Institute of Regional Studies

What Institute of Regional Studies does

The Institute of Regional Studies (IRS) is a nonprofit, autonomous think tank founded in 1982 in Islamabad, Pakistan, that produces independent research and analysis on regional and international affairs across South Asia, China, West Asia (including Afghanistan, Iran, and the Gulf States), and the Central Asian Republics. Operating under the slogan "know thy neighbor," IRS serves policymakers, government officials, academia, the diplomatic community, and media professionals through evidence-based publications, policy dialogues, and convening platforms. The organization is led by President Ambassador Jauhar Saleem and is structured around ten specialized research programs covering India, China, Afghanistan, Iran, Türkiye & Azerbaijan, Cyber Security, Climate Resilience, Human Security, Central Asia connectivity, and South Asia Peace and Development, plus the Centre for Countering Terrorism and Violent Extremism Studies (CCTVES).

IRS delivers its outputs through a portfolio of recurring publications — the biannual Regional Studies journal, periodic Focus studies (63+ titles), bi-monthly Spotlight reports (127+ titles), Policy Briefs, Bi-Monthly Research Briefs, Research Reports (including Hate Tracker monitoring), Selections from Regional Press, and a quarterly Newsletter — supplemented by digital channels (YouTube, podcast, blog, Twitter/X), flagship events (the Annual Conference, Eminent Speaker Series, policy dialogues, webinars, and international seminars), and an Internship Program for young researchers. The organization maintains a research team of approximately 51–100 staff and has executed MoU partnerships with over 20 Pakistani and international universities and think tanks, including counterparts in Italy, Nepal, Russia, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan. There is no evidence of proprietary technology, software products, or platform infrastructure; IRS's "platform" is fundamentally a content-and-convening operation, not a technology stack.

As a non-profit, IRS does not charge for its publications or events, and revenue and funding sources are not publicly disclosed. Its distribution model relies on free PDF downloads from irs.org.pk, social media amplification, and in-person attendance at Islamabad-based convenings. With no commercial revenue stream and no disclosed donor or grant base in the source data, the organization's financial sustainability cannot be triangulated from the inputs provided.

Name

Institute of Regional Studies

Legal name

Institute of Regional Studies

Website

https://irs.org.pk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1982

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

The Institute of Regional Studies is a Pakistan-based autonomous think tank founded in 1982 that produces independent research, publications, and convening events on regional affairs for policymakers, academia, media, and the diplomatic community.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Policy Research and Think Tank Services

NAICS

Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities (54172)

SIC

Services-Engineering, Accounting, Research, Management (8700)

akta.pro primary industry

Think Tanks, Policy Research & Public Policy Institutes (BPAGAFAO)

akta.pro secondary industry

Education Policy Research Institutes & Think Tanks (EDADADAA)

Keywords

• Regional affairs research
• Geopolitical policy analysis
• International relations studies
• Strategic area studies
• Think tank publications

Headquarters

HQ city

Islamabad

HQ country

Pakistan

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Think Tank Operations: IRS operates as an autonomous think tank established in 1982. The organization conducts free, focused research on South Asia, China, West Asia, and Central Asian Republics. Revenue model is not explicitly disclosed in available sources.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The Institute of Regional Studies is an autonomous nonprofit think tank founded in 1982 in Islamabad, Pakistan, that conducts independent, in-depth research and analysis on political, economic, and social issues across South Asia, Southwest Asia, Central Asia, China, and the Indian Ocean region. It delivers its work through a suite of publications (Regional Studies journal, Focus, Spotlight, Policy Briefs, Selections from Regional Press, Research Reports, Newsletter), thematic research programs, an annual conference, seminars, policy dialogues, podcasts, and a blog, all aimed at promoting dialogue and policy guidance for governments, academia, media, and the diplomatic community.

Product overview

The Institute of Regional Studies (IRS) is an autonomous think tank founded in 1982, offering a comprehensive suite of research and publication products focused on regional and international affairs. The organization operates a platform-plus-modules architecture consisting of: the Regional Studies Journal (biannual academic publication), Focus (periodic in-depth studies), Spotlight (bi-monthly event analysis), Policy Briefs (evidence-based recommendations), Selections from Regional Press (media analysis), Bi-Monthly Research Briefs, and Research Reports including Hate Tracker monitoring. Supporting these core publications are the IRS Newsletter (quarterly), Podcast Series (audio content), Digital Insights Blog, and flagship events including the Annual Conference and internship program. IRS also maintains specialized thematic programs covering India, China, Afghanistan, Iran, Cyber Security, Climate Resilience, Human Security, Central Asia connectivity, and South Asia Peace and Development.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Regional Studies Journal A biannual academic journal covering foreign and internal affairs, economy and industry, science and technology, sociocultural aspects, and security issues across South Asia, Southwest Asia, Central Asia, China, and the Indian Ocean region, targeted at scholars and policymakers in international relations and regional studies.
• Focus A periodic in-depth study publication focusing on specific issues within regional countries, analyzing geopolitical developments and strategic matters for policymakers and researchers.
• Spotlight A bi-monthly publication addressing specific events in one or more regional countries, providing timely analysis on current developments for government, academia, and media audiences.
• Policy Briefs Evidence-based policy recommendations and research analysis addressing key regional issues for policymakers, government ministries, and stakeholders.
• Selections from Regional Press Comprehensive coverage of regional media with analysis on foreign affairs, politics and economics, social and cultural affairs, and defense and security for diplomats, journalists, and researchers.
• Bi-Monthly Research Briefs In-depth research briefs covering regional and global affairs, including insights on foreign policy and annual analysis reports for decision-makers.
• Research Reports Comprehensive research reports on regional security, cross-border issues, human rights, and strategic analyses including Hate Tracker monitoring for government and policy stakeholders.
• IRS Newsletter Quarterly publication featuring seminar highlights, roundtable discussions, panel discussions, webinars, and research paper summaries distributed to policy and academic subscribers.
• IRS Podcast Series Audio episodes focused on regional issues featuring expert discussions and analysis on geopolitical developments for a broad public audience.
• Digital Insights (Blog) Blog platform featuring research insights and analysis on regional affairs for public consumption.
• Annual Conference Flagship annual conference bringing together diplomats, ministers, scholars, and experts for dialogue on regional affairs, with the 2026 edition featuring 40+ speakers across 8 sessions in Islamabad.
• Research Programs Specialized thematic programs covering India, China, Afghanistan, Iran, Türkiye & Azerbaijan, Cyber Security, Climate Resilience, Human Security, Central Asia Connectivity, and South Asia Peace and Development, producing country- and topic-specific research outputs.
• Internship Program Research career development program offering opportunities for young researchers and graduate students to engage with regional affairs research and policy work at IRS.

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

23 partnerships are on record, tiered core, regional and international.

• Middle East Technical University (METU), North Cyprus CampuscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partnership for research collaboration and knowledge exchange on regional affairs between Pakistan and Turkey/North Cyprus.
• Centro Studi Internazionali (CeSI), ItalycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational collaboration with Italian think tank for research on international relations and regional studies.
• Institute of International Relations, NepalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional partnership with IRON Nepal for collaborative research on South Asian affairs and international relations.
• University of Brescia, ItalycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partnership with Italian university for research exchange and collaborative studies.
• Quaid-i-Azam UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMoU partnership with Pakistan's leading university for academic collaboration and research support.
• Centre for International Peace and Stability (CIPS) NUSTcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with NUST's security studies center for peace and stability research.
• National Defence University, IslamabadcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with Pakistan's premier defense university for security and strategic studies research.
• Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMoU for cooperation with ISSI on strategic studies and policy research.
• Balochistan Council for Peace and Policy (BCPP), QuettaregionalStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional partnership focusing on peace and policy research in Balochistan region.
• Centre for South Asian Studies (CSAS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with University of Punjab's South Asian studies center for regional research.
• National University Of Modern Languages (NUML)regionalStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with NUML for language and cultural research aspects of regional studies.
• Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services (PIPS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to support parliamentary research and policy analysis capabilities.
• Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMoU partnership for sustainable development and policy research collaboration.
• Civil Society Coalition for Climate Change, IslamabadcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership under the Strengthening Regional Climate Resilience Program for climate policy research.
• Area Study Centre, Far East & South Asia, University of SindhregionalStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional partnership focusing on Far East and South Asian studies.
• Parliamentary Committee on KashmircoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to support parliamentary work on Kashmir affairs and policy.
• Kinnaird College For WomenregionalStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partnership with leading women's college for research collaboration.
• Area Study Centre, University of PeshawarregionalStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional partnership for area studies research in the Peshawar region.
• National Institute of Maritime Affairs (NIMA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for maritime affairs research and analysis.
• Pakistan Institute of Development EconomicscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with PIDE for development economics research.
• ICCA, RussiainternationalStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational partnership with Russian institute for Central Asian studies.
• FPRI, KazakhstaninternationalStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Kazakh think tank for Central Asian regional research.
• IICA, UzbekistaninternationalStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational partnership with Uzbek institute for Central Asian affairs research.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Brookings Institution: Brookings is a major US-based think tank with programs on foreign policy and international economics including South Asia. It is a broader incumbent that publishes comparable policy research and analysis for global decision-makers in regions IRS covers.
• Chatham House: Chatham House is a UK-based international affairs think tank producing research on Asia, geopolitics, and global governance. Its scope and resources are far broader than IRS, but it competes for the same diplomatic, academic, and policy audiences on regional analysis.
• Atlantic Council: Atlantic Council is a US-based international affairs think tank producing analysis on geopolitics, security, and regional issues including South and Central Asia. It operates at a far larger scale but produces overlapping policy research for government and diplomatic audiences.
• Carnegie Endowment for International Peace: Carnegie is a globally established think tank producing research on international affairs, including South Asia. It is a broad incumbent with significantly larger resources, publishing policy analysis on the same regional and geopolitical topics as IRS.

Direct peers

• Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI): SDPI is a leading Pakistani policy research institute in Islamabad working on sustainable development, economic policy, and regional affairs. IRS and SDPI partner under MoU, serve overlapping government and academic audiences, and produce competing policy briefs on regional topics.
• Area Study Centre for South Asia, University of Sindh: Area Study Centre for South Asia is a Pakistani academic research center with formal partnership with IRS. Both produce academic research on South Asian regional affairs and policy, targeting overlapping scholarly audiences.
• Centre for International Peace and Stability (CIPS), NUST: CIPS is NUST's research center focused on peace, conflict, and counter-terrorism studies in Islamabad. Both CIPS and IRS publish on regional security, Afghanistan, and counter-extremism, and they share an active partnership for joint research outputs.
• Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE): PIDE is a leading Pakistani economic research institution in Islamabad with a focus on development economics and policy. Both PIDE and IRS publish policy briefs and reports for Pakistani policymakers and academia, and IRS has a formal collaboration with PIDE.
• Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI): ISSI is Pakistan's leading strategic studies think tank in Islamabad, focused on foreign policy and security analysis. IRS has an active MoU with ISSI, and both target overlapping policymaker, diplomatic, and academic audiences with comparable publication products.
• Middle East Institute: Middle East Institute is a Washington-based think tank producing research on West Asia and the broader region. IRS's West Asia Program and coverage of Iran and Gulf States directly parallel MEI's thematic and regional focus.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/irsislamabad
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCJTp9HUoxNqYDuFqyPeCnPw/videos
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/institute-of-regional-studies

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles17 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Institute of Regional Studies