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karachi May 9 , 2026: IBA hosted a thought-provoking panel discussion titled, “Wars, Crisis, and Deterrence Stability in
South and West Asia”, organized by the School of Economics & Social Sciences (IBA-SESS) at the Main Campus. The
session brought together leading voices to examine the evolving nature of conflict, deterrence, international law,
and regional security in an increasingly unstable global environment.
The panel featured Professor Dr. Zafar Nawaz Jaspal, Interim Vice Chancellor & Meritorious Professor, Quaid-i-Azam
University, Islamabad, who joined the session online; Ms. Reema Omer, Lawyer & Human Rights Professional, and
Dr. Sajjad Ahmed, Assistant Professor, Department of Social Sciences and Liberal Arts, IBA. The session was
moderated by Dr. Farhan Hanif Siddiqi, Professor & Chairperson, Department of Social Sciences and Liberal Arts,
IBA.
Opening the discussion, Dr. Siddiqi framed the conversation around recent wars and militarized crises in the
international system, including the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the ongoing crisis in Gaza, tensions between Iran and
Israel, and the recurring pattern of escalation in South Asia. Prof. Dr. Jaspal discussed the concept of the “Fourth
Nuclear Age,” emphasizing that the global strategic environment is increasingly marked by state-to-state conflict,
the renewed centrality of military power, and the weakening of nuclear arms control frameworks. Ms. Omer
discussed the legality of contemporary wars under international law, emphasizing that despite its selective
application, international law remains vital for accountability, particularly for the Global South. She also highlighted
key principles related to the use of force, self-defense, and international navigation.
Dr. Ahmed offered insights into Iran’s foreign policy, domestic resilience, and strategic outlook. He discussed how
Iran’s historical experience, sanctions environment, and national security concerns have shaped its regional posture.
He also reflected on Iran’s approach to sovereignty, resistance to external domination, and the relationship between
domestic pressures and foreign policy behavior.
The discussion also explored India-Pakistan relations, deterrence by denial, the risks of future escalation, and the
implications of military technologies, missile systems, drones, cyber operations, and multi-domain warfare for crisis
stability. The session concluded with an interactive Q&A segment, allowing students, faculty, and attendees to
engage with the panelists.
About IBA Karachi:
IBA Karachi, Pakistan’s leading and most prestigious institution of higher education, has nurtured generations of
trailblazers, with 22,000+ alumni driving innovation and leading organizations across the globe. IBA offers a world-class
education that empowers students to shape the future and is committed to inclusivity, diversity and sustainability. IBA
fosters an eco-conscious campus community, continuously reducing its carbon footprint through impactful green
initiatives and with a rich legacy and an unwavering pursuit of progress, IBA continues to redefine Leadership,
Excellence, and Impact.
