KARACHI – The Centre for Alternative Perspectives (CAP) marked its first year of intellectual contribution with a vibrant anniversary celebration held today at the DHA Beachview Club. The event, organized by the organization’s core committee, brought together a distinguished assembly of academics, diplomats, and social advocates to celebrate a year characterized by “zeal and zest.” Established on February 17, 2025, CAP has rapidly evolved into a premier research think tank. Founded by four female professors specializing in International Relations, the organization was built on a vision to bridge the gap between academic research and public policy through multidisciplinary dialogue and public engagement.
Under the leadership of Chairperson and Director of Research, Dr. Samreen Bari Amir, the founding team includes Dr. Sidra Ahmed (President), Dr. Fatima Agha Shah (Vice President), and Dr. Sundus Basharat Ahmad (General Secretary). The success of the event and the organization’s rapid growth are credited to its dedicated core team, including Ms. Nida Imran (Director Events), Wajahat Ali (Director Community Engagement, Lahore & Islamabad), Yahyah Faisal (Director Youth Affairs), Muhammad Usman Ali (Assistant Director Events & Marketing), and Muhammad Furqan (Logistics Officer).
In just twelve months, CAP has expanded its footprint significantly, now boasting over 180 members across Pakistan and overseas. The think tank has also become a pivotal hub for the next generation of scholars, offering robust internship programs for undergraduate students in International Relations and other domains. In a major step toward institutional growth, CAP recently established the “Council for Global Affairs and Policy Alternatives,” a specialized wing dedicated exclusively to high-level, policy-driven research and strategic analysis, further cementing CAP’s role in the national policy landscape.
The anniversary gala featured a lineup of prominent speakers who lauded CAP’s role in fostering alternative viewpoints in the national discourse. Notable attendees included Ms. Irum Tanveer, Director General PR, Press Information Department Karachi; Ambassador Ghulam Rasul Baloch, Member of CAP; Dr. Sabir Abu Maryum, General Secretary of the Palestine Foundation Pakistan; Ms. Shazia Mirza, Founder of the Manzil Educational Foundation; and Syed Huzaifa, Advisor to CAP. “CAP was founded to provide a platform for marginalized voices and to advocate for perspectives that are often overlooked in mainstream policy discourse,” stated the core committee during the event. “Our first year has proven that there is a deep hunger for intellectual dialogue that is both rigorous and inclusive.”
As CAP enters its second year, the organization reaffirmed its commitment to reinforcing multidisciplinary research and expanding its “reach-out” initiatives. By providing a space for intellectual exchange, CAP helps researchers tackle complex global and local issues through fresh, alternative lenses. Tehseen Al-Qadri (Managing Editor, Youth International E-Magazine) and Kinza Waheed (Reporter, Youth International E-Magazine) reaffirmed their commitment to promoting and advancing national and alternative constructive initiatives for Pakistan’s betterment.
