Azhar Zeeshan, Research Assistant at CASS Lahore, holds an MPhil in History and a BA in IR, both with distinction. His research focuses on national security, militant groups, extremism, geopolitics, and airpower in South Asia.
Azhar Zeeshan is a Research Assistant at the Centre for Aerospace and Security Studies (CASS) in Lahore. He holds an MPhil in History from Quaid-i-Azam University, awarded with distinction, and a Bachelor’s degree in International Relations from the University of Peshawar, also earned with distinction.
Azhar’s research interests primarily focuses on national security, with a particular emphasis on militant groups, religious extremism, geopolitics, and airpower within the South Asian context.
Before joining CASS Lahore, Azhar honed his research and analytical skills as a Research Associate at organizations such as South Asia Times and the Pak Afghan Youth Forum. In these roles, he contributed to policy-oriented research.
Azhar regularly writes articles and opinion pieces for leading national and international dailies and magazines, offering insights into topics that aligned with his research interests.
Publications of Azhar Zeeshan
Research Papers
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Before Joining CASS
- Blasphemy in the Electoral Politics of Pakistan
Zeeshan, Azhar. 2024. “Blasphemy in the Electoral Politics of Pakistan.” Global Political Review IX (I):98-111. doi: 10.31703/gpr.2024(IX-I).11
Opinion Articles
- “The Alarming Use of Small Drones by TTP,” published by Stratheia, March 2, 2025, https://stratheia.com/the-alarming-use-of-small-drones-by-ttp/
- Wings of the future: China’s 6th-generation fighter aircraft published by Pakistan Today, February 2, 2025, https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2025/02/02/wings-of-the-future/
- “The Politics of Boycott” published by The Nation, February 18, 2024, https://www.nation.com.pk/18-Feb-2024/the-politics-of-boycott
- “A Tale of Two Conflicts: Unmasking the Western Hypocrisy in Ukraine & Gaza” published by the South Asia Times, January 27, 2024, https://southasiatimes.org/a-tale-of-two-conflicts/
- “Safeguarding Personal Data in the Digital Age: The Need for Robust Privacy Laws” in Pakistan published by Strafasia, January 09, 2024, https://strafasia.com/safeguarding-personal-data-in-the-digital-age-the-need-for-robust-privacy-laws-in-pakistan/
- “Education: an Economic Catalyst”, published by The Nation, March 16, 2024, https://www.nation.com.pk/16-Mar-2024/education-an-economic-catalyst
- “Pakistan & Turkiye’s Aviation Industry”, published by The Nation, March 28, 2024, https://www.nation.com.pk/28-Mar-2024/pakistan-turkiye-s-aviation-industry
- “The Afghanistan Conundrum: Pakistan’s Challenge, China’s Role”, published by South Asia Times, June 25, 2024, https://southasiatimes.org/the-afghanistan-conundrum-pakistans-challenge-chinas-role/
- “NACTA in the changing security landscape”, published by Pakistan Today, April 21, 2024, https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2024/04/21/nacta-in-the-changing-security-landscape/
- “Understanding propaganda in the age of automation and algorithms”, published by Pakistan Today, July 30, 2024, https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2024/07/30/understanding-propaganda-in-the-age-of-automation-and-algorithms/
- Environmentally Sustainable Aviation Future for Pakistan, published by Minute Mirror, December 5, 2024, https://minutemirror.com.pk/environmentally-sustainable-aviation-future-for-pakistan-286510/
- Strengthening Democracy in Pakistan, published by Pakistan Today, July 10, 2024, https://dailytimes.com.pk/1208175/strengthening-democracy-in-pakistan/
- Resetting Pakistan Bangladesh Ties in the Post Hasina’s Era, published by Stratheia, https://stratheia.com/resetting-pakistan-bangladesh-ties-in-the-post-hasinas-era/
Book Reviews
- Book Review – The Origins of Victory: How Disruptive Military Innovation Determines the Fates of Great Power, published by Stratheia, April 29, 2024, https://stratheia.com/book-review-the-origins-of-victory-how-disruptive-military-innovation-determines-the-fates-of-great-power/
Opinion Articles
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Before Joining CASS
- “India’s ingress into Afghanistan: why should Pakistan worry” published by Daily Times June 20, 2022, https://dailytimes.com.pk/955005/indias-ingress-into-afghanistan-why-should-pakistan-worry/
- Foreign policy 2. 0 and Afghan Taliban, published by Pakistan Observer, July 24, 2022, https://pakobserver.net/foreign-policy-2-0-and-afghan-taliban-by-azhar-zeeshan/
- “Chinese National Accused of Blasphemy Is Another Test for China-Pakistan Ties” published by The Diplomat April 21, 2023, https://thediplomat.com/2023/04/chinese-national-accused-of-blasphemy-is-another-test-for-china-pakistan-ties/
Book Reviews
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Before Joining CASS
- Book Review: The Return Of The Taliban Afghanistan After The US Left published by South Asia Times, June 17, 2023, https://southasiatimes.org/book-review-the-return-of-the-taliban-afghanistan-after-the-us-left/
- Book Review: The Silk Roads by Peter Frankopan, published by South Asia Times, August 23, 2022, https://southasiatimes.org/silk-roads/
The Centre for Aerospace & Security Studies (CASS) was established in July 2021 to inform policymakers and the public about issues related to aerospace and security from an independent, non-partisan and future-centric analytical lens.
