QAU Faculty | School of Politics and International Relations

Dr. Raja Qaiser Ahmed is Associate Professor at School of Politics and International Relations, Quaid-i-Azam University Islamabad. Besides he is serving as Registrar Quaid-i-Azam University Islamabad Pakistan. Previously he was “Research Scholar” at “Columbia University in New York” in 2018 and “Associate” at the “University of Nottingham” in 2017. He remained “HSF Fellow” at the Institute of Comparative Federalism Italy in 2016 as well. He is the author of three books, most notably “Pakistan Factor and the Competing Perspectives in India”, published by Palgrave Macmillan Press in 2022. He has published 27 research articles out of which 12 research articles are in the leading international journals of the field indexed in the “Web of Science” and “Scopus”. Additionally, he has published 14 peer reviewed research articles. He has 19 publications as first author and 6 publications as solo author. He has authored three book chapters in edited volumes. He attended three international conferences in Greece, United Kingdom, and United States. He has international collaborations with “Kashmiri Scholars Consultative Action Network (KSCAN)”, “South Asia Research Group (SARG)”, and “EURAC Research.” He has three research fundings on his credit. Previously, he served as Lecturer at the Department of Defence & Diplomatic Studies, Fatima Jinnah Women University Rawalpindi, NUST Business School, Liverpool John Moores University (External), and the University of London (External Program). He had been Research Associate to Dr. Joshua T. White, Former Director South Asia, White House, in his project, "Decision Making in Religious Political Parties of Pakistan" He publishes on Democracy and Democratization, Ethnicity and Federalism, Indian foreign policy, and International Relations of South Asia. He conducted his Ph.D. research work on, "Competing Discourses in India and Impact on Policy towards Pakistan" at the University of Nottingham, UK.

He has developed three new courses and taught nine different courses at PhD, MPhil, MSc and BS level. He is currently supervising two doctoral candidates and eight M Phil candidates. He has supervised 10 M Phil thesis, 4 Masters dissertations and 21 theses at the undergraduate level. He has seven years of administrative experience and currently serving as “Registrar” Quaid-i-Azam University Islamabad since February 2021. He has previously served as Deputy Director Academics, Coordinator Social Sciences, Course Coordinator, and Senior Resident Warden.

Research Publications

Total Citations: 123, h-index: 05

Books

Pakistan Factor and the Competing Perspectives in India – Party Centric View (Singapore: Palgrave Macmillan Press, 2022)

Kashmir Conundrum: Reconciliation, Peace Building and Conflict Transformation (Busra: Ekin Publishing, 2020)

Democracy in Pakistan: From Rhetoric to Reality (Islamabad: Narratives Publishers, 2015).

Book Chapters

“Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan: Politics of Power Sharing and Status Quo", In The Palgrave Handbook of New Directions in Kashmir Studies edited by Haley Duschinski, Mona Bhan, and Cabeiri deBergh Robinson (Switerzland: Palgrave Macmillan Press, 2023)

“The Kashmir Conundrum: Past, Present and Future”, In Society and Politics of Jammu and Kashmir edited by Serena Hussain (London: Palgrave Macmillan Press, 2021)

“Federalismo en Pakistan: desafios fiscales y el camino a seguir”, in Modelos para armar edited by Marcelo Bernal y Calogero Pizzolo, Universidad Nacional de Cordoba, 2018.

Publications in WOS & Scopus Indexed Journals

Raja Qaiser Ahmed & Rafiullah (2022) Politics of Counting People and 2017’s Census in Pakistan, Asian Journal of Social Science 4, Vol. 50 (2022):250-259. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajss.2022.06.002

Raja Qaiser Ahmed (2021) Politics of Power Sharing in Disputed Territories: A Case Study of the 13th Amendment in the Constitution of Azad Kashmir, Journal of Asian and African Studies 6, Vol. 57 (2022): 1089-1108. DOI: doi.org/10.1177/00219096211052267

Raja Qaiser Ahmed, Rida Fatima & M. Shoaib, "A new political lexicon in Pakistan’s civil–military relations (2013–2018)" Asian Politics and Polity 2, Vol. 14 (2022):249-263. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/aspp.12632

Raja Qaiser Ahmed & Maryum Tamoor (2021) Chosen Trauma and Saffronization of India, International Area Studies Review 1, Vol. 25 (2022): 3-20. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/22338659211047167

Raja Qaiser Ahmed & Maryum Tamoor (2021) State Formation and the Postcolonial Decay in Pakistan, Asian Journal of Social Science 1, Vol. 49 (2021): 9-15. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajss.2020.10.002

Raja Qaiser Ahmed, Mohammad Ishaq & Mummahad Shoaib (2021) The Changing Political Trends in Erstwhile FATA: A Study of the Last Three Elections, International Area Studies Review 4, Vo. 24 (2021): 255-273. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/22338659211013652

Raja Qaiser Ahmed & Rafiullah Khan (2020) The Rise of Peripheral Nationalism in Pakistan and the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement, Asian Ethnicity 2, Vol. 23 (2020): 215-229. https://doi.org/10.1080/14631369.2020.1785840

Raja Qaiser Ahmed, "Nationalism and Political Identity in Pakistan: Rise and Role of Indigenous Identities", SAIS Review, Special Issue on Nationalism, John Hopkins University Press 2, Vol. 35 (2015): 105-116.

Raja Qaiser Ahmed, Muhammad Shoaib & Ramsha Ashraf, "India’s Space Pursuit and Changing Matrix of South Asian Security", Space Policy (2023).

Raja Qaiser Ahmed & Misbah Arif, “Emerging Challenges of Space Weaponization in South Asia: Advances in Indian Space Program and Challenges to Regional Security”, Astropolitics 2 Vol. 18 (2020): 158-169.

Allauddin, H Liu & Raja Qaiser Ahmed, “The Changing Dynamics and New Developments of China–Pakistan Relations”, India Quarterly 1, Vol. 76 (2020): 73-88.

Mian Zahid Hussain & Raja Qaiser Ahmed, “Space programs of India and Pakistan: Military and strategic installations in outer space and precarious South Asian regional strategic stability”, Space Policy, Vol. 47 (2019): 63-75.

Raja Qaiser Ahmed and Misbah Arif, “Space Militarization in South Asia India’s Quest for Space Weapons and Implications for Pakistan,” Asian Survey, University of California Press 5, Vol. 57 (2017): 813-832.

Publications in Peer Reviewed Journals

Raja Qaiser Ahmed, “The Politics of Centralism and Dichotomy of Power Distribution in India”, South Asian Journal of Contemporary Social Sciences 1, Vol. 3 (June-December 2021): 71-78.

Raja Qaiser Ahmed, “The Murky Federalism in Pakistan: The Contemporary Landscape”, South Asian Journal of Contemporary Social Sciences 1, Vol. 3 (January-June 2021): 68-83

Raja Qaiser Ahmed, “Modi Factor, Hindu Nationalism and the Ideology Matrix in Contemporary India”, Margalla Papers 1, Vol. XXIV (2020): 44-53.

Muhammad Waqas Saleem & Raja Qaiser Ahmed, “Conceptualization of Democracy: A Rural Perspective”, Journal of History and Culture 1, Vol. XLI (2020): 81-96.

Raja Qaiser Ahmed & A.S Minhas, “Foreign Policy Making in a Changing Landscape”, Pakistan Horizon 3, Vol. 73 (2020): 51-68.

Dr. Ahmed Saeed Minhas, Dr. Farhat Konain Shujai & Dr. Raja Qaiser Ahmed, “Evaluating India-China Tactical Military Standoff through Strategic Lens”, NDU Journal, 2020.

Misbah Arif and Raja Qaiser Ahmed, “The Trajectory of Pakistan-Russia Relations: Emerging Contours and Future Prospects”, Journal of Contemporary Studies 2, Vol. 07 (2018): 67-82.

Dr Saima Kayani, Asia Karim and Raja Qaiser, “Comparative Study of Soft Power in South Asia: India and Pakistan”, Journal of Contemporary Studies 01, Vol. 06 (2017): 1-20.

Raja Qaiser Ahmed & Co, “Makuran: Gateway to Middle East”, Balochistan Review 2, Vol. 37 (2017): 277-292.

Dr. Saima Kayani & Raja Qaiser Ahmed, “Turkmenistan’s Political Culture of Neutrality”, Journal of Contemporary Studies 1, Vol. 5 (2016): 15-31.

Raja Qaiser Ahmed, “India’s Look East Policy: Challenges and Options for Pakistan,” NDU Journal, Vol 29 (2015): 55-74.

Raja Qaiser Ahmed, Misbah Arif, Dr. Sheheryar Khan, “Security Architecture of South Asia: A New Framework of Analysis,” The Dialogue 3, Vol. 10 (2015): 1-15.

Raja Qaiser Ahmed, Dr. Sheharyar & Muhammad Shoaib, “The Changing Dynamics of the Foreign Policy of China in Contemporary Time,” The Turkish Yearbook of International Relations, Vol. 45 (2014): 23-40.

Raja Qaiser Ahmed, Dr. Saima Kayani & Muhammad Shoaib, “Regionalization of Political Violence: Arab Levant and the Rise of ISIS” The Dialogue 4, Vol. 10 (2014): 1-21.

CONFERENCE PAPERS

“State-Centre Relations and Power Devolutionism in India” paper presented at 2nd Annual Conference on Social Sciences held at Allama Iqbal Open University Islamabad, December 28, 2016.

“Modi’s Diplomatic Offensive: Policy Options for Pakistan,” paper presented at International Conference on Peace and Security in South and Central Asia, organized by Department of Defence & Diplomatic Studies, Fatima Jinnah Women University, Rawalpindi, September 23, 2016.

“Democracy and Human Rights in Pakistan: A Way Forward,” paper presented at National Conference on Human Rights organized by Ministry of Human Rights, Government of Pakistan, December 11, 2015.

“War of Narratives: Evolution of Pakistan’s Security Paradigm,” paper presented at 1st Research Conference, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Wah, 14 November 2015

"Centre-Province Relations: Endemic Crises of Federalism and Changing Landscape of Ethnic Politics in Pakistan," at 1st Conference on Social Sciences, Allama Iqbal Open University Islamabad, 5 November 2015.

“The State and Polity in India: Assessing the Roots of Authoritarianism in Dichotomous Application of Devolution of Power in State-Centre Relationship of Indian Political Frame of Rule” at International Conference on Local Representation of Power in South Asia, Government College University Lahore, November 12-13, 2014.

“Democratic Development in India: Lessons for Pakistan” Paper presented at International Conference on Social and Computational Sciences, held on January 19th and 20th at Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Pakistan.

“The Rising Middle Class in India: A Case Study of Anna Hazare Movement” Paper being read in XIV Annual International Seminar on “Economics, Politics, and, Civil Society,” held on January 2-3, 2013 at India Habitat Centre, New Delhi.

INTERNATIONAL TALKS & GUEST LECTURES

Talk on “Space Security” at EU Non-Proliferation Forum, Paris France, October 13, 2021.

Talk at 16^th Annual Conference on Politics in Athens Greece, 18 June, 2018.

Hindu Nationalism and Indian Foreign Policy towards Pakistan, Institute of Asia Pacific Studies, the University of Nottingham, November 30, 2017.

“Fiscal Federalism: A Case Study of Pakistan,” presentation made at University of Innsbruck Austria

§ “The Rising Middle Class in India: A Case Study of Anna Hazare Movement” at XIV Annual International Seminar on “Economics, Politics, and, Civil Society,” held on January 2-3, 2013 at India Habitat Centre, New Delhi.

GUEST LECTURES

Presented a talk on, “Redrawing Pakistan-US Relations”, in a roundtable at the United States Institute of Peace Islamabad, on September 15, 2022.

Presented a talk on, “Factors Adversely Impacting the National Integration in Pakistan”, at Islamabad Policy Research Institute, on August 25, 2022.

Presented a talk on, “Assessment of Russell Tribunal and War Crimes in J&K”, at Islamabad Policy Research Institute”, on January 5^th, 2022.

Presented a talk on, “Classical Democracies (USA & UK): Successes and Failures”, at Defence Services Academy, May 31^st, 2021.

Presented a talk on, “Kashmir in the Post August 5^th Scenario: AJK’s Perspective”, at World Forum on Kashmir, February 5^th, 2021.

Presented a talk on, “Contemporary System of Representation: Merits and Demerits”, at Pakistan Institute of Parliamentary Services, November 03, 2020.

Presented a talk on, “Making GB a Province: AJK’s Perspective”, at Islamabad Policy Research Institute, October 14, 2020.

Presented a talk on, “Kashmir Conflict: The Contemporary Landscape”, at National Defence University Islamabad, September 13, 2019.

Presented a talk on, “The Revocation of Article 370 and its Aftermath”, at Islamabad Policy Institute, August 09, 2019.

Presented a talk on, “Democracy and Political Change in Pakistan: 2008-2018”, at National Defence University Islamabad, March 14, 2019.

Presented a talk on, “Economic Social and Political Rights of People of Gilgit Baltistan”, at IPRI (Islamabad Policy Research Institute) February 28, 2019.

Presented a talk on, “SCO’s Role in Regional Stability: Prospects for Pakistan” at Institute of Peace and Diplomatic Studies Islamabad, April 15, 2017

Presented a talk on, “Political Culture of South Asia,” and chaired a session at 24^th International Conference on the Historians of South Asia, Asian History Culture and Environment: Vernacular and Oriental Paradigms, December 06, 2016

Guest Lecture on, “India-Pakistan Relations in a Comparative Perspective,” at National Defence University Islamabad, November 20, 2015.

Panel Speaker on, "Democracy, Freedom of Expression and Governance in Pakistan: The Role of Academia," organized by UNDP office, United Nations Islamabad, November 27, 2015.

Panel Discussant on, “The Reluctant Fundamentalist” with Dr. Nukhbah Langah at Friedrich Eris Stiftung Islamabad, December 10, 2014

Guest Speaker on Economic Revivalism in Pakistan with Syed Khurshid Shah at Centre for Pak Gulf Studies, Islamabad, October 21, 2014.

Guest Speaker on, “Counterinsurgency and Peacebuilding in Pakistan” with Dr. Jsochen Hippler at Centre for Policy Studies, COMSATS, March 14, 2014.

Guest Speaker on, “Managing the Border Tensions at Line of Control between India and Pakistan” at National Defence University Islamabad, November 7, 2013.

Guest Speaker on, “Role of OIC in Highlighting Kashmir Issue” with Abdullah Alim, Assistant Secretary-General OIC, at Institute of Strategic Studies, Islamabad, November 21, 2013.

PROJECTS

"Imagining Alternative Future for South Asia: Seeking Alternate Paradigms", Principal Investigator, won grant from University Research Fund.

“Dynastic Politics and Incumbency Factor in Pakistan”, Principal Investigator, won grant from University Research Fund.

"Establishment of Eco-freindly Garden at Quaid I Azam University Islamabad", won grant from the US Embassy Islamabad.