Salman Rafi Sheikh
Salman Rafi Sheikh is an Assistant Professor of Politics at Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS), Pakistan. He covers Pakistan as a regular contributor to Himal Briefs. He can be reached at: salmansheikh.ss11.sr@gmail.com

Pakistan’s politics continues to dictate its economic crisis
The standoff over elections in Punjab between the PML-N’s ruling coalition and Imran Khan’s PTI has intensified Pakistan’s multidimensional crisis, and may lead to sovereign default
May 19, 2023

Tehreek-i-Taliban is making its way back in Pakistan
Tehreek-i-Taliban’s resurgence reveals the failure of the Pakistan government’s anti-terror policy and its ambivalent, contradictory relationship with Islamist militant groups
Mar 13, 2023

Pakistan needs to go beyond the 18th amendment to end the military’s role in politics
Reviving the 2010 reform process can be key to resolving Pakistan’s continued crises, but the reforms need to also target the military's massive business empire
Jan 30, 2023

Politics and Pakistan’s new army chief
The appointment of General Asim Munir as the COAS is of greater political than institutional significance.
Dec 13, 2022

Taliban regime under siege, within and without
One year later, the Taliban is under attack from rival groups.
Nov 11, 2022

Talking to Tehreek-i-Taliban
Pakistan’s negotiations with the banned group may lead to more violence and instability.
Sep 13, 2022

No neutrality
The military’s neutral stance around Imran Khan’s ouster may be damage control.
Jun 23, 2022

Devolution doldrums
In Pakistan, devolution is stalled at the provincial level.
Apr 15, 2022

Bypassing Parliament
Governing by ordinance in PTI’s Pakistan.
Feb 01, 2022

Military creep
Pakistan’s federal system is being undermined by militarisation.