The Center for Research and Security Studies

What The Center for Research and Security Studies does

The Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) is an independent, privately held think tank headquartered in Islamabad, Pakistan, founded by civil society activists and described as Pakistan's first think-tank of its kind. Its work spans six thematic areas — Counter Radicalization, Security & Justice, Cross Border Engagement, Youth Engagement, Women's Empowerment, and Health — and is delivered through a portfolio of research publications, quarterly security reports tracking violence-linked fatalities and injuries across Pakistan, environmental and climate analyses (air quality, water infrastructure, mountain resilience), geopolitical studies covering Pakistan, Afghanistan, China, Iran, and Central Asia, and the Beyond Boundaries Track 1.5/II multitrack diplomacy initiative that convenes former diplomats, senior military officials, academics, and regional stakeholders from Pakistan, Afghanistan, China, and Uzbekistan.

CRSS distributes its outputs primarily through its own website (crss.pk), downloadable PDF reports, and social media channels (Facebook, Twitter/X, YouTube), supplemented by high-level roundtables and stakeholder consultations. The organization has no disclosed commercial pricing model, no API, no proprietary software product, and no parent company or institutional investors identified in the available source material; leadership consists of Executive Director Imtiaz Gul, Director Programs Junaid Yaqoob Khan, Research Fellow Elsa Chandio, and Researcher Shahana Naseer.

Its primary audiences are Government and Policy Makers, Media and Communications, Regional Stakeholders engaged in cross-border dialogue, and the broader public and civil society in Pakistan and South Asia. Operating geographies are stated as South Asia, Central Asia, and the Middle East, with primary activity in Pakistan.

Name

The Center for Research and Security Studies

Legal name

Centre for Research and Security Studies

Website

https://crss.pk

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Independent Islamabad-based think tank conducting nonpartisan research and publishing policy, security, geopolitical, and environmental analysis for government, media, and regional stakeholders across Pakistan, Afghanistan, China, and Central Asia.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

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

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) is an independent civil society-founded think tank that conducts research and publishes policy and security analysis on conflict, security, governance, and development issues affecting Pakistan and the broader South Asian region. The organization produces quarterly security reports tracking violence-linked fatalities and injuries, in-depth research publications on geopolitics, climate, and regional affairs, and convenes the "Beyond Boundaries" multitrack diplomacy initiative bringing together former officials, academics, and regional experts.

Product overview

The Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) is Pakistan's first civil society-founded think tank offering a portfolio of research and analysis products focused on security, conflict, governance, and development. The organization operates as a unified research platform producing Security Reports (quarterly tracking of violence and terrorism trends), Research Publications (in-depth geopolitical and policy analysis), Air Quality Reports (comprehensive environmental and climate research), and convenes the Beyond Boundaries multitrack diplomacy initiative. These products are distributed through the CRSS website and are primarily informational and analytical in nature, serving policymakers, academics, civil society, and media.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• CRSS Security Reports Quarterly statistical reports tracking violence-linked fatalities, injuries, and terrorist attacks across Pakistan, providing analysis of regional security trends, victim categories, and militant group activities for policymakers, security agencies, and researchers.
• Research Publications In-depth research reports on geopolitics, climate change, air quality, water infrastructure, trade, and regional security covering Pakistan, Afghanistan, China, and Central Asia for policymakers, academics, and civil society.
• Beyond Boundaries Multitrack Diplomacy Initiative A diplomatic engagement program convening former diplomats, senior military officials, academics, business representatives, civil society leaders, and regional experts from Pakistan, Afghanistan, China, and Uzbekistan for Track 1.5/II dialogue on Pakistan-Afghanistan relations and regional cooperation.
• Air Quality and Climate Research Reports Research reports analyzing air pollution, transport emissions, fuel adulteration, and the relationship between air quality and heatwaves, including Karachi-specific air quality assessments such as the Dark Clouds of Pakistan report.
• Gwadar Development Analysis Research reports examining Gwadar's socioeconomic conditions, investment climate, infrastructure challenges, fisheries sector, and China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) developments for policymakers and investors.
• Geopolitical Analysis Reports Reports analyzing regional geopolitical developments including Iran-Israel conflict implications for South Asia, Pakistan-Afghanistan relations, China-Afghanistan engagement, and regional trade dynamics.
• Water Infrastructure Analysis Research examining Pakistan's water policy, the Indus Waters Treaty, dam infrastructure projects, and governance failures in water sector management.
• Expert Stories and Commentary Commentary and analysis from security experts, former officials, academics, and practitioners on regional security, diplomacy, and development issues.

Quantifiable outcome

• CRSS Security Report Q2 2026 tallied 774 violence-linked fatalities and 336 injuries across 267 incidents
• +1 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• International Crisis Group: Independent global think tank producing field-based research and policy analysis on conflict, security, and governance. Closely comparable to CRSS given the shared focus on conflict, counter-terrorism, and regional diplomacy, though with a global footprint rather than a Pakistan-centric base.
• Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI): Pakistan-based independent think tank conducting policy research on sustainable development, governance, and security. Comparable in domestic orientation, non-profit model, and policy publishing cadence; CRSS competes for similar Pakistan-focused donor dollars and policy audiences.
• Institute of Policy Studies Islamabad (IPS): Islamabad-based think tank focused on policy research, regional security, and governance in Pakistan. Closest domestic peer in geography, scale, and stakeholder base; competes directly with CRSS for policy-maker attention and media share.

Broad incumbents

• Stimson Center: US-based policy research center covering security, governance, and regional stability. Overlaps with CRSS on counter-radicalization, cross-border engagement, and South Asian security themes but at a much larger scale and with global rather than country-specific focus.
• Royal United Services Institute (RUSI): UK-based defense and security think tank publishing analysis on counter-terrorism, conflict, and regional security. Comparable publishing model (regular reports, expert commentary) and similar analytical subject matter, though RUSI operates at substantially greater scale.
• Carnegie Endowment for International Peace: Global think tank with established South Asia programs covering Pakistan, Afghanistan, and regional security. Comparable analytical framing on counter-radicalization and cross-border engagement, but operates with vastly larger funding and a multi-program portfolio.
• Atlantic Council: International affairs think tank with programs covering South Asia security, CPEC, and Indo-Pacific geopolitics. Overlaps with CRSS on Gwadar/CPEC analysis, regional geopolitics, and US-Pakistan policy engagement, though at broader scope and scale.
• Brookings Institution: US-based policy research organization with established South Asia programs covering Pakistan security, economy, and regional affairs. Comparable in producing accessible policy reports cited by media and policymakers, though at vastly greater institutional scale and with global thematic coverage.

Regional players

• Afghan Institute for Strategic Studies (AISS): Afghanistan-based policy research organization focused on security, governance, and regional relations. Directly comparable as a counterpart for CRSS's Pakistan-Afghanistan Track 1.5/II dialogue work and frequently a partner at Beyond Boundaries convenings.

Emerging players

• Heartfile: Pakistan-based health policy think tank focused on health systems strengthening. Comparable in non-profit, Islamabad-anchored operating model and overlaps with CRSS's Health thematic pillar.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/Crsspak
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC1PLzO6SJRkCom0LxHh9u2Q?view_as=subscriber
• Facebookfacebook.com/CRSSpak

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Center for Research and Security Studies