The Institute of Regional Studies (IRS) was established in 1980 in Peshawar-Pakistan; it is registered under Societies’ Act 1860 as an independent, non-profit and non-governmental entity having interest in regional and global issues concerning Khyber-Pakhtoonkhwa, the Federally Administered Tribal Area and Afghanistan. IRS envisions Pakistan to be a sovereign, strong and democratic republic governed by Islamic principles of equality and justice; it is contributing towards improved governance in Pakistan through enhanced effectiveness and efficiency of Govt. and Non-Govt. organizations; it provides services in human and institutional development, policy analysis and action research. IRS also serves as a resource center for Govt. and Non-Govt. organizations.