Call for Paper: International Relations Conference: Deadline for submission of Abstract: February 20, 2026

  • -
  • 10:00
  • Baragali Summer Camp

 

Click here to download Theme of the Conference

 

Conference Theme

 

3rd International Studies Conference: “Pakistan and the Region Beyond: Navigating Conflict, Geopolitical Flux and Economic Opportunities”

Themes

A further division of the areas of interest is the following:

  • War, Genre, and Critique
  • Religion, Difference, and Violence 
  • Media, Social Media and Disinformation
  • Law, Human Rights, and Gender Rights 
  • Democratic Governance, Public Space, and Resistance
  • Climate, Environment, Developing world
  • Youth and Radicalization 
  • Economic Transformation and Development 
  • Globalization, Con?ict, and Local Economies 
  • Migration, Diaspora, Refugees, and Internally Displaced Persons
  • Borders, Mobility, Trans-national imaginaries 
  • Periphery within a Periphery
  • Politics of Identities 
  • Changing Electoral/Political Trends 
  • Border Management/ Border Control 
  • State Hegemony and Resistance 
  • Social Networking and Political Mobilization
  • Geo-Politics
  • Memory and Politics
  • Development Narratives: Donor Fatigue and the Question of Sustainability
  • Peace Building in Afghanistan – Peace Agreements, Successes and Failures

 

Background and Rationale

 

Frontier regions and transitional zones stand among the most dynamic and contested spaces in today’s world. Far from being simple lines on a map, these areas function as critical channels for trade, cultural interaction, human mobility, and the exchange of ideas, while also serving as focal points for conflict, territorial disputes, political volatility, and the lasting effects of colonial histories. The Pakistan-Afghanistan frontier, in particular, vividly illustrates these complexities: shaped by historical divisions, shared ethnic ties, persistent security concerns, and shifting geopolitical forces, it continues to play a decisive role in the stability of South and Central Asia.

 

In the current era of accelerated globalization, communities in these frontier areas confront overlapping challenges: intensified cross-border movements of goods, people, and information; ongoing threats to security; competition over resources; environmental pressures; and the destabilizing influence of digital media and disinformation. Simultaneously, these zones hold significant potential for economic integration, sustainable development, peacebuilding efforts, and more inclusive forms of governance. The political changes in Afghanistan since 2021 have intensified these dynamics, prompting critical questions about conflict transformation, refugee flows, efforts to counter radicalization, and prospects for meaningful regional cooperation.

 

This conference aims to move beyond narrow, state-centered perspectives by prioritizing interdisciplinary, geographically broad, and inclusive approaches. It seeks to convene scholars, students, policymakers, practitioners, and community representatives to critically examine the evolving realities of frontier regions, with particular attention to the Pakistan-Afghanistan interface and its wider implications for the region.

 

Conference Objectives

 

  1. To investigate the historical, socio-cultural, political, and economic dimensions of frontier zones as spaces of both separation and linkage. 
  2. To examine current challenges and emerging opportunities in frontier regions especially in Southwest and Central Asia amid geopolitical shifts and globalization. 
  3. To encourage in-depth dialogue on intersecting themes such as conflict, security, migration, identity, governance, sustainability, and resistance. 
  4. To nurture a vibrant research culture among university students through dedicated panels and special sessions. 
  5. To produce policy-oriented insights and practical recommendations for peacebuilding, inclusive development, and effective frontier management.

Abstract Submission:

  • We request abstracts of 200 words or less. The submission of abstracts is open, and review will start on February 20, 2026. Please submit abstracts through link https://forms.gle/RQ1jTVXAai28ASFY7, for further information contact the conference secretrary through email address  internationalstudies@uop.edu.pk or waseemmurad@uop.edu.pk The abstracts will be double-blind peer-reviewed. Rest assured, the committee will announce its decision on February 26, 2026. Detailed papers must be turned in to the coordinator (or to panel chairs) at least a week before the conference starts.

Link for Abstarct Submission: https://forms.gle/RQ1jTVXAai28ASFY7

QR Code for Abstarct Submission:

Registration & Logistics:

  • Registration is open. A small registration fee is expected. However, depending on the funds we generate, we can reimburse some or all of the registration fee. All participants will receive free a) local transport (from/to Peshawar, Islamabad, and Abbottabad to Baragali Campus), b) accommodation, and c) and meals. For more information, feel free to contact us.

Venue:

  • Baragali Summer Camp
    University of Peshawar
    Galyat, KP, Pakistan.

Conference Organizers

University of Peshawar

Area Study Centre

Department of Economics

Department of History

Department of International Relations

Department of Political Science

Institute of Regional Studies

Shaheed Benazir Bhutto University Peshawar

Women University Mardan

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Centre of Excelence and Counter Violent Extremism.