Pakistan Grants Tajikistan Access to Gwadar
Due to its strategic location, Pakistan is a country that the Central Asian Republics cannot ignore. Areej Haider aims to explain the recent access to Gwadar for Tajikistan, its importance for both states, and future implications.
Propaganda Against Pakistan’s Nuclear Weapons: From “Islamic Bomb” to Biden’s Comments
For decades, the West has had its eyes set on Pakistan’s nuclear weapons, going as far as to stir up paranoia against it. The recent statement by President Joe Biden is just another notch in America’s extensive propaganda campaign against Pakistan. Sarmad Ishfaq points out the fallacies in the West’s perceived notion of Pakistan’s nuclear insecurity. He highlights how Pakistan’s nuclear weapons are secure and in turn proves that the countries questioning Pakistan have many nuclear-related issues themselves.
Pakistani Exports: The Struggling Cotton & Textile Industries
Despite being the 4th largest producer of cotton in Asia, Pakistan ranks 8th in the continent when it comes to its textile exports. Although Pakistan’s textile exports have increased in the last year, its textile industry has not been functioning up to its true potential. Noticing this, Muhammad Bilal Farooq identifies the multiple factors that have fettered the growth of Pakistan’s textile exports over the years. He suggests that Pakistan’s government and private sector take immediate actions to address these impediments.
The Assassination of CJ Meskanzai: The Latest Victim of the Baloch Insurgency
The re-emergence of increased separatist movements is a direct consequence of trans-provincial alliances between Baloch and other separatist groups.
The Baloch insurgents are now reaching new extremes – and have even started attacking high-profile individuals. One such tragedy was the senseless killing of Chief Justice Meskanzai.
The Military Operations in Swat
Pakistan has a troubled history of dealing with insurgencies and terrorism. Pakistan assumed the role of a frontline state following the 9/11 tragedy and enacted both military and non-military counterterrorism strategies.
The Pakistani army has been tasked with maintaining internal peace by combating militancy and insurgency in the country’s difficult tribal regions such as the area of Swat.
Given the occupation by TTP, TNSM, and other fundamental religious organisations, the Pakistan Army designed and carried out two major military operations: Operation Rah-e-Haq and Operation Rah-e-Rast.
Karachi, the City That Was
Mir Adnan Aziz points to the cause of Karachi’s decline: corruption of the ruling parties and mafias. These corrupt practices have battered and ravaged the city that had the potential and resilience.
He views prudent leadership and accountability as the main determinants of Karachi’s revival. Image credits: Mustafa Hussain/The New York Times
Pakistan’s Performance in the 5th Islamic Solidarity Games
Every four years, the Islamic Solidarity Games is organised for the athletes of OIC countries, serving the greater purpose of uniting and enabling communication among the OIC states.
The fifth edition of the games was held from 9th to 18th August 2022 in Konya, Turkey. Pakistan’s players participated in the games, winning gold in the men’s javelin throw and a bronze medal in para table tennis.
The Appointment of the COAS: An Unending Controversy
Every three years, the autumn in Pakistan resonates with budding news over the appointment of the next Army Chief.
The appointment remains a rather routine affair among the other two services (Pakistan Navy and Pakistan Air Force) and elsewhere in the world, passing without a murmur or creating much of a ruckus.
It, however, springs out as the most important question in the case of the Pakistan Army Chief, engendering and captivating interest in the public domain.
Freedom of Expression in Pakistan: A Complicated Relationship
Abrish Nayyar contemplates freedom of expression and censorship in Pakistan. She refers to various national laws to explain Pakistan’s stance on freedom of speech. Pakistan has undoubtedly provided this right to its citizens in the 1973 constitution and it even recognizes the right to information as a constitutional right. Yet, like every other state in the world, there’s a limit to this right in Pakistan as well. To what extent censorship is acceptable is still up for debate.
Honoring the Shuhada of the August 1st Helicopter Crash
To alleviate the damage wreaked by this year’s devastating floods, the Pakistan Army has been carrying out extensive flood relief operations. One such operation led to the heartbreaking Lasbela helicopter crash, where all 6 soldiers & officers aboard embraced shahadat. Pakistan still mourns the loss of Corps Commander Lt. Gen. Sarfraz Ali, Brig (Approved Maj Gen.) Amjad Hanif Sati, Brig Muhammad Khalid, Maj Saeed Ahmed, Maj Muhammad Talha Manan, and Naik Mudassir Fayyaz. A salute to them, and to all the brave jawans who are risking their lives everyday to ensure our safety, security, and well-being.
Insurgency in Balochistan: Then & Now
Since Pakistan’s independence in 1947, Balochistan has witnessed repeated insurgencies. Amna Asif argues that as long as the people of Balochistan are neglected and their land is exploited, the province will not see an end to the violence. The sense of betrayal and oppression felt by the Baloch will only intensify if the government of Pakistan does not devise a long-term solution to the issues faced by the province.
Qatar’s Recent Investment in Pakistan
On August 22nd, 2022, Pakistan’s current prime minister, Shehbaz Sharif, arrived in Qatar on a two-day visit. During his visit, the prime minister welcomed Qatari investment in various sectors of Pakistan – energy, aviation, agriculture, tourism, hospitality, etc. The visit has led to the Qatar Investment Authority declaring its intention to spend $3 billion in different commercial and investment sectors in Pakistan. Maryam Ibrahim notes that, within Pakistan, this investment has raised certain questions.
A Flooded Pakistan: Climate Change or Bad Governance?
Pakistan has gone through an unprecedented series of climate-induced disasters in 2022 including the record-breaking heatwave in March-April, glacial lake outbursts in Gilgit-Baltistan, wildfires in forests of Balochistan and KPK in May, urban flooding in Karachi in July, the early onset of monsoon, and the ensuing flash floods across the country.
These cataclysmic incidents have had significant and cascading impacts on ecosystems, infrastructure, agriculture and water supply, contributing to larger effects on economic production.
Fatima Arshad Warraich believes that this climate crisis has been worsened and exacerbated by mismanagement, lack of resources, incompetence, and unpreparedness and negligence of the country’s administration.
The Changing Landscape of Faisalabad’s Textile Industry
Maryam Jilani describes the strikes that occurred due to the disputes between employers and workers in the various power looms of Faisalabad. She also comments on the importance of the Labour Qaumi Movement (LQM), an organisation of power loom workers, and how they were able to secure pay raises and social security guarantees.
The Lacking 2022-23 Federal Budget of Pakistan
The federal budget for the fiscal year 2022-23 is termed the ‘growth budget’ by the government. However, it does not seem promising, since the taxes imposed will undoubtedly lead to inflation, and because the amount earmarked for the education sector remains unsatisfactory.
Wasif Hassan provides a summary of the budget and briefly analyses the imposition of taxes and education spending allocated under the federal budget 2022-23.
High Food Inflation Rate in Pakistan: Causes, Effects & Recommendations
From political instability to an economic and climate crisis, Pakistan has witnessed an innumerable amount of chaos and devastation in 2022. To further add to this burdening state of affairs, the country is now experiencing food inflation, pushing people into poverty. Samana Mehmood addresses the causes of this inflation and suggests ways to overcome it.
Petrol Prices in Pakistan: Determinants & Fluctuations
Petrol is a necessity with fairly inelastic demand. Since Pakistan imports petroleum products, the fuel price is determined by the fluctuating international market, and Pakistan’s foreign exchange rate.
The limited supply, and the unprecedented increase in the prices of petroleum products in the international market recently caused an unexpected global price hike.
Moreover, the rapid depreciation of the Pakistani rupee over the last few months, and the removal of govt. subsidies have caused petrol prices to reach a record high of Rs. 235.98 in Pakistan.
