Call for papers: Two-day International Conference on “contemporary Pakistan”

The organizing committee invites paper proposals for a Two-day International Conference on “contemporary Pakistan” Organized by the Department of Political Science & International Relations, University of Gujrat, Pakistan that will take place on 6-7 March 2018. Please send your paper abstracts of not more than 250 words with CV through an e-mail attachment at muhammad.mushtaq@uog.edu.pk by the 8 December 2017. The conference is structured around thematic panels that encompass some of the contemporary issues of Pakistan.

Diversity and Governance: Regionalism, Federalism, and Nation-building

The Pakistani federation is confronting with the challenges of diversity, regionalism, and nation-building. There is still a long way to go for truly becoming a nation. What challenges and impediments are there on this path and how to cope with them is a question worth pondering. 

Political Violence: Terrorism, Sectarianism, and Ethnic Conflicts

Peace is a necessary condition for stability and development. Contemporary Pakistan is facing political violence of various sorts, including domestic as well as cross-border terrorism, sectarian and ethnic conflicts. Although some successes have been achieved in putting the violence genie back in bottle, yet challenges remain. There is a realization that still a lot needs to be done to permanently eradicate such threats which can derail contemporary Pakistan’s journey towards stability.

Electoral Politics: Party programs, Political campaigns, and Voting behavior   

Though the democratic history of Pakistan is fraught with authoritarian interventions, hope in sustainability of democratic order is growing. At present and in future, electoral politics would be the key for further growth of democratic roots. Party programs, political campaigns and voting behavior would define the electoral politics. Evaluating the current state and the positive trends in political parties’ evolution as well as refinement in masses’ political behavior is therefore important.    

China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC): Prospects and Challenges

CPEC is expected to be a game changer for Pakistan. It is likely that the Corridor would unleash economic prosperity which would help overcoming various kinds of challenges that Pakistan has faced throughout its history. However, there are various challenges involved in building this Corridor. Steering this gigantic development in the right direction and providing right conditions for making it a success are big challenges. It is therefore necessary to evaluate the idea and its execution.

National Security Challenges: Post-NATO Afghanistan, Power Politics in South Asian Region, and Nuclear Proliferation/non-proliferation  

Pakistan is facing various kinds of national security challenges including Afghanistan’s current situation, power politics in South Asia, and nuclear proliferation. These challenges are too gargantuan and potent to be shied away. Scholarly deliberations on these and other national security challenges are essential to contribute in policy formulation with the objective of safeguarding the interests of Pakistan and the region.