The Fall of “Daronomics,” and the Way Ahead for Pakistan
The economy of the country is now burdened by the weight of inflationary measures, a weakening rupee, the consequence of “Daronomics,” and the demands of the IMF.
In this concise op-ed, Myra Imran Rafiq reveals why policies based on “Daronomics” failed and what needs to be done now for a brighter economic future for Pakistan.
Reassuring Recommendations for Our Climate Woes
Despite conferences such as the COP and Davos meetings being held annually, world temperatures are only seen to be soaring, and their impact is drastically witnessed by people all across the globe.
This then begs the question, “What can be done to improve efforts in mitigating major climate-related calamities?”
In this piece, Myra Imran Rafiq provides several circular and sustainable recommendations for tackling climate change.
Will Pakistan Default?
The buzz and panic around a very likely default scenario for Pakistan has the people of the country exceptionally troubled.
Mobeen Mukhtar relieves the fears of a default by clarifying and breaking down the country’s debt obligations—both internal and external. He dismisses the possibility of an imminent default owing to debt reschedulings and the Sukuk payment it made last month.
Calling for Social Justice in Classrooms
There is apparent social injustice in education, which is marked by inadequate efforts made towards minorities’ education, disparities in girls’ education, and the culturally irresponsive pedagogy widening racial segregation in Pakistan.
Iqra Abid believes that for an education system to be socially just, it must be built on inclusion, activism, reciprocal community relationships, and ethnographic narrative.
How a Bloody & Battered TTP Made a Comeback in Pakistan
It is difficult to understate the deadly threat of the TTP’s resurgence in Pakistan. With the country already in economic distress as it is, the growing militancy has further enfeebled the state. Sarmad Ishfaq deems three primary reasons for the TTP’s revival: the Taliban takeover in Afghanistan, the peace negotiations with the TTP, and Imran Khan’s ouster.
Digital Media and Credibility
In this piece, Abrish Nayyar covers the similarities and differences between digital natives—novel digital platforms—and legacy media, which refers to conventional media channels. After settling the distinction between the two, she argues that credibility and trust in both have waned.
Has Artificial Intelligence Become Sentient?
The debate around the sentience of artificial intelligence cropped up unexpectedly in June 2022 when Blake Lemoine, a Google engineer, experimented on LaMDA, an AI-driven chatbot.
The chatbot not only argued on philosophical questions but also demanded its rights. Sana Azhar determines if such conversations by a chatbot confirm the existence of sentient AI.
Navigating Cybersecurity Cooperation Between China and Pakistan
Afaq Ahmad examines the nature of the Sino-Pak relationship in regard to cybersecurity including the ways in which both countries are working together to address common threats and any potential challenges that may arise.
He also discusses the broader implications of improved cybersecurity cooperation for regional security, and the need for continued vigilance and cooperation in the face of evolving cyber threats.
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?
The Woes of Pakistan’s Livestock Sector
Seeing that the livestock sector contributed about 14% to the national GDP in 2021-12, Tayyab Aleem is certain of its importance to Pakistan’s economy.
He examines the key issues being faced by Pakistan’s livestock sector.
Buzzwords in the National Security Policy of Pakistan
Buzzwords play a crucial role in development policies as they help frame the problems and their solutions. They often take support from ambiguous policy language to promote a particular perspective; they are also called empty words that serve no purpose other than sounding powerful for the sake of it.
Afifa Mushtaque critiques the National Security Policy which has used multiple buzzwords that fail to take the national cohesion of Pakistan into consideration. She also claims that the policy portrays an image of Pakistan that is the opposite of what is indeed the case.
The Negative Impact of IMF’s Policies on the Economy of Pakistan
Pakistan’s economy has constantly deteriorated since it started lending from the IMF. It is a statement that’s debatable for many, but Hurria Binte Abdullah supports the statement.
By elaborating on the neo-liberal structure of IMF’s economic policies, she opines that its tight monetary policy, tight fiscal policy, and market-based exchange rates are not practical for a developing country like Pakistan.
Use of Buzzwords in Benazir Income Support Programme
Ahmad Umair talks about the use of buzzwords like “empowerment”, “development”, and “progress” which have been used to describe the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP). These terms have tried to create a sense of purpose around the programme by elevating its moral status.
He focuses on the effect and the impact that these carefully and consciously used buzzwords have had on the programme’s reputation.
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.
Importance of Geographic Information System (GIS) in Securing Pakistan
Muhammad Osama Asghar discusses a feeble branch of geography that can prove to be a vital source of security in Pakistan.
If implemented in an effective manner, the Geographic Information System (GIS) can be the lifeline that sustains the Pakistani economy while allowing us to prepare ourselves for impending natural, external, or domestic calamities.
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.
Redefining Development in Pakistan
Aleena Khan opines that the term ‘development’ usually exhibits Western ideas.
She argues that the reproduction of the Western ideals of development would be structurally and culturally unviable for developing countries, particularly Pakistan.
To remedy this, she urges the citizens of Pakistan to redefine ‘development’ in a way that reflects their values.