Asia Cup 2023
Jointly hosted by both Pakistan and Sri Lanka, Asia Cup 2023 is the 16th edition of the men’s Asia Cup. Played in the One Day International (ODI) format, the matches leave cricket fans glued to their screens. The matches began on 30th August and will conclude with the final on 17th September.
Orientalism by Edward Said
Orientalism, a seminal book penned by eminent writer Edward W. Said, is renowned across the globe for its overwhelming and perceptive critique of Orientalist discourse. Edward Said has delineated the West’s contemptuous and disdainful depiction of the East (Orient) as irrational, credulous, and exotic. The book vehemently censures the prevalent stereotypes, biases, and essentializations that have sculpted the Western outlook on the Orient. He alleges that the imaginative construction of “we vs they” has fulfilled the interests of the West, providing a rationale for western imperialism, despoilment, and cultural preeminence.
Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng Honored with the Hilal-i-Pakistan Award
In a remarkable testament to the strong and enduring ties between China and Pakistan, Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng was recently honored with the prestigious Hilal-i-Pakistan Award. This distinguished recognition serves as a symbol of the deep-rooted friendship and diplomatic collaborations between the two nations.
Panama Canal’s Climate Crisis Affects $270 Billion Trade Industry
For the fifth time this drought season, the Panamanian Canal Authority (ACP) has restricted the size of ships allowed to transit the canal.
With about 38 vessels navigating it daily, a water supply issue is threatening the survival of this vital waterway. The climate crisis has forced Panama’s government to curtail maritime traffic in the channel that connects the Atlantic and Pacific.
Intersecting Challenges: Arms Control and Climate Change
Wajeeha Amin explores the undeniable link between militarism and climate change. She asserts that military operations have substantial environmental impacts, including energy consumption, hazardous waste production, and habitat destruction. Nuclear weapons themselves pose devastating threats to the environment, from immediate devastation to long-term radioactive fallout. Hence, balancing defense budgets with climate solutions, and disarmament are essential to reducing climate change’s impacts.
China-Pakistan Economic Corridor: 10 Years and Beyond
It’s been a decade since the inauguration of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a $50 billion project under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
While many believe that the project has failed in many respects, Ayesha Shaikh shares what it is and what it isn’t.
Addressing the Problems in the Education System of Pakistan
Muhammad Aleem highlights the dire situation within Pakistan’s education sector, using the recent incident at the Islamic University of Bahawalpur (IUB) as a case in point.
The prevalence of drug addiction and harassment in educational institutions, affecting both genders, and the lack of accountability and justice associated with cases involving them have unveiled a moral crisis in Pakistan.
The author attributes these issues to legislative gaps, misuse of authority, communication breakdowns, and systemic failures. As a consequence, the reputation of institutes, students’ privacy, and parents’ confidence in female education have been compromised.
The Economic Challenges of Pakistan: Exploring the Roots and Possible Solutions of the Crisis
Rida Raja delves deep into the economic crisis of Pakistan to get a more holistic, detailed, and long-term picture. She uses a factual and statistical approach to draw an economic understanding of the country’s ongoing crisis.
She discusses what the reasons behind the economic crisis really are, i.e. lower productivity growth, lower savings rate, untapped export potential, and limited integration with global value chains.
Rida proposes a few solutions to these issues, considering each of the country’s major economic sectors separately.
Captagon—The Drug Fueling the Syrian Civil War
Captagon is a drug that is currently funding the Syrian civil war. It has become one of the most famous and easily accessible drugs in the black market, especially in the Gulf States.
It was created in the 1960s by a German pharmaceutical company, but its sales have grown exponentially over the past three years.
However, the question is, why is it featured large in diplomatic discussions, especially those involving Arab countries and their relations with Syria?
BRICS’ New Members: Changing Tides & the Impact on the US
BRICS, a group comprising the world’s strongest economies, has been overlooked in the past. However, today, it has emerged on the global political stage as a formidable force.
Aqsa Shaukat assesses the changing dynamics of BRICS to determine whether it will pose a threat to the established Western political order.
From introducing its own currency to welcoming new members, the group is now on its way to achieving independence from Western influence.
[Video] How the Water Crisis in Pakistan is Determined by Hydropolitics
The video points to the fact that Pakistan, a nation heavily reliant on its water resources, is facing an alarming water crisis. From dwindling water levels to increasing demand, the situation is dire, but what many don’t realize is that this crisis is not solely driven by environmental factors; it’s a complex web of politics, diplomacy, and regional dynamics that are exacerbating the situation.
The First Battle of Panipat
The First Battle of Panipat, which took place on April 21, 1526, is remembered as a turning point in Indian history.
Sultan Ibrahim Lodi’s forces and the Mughal Army under Mughal emperor Babur (a descendant of Genghis Khan and Timur) fought a titanic battle. This crucial conflict changed the course of history by establishing Mughal control in the Indian subcontinent.
Interestingly enough, the Mughals introduced gunpowder-powered weapons and field artillery to the Indian subcontinent in this fight, setting new standards for warfare at the time.
Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU): Pakistan’s Largest Distance Learning Institute
Allama Iqbal Open University(AIOU) is one of the leading universities in Pakistan. It is Asia’s first institution that provides specialized distance learning experiences to students. The prestigious institute has been performing with full zeal since its establishment in 1974.
Importance of Incorporating UN Resolution 1325 in Countering Violent Extremism
Conflicts render women and children utterly vulnerable to violence, harassment, abuse, and the psychological and economic effects of war. In such a volatile environment, women are often forced to step up as the heads of families, and take on odd, if not illegal, jobs for survival. Their experiences also make them more susceptible to radical ideologies.
Yet, the link between gender and conflict resolution, security, and peace is often overlooked. Iman Faisal describes the UN Resolution 1325 to address the dire need for gendered lenses in countering violent extremism, and for establishing comprehensive and inclusive peace.
Land Reforms of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto
Land reforms in Pakistan have been a contested issue for years. Since the era of General Ayub Khan, efforts to introduce land reforms for a more just distribution of property have been witnessed in Pakistan. The Zulfikar Ali Bhutto regime introduced two land reform acts (in 1972 and 1977) targeting land ownership, redistribution, and landlord-tenant relationships. Laiba Umer Malik analyzes the effects of Bhutto’s land reforms and the issues in their implementation in an effort to address why unequal property rights still linger in Pakistan.
Why is Russia Rolling Out Islamic Banking?
It was certainly a surprise when the Russian parliament’s lower chamber approved the bill allowing the introduction of the Islamic banking system.
The trial will start on 1st September and last for two years, but with the possibility of an extension depending on the results. Russia’s engagement in developing Islamic banks is a sign of its ambitions to seize new economic possibilities and improve connections with nations with a Muslim majority.
Fukushima Water Discharge Controversy
A disastrous tsunami followed the 2011 earthquake in Japan, causing disruption to the reactors at the Fukushima nuclear plant site. As a consequence, there was a release of radioactive material.
Japan has now decided to release treated radioactive water into the Pacific, but China, South Korea, and the Pacific Island nations are opposing the discharge of the Fukushima water.