The International Center for Refugee and Migration Studies (ICRMS) successfully held its Annual Research Symposium for ESRA and FSRA grantees on 3rd December 2025. The program commenced with the recitation of the Holy Quran, followed by an introductory video highlighting the mission, objectives, and achievements of ICRMS. After a round of introductions, Prof. Dr. Zahid Rauf, Director ICRMS, extended a warm welcome and delivered the opening remarks. He presented an overview of the aims and objectives of the research grants, outlining the competitive process from proposal submission and evaluation to shortlisting, proposal defense, and the final awarding of grants. A total of five research grants were awarded: three FSRA grants for doctoral and post-doctoral researchers and two ESRA grants for postgraduate students.
The symposium aimed to provide researchers with a platform to present their research findings, policy recommendations, and the expected impact of their studies. It also served as an opportunity for them to receive constructive feedback and suggestions from their assigned supervisors and external evaluators.
Notable attendees included:
Prof. Dr. Khalid Hafeez, Vice Chancellor, BUITEMS;
Dr. Aminullah, Lecturer, International Relations;
Ms. Sajida Mehdi, CBP Associate, UNHCR;
Dr. Jan Muhammad, Professor, FICT;
Prof. Aurangzaib, FSS&H;
Dr. Bilal Sarwar, Professor and Director, MS (QEA);
Syed Muhammad Nabeel-ul-Haq, Assistant Professor of Economics;
Dr. Manzoor Ali Brohi, Assistant Professor, Management Sciences;
Dr. Tariq Shah, Assistant Professor, Public Administration, BUITEMS;
Nazeer Ahmed, Dean, Graduate Studies Office (GSO);
Dr. Syed Kamran Sami, Professor and Director ORIC, Chemical Engineering;
Dr. Hafeez-Ur-Rehman, Assistant Professor, Mining Engineering.
Their presence and valuable insights significantly enriched the scholarly discussions and strengthened the evaluation process.
ESRA Presentations
- “Maternal and Reproductive Health Challenges Among Afghan Refugee Women in Urban and Rural Settlements of Balochistan”
Presenter: Mr. Samiullah, MS International Relations - “Between Precarity and Resistance: The Biopolitics of Afghan Refugees in Balochistan’s Rural and Urban Areas”
Presenter: Mr. Muhammad Arif, MPhil Religious Studies, University of Erfurt, Germany
FSRA Presentations
- “Analyzing the Role of Afghan Refugees in the Supply Chain in Pakistan: The Case of the Gemstone Trade Market in Peshawar”
Presenter: Dr. Junaid Ahmed, Professor, Management Sciences, University of Peshawar - “Refugee Labor in Natural Resource Extraction: The Case of Harnai’s Coal Mining Sector in Balochistan”
Principal Investigator: Dr. Hidayat Ullah Khan, Associate Professor IR Department, BUITEMS
Co-Principal Investigator: Mr. Muhammad Atif, Graduate MS IR - “Health Assessment and Healthcare Barriers Among Afghan Refugees: Disease Prevalence, Access Challenges, and Public Health Strategies”
Presenter: Dr. Hamid Ali, Associate Professor, Department of Biotechnology, COMSATS
Ms. Sajida Mehdi, Capacity Building Associate, UNHCR, appreciated that the researchers effectively addressed key themes related to public definitions, population dynamics, and broader humanitarian considerations. She commended the relevance, quality, and depth of their work and expressed gratitude to ICRMS for organizing a well-structured and insightful session.
In his concluding remarks, Prof. Dr. Zahid Rauf, Director ICRMS, expressed heartfelt thanks to the UNHCR representatives, participating faculty members, and the ICRMS team for their continuous support and contributions. He emphasized that all recommendations shared during the session have been carefully documented and will be shared with the researchers for incorporation into their final reports.
Reported by Muhammad Asif
Reporting Associate
