Efficient Laws & Systems for Domestic Violence in Dubai: Where Did Pakistan Go Wrong?
The legal measures and reporting mechanisms for domestic violence in Dubai are functional. That is in stark contrast to Pakistani systems that counter domestic violence.
To ensure safety for the victims, Pakistan, too, must adopt Dubai’s best practices in confronting domestic abuse.
From Persecution to Open Calls for Muslim Genocide in India
Is India’s democracy buckling under the weight of its endless anti-Muslim hate speech? Gandhi really did not wish for his beloved state to become what it is now — a secular state that inspires antipathy to its Muslim citizens. Hindutva or Hindu nationalism has recently sparked calls for Muslim genocide, distancing the notion of democracy in India.
The Enactment of the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act by the US
Signed into law on 23rd December 2021, the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act will prevent US businesses and consumers from becoming complicit in human rights violations. The Act will radically reorient the US’s foreign policy with China, as it will presume that goods made wholly or in part in the Xinjiang region are a result of forced labor and hence the onus to disprove that presumption will be on the importer.
Myanmar’s Shadow Government: In the Name of Democracy
Composed of the opposition, the shadow government provides feedback and criticism on the policies supported by the ruling party. Myanmar has witnessed completely distinct shadow governments—from the military junta to the NLD—throughout its history. Even now, there is a shadow government; the National Unity Government is one that is displaying its resistance to the military rule of the country.
Peace Talks with the Pakistani Taliban (TTP): Then vs Now
Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), formulated in 2007, is one of the deadliest terrorist groups in Pakistan. It has carried out massive attacks against Pakistan’s security forces and also targeted civilians. As a result of its actions, Pakistan has lost thousands of lives. The author, Muhammad Hamza Tanvir, notes that although Pakistan has tried to negotiate with the TTP on several occasions and even signed peace agreements, all of its efforts have failed. He explains that while the state favors a peace deal with the TTP, many analysts believe that this move will prove damaging for the country.
How MNCs Are Destroying the Foreign Exchange Reserves in Pakistan
The writer, Mir Mohammad Alikhan, reflects on the cause of plunging foreign reserves in Pakistan. Is it because of businesses’ proclivity for imports, like many believe it to be? That truly isn’t the case. Multinational corporations are actually the ones sending shock waves to the foreign reserves by importing a considerable amount of raw materials for their products and then selling them at prohibitive prices. Naturally, huge profits are made, which are declared as dividends before being converted into dollars and sent abroad to a parent company.
Will Saudi Arabia and Israel Normalize Relations?: Understanding the Arab Peace Initiative
On the condition that Israel will implement the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative, Saudi Arabia has expressed its willingness to improve its relations with Israel. The initiative proposes a two-state solution for the Palestine issue and an end to the Israeli illegal annexation of the territories of the West Bank and Gaza Strip. The author, Muhammad Hamza Tanvir, notes that although an alliance between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Israel would be beneficial for them, the condition imposed by the kingdom is not pragmatic for Israel, even more so after the change in its leadership.
The Gruesome Assassination of Jamal Khashoggi
In 2018, the world witnessed the assassination of Jamal Khashoggi – a Saudi-born Washington Post columnist known for his criticism of Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman – in the Saudi consulate in Turkey. The author, Palwasha Khan, explains that Saudi Arabia had used an assassination squad to eliminate Khashoggi. Though Saudi Arabia denied its involvement in the murder, America’s Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) affirmed that the journalist was killed on the crown prince’s orders. Moreover, the death of Khashoggi sparked a diplomatic crisis between Saudi Arabia and several of its closest allies, including the US.
Pakistan in 2021: A Tumultuous Year
2021 was truly an unpredictable year for Pakistan. The country saw turbulence in the political realm with protests by the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), and dharnas by various other entities. The country’s economic woes only intensified as it failed to exit the FATF grey list. On the bright side, Pakistan’s athletes were given the due spotlight at several games this year, particularly at the Tokyo Olympics. Take a look at some of the major developments that took place in Pakistan in 2021.
The Diplomatic Boycott of the 2022 Beijing Olympics
February is nearing and so are the 2022 Beijing Olympics. The US’s boycott of the Games has motivated many states – Australia, Canada, and the UK to name a few – to follow suit. China hasn’t taken kindly to these political ploys and in fact has warned countries of the price that they will pay for boycotting the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing.
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.
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.
