Source description last updated: 31 March 2020

In brief: The Pak Institute for Peace Studies (PIPS) is a not-for-profit, non-governmental think tank based in Islamabad that specialises in the study of political, social and religious conflict.

Coverage on ecoi.net:

Pakistan Security Report and other relevant reports 

Covered quarterly on ecoi.net for Pakistan

Mission/Mandate/Objectives:

“An initiative of leading Pakistani scholars, researchers and journalists, PIPS conducts wide-ranging research and analysis of political, social and religious conflicts that have a direct bearing on both national and international security.

The Institute endeavors to make a contribution in resolving national and international conflicts through a knowledge-based approach. We believe that the first step in resolving violent conflicts is to understand them from all possible angles and dimensions. The framework of conflict resolution envisaged by PIPS draws on the efforts of researchers, academics and media persons who have a deep knowledge and direct experience of dealing with national, regional and global issues. Another primary aim of the PIPS is to promote a better understanding of the threat of violence and terrorism emanating from a variety of sources in Pakistan and abroad. In pursuit of these goals, the PIPS team collects, processes, interprets and disseminate information relevant to our mandate and conducts independent policy analysis.” (PIPS website: About PIPS: Concept Note, undated)

Funding:

As explained by a PIPS representative in 2013, the Institute is financed through “projects funded by international donors, in particular the British, Australian, US and German embassies, but also aid organisations and international media. Moreover, all reports are fee-based and subscription fees are charged for periodical situation reports (BAA Staatendokumentation: Fact-Finding-Mission-Bericht zu Pakistan 2013, June 2013, p. 14, working translation by ACCORD). More recent information could not be found on the issue of funding.

Scope of reporting:

Geographic focus: Pakistan

Thematic focus: Issues pertaining to peace and security, including conflict and development, political violence, religious extremism, ethnic strife, terrorism, governance and democracy, foreign relations etc.

Methodology:

“The PIPS approach is grounded in field research. Our surveys and policy analyses are informed by the work of a team of researchers, reporters and political analysts located in different areas of conflict in Pakistan.” (PIPS website: About PIPS: Concept Note, undated)

For the annual PIPS Security Reports, “the PIPS conflict/security database and archives are the basic sources relied upon. […] PIPS compiles data from sources including newspapers, magazines, journals, field sources and screening of official record. More than 30 English and Urdu dailies, magazines, and journals, and various television news channels are monitored to update the database and archives. Regional daily newspapers and weeklies from Peshawar, Quetta, Gilgit and Karachi are also monitored for details of incidents reported in the local media. Correspondents in provincial capitals are the primary source for PIPS to verify the media reports. In case of a major incident, PIPS teams consult the local administration and journalists for further details. In cases where PIPS finds it difficult to verify facts of a particular incident, it gives preference to the official statements in that regard.” (Pakistan Security Report (excerpt): Pakistan Security Report 2019, 2020, pp. 7-8)

Language of publication:

English

All links accessed 31 March 2020.