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.

Sufi Aesthetics in Contemporary Iranian Music and Poetic Practice

Elina Zeinibova — Sat, 01 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Sufi aesthetics, broadly understood, denotes the system of spiritual values, symbols, modes of expression and performative practices rooted in Islamic mysticism, which mediates the relation of the self with the Divine through art, poetry and sound. Historically in Iran, Sufi aesthetics have permeated Persian culture for over a millennium, shaping classical poetry (such as that of Rumi, Hafeẓ, Aṭṭar) and influencing the structures of traditional music, especially within khanqah (Sufi lodge) settings. In contemporary Iran, despite political and religious contestations, Sufi themes continue to manifest profoundly in modal music (dastgah), in lyrical compositions and in poetic practice, thereby sustaining a living mystical tradition. This study asks: How and to what extent do Sufi aesthetics influence contemporary Iranian music and poetic production and through which mechanisms are they preserved, transformed or contested? The theoretical framework combines Islamic aesthetic theory, hermeneutics and ethnomusicology, supplemented by a semiotic reading of poetic symbolism. A review of recent literature (2020–2025) reveals several pertinent works: Mirbagheri Fard and Reisi (2023) on the role of Sufism in modern Iranian music; Bano and Rahman (2024) on the influence of Sufism on literature, poetry and music; Oxford-Academic studies on Sufi commentary of lyric poetry (JIS, 2023); analyses of gender representation in modern Persian Sufi writing (2024); and quantitative authorship authentication of classical Persian Sufi poets (e.g., Aṭṭar) by statistical methods (2025). The findings indicate that contemporary Iranian musicians and poets draw deeply on Sufi metaphors, the murid-murshid educational model and sama-inspired performativity; they negotiate Sufi heritage within a dominant Shia socio-religious order and often revitalise mystical discourse through modern forms without necessarily institutional affiliation to Sufi orders.

From Rumi to Iqbal: Comparative Insights into Sufi Thought and Its Reception in Pakistani and Turkish Cultures

Gulnara Hassanova, Aziza Mehmandarova; Dr. Samina Noor — Sat, 01 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0000

While analysing diverse Sufi works, this study offers a comprehensive exploration of the multilayered influence of Sufi thought as embodied in the poetry of Jalaluddin Rumi and Allama Muhammad Iqbal within the cultural landscapes of Pakistan and Turkey. This research endeavours to unravel the enduring significance of Sufi ideals and philosophical underpinnings as manifested in the literary works of these two eminent poets, tracing their reception and interpretation in the respective societies. Key questions guiding this comparative study include examining the similarities and differences in the thematic motifs, theological perspectives and socio-cultural impacts of Rumi and Iqbal’s poetry on Pakistani and Turkish communities. Employing a qualitative research approach, this study incorporates textual analysis, literary criticism and socio-historical contextualization to elucidate the intricate nuances of Sufi thought and its resonance across geographical and temporal boundaries. Through this investigation, this study aims to offer fresh insights into the transformative power of Sufi poetry in shaping spiritual, intellectual and social discourse, enhancing curiosity about the dynamic interplay between literary expression and cultural reception within diverse cultural milieus.

The HQ-9BE, PL-17E and Prospective J-35E Transfers: Impact on Pakistan’s Integrated Air Defence and Strike Capabilities

Sajjad Hussain — Sat, 01 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The HQ-9BE, PL-17E and the prospective J-35E represent advanced Chinese air-defence and air-combat capabilities that collectively elevate long-range interception, beyond-visual-range strike reach and fifth-generation stealth performance for potential deployment within Pakistan’s force structure. The core problem addressed here concerns how these systems, if integrated, may recalibrate Pakistan’s layered air-defence network and reshape its offensive strike envelope under tightening regional competition. The research questions examine the operational effects of HQ-9BE deployment on Pakistan’s air-defence depth, the strategic consequences of PL-17E integration for air dominance ambitions and the extent to which a future J-35E induction could alter South Asian aerial power balances. Recent studies have sharpened this discourse, including Lalwani’s 2023 assessment of threshold alliances, Ahmed and Karim’s 2024 analysis of Sino-Pak air-power integration and Zhang’s 2025 work on China’s export-driven defence technology pathways. The analysis employs a strategic interdependence framework drawing on Walt’s 1987 balance-of-threat logic to evaluate how capability transfers reshape alliance behaviour and operational planning. The findings indicate that if these systems converge within Pakistan’s command-and-control ecosystem, they could generate a transformative step-change in detection, interception and deep-strike capacity, warranting rigorous scrutiny by policymakers and scholars seeking foresight on emerging regional power shifts.