Muhammad Amir Rana is the director of Pak Institute for Peace Studies (PIPS). He was a founder member of PIPS when it was launched in January 2006 and had previously worked as a journalist with various Urdu and English daily newspapers from 1996 until 2004. He has also been affiliated with the Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies, Singapore as a visiting fellow. He has also given lectures at several universities and security institutes in Pakistan and abroad.He has worked extensively on issues related to counter-terrorism, counter-extremism, and political economy. He has published widely in national and international journals, professional publications and magazines. He writes regularly for Dawn, Pakistan’s leading English newspaper. He is also the editor of Pakistan Annual Security Report, PIPS’ English research journal ‘Conflict and Peace Studies’ and Urdu monthly magazine “Tajziat”. He has also provided his services as consultants to several international organizations including Adam Smith International.