Central and South Asia strategically stretch from the Caspian Sea in the southwest and Eastern Europe in the northwest to Western China and Mongolia in the east, and from Afghanistan and Iran in the south to Russia in the north. Comprising Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, the region’s global trade share remains under 1%. The lack of intraregional trade, investment, and movement of people has made it one of the least integrated regions in Asia and the Pacific.
Pakistan has long aimed to strengthen its trade relations with Central Asian states. Islamabad’s "Look West" approach is further reinforced by continued tensions with India. Pakistan is already working on multifaceted cooperation under its framework of Vision Central Asia—encompassing five tracks: political and diplomatic engagement; trade and investment ties; energy and connectivity; security and defence; and people-to-people exchanges.
However, relentless instability in Afghanistan and its unpredictable future have become the most serious security challenges for the integration of Central and South Asia. Global rivalries and the presence of militant organisations in the region continue to impede much-needed progress.
The Asian Development Bank, in its report Evaluation of ADB Support for the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation Program, 2011–2021, stated that two regional initiatives supporting energy exports from Central Asia to Afghanistan and Pakistan are currently suspended. This is because ADB halted its regular assistance to Afghanistan effective 15 August 2021, due to the regime change. The situation has remained precarious owing to security concerns, frequent border closures, and increased border-crossing costs and delays.
Future Asia Mission
The Future Asia, based in Islamabad, aims to meet the demand for scientific knowledge that political decision-makers need to respond to increasingly complex regional challenges. It brings together interdisciplinary scholars to research relevant policies, issues, and ideas. Topics addressed range across social policy, public policy, economic policy, political strategy, culture, and technology.
FA monitors the factors impeding regional trade, tracks public sentiment and trade barriers, and observes the response of militant organisations to regional connectivity. It publishes articles, studies, and occasionally drafts legislation on specific policy or social issues. This information is used by governments, businesses, media organisations, social movements, and other stakeholders.
Multiple regional organizations operate within the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) sub-region. However, all include extra-regional member states, and none represent all CAREC countries or even all core Central Asian nations—contributing to further regional fragmentation.
Future Asia Vision
The think tank’s core focus is to work toward A More Integrated Central and South Asia—a region where geo-economics guides peace and prosperity. A region where Pakistan plays a crucial role in regional economic revival.
What We Do
- Research
- Policy Advice / Briefs
- Network Building
- Advocacy and Awareness
- Social Media Expertise
.jpg)
0 Comments