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.
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.
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 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 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.
The 26th Conference of Parties (COP 26): Showcasing Pakistan’s Climate Commitments
Alarming numbers and existing evidence by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change have prompted a ‘Code Red’ for humanity. An annual global climate conference, this year’s Conference of Parties, COP26, will take place in Glasgow from 31st October to 12th November. It will allow countries to present policies and measures taken to address climate change. The author, Ayesha Zafar, highlights Pakistan’s significant commitments to tackling climate change, which includes the establishment of the Global Change Impact Studies Centre, the National Climate Change Policy, and the Ten Billion Tree Tsunami Programme, among others.
The Revival of the Islamabad-Tehran-Istanbul (ITI) Road Transport Corridor
The revival of the Islamabad-Tehran-Istanbul (ITI) corridor after 10 years will herald significant transit trade opportunities and cost-cutting in transportation. In fact, the ML-1 railway line, a major project under CPEC, will connect with the ITI corridor, thus increasing China’s regional influence.
Pandora Papers in Pakistan: A Boost to Polarized Politics
The writer, Muhammad Hamza Tanvir, explains the possible impact of the Pandora papers on the politics of Pakistan in the future. This article intends to explain what an offshore company is and under what circumstances could the holder of the offshore company be held accountable. It also throws a brief highlight on the famous people, from inside and outside the country, who are accused of having offshore companies.
Bosnia-Pakistan Relations: Built on a Strong Foundation
The cooperation between Pakistan and Bosnia and Herzegovina can be traced back to the Bosnian civil war which was responsible for 100,000 casualties. During the war, Pakistan supplied weapons to the Bosnians, despite the UN-imposed arms embargo, and airlifted refugees into its territory. The author notes that since then, the two states have cooperated in the education, defense, and economic sectors. In 2005, when Pakistan was struck with a devastating earthquake, Bosnia and Herzegovina supported Pakistan by assisting in the health and education sector. The author asserts that given their strong ties, the cooperation between the two states can extend to other sectors as well.
Analyzing the Climate Change of Pakistan
The devastating effects of climate change can be felt all around the globe, making it impossible to ignore this threat. Being the 8th most vulnerable state to climate change, Pakistan has lost 9,989 lives and $80 billion due to climate-induced disasters. The author notes that climate change has not only impacted Pakistan’s economy but its agricultural sector and the lives of the state’s citizens as well. The author asserts that to fight against this hazard, the state’s government has introduced several measures. The Billion Tree Tsunami project, the 10 Billion Tree Tsunami project, and Pakistan’s first-ever electric vehicle policy are all steps taken by Pakistan to combat climate change. Although Pakistan’s efforts are commendable, it alone cannot rid the world of this threat.
Reforming the Tax System of Pakistan
Being a highly indebted state with a weak economy, Pakistan cannot continue to rely on IMF loans to fulfill its needs. The author notes that it is imperative for Pakistan to reform its taxation system to improve the state’s economic condition. Although tax collection has increased by 18% in 2020, most of the revenue generated from taxes comes from indirect taxes. Apart from that, the people in Pakistan avoid paying taxes by exploiting the complex taxpaying process. The author suggests that to reform the tax administration and increase Pakistan’s tax-to-GDP ratio, direct taxes should be increased and taxes should be imposed on sectors that have been kept out of the taxpaying brackets.
Pakistan and US Relations: A History of Betrayal
Despite being close allies during the Cold War, the author believes the relations between Pakistan and the United States to be rather strained — and almost at a breaking point. The domineering United States has always taken advantage of Pakistan’s prominent yet vulnerable position in the South Asia region clearly embittering Pakistan.
What Are the Challenges of Switching to Renewable Energy Sources?
The author, Dr. Taut Bataut, focuses on the challenges associated with switching to renewable energy from hydrocarbons. While the advantages of renewables are substantial, the implementation of such schemes is fraught with complications. Pakistan remains predominantly reliant on fossil fuels as its primary source of energy. Hence, a more pragmatic and long-term policy that incentivizes renewables and gradually enhances their contribution to the energy mix is crucial for success.
Pakistan and Russia: Improving Bilateral Ties & Regional Stability
The author, Muhammad Hamza Tanvir, examines the possible contours of the future relationship between Russia and Pakistan – alongside the possible impact on India’s strategic designs.
The article also highlights the impact of the relationship between the two countries w.r.t. the predicament in Afghanistan, as well the role that both can play in enhancing bilateral relations.
The Indian Media about Pakistan: A Pandemic of Fake News
The Indian media’s acquaintance with fake news is not something new. The EU Disinfo Lab reports that in the last 15 years, India has resurrected dead people, NGOs, and 750 media outlets and impersonated EU institutions just to spread false information and news about its rivals and Pakistan. The author notes that the Indian media’s warmongering style of reporting fake news about Pakistan, after the Pulwama attack and the recent Taliban takeover in Afghanistan, has not gone unnoticed by the international community. The author asserts that contrary to India’s intentions, this fake news propaganda has now revealed the state’s true identity and disturbed the peace and stability of South Asia.
Justice Ayesha A. Malik: Shattering the Glass Ceiling
The author, Sobia Aftab, aims to create awareness amongst the public and clarify the understanding of the elevation procedure to the Apex Court. The article highlights the career and achievements of her ladyship, Justice Ayesha Malik, while focusing on the debate of the principle of seniority versus competency for elevation.
