providing resource material of this website section and by activities of our office and its partners we would contribute towards domestic and regional stability and security through knowledge transfer, dialogue, and informed decision making.

In particular we aim
» To build regional alliances through dialogues, to create peace and harmony.
» To build a debate on the issues of provincial autonomy and a fragmenting society
» To foster Pakistan/European relations on parliamentary and civil society level.
» To support cultural initiatives and academia exchange in order to deepen mutual understanding.
» To support research and involve youth in order to prevent extremism.