Biography

I am Dr. Kanza Sharif, and I belong to Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan. I hold PhD degree in Political Science from Government College University (GCU), Lahore. I joined this prestigious institution in 2013. I served as Lecturer (BS-18) till September 2026. Since September 2026, I have been serving as an Assistant Professor (BS-19) in the Department of Political Science. My academic and research interests are broad yet interconnected, with a particular focus on Foreign Policy, Federalism and Decentralization, International Organizations, Social Protection Systems, Public Administration, and Local Government Systems. These areas reflect my interest in understanding how political and administrative institutions function at national and sub-national levels. I am a keen observer of ongoing research and emerging debates within the political sphere, especially those related to governance reforms, institutional performance and policy innovation. My long-term academic goal is to contribute meaningfully to the discipline of Political Science through quality research, effective teaching and policy-relevant scholarship. I aspire to play a constructive role in advancing knowledge related to governance, decentralization, and social protection, particularly in the context of developing countries such as Pakistan.

Education

• PhD in Political Science, Government College University, Lahore (Lahore, Pakistan) 2026

Teaching Areas

Experience

Journal Papers

• Kanza Sharif, Prof. Dr. Fauzia Ghani (2025). ""LOCAL GOVERNANCE IN HEALTHCARE DEPARTMENT: AN INDICATOR OF WELFARE STATE OF PAKISTAN”.." Pakistan Journal of International Affairs , Vol. 8 (1) , pp. 47-61. DOI: https://doi.org/10.52337/pjia.v8i1.1190

Conference Papers

• International Conference on Leadership, Sustainable Democracy and National Integration: Emerging Trends & Patterns in South Asia (2026), Lahore, Pakistan. , Paper: "Traditional vs Democratic Local Governance in Pakistan: A Comparative Study of Panchayat, Jirga & Local Governments in Punjab and KPK (Post 2000)"
• International Conference on Leadership, Sustainable Democracy and National Integration: Emerging Trends & Patterns in South Asia (2026), Lahore, Pakistan. , Paper: "Beyond Elections: The Institutional Foundations of Sustainable Democracy"

Thesis/Research Supervisions

• Aqsa Hafeez (2026), MS/MPhil. Thesis: "Democratic Regression and Human Rights Violations: A Comparative Study of Pakistan and Bangladesh (2018-2024)" (Completed)
• Faisal Hayat, Zohaib Ahmed, Usama Afzal (2026), BS. Thesis: "Return of Taliban's Government in Afghanistan: Challenges for Pakistan" (Completed)
• Mehak Marri (2026), BS. Thesis: "peaceful Resistance vs. Violent Insurgency: A Comparative Study of Baloch Nationalist Women Activism and BLA's Strategies" (Completed)
• Mian Noman Shah (2026), BS. Thesis: "Melting Glaciers and Flood Hazards: Challenges for Water Security and Livelihood in KP" (Completed)
• Muhammad Huzaifa Jamshaid, Faisal Mehboob (2026), BS. Thesis: "Challenges of Water Governance between Pakistan and India: Revisiting Indus Water Treaty" (Completed)
• Sohrab Khan (2026), BS. Thesis: "Governance Challenges in Refugee Settlement: A Case Study of Quetta, Balochistan" (Completed)
• Zubair Ali (2026), BS. Thesis: "Local Government in Pakistan: A Case Study of District Dadu, Sindh" (Completed)
• Anees ur Rehman, Shakirullah (2025), BS. Thesis: "Rise of Populism and Democratic Backsliding: Post Cold War Era 1990-2010" (Completed)
• Fatima Bibi, Wajeeh Ullah (2025), BS. Thesis: "Role of stakeholders in Agriculture Policy of Pakistan: A Case Study of District Narowal" (Completed)
• Kaneez Bahoo, Hafsa Younas (2025), BS. Thesis: "Political Leadership and Crisis Management in Punjab 2018-2022" (Completed)
• Saif ur Rehman Jaffar (2025), BS. Thesis: "Religious Extremism and Legislation in Pakistan" (Completed)
• Adeel Ahmed, Sajjad Ali Shah (2024), BS. Thesis: "Exploring the Transformative Effect of Judicial Activism in Pakistan: A Comparative Study of Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry and Saqib Nisar" (Completed)
• Amna Bibi, Habiba Bibi (2024), BS. Thesis: "Social Media: A Platform for Political Mobilization and Activism in Pakistan" (Completed)
• Farhad Ullah, Shoaib Akhtar (2024), BS. Thesis: "Challenges to Women's Political Participation in Pakistan: A Case Study of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa" (Completed)
• Fatima Iqbal (2024), MS/MPhil. Thesis: "Strategic Balance in South Asia: Growing US-India Alliance and Implications for Pakistan since 2005" (Completed)
• Raheel Nadeem, Shah Jahan (2024), BS. Thesis: "Political Development and Power Dynamics in Balochistan: 2006-2013" (Completed)
• Raza Shah (2022), MS/MPhil. Thesis: "Post-Mergence of FATA with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: Challenges and Prospects" (Completed)