Insights of Pakistan, Iran and the Caucasus Studies

Border Governance, State Presence and Human Security in the Balkh-Central Asia Interface

Asfandyar Ayaz; Dr. Muhammad Asim — Sat, 01 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Within the context of Afghanistan and Central Asia, this study investigates the problem of how weak border governance and limited state presence in Balkh Province create heightened human insecurity for border-communities adjacent to Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. Historically, Balkh has served as a gateway to Central Asia, hosting ethnically diverse groups and characterised by shifting governance and cross-border flows which place stress on formal border management and state legitimacy. Recent literature on Balkh highlights rising violent incidents, internal displacement and arms markets in the province -- for example the December 2020 EUAA Country Guidance for Balkh documents 811 violent events between March 2019 and June 2020. A key research question for this study is; How does the interaction between border governance mechanisms, state presence and local community dynamics influence human security outcomes in Balkh’s border-zones? Theoretical framing draws on the human security paradigm (e.g., Tadjbakhsh & Chenoy, 2007; Sarabi & McArthur, 2022) and borderland theory (e.g., Carter Malkasian, 2021) to analyse the shift from state-centred to people-centred security in a border interface setting. Finally, this paper argues for strengthening institutional presence, reinforcing community participation and cross-border coordination to mitigate human insecurity -- readers are encouraged to engage this analysis for policy-relevant insight into northern Afghanistan’s border governance challenges.

Regional Religious Commonalities and Sustainable Urbanism: Lessons for Pakistan

Dr. Muhammad Asim; Prof. Dr. Ghulam Shams Ur Rehman — Sat, 01 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Sustainable urbanism in South and Central Asia can be meaningfully discussed within the context of regional religious commonalities, where spiritual ethics and urban order have historically converged to shape environmental and social balance. The first interpretive model, “Comparative Religious Urban Ethics”, analyses how moral frameworks from Zoroastrianism, Gandhara Buddhism, Sikhism and Islam generate an eco-ethical foundation for city life through the values of cleanliness, community responsibility and social justice. The second model, “Historical-Geographical Urban Continuities”, examines the transmission of urban traits from Iran, Uzbekistan and Afghanistan into the territory now called Pakistan, tracing architectural and infrastructural legacies such as gardens, water systems and sacred public spaces that evolved through Persian, Timurid and Mughal influences. The third model, “Integrated Spiritual-Urban Framework”, constructs a contemporary synthesis where faith-based administration of land associates with modern sustainability principles, viewing the human being as a trustee rather than an exploiter of the urban environment. The Quran, Avesta, Milinda Panha and Guru Granth Sahib constitute the primary textual foundations, while secondary references include Catherine B. Asher’s “Architecture of Mughal India” (1992), George Michell and Mumtaz Currim’s “Majesty of Mughal Decoration” (2007), Moritz Herrmann’s “Mughal Architecture” (2011), and D. Fairchild Ruggles’ “Islamic Gardens and Landscapes” (2011). By utilising the theoretical framework of comparative civilisational ethics and eco-urban theory, this study addresses; How can the shared religious and historical foundations of the region guide Pakistan in formulating a spiritually grounded and environmentally sustainable model of urban development?

The Role of Islamic Ethical Principles in Promoting Socio-Economic Justice in Contemporary Muslim Societies like Pakistan

Dr. Aamir Hanif Raja — Sat, 01 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This study investigates the pivotal role of Islam ethical principles in encouraging socio-economic justice in the contemporary Muslim societies. Grounded under the guidance of Quran and Sunnah, Islamic ethics provide a holistic context which incorporates spiritual values with the economic and social obligations. Main principles like Zakat (obligatory almsgiving), and Haqooq-ul-Ibad (rights of the people), Adl (justice), Ihsan (benevolence), and Amanah (trust) are investigated for the relevance in addressing the modern challenges like poverty, unjust governance, inequality and corruption. The study examines historical precedents from the era of Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) and the Rashidun Caliphate to obtain insights into effectual ethical governance. Through qualitative and interpretive methodologies, including case studies and textual analysis from countries such as Indonesia, Pakistan, and Malaysia, the study highlights how the Islamic values can modify economic development and policy reform. While acknowledging practical challenges like political instability and the influence of global capitalism, the paper focuses the need for institutional reforms, ethical education, and spiritual renewal to bridge the gap between contemporary realities and Islamic ideals.