Islamabad Club: An Iconic Establishment
The Islamabad Club remains an important establishment in Pakistan, offering many facilities and services. The club provides different facilities to its members, including swimming pools, tennis and squash courts, a gymnasium, and a golf course. It houses one of the best libraries in the city, with thousands of books in print and in its digital library. Additionally, members can enjoy fine dining experiences at the club’s restaurants and cafes. The club also hosts various social events and activities throughout the year, fostering a sense of community among its members.
The Caretaker Government in Pakistan
The international arena today is dominated by democratic political systems which prompt the election of leaders by the will of the people. The purpose of democracy is to ensure a social contract that guarantees an informed decision on the part of the population. During the period of transition, the country is run by a caretaker or interim government that is responsible for the temporary management of people’s affairs and for overseeing the election process. On 14th August 2023, Anwarul Haq Kakar was sworn in as the caretaker Prime Minister. With PM Kakar also came a 16-member caretaker federal cabinet. Is the caretaker government expected to overstay its term?
Fall of the Ottoman Empire & the Emergence of Nation States
To comprehend the fall of the Ottoman Empire, it is essential to examine not only the events that led to this significant shift but also those that followed the collapse. The authors provide a concise overview of the events preceding the empire’s fall, such as the Young Turk Revolution, the Balkan Wars, and WWI, among others. They also evaluate the various agreements and events that contributed to the emergence of nation-states and their international boundaries.
Turkey’s 2023 Elections: What You Need to Know
A complex state that has seen power juggle between its political and military institutes, Türkiye has seen years of struggle to get to its current political shape.
In 2018, Türkiye saw its transition from a parliamentary to a presidential system after the constitutional referendum in 2017. The initiative was planned by Tayyip Erdoğan of the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) who remains a powerful political figure and has been President since 2014.
While both the presidential and parliamentary elections were held on 14th May, Erdoğan and Kılıçdaroğlu will contest a run-off vote on 28th May to decide the winner of the 2023 presidential elections.
The Washington Declaration: Revisiting the US-South Korean Security Commitment
The Washington Declaration is the name given to the very recent revised commitment between South Korea and the US on the 27th of April, 2023.
The declaration seeks to reinforce the US-South Korean alliance for the security interests of both in the region.
The US’s antagonism towards Chinese influence and South Korea’s uneasiness with North Korea’s nuclear expansion and missile capabilities have forced both of them to establish a Nuclear Consultative Group (NCG) to strengthen deterrence against North Korea.
A Look Into the Pakistan-Türkiye Relief Efforts
Zainab Haseeb undertakes an event-by-event analysis to understand how both Pakistan and Türkiye have contributed to safeguarding each other’s interests during natural challenges.
She traces the relief efforts made during the 2005 earthquake, the 2022 floods, and the recent 2023 earthquakes.
Pakistan-IMF: The Ninth Economic Review
As the international market continues to become competitive, countries such as Pakistan are increasing their dependence on the IMF.
The loan programs come with terms and conditions highlighting austerity for rebalancing the government’s books. However, these deals have been observed to exacerbate economic inequality in Pakistan.
Following the current political turmoil in Pakistan, the interim set-up has negotiated yet another deal that has directly affected the exchange rates.
In order to understand the current situation, Zainab Haseeb gives an overview of the 9th economic review of a $7 billion loan program.
What Can Pakistan Learn from Israel’s Water Technology?
In view of the water crisis in Pakistan, there is a need for the country to learn from other countries that have made effective use of water-conservatory technologies. This is now becoming essential in order to supply people with the much-needed resource.
In Zainab Haseeb’s opinion, there is now a need to explore Israel’s water management strategies and technologies since they are widely considered the best in the world.
The Kalabagh Dam Issue: An Unrealized Dream
The highly divisive issue of the Kalabagh Dam resurfaces as predictions of acute water shortages in Pakistan are made. The provinces, KPK and Sindh in particular, continue to cite their reasons for disagreeing to build the Kalabagh Dam. The author provides a counterargument to their reasons and contends that the energy generated as a result of the Kalabagh Dam would be a significant addition to the country’s economy.