The Biden-Xi Summit: Deliberating Taiwan, Trade, HR Violations & Climate Change
The much-awaited Biden-Xi virtual summit took place on 15th November to deliberate and resolve the contentious issues between the two states. The meeting focused on four key areas: Taiwan, trade relations, human rights violations, and climate change.
Attabad Lake in Hunza Valley: A Miracle in Tragedy
In 2010, a disastrous landslide claimed the lives of 20 people in the Gojal region of Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan. This very landslide resulted in the water from the Hunza River being blocked for five months and formed one of the most beautiful lakes in Pakistan – the Attabad Lake. Today, the existence of Attabad Lake reminds many of the tragic loss of life but its beautiful turquoise water surrounded by snow-capped mountains also provides tourists and locals with a sense of tranquility. The author, Alina Fayaz, notes that the treetops in the middle of the lake are a constant reminder of the natural disaster which created the lake. She explains that despite the lake’s history, the scenic view of the lake and the numerous tourist activities attract foreign and local tourists alike.
The Flawed Justice System of Pakistan: Delays, Biases & the Rana Shamim Fiasco
According to the World Justice Project’s Rule of Law Index 2021 report, Pakistan ranks 130th out of 139 countries. The index is a measure of a nation’s commitment to the rule of law that is assessed by considering several factors. The author, Muhammad Hamza Tanvir, outlines the flaws — such as protracted proceedings — in the justice system of Pakistan. Cases such as the Noor Muqaddam case and the Model Town case are mired in endless delays thus besmirching the courts in the country.
The Untapped Blue Economy of Pakistan
Pakistan’s geostrategic position and its proximity to the Indian Ocean are quite favourable to the country in terms of realizing the benefits of the blue economy. The author, Ayesha Zafar, has brought the neglected yet lucrative area to the fore. The world’s blue economy, if properly taken advantage of, could yield a profit of around $24 trillion annually.
China’s Currency Devaluation Explained: Yuan vs Dollar
In 2019, the former US president, Donald Trump, declared China a currency manipulator. Although his predecessor, Barack Obama, had refrained from labeling China as such, he had shown frustration with its currency devaluation. For China, the low currency has been a cause for greater foreign investment. Since the state has a cheap production cost and labor, the international community now relies heavily on China’s exports. The author, Muhammad Hamza Tanvir, notes that China stockpiles American dollars and then uses them to purchase US treasuries which, in certain cases, can prove disastrous for the US. He explains that the US and China are ensnared in the Thucydides’ Trap and any development in their relations will affect the entire world.
The Most Polluted City of the World: Lahore
Lahore, a city once known for its gardens, has now become the world’s most polluted city. On the 15th and 16th of November, the city’s Air Quality Index (AQI) score reached 425 and 307 respectively. Currently, the hazardous air quality in Lahore has placed 13 million people at risk. The author notes that the severity of air pollution in Lahore has been underreported in Pakistan. It was not until 2017 that the public was made aware of it. She explains that the pollution in Lahore raises serious concerns about the performance of the government, key authorities, and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Although Pakistan’s government and the EPA have initiated several programs to mitigate the air pollution in the state, the situation would take time to improve.
Information about CSS in Pakistan: Examination, Grades, Groups & Pay Scales
In Pakistan, the bureaucracy serves as the backbone in running the state machinery. Thus, government jobs are the priority of the youth because of the power, job security, and benefits that come with the role. The Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC) recruits ideal candidates for these lucrative jobs majorly through the Central Superior Services exams (CSS). The author, Zuha Tiwana, provides a detailed view of the CSS process – discussing the exams, interviews, common training, and eventual allocations.
Welcoming Digitalization in Pakistan
The demand for a digital transformation in Pakistan is critical in creating a transparent and efficient system for the public. The author, Muhammad Hamza Tanvir, explores the current state – and the digital prospects – of voting and government services. He also praises the introduction of training programs such as DigiSkills and E-Rozgar.
The Media’s Role in Society: Impartial Reporting or Circulating Fake News?
Internationally, the media has played a significant role in spreading misinformation, fake news, and shaping the public’s opinion to serve a specific interest. The author, Muhammad Hamza Sharif, notes that while the media has helped raise awareness about certain matters, like the COVID-19 pandemic, it has also been the leading actor in bolstering fifth-generation warfare. He explains that since a large population of the world relies on social media for news, it is the most appropriate tool for propagating fake news. Given that Pakistan has 183 million active smartphones, misinformation through messaging applications such as WhatsApp spreads like wildfire. The author provides a few suggestions to counter this misinformation and to help strengthen Pakistan’s media.
The Ruins of Mohenjo Daro – Pakistan’s Epic History
The city of Mohenjo Daro, constructed in 2500 BCE, is a crucial aspect of Pakistan’s history and culture. The ruins of Mohenjo Daro once formed a part of South Asia’s Indus Valley civilization. Since its excavation in the 1920s, Mohenjo Daro has continued to surprise historians and archeologists. The authors, Ziyad Sheikh and Noor Ul Huda, note that although the city was built more than 4500 years ago, it had a proper drainage system, advanced architecture, a well-planned street grid, a trade network that contributed to its wealth, and one of the earliest public baths in the pre-modern era. The authors explain that despite there being numerous speculations as to why the city declined, researchers have failed to find the actual reason for the city’s fall.
The Rise of Global Politics of Poverty Reduction
The main aim of this study is to look at the current global status of poverty and existing practices to alleviate it. Global actors have launched many strategies in the past three decades to help nations in reducing poverty. The author, Zaryab Fatima, highlights a continuous rise of global politics of poverty alleviation. The results of her study clearly show that poverty reduction strategies and approaches are probably going to be entwined with standard monetary arrangements based on principles of equity rather than equality.
The Forgotten Pakistanis: Biharis of Bangladesh
Urdu-speaking people in Bangladesh, commonly known as Biharis, were the people who decided to migrate to Pakistan from India after the 1947 partition. They initially went to East Pakistan, but the civil war of 1971 between the two wings of Pakistan resulted in shattering their dreams. They were stranded in Bangladesh in 1971.
It was decided that they would be sent to Pakistan, but they still wait for the Pakistani planes to take them out of Bangladesh’s ghettos.
The Quantum Technologies Race Between the US & China
In the civil and military domains, quantum technologies have presented new and efficient ways for weapons modernization, improved cybersecurity and defense systems, advanced machine learning, enhanced weather forecasting, and novel vaccine development, etc. The author, Abdullah Rehman Butt, notes that the investment – by states and companies – in the research and development of these technologies has increased significantly due to their immense potential. He explains that the US and China, in particular, are spending billions for quantum research and are engaged in a race to achieve quantum supremacy. On the other hand, in South Asia, India’s growing interest in utilizing quantum technologies for military purposes is threatening the stability of the region.
Expo 2020 Dubai: An Ode to Pakistan’s Hidden Treasures
Expo 2020 in Dubai is said to be the “greatest show on Earth” by many. The world’s largest fair was projected to commence in 2020. However, due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the date of the opening changed to October 1st, 2021. With that being said, the first look of it was worth the wait. Nestled in art, culture, history, landscapes, landmarks, and technological achievements among other things, 192 countries unlocked their untold tales and narrate them to the world with the aid of digital art, installations, live shows, special performances, and music.
Pakistan’s theme at this year’s expo is ‘The Hidden Treasure,’ and true to the theme, the pavilion exhibits the transcendent history and culture of the country.
The Troublesome Dharna Culture in Pakistan
The positive image of a state certainly depends on the political culture and hence it is vulnerable to political conundrums that raise questions about the legitimacy of the state. Since 2014, Pakistan has been targeted for its ‘Dharna Culture’ which affects the masses, the politics, the economy, and whatnot. In fact, the country has witnessed a surge in this culture in recent years. The author, Alina Fayaz, considers the ideology of resolving crises by staging dharnas, to be a dangerous one.
Pakistan’s Truck Art: A Beautiful Expression of Culture
Colorfully decorated trucks with artistic impressions tend to adorn the roads and highways in Pakistan. For decades, these jingle trucks have acted as canvases for Pakistani artists and granted them a way to introduce the world to Pakistan’s culture, folklore, poetry, and art. The author, Ziyad Sheikh, explains that since truck art captivates the public, truck drivers in Pakistan are keen to decorate their trucks as much as they can, with some spending as much as $2,500 on basic paint jobs. Truck artists like Haider Ali view these mobile blank canvases as the perfect medium to spread a positive image of Pakistan.
The Unrelenting Indian Separatist Movements: From Khalistan to Nagaland
Today, India is facing several secessionist movements which represent the territorial, ethnic, and humanitarian issues within the state. The author, Muhammad Hamza Tanvir, notes that for decades, separatists in Nagaland, Manipur, Kashmir, Haryana, Arunachal Pradesh, and the Indian Punjab, have been demanding freedom from India. While some of these movements have been mitigated over the years, the mere existence of the secessionist element provides fault lines to China against the US ally. More often than not, India has used force to suppress these movements. In the case of Kashmir and Khalistan, in particular, India has committed grave human rights violations and killed thousands.