The Conclusion of the Khmer Rouge Trials
The ‘Khmer Rouge’ was a political group in Cambodia, which was also called the Kampuchea Communist Party. The Khmer Rouge led Cambodia from 1975 to 1979, coming into power on April 17, 1975. They used the tactics of guerilla warfare and ended up labeling the country as “Democratic Kampuchea”.
The Extraordinary Chambers in the Court of Cambodia (ECCC), an international genocide tribunal, was set up to convict the three men responsible for the crimes of the regime. The ECCC upheld the conviction of the regime’s last surviving leader, Khieu Samphan, ending 16 years of hearings.
Pervaiz Elahi & PML-Q: Kingmakers in Pakistan
In a political wrestling match, we have a ruling party and an opposition—and more often than not, both form coalitions with other political parties and independents.
Imran Khan’s decision to dissolve the Punjab and KP assemblies has further polarized the political parties.
In such critical times, the kingmaker of the country—PML-Q—has found its place on the political stage once again. Raja Abdullah shares how PML-Q came to power, and eventually emerged as a kingmaker for its own political survival.
The Dissolution of Punjab and KP Assemblies: An Unavoidable Path
Imran Khan is poised to announce the date for the dissolution of the Punjab and KP assemblies on 17th December. Once his party members resign on the decided date, elections are to take place within 90 days of the assemblies’ dissolution. Will the likely dissolution of these two assemblies strengthen Imran Khan’s resolve to inspire general elections?
Is an Interest-Free Economy Possible?
To undergo a transition to an interest-free economy, what are the steps that are to be taken? Is the transformation even possible with the existing system? Or is it just a false narrative that politicians and religious elite have always used to achieve political objectives? These are the questions that serve as the premise of Raja Abdullah’s opinion piece.
He believes that an interest-free economy isn’t impossible. Rather, an interest-free economy is desirable and achievable. For that, the government requires systematic and pragmatic steps and not legal and administrative injunctions.
All Hail Extremism
Raja Abdullah addresses the prevailing extremism, and its detrimental impact on the sociopolitical environment in Pakistan.
He observes that extremism (religious and political) started growing roots since the early years of the state’s inception. The full extent of that extremism now threatens to engulf the people of Pakistan.
Tax Evasion: Poison for Agriculture
Afflicted by tax evasion, Pakistan has had a difficult time generating sufficient revenue.
Raja Abdullah notes that a substantial amount of income tax is evaded from the agriculture sector’s sub-sector, the crop section. Many have unjustifiably employed Article 41 of the 2001 Income Tax Ordinance to be eligible for tax exemption.