http://www.brasstacks.pk

Mr. Zaid Hamid is a security consultant and strategic defense analyst. He is the founder of BrassTacks, a unique Pakistani Think Tank devoted to the study of regional and global political events and their implications for Pakistan’s security and interests. As an expert on the subject, he is frequently invited to speak on national television networks, and runs his own dedicated program on the News1 channel, named “BrassTacks with Zaid Hamid”. This program has pioneered a new trend in currents affairs programming in Pakistan, where he skillfully knits together the undercurrents of apparently disconnected global events, and builds a bigger perspective on the threats that we face and where our true national interests lie. Owing to the tremendous appreciation received by these educational program series, a number of people have expressed interest in learning more about Mr. Zaid. We present below a brief overview of his personal life, interests and expertise.

Early Life & Afghan War:

Early in his youth, when Mr. Zaid started his graduate degree, the muslim ummah got challenged by the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan – a landmark event that started Mr. Zaid’s career as a soldier and a mujahid. Staking his life and career, he signed up as a volunteer in the Afghan war, and actively participated in the jihad right up to the liberation of Kabul. Over all, Mr. Zaid has spent more than six years of active participation in the jihad. Being a black belt second dan of Shotokan martial art, coupled with his charismatic leadership qualities and in-depth familiarity with modern weapons, (which he inherited from his father, a distinguished veteran of the ‘65 war), Mr. Zaid quickly became a notable contributor in the Afghan jihad.

It was through this first hand participation in the finest guerilla operations of their time that he gained his valuable insights and expertise in Irregular Warfare, counter Insurgency, Low and High Intensity Conflicts and strategic war planning. His travels in Afghanistan allowed him to network with a number of key figures of the jihad from both Afghanistan and Pakistan, and gave him his unique insights into the psyche of the Afghan people, the political undercurrents of the region, the inside story of the whole operation, as well as the role of the CIA and other clandestine agencies in the great game.

To top all of that, he still managed to visit the university campus every now and then, and finished off on his Computer Systems Engineering degree.

Professional Profile:

After the war, Mr. Zaid started his career as a security professional covering subjects like electronic security solutions, security systems design, and training of security personnel. His years in the war significantly contributed in sharpening his expertise of perceiving security threats and developing successful counter measures. After a successful stint as area head of Security Alarms Systems Division of an eminent security company, he launched his own private consulting company in the late 1990s, called BrassTacks Security. This company specializes in corporate security systems design, security systems audit, and security intelligence reporting. You can learn more about it on the corporate website, www.brasstacks.biz.

Education & Training:

With his backpack full of books even in the barren hills of Afghanistan, Mr. Zaid has always lived by the Prophet’s saying to seek knowledge from the cradle to the grave. Even today he considers himself a student, and is ever willing to learn from others, as much as he is willing to teach of what he has learnt and experienced. As you converse with him (in your choice of five languages that he speaks), you can quickly realize the depth and breadth of his knowledge on topics related to religion, philosophy, world history and military subjects. In particular, he is passionate about Islam, and possesses in-depth knowledge of the Quran and Sunnah, as well as extensive study of Islamic political history, Islamic social and economic history, the mechanisms and foundations of Muslim’s economic and social achievements, as well as topics on contemporary issues of the Muslim world and the practical steps to reclaim our lost glory.

In his quest for learning from his elders, Mr. Zaid has had personal acquaintances with many eminent authors, thinkers and scholars of our time, and is strongly inspired by the thoughts of Wasif Ali Wasif and Ashfaq Ahmad. He has also travelled to many countries and places, including numerous visits to Hjiaz-e-muqaddas, turkey, and other friendly Muslim countries.

Mr. Zaid is himself a prolific writer and author of dozens of published articles and handbooks on various defense and security related issues and appears regularly on mainstream media as Analyst on various security and defense matters. His views on security issues especially are taken as authority by clients including multinationals, Government of Pakistan and embassies of friendly countries.

Religious Affiliations:

A number of people question us about the religious affiliations of Mr. Zaid. As a true muslim, ofcourse, the ideal role model of us all is the Prophet(sm).

After him, in order to understand Zaid Hamid’s religious view points, if there is any other person about whom we can say that Mr. Zaid believes and follows his ideology, then it is Hz. Allama Iqbal. Mr. Zaid has extensively read the revolutionary philosophy of Iqbal and his message of Islamic unity and Muslim renaissance, and strongly believes in practically following Iqbals message of Ishq-e-Rasool and Khudi. Like Iqbal, Mr. Zaid, dismisses the factional and sectarian divions among Muslims, and advocates for the Ummah to rise above its differences and meet the bigger challenges that we collectively face.

Butaan-e-rang o khoon koe tore kar millat mein gum hoe ja
Na toorani rahe baqi, na irani, na afghani

Other than following the pristine message of Islam as brought by the Prophet (sm), Mr. Zaid has absolutely no affiliations with any political, sectarian or religious group or party.

BrassTacks Think Tank:

Through out his life of jihad, self-development, and learning, the issue of Islamic renaissance, and resurgence of Pakistan as a prosperous and strong Muslim country, has been a personal passion of Mr. Zaid. The creation of BrassTacks think tank is a culmination of his life long efforts and aspirations.

The mission of Brasstacks Think Tank is exactly what the mission of mr. Zaid himself has always been: to strive for creation of a stronger Pakistan, by creating awareness and providing education on issues of strategic national importance, and providing guidance to the people on how to develop a comprehensive strategy for safeguarding our national interests, and ideological frontiers. You can learn more about BrassTacks on our About us page.

BrassTacks is a private venture of mr. Zaid, and some close like-minded friends who all share the common cause of commitment and patriotism to Pakistan. BrassTacks accepts no funding from any outward source, and is not affiliated with any political party or institution. However, brasstacks maintains a friendly and advisory role to key institutions of Pakistan including the government of Pakistan, the foreign office, Pakistan army, and embassies of friendly Islamic countries.

BrassTacks think tank has attracted a lot of talent from the youth of Pakistan, and is already playing a pivotal role in shaping the future of pakistan’s domestic and foreign policy.

Mr. Zaid welcomes all of you to join hands with BrassTacks and play our role in Islamic Renaissance and Muslim unity through the agency of this God gifted country of Pakistan