Introduction:
Institute for New Horizons (INH) will be a research and advocacy think-tank based in Quetta with an office in Islamabad. It will serve as a leading initiative of Pakistani scholars, researchers and journalists exclusively focusing on trends, issues and interests affecting Pakistan and beyond due to the rising clout of Balochistan in the evolving regional and international geo-politics and geo-economics.
The INH will conduct wide-ranging research and analysis of political, social and religious conflicts that have a direct bearing on both national and international security.
It will highlight the positive developments in the province, their impact and also lessons learnt, —so far ignored by the national media. The discourse will be informed from many angles keeping in view the national perspective.
It will also focus on impediments to development and prosperity of the province. The regional geo-politics, its manifestations in proxy warfare, the border security challenges and suggest ways and means to better understand the internal and external drivers creating undesirable outcomes for the province.
The approach will be grounded in field research. The surveys and policy analyses will inform the public and the government and present solutions to long standing problems and issues of Balochistan province and Pakistan.
Vision
The INH will contribute 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 the INH draws on the efforts of researchers, academics and media persons who possess knowledge and experience of engaging with national, regional and global issues.
Another primary aim of the INH is to ensure a better understanding of the threat of violence and terrorism emanating from a variety of sources within Pakistan and abroad. In pursuit of these goals, the team collects, processes, interprets and disseminates information relevant to our mandate and conducts independent in-depth policy analysis. This process is complemented by our skills as well as a series of training activities designed to promote public awareness and build domestic constituencies for peace in Pakistan.
We also aim to keep a close liaison with some of the leading global peace and security institutes along with other think-tanks. The purpose of building this domestic and international network is to create space for alternative views and approaches.
Scope
Broadly, the Institute’s scope can be divided into two areas: Research and analysis and, based on that, Advocacy. The INH will undertake policy analysis and research studies on regional and global strategic issues such as conflict and development, ethnic strife, terrorism, governance, foreign relations, and improving the policy-making processes. It will conduct policy dialogue, training and other programmes aimed at strengthening partnerships and resolving conflicts between the government and the public.
As part of our programme, the INH will offer a range of services through a combination of independent research and analysis, innovative academic initiatives, as well as hands-on training and support, all of which work towards the following areas of focus:
1. Conflict analysis and peace building
The aim will be to:
Conduct in-depth analysis of Pakistan-Iran relations—as well as stakeholder interests—as they have progressed over a period of time, and develop effective peace-keeping solutions which may benefit both parties; and
Investigate the conflict situation in the province of Balochistan in order to provide sufficient data to government and non-government organizations working towards conflict resolution in the region.
Disseminate research and analysis on different aspects of conflicts and on subjects relevant to policymakers and practitioners for building peace and preventing conflicts; and
Provide training in conflict management and resolution techniques including mediation and negotiation skills, to governments, civil society leaders, and international organizations, and enhance their understanding of the domestic and regional socio-cultural milieu.
2. Policy Dialogue
Promote and encourage discourse and culture of dialogue in Pakistan and discourage the use of violence to settle disputes; and
Support a continuous and concerted exercise of dialogue to de-escalate the conflicts in society particularly those existing at socio-cultural, ideological, religious, sectarian, communal and ethno-political levels.
In particular, involving Baloch youth, women and civil society and engaging with them on various levels, including them in matters that they were hitherto kept on the margins of.
Conduct thorough data collection and analysis on CPEC activity and strategy in Pakistan to trace levels of economic or social improvement/deterioration.
3. Counter-extremism
Conduct empirical and theoretical research on radicalization and the concomitant phenomena;
Explore and implement viable counter-radicalization and de-radicalization measures in Pakistan’s context entailing educational, academic, and community-and media-related functions; and
Sharing of knowledge and best-possible practices with national and international scholars through events that entail debate and policy dialogue.
4. Regional security
Coordinate efforts aiming for Pak-Afghan cooperation on Balochistan borders. Encourage dialogue and greater levels of engagement between Pakistan and Afghanistan in order to ensure better security in Balochistan.
Provide empirical and context-bound understanding of critical threats facing human security in Pakistan and South Asia with exclusive focus on terrorism, ethnic strife, political violence, militancy, and religious extremism;
Regional and global networking and information sharing through seminars.
Sponsor and participate in security dialogues as well as regional and global conferences.
5. Media engagement
Research and analysis on the role, capacity and narratives of mainstream and alternative media with emphasis on journalists and media representatives; and
Capacity building and training of media persons to improve their understanding of the conflicts and conflict-sensitive reporting, peacebuilding and development in Balochistan and Pakistan.
GwadarNet
An internet academic magazine resource, GwadarNet will focus on regional and global strategic issues. It will carry reports on a range of economic, political and military aspects of security. In addition to research papers and journalistic reports, this project shall profile of various political, religious and militant outfits active in West and Central Asia that have a direct bearing on the future of Pakistan.
INH.com—digital database on conflict and security
The aim will be to develop and maintain a credible database on conflict and security, INH.com will work as a baseline data and a permanent source of independent information for government, civil society, political parties, provincial and national assemblies and international organizations.
In depth research on security landscape of Balochistan will follow to identify key issues related to conflict, insecurity, violence and terrorism, developments and CPEC etc.
INH publications
The INH will bring out research products in the form of books, compendiums and policy reports each year that will help provide good information to policy makers and security institutions.
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