Can Pakistan’s EVMs Survive Cyber Attacks?
The Cambridge Analytica scandal, the disclosure of the Pegasus spyware, and the hacking of Pakistan’s Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) have made the vulnerable nature of cyberspace abundantly clear. The author, Taaha Rauf, notes that Pakistan’s decision to use electronic voting machines (EVMs), in the 2023 general elections, comes with the ever-increasing threat of cyber attacks. He explains that since the US, Australia, and Canada, already employ technology for several purposes in their elections, they have undertaken measures to ensure their cybersecurity and election integrity. For Pakistan to do the same, he makes certain recommendations.
Nine Famous Straits of the World: Exploring Trade Routes
This article describes some of the most important straits of the world. Straits are narrow stretches of water that serve as significant strategic and trade routes. As almost 80 percent of the world’s trade is carried over the waves, these straits provide navigable routes to various ships thus playing a critical role in the trade of the world.
The Hypocrisy of Democracy in America: From Military Interventions to the Recent Summit
Though America considers itself the true representative of democracy, its actions prove otherwise. The hypocritical nature of the United States is apparent from its propensity to get militarily involved in other states, like Afghanistan, Syria, and Iraq, in the name of promoting democracy. The authors argue that contrary to establishing a democratic regime, the US military interventions have worsened the instability in these states. Moreover, the US itself is a dysfunctional democracy and even the Summit for Democracy can be seen as an effort to divide the world and preserve the US hegemony.
Essay on Energy Crisis in Pakistan
Power outages and high electricity bills have become commonplace in Pakistan. Although the government’s poor planning and management are to blame for this predicament, it seems, according to a European think tank, that the World Bank is the main culprit behind the country’s energy crisis.
The author, Ayesha Zafar, explains how the World Bank’s three power projects — PACE, SHIFT, and IGCEP — are destabilising Pakistan’s energy plans.
Pakistan’s Debt & the $3 Billion Saudi Loan
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has granted a loan of $3 billion to Pakistan. The state is obligated to return the loan after a year, however, Saudi Arabia can ask for repayment on a three-day notice anytime within that one year. In addition, Pakistan will have to pay $120 million in interest on the loan and Saudi law would be applicable in case of any dispute. The author, Muhammad Hamza Tanvir, explains that since the IMF has restricted Pakistan from borrowing from the State Bank of Pakistan, the economic condition of Pakistan is likely to take a toll. At such a crucial time, Pakistan cannot afford to offend any of its allies, namely China.
Nationalism in International Relations: Tracing the Roots of Xenophobia
Nationalism captures the important yet equally detrimental—if manifested unwisely—unity that is triggered from the loyalty and dedication towards one’s homeland. To the author, Mahrukh Khalid Siddiqui, xenophobia and discrimination are viewed as the by-products of classical nationalism. Discriminatory actions are fueled by presumptions, prejudice, lack of knowledge, and stereotypes.
Implementing the Chinese Economic Model in Turkey
President Erdogan is seeking to incorporate the Chinese economic model in Turkey. As such, Turkey will abandon high-interest rates and turn to production and exports. Opposing parties have cited this proposal to be unquestionably authoritarian. The author, Necati Demircan, explores Turkey’s abandonment of the neoliberal economic model and the new slogan of production in the country’s orientation towards Asia.
Pakistan-Turkey Relations: A Harmonious Partnership
After Pakistan became an independent state in 1947, Turkey was one of the first states to recognize it. The two states are bound together by cultural and religious links. The author, Muhammad Abdullah, notes that throughout the years, they’ve cooperated and shown support for each other on several fronts. When Pakistan was hit with a devastating earthquake in 2005, Turkey sent millions of dollars in aid to Pakistan. Similarly, after the Van earthquake of 2011, Pakistan’s Red Crescent Aid Society donated $100,000 to the people of the Van province in eastern Turkey.
The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP): Strategic Interests & Economic Recovery
The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) is a free trade deal and has a total of 15 member states from the ASEAN, East Asia, and Oceania. It is considered to be the world’s largest trade bloc with respect to the combined GDP of the member states.
The author, Saira Javaid Cheema, discusses both the opportunities and threats that the RCEP holds for member states and non-member states.
The Non-democratic yet Democratic State Led by the Communist Party of China
Though China considers itself to be a “socialist democracy”, it is not a democratic state in the eyes of the West. The authors, Alyan Waheed and Muskan Moazzam, note that while the West is busy contemplating the state of democracy in China, it has failed to realize that despite being “non-democratic”, China is a better leader, and more beneficial for the international community, under the control of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). As per their argument, the CCP has ensured that the nationalist element in the Chinese does not become overpowering and that China remains a pragmatic and rational status quo power.
Build Back Better World (B3W) vs the Belt & Road Initiative (BRI)
The Build Back Better World (B3W) project – a $40 trillion investment venture undertaken by the G7 states in June 2021 – aims to contest China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). While B3W only exists on paper, BRI has already embedded its roots in several regions. The author, Muhammad Ali Memon, notes that in their race to achieve economic hegemony, the G7 states and China are investing in developing states and creating a cycle of economic dependency akin to economic imperialism. He argues that the B3W contracts will follow a pattern similar to China’s debt contracts, giving the lending state significant power over the borrowing state’s decision-making process.
Pakistan Hosts the 2021 OIC Meeting on Afghanistan
Pakistan will host the 17th extraordinary session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers today. The fact that it will be the largest ever conference on Afghanistan since the Taliban took charge in mid-August is momentous not only for Pakistan but also for other regional countries whose role in Afghanistan has remained significant throughout.
The Russian Conflict with Ukraine: From Crimea to Present Border Tensions
Since the Russian annexation of Crimea in 2014, the relations between Russia and Ukraine have been declining. The latter’s inclination towards the West, along with the increase in Russian troops at the Russia-Ukraine border, has aggravated the conflict between the two states. The author, Hammad Khan, notes that due to the possibility of Ukraine becoming a NATO member, Russia is interested in obtaining security guarantees from the US and its Western allies. On the other hand, Ukraine has accused Russia of supporting separatists in its territory and fears a Russian invasion.
The Parliament’s Joint Session in Pakistan: Passing the EVM, Anti-Rape & the ICJ Bills
On November 17th, 33 bills were passed during a joint session of the Parliament of Pakistan. Among the bills passed were the International Court of Justice (Review and Re-consideration) Bill, 2021, the Anti-Rape (Investigation and Trial) Bill, 2021, and the Elections (Second Amendment) Bill, 2021. The author, Palwasha Khan, notes that the latter, in particular, resulted in the opposition causing quite a bit of commotion during the session. The bill enables the use of electronic voting machines (EVMs), allowing overseas Pakistanis to vote in the next elections. As such, it has been a cause of concern for the opposition. Pakistan Muslim League-N’s Shehbaz Sharif called EVMs “evil and vicious machines”, whereas, Pakistan People’s Party’s Sherry Rehman termed the session as a “black day” in the Parliament’s history.
The Enchanting Waterfalls of Pakistan
The landscapes that Pakistan has been blessed with are indeed one of a kind and what’s more, the glorious waterfalls of Pakistan add to the already mesmerizing views. With that being said, let’s dive into the world of waterfalls of Pakistan and see what they have to offer.
Women of Afghanistan under Taliban Rule
Since the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979, the state has been in a constant state of turmoil, the brunt of which Afghan women had to face. The status of women’s rights worsened after the Taliban first came to power in 1996. The women of Afghanistan were forced to marry Taliban soldiers, deprived of their right to education, healthcare, and employment, and were subjected to violence and public executions. Despite the claims of the current Taliban regime, the past cannot be erased. After the US withdrawal from Afghanistan, the relative freedom that Afghan women had gained over the years is being threatened, and they fear for their lives once again.
The Alarming Increase of Drugs & Narcotics in Pakistan
Drug abuse is the willful misuse of drugs that disregards the potential negative consequences on a personal and societal level. Pakistan’s drug addicts have increased exponentially from 7 million in 2015 to 9 million in 2021. The author, Palwasha Khan, also reviews the viability of the National Anti-Narcotics Policy 2019. With a growing population, rising unemployment and absence of safety nets, drug abuse will only be inimical to the progress of Pakistan.