The World’s Power Distribution from Pax Americana to Asianization: A New Geopolitical Landscape
A multipolar world could hardly be considered elusive, given the intensity of the geopolitical currents.
And while the US is still standing tall, for how long will it be able to do so with China taking the lead in global affairs?
The US would eventually be forced to take extreme action or risk losing its status as a global power and becoming irrelevant as the world moves to multipolarity.
The Housing Crisis in the Netherlands
The housing crisis in the Netherlands faces a growing shortage of houses as a result of price controls.
In Amsterdam alone, a shortage of about 10,000 to 15,000 apartments has been predicted for 2030.
Dutch society also heavily experiences government regulations, permits, and taxes that pose a challenge to affordable housing.
The China-Central Asia Summit: A Signifier of Russia’s Declining Influence?
The first China-Central Asia Summit, hosted in Xi’an, has revealed a new regional dynamic in Central Asia. Aamir Junaid describes China’s strategic positioning in Central Asia amidst the declining influence of Russia in the region.
While Russia’s credibility as a security provider has waned due to the war in Ukraine, China has emerged as a reliable security partner for the former Soviet Republics.
Despite the economic challenges and Sinophobia in the region, the Xi’an Summit has provided insights into China’s quest to become the preferred partner for Central Asia.
Raising the Bar—Improving Legal Education in Pakistan
Using his own experience as a law student in a Pakistani university and reflecting on his learnings from a semester spent in the United States, Ali Anwaar attempts to critically evaluate the quality of legal education in Pakistan.
Is our legal education system keeping up with the times? Or is it failing both the students and the society?
The article emphasizes on the need for reform in the legal education system in Pakistan, identifying the issues of outdated curricula, lack of interdisciplinary education and research, and inadequate practical training opportunities.
Ali Anwaar argues that these issues hinder the ability of law graduates to navigate the complexities of the modern legal system, ultimately inhibiting access to law and justice for many people in Pakistan.
The Anatomy of Poverty Traps: Pakistan’s Quest for Economic Liberation
Since its independence, Pakistan has been stuck in an endless loop of poverty, experiencing the same economic and political challenges on repeat. Hajra Zahid addresses the pivotal question of what makes this loop unbreakable.
By applying Paul Collier’s description of four development traps to the case study of Pakistan, she exemplifies the role of internal conflicts, natural resources, border hostilities, and bad governance in keeping the state entrenched in poverty.
For a more comprehensive understanding of the complexities at play, she identifies several other traps that have been glossed over and suggests how to break the curse.
Honoring the White Part of the Flag: Contributions of Pakistani Christians
Contributions by the Pakistani Christians have been overlooked by the mainstream media, but they remain a proud collective memory of the community.
Eman Nawab points that while plenty of literature can be found on the struggles of the Christian community, it is very rare to come across literature acknowledging their contributions in the national development.
Eman Nawab aims to fill that space by acknowledging and listing their roles in the development of Pakistan.
2023 Summer Season in Pakistan
Throughout this article, you will be guided on a virtual tour of the best summer activities to engage in and the most captivating destinations to visit during the summer months in Pakistan.
Pakistan’s summer season presents a chance to visit breathtaking destinations like Gilgit-Baltistan and its enchanting Attabad Lake as well as waterfalls in Neelum Valley and Swat Valley.
We also extend an invitation for you to be a part of our internship program, where you can share your experiences, hone your writing skills, and inspire others to embark on their own learning journeys.
Eid-ul-Adha 2023: A Celebration of Faith, Sacrifice, and Unity
In this article, you will explore the historical background of Eid-ul-Adha, the date and month of this celebration as well as the cultural practices of this festival.
Gain a deeper understanding of this Muslim festival by learning its origins, its observance across different regions, the rules governing it, and why it holds immense importance for the Muslim community.
The Winners of The Writer’s Paradigm
We are delighted to announce the highly-anticipated results of the Writers Paradigm Contest. After careful consideration and a thorough evaluation of the remarkable entries, we have selected our winners!
Congratulations to all the winners! Your creativity and dedication have truly shone through in your outstanding submissions. We extend our heartfelt appreciation to everyone who participated and made this contest a resounding success.
Thank you for being a part of the Writer’s Paradigm Contest, and we look forward to your continued engagement in our future endeavors. Stay inspired and keep up the excellent work!
Pakistan’s Federal Budget Process: Unlocking Efficiency and Accountability
Since Pakistan’s federal government has recently introduced the federal budget 2023-24, Malik Mashhood focuses on the flaws in Pakistan’s budget-making process and the necessary reforms required to correct it.
In exploring the current system, he also directs our attention to the budget process in India and South Korea as a way to enhance the effectiveness and transparency of the process.
Losing My Mine-d: The Dubious Cases of Reko Diq, Saindak, & Khewra
Blessed with copious amounts of natural resources, Pakistan presents perhaps one of the worst cases of resource management in South Asia. Sarmad Ishfaq assesses how mismanagement, obscured policies and agreements, and corruption have undermined the potential of the Khewra Salt Mines, Reko Diq, and the Saindak Copper-Gold Mine. Additionally, the absence of a regulatory framework, especially concerning the Himalayan salt trade, has facilitated illegal practices and unsustainable resource exploitation, ultimately harming Pakistan’s economy.
The Future of Pakistan’s IT Industry: Challenges and Prospects
IT exports from Pakistan have witnessed exponential growth, from $1.44 billion in FY 2019-20 to $1.7 billion in FY 2020-21, and then finally crossing the 2 billion mark in FY 2021-22.
While the government has made a move to create National Incubation Centers (NICs) for promising entrepreneurs, the IT industry still lags behind.
Zahra Kashif attributes this slump to inadequate broadband infrastructure, the gap between education and skills, and the lack of IT parks and an R&D setup, among others.
A Rising China: Contender to US Supremacy
Ayesha Zahoor contemplates the rise of the East, particularly China, and its potential to supersede the United States. The shifting global balance of power coincides perfectly with the diminishing authority of the US and the burgeoning influence of China worldwide. While the American policies of interventionism have cultivated distrust and skepticism among its allies, China’s economic prowess, and reliability in every sector have drawn states towards it.
Explainer: Exchange Rate
Confused about exchange rates? This explainer breaks down everything you need to know. From how these rates work, to the difference between open market and interbank rates.
The exchange rate of a country depends on varying factors and elements. However, the elements generally used to determine the value of a currency include market forces, banks, and government caps.
The Golden Triangle: The Opium Production Centre of Southeast Asia
An infamous region widely known as the “Golden Triangle” is located in the forestry depths of Southeast Asia, between the borders of Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar. The area has historically been seen as the home site for the mass production of opium. Millions of methamphetamine pills (Meth) have been seized by Thai security forces. Moreover, hundreds of kilograms of crystal meth, heroin, and ketamine have allegedly passed on from the region.
Tug of War Between Central Governments and Supreme Courts in Pakistan and India
Muhammad Shaheer Mahmood discusses the uncanny similarities in both the constitutional and political discourse in India and Pakistan.
Despite their longstanding hostility, both countries find themselves entangled in a web of mistrust between their respective centers and the Supreme Courts.
These intriguing coincidences send us down a fascinating path fraught with power struggles, legislative interventions, and the slow erosion of institutional trust.
Paul Rusesabagina, Hotel Rwanda Hero
Rwanda has seen its fair share of conflict and political despair. The 1994 Genocide that massacred over 800,000 Tutsi civilians, a minority group, has been the epicenter of Rwandan politics.
To understand the role of Paul Rusesabagina in the genocide and realize why there was recently a global clamor for his freedom, there is a need for a refresher on the conflict.
