Since the early 1960s, think tanks in Pakistan have rapidly multiplied, meeting a global demand for idea-generating institutions. Think tanks are independent research organizations that provide expert analysis and recommendations on different policy issues to policymakers, political strategy, social policy, technology, businesses, and civil society. Most think tank organizations are non-governmental but some are semi-autonomous agencies within the government and some are associated with particular political parties, businesses, or the military. Many think tanks are funded by individual donations and some also accept government grants.

In Pakistan, several think tank companies focus on a wide range of topics, including international relations, economics, security, human rights, governance, and social development. Some famous think tanks in Pakistan include the Institute of Strategic Studies, Pakistan (ISSP), the Pakistan Institute of Development Economics, the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI), and the Jinnah Institute. These think tanks engage in advocacy, research, and public outreach activities to inform and shape public policy debates in Pakistan and beyond. They also collaborate with international think tanks and research institutions to promote knowledge sharing and exchanging ideas. In this research article, our Tashheer research team compiled a list of the best 12 Think Tanks in Pakistan. Learn more about 12 Best Startup Centers & Incubators in Pakistan

List of 12 Leading Think Tanks Restructuring Pakistan’s Future

Here is the list of the top 12 non-profit think tanks in Pakistan, mentioned as

South Asian Strategic Stability Institute

The South Asian Strategic Stability Institute University (SASSI), is a think tank and a research institute located in Islamabad. It was founded with the idea of promoting stability and peace in South Asia, mainly Pakistan-India relations. SASSI was founded in February 2004 as a specialized research unit within the Bradford Disarmament Research Centre, funded by Pakistan’s National University of Science and Technology. The Institute’s multidisciplinary approach brings together various streams of thought from across the social and natural sciences, policymakers, and academia.

Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad

The Institute of Strategic Studies, Islamabad (ISSI) think tank is an autonomous, non-profit research and analysis organization, based in Islamabad and established in 1973. One of the pioneering institutes in Pakistan, it aims to conduct research, analysis, and discussions using published and openly available sources of information and intelligence. It is funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan, and its most well-known member is the nationalist commentator Shireen Mazari. The organization provides an in-depth understanding and objective analysis of global and regional strategic issues influencing international peace and security. If you are from Islamabad and you are looking for some suitable co working spaces with friendly environment, then read our article on Discover the Top 6 Coworking Spaces in Islamabad.

Islamabad Policy Research Institute

Islamabad Policy Research Institute is one of the oldest non-partisan think tanks on all aspects of National Security including strategic studies, international relations & law, economic security, and governance & public policy in Pakistan. Established in 1999, IPRI is affiliated with the National Security Division (NSD), Government of Pakistan. It presents two decades of rigorous and timely analysis of critical inter-governmental processes and strategic agendas influencing regional and national policy communities. IPRI’s publications, recognized for their objectivity and policy relevance, offer current, up-to-date, and first-class research in authoritative journals, monographs, books, and policy briefs.

Center for Research & Security Studies

The Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) is one of the best Pakistani, Islamabad-based independent non-profit think tanks founded by civil society activists to conduct independent research and advocacy on democratic governance, regional peace and security, nonpartisan analysis, human rights, and counter-radicalization. This Think Tank was founded in 2007 by security expert and media personality Imtiaz Gul. The CRSS specializes in communicating detailed information to people in conflict and disaster-hit areas. The head of this think tank is Imtiaz Gul, a strategic analyst, writer, and journalist. Learn more about Top 8 Market Research Companies in Pakistan.

Institute of Regional Studies

The Institute of Regional Studies, Islamabad, founded by Agha Ibrahim Akram in November 1981, is a prominent independent research center focusing on regions near Pakistan such as South Asia, Southwest Asia, China, Central Asia, and the Indian Ocean. It analyzes policies of major power centers toward South Asia and is recognized as one of the leading think tanks in Pakistan. In May 2022, President Nadeem Riyaz, former Ambassador of Rome, was fined for sexual harassment of a Pakistani-origin trade officer in Rome, leading to his return to Pakistan. President of Pakistan Arif Alvi rejected a plea by Riyaz in August 2023.

Institute of Policy Studies

The Institute of Policy Studies Islamabad (IPS), is a prominent Pakistani think tank founded by famous political thinker, economist, and former senator Khurshid Ahmad, who continues as its chairman. IPS declares itself to be a civil society, autonomous, not-for-profit organization, dedicated to promoting policy-oriented research. IPS in Pakistan claims to serve as a platform for informed discussions on national and international issues. Its research is supervised by the IPS National Academic Council, comprising diplomats, academics, educationists, military and industry experts.

Pakistan Institute of International Affairs

Pakistan Institute of International Affairs (PIIA) is a non-governmental and non-profit organization headquartered in Karachi with the mission to promote and analyze the understanding of major current affairs and international issues. It was established in 1947, affiliated with the Royal Institute of International Affairs (RIIA) in London and the Institute of Pacific Relations in New York City. Prime Minister Liaquat Ali Khan formally inaugurated it on March 26, 1948. The draft memorandum of PIIA was assessed and approved on September 28, 1948. Initially located at the Intelligence School on Queen’s Road, it later moved to Frere Hall before settling at its current location on Aiwan-e-Sadar Road in 1955 after the completion of its building.

Friedrich Eberto Stiftung

Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) is a private German political foundation and think tank committed to promoting social democracy globally. In Pakistan, FES primarily collaborates with local partners on conflict management, democracy promotion, youth development, industrial relations, and regional dialogue. The collaboration between Pakistani organizations and the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) started in the mid-1980s. By 1990, FES had set up its Pakistan Office in Islamabad. Since its inception, the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) has focused on promoting exchange and understanding between Pakistan, Germany, Europe, and South Asia.

Manzil Pakistan

Manzil Pakistan is a Karachi based non-profit think tank in Pakistan dedicated to developing and advocating public policy. They believe in a modern, progressive and stable Pakistan that can ensure prosperity for every citizen. Manzil Pakistan, founded for the first time in 2013 in Karachi, promotes enterprise, responsible governments and institutions to deliver income and public goods to the people of Pakistan. Manzil Pakistan conducts non-partisan research across critical areas and reviews existing policies. They provide inclusive debates on public policy that include stakeholders, civil society, academia and the public.

Alternate Solutions Institute

Alternate Solutions Institute, founded in Lahore, Pakistan in April 2003, is known as Pakistan’s first free-market think tank. AS Institute is Pakistan’s non-profit organization mainly focused on education and research, claims to be a non-political and non-governmental think tank. They mainly focus to promote a limited responsible government in Pakistan that upholds the rule of law and ensures the protection of the life, liberty, and property of all of its individual citizens without discrimination. The Alternate Solutions Institute regularly sponsors the Heartland Institute’s International Conference on Climate Change, drawing climate change skeptics nationwide.

Social Policy and Development Center

Since 1995, the Social Policy and Development Centre (SPDC) has been working hard on important issues like poverty, inequality, governance, gender, and climate. SPDC want to make life better for everyone in Pakistan and does this by studying these issues, giving advice to policymakers, and speaking up for positive changes. With its headquarters in Karachi, SPDC has recently launched its outreach office in Islamabad. SPDC focuses on public policy analyses and social sector development and has nearly 800 research papers, policy papers, working papers, conference papers, books, and newspaper articles to its credit. 

Pakistan China Institute

Pakistan-China Institute (PCI) is the first of its type non-governmental, non-partisan, and non-political think-tank in Pakistan. PCL was launched in October 2009 under the Chairmanship of Senator Mushahid Hussain, Pakistan. PCI efforts to be the principal non-governmental platform to promote people-to-people ties between Pakistan and China in all areas, particularly defense and diplomacy, economy and environment, education and energy, with a special focus on youth and women. PCI aims to lead a meaningful discussion and in-depth analysis through activities like conferences, lectures, exchanges, journals, e-magazines, and documentaries.

Lining-up the Best 12 Think Tanks in Pakistan

Here is the brief details of each think tank given below.

Final Words

Since 1991, the establishment of think tanks has increased globally, particularly in non-Western regions. More than half of today’s think tanks were founded after 1980 and there are now over 11,000 think tanks worldwide. In this research article, our Tashheer research team compiled a list of 12 best think tanks in Pakistan. Common policy focus areas for these think tanks in Pakistan include regional security, counter-terrorism, economic development, energy, water management, education, health, and governance reforms. These think tanks in Pakistan actively engage with government agencies, policymakers, academia, civil society organizations, media and the public through seminars, workshops, conferences, and media appearances.