Understanding the Devastating Impact of the 2023 Floods in Libya
In September 2023, Libya faced a catastrophe of unparalleled proportions as it was ravaged by devastating floods. The effects of these floods were far-reaching, leaving behind a trail of destruction and human suffering. As the waters swept through cities and villages, homes were destroyed, infrastructure was decimated, and lives were upended. In the aftermath of the floods, Hafsa Ammar sheds light on the extent of the damage caused and the challenges faced by the affected communities. From the loss of lives and displacement of people to the disruption of essential services like healthcare and clean water supply, the impact of these floods cannot be overstated.
Paradigm Shift’s Magazine: August-September 2023 Edition
The August-September 2023 edition of the Paradigm Shift magazine contains 15 handpicked pieces.
These cover the SWOT analysis of the energy predicament in Pakistan, a BRICS currency, the G20 Delhi Declaration, and the land reforms during Bhutto’s period among others.
The August-September 2023 edition features an infographic on the urbanization in Pakistan throughout the years.
This edition also has two book reviews and an op-ed.
[Video] Are Pakistan-US Relations Characterized by Betrayal?
In this video, we share the history of the bilateral relations between Pakistan and the US. Despite being close allies during the Cold War, Muhammad Hamza Tanvir believes that the relations between Pakistan and the United States are almost at a breaking point.
Independent Power Producers in Pakistan
Independent Power Producers (IPPs) are private companies that generate power/electricity before selling it to the national grid competitively. They are also called Non-utility generators (NUGs) which only further emphasize private ownership.
There can be a variety of sources that IPPs can use to generate electricity such as wind, solar, and nuclear energy. Although they contribute to Pakistan’s circular debt, they are still a necessary
evil.
Pakistan International Airlines (PIA): From a Glorious Take-Off to a Potential Touchdown?
With a history dating back to 1946, PIA enjoyed a golden era characterized by top-notch service, innovative initiatives, and a reputation for safety and reliability. However, its status has changed dramatically over the years. Fatimah Naeem delves into the turbulent journey of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), once an emblem of national pride and a symbol of excellence in the aviation industry. She examines the factors that have led to PIA’s decline and raises the question of whether the PIA can reclaim its former glory or if it’s headed for a potential touchdown, symbolizing a fall from grace.
Womansplaining by Sherry Rehman
Sherry Rehman’s ‘Womansplaining’ narrates the history of the women’s rights movement, tracing its origins in the 1980s, the establishment of the Women’s Action Forum (WAF), and its opposition to the misguided Islamization project until Zia’s demise in 1988.
It also discusses the introduction of the Lady Health Workers (LHW) Program in 1994 and the ongoing challenges faced by post-millennial activism.
Conflict Management in Nagorno-Karabakh
The Nagorno-Karabakh war ended in 2020, but politically, there are still conflicts and problems related to the territory’s nationality and residence. Using the conflict management concept from Johan Galtung, this research aims to understand the processes and actors in the Nagorno-Karabakh case.
Lahore High Court (LHC) of Pakistan: Upholding Justice at the District Level
The judicial hierarchy in Pakistan includes the Supreme Court, high courts, civil courts, and criminal courts. Focusing on the Lahore High Court (LHC), Sadia Iqbal highlights its evolutionary history, reflecting the transitions in governance. The LHC, through landmark decisions, contributes to contemporary legal discourse, addressing issues like climate change, sedition laws, and women’s rights. Despite commendable decisions, challenges still persist in the workings of the high court.
It’s Happening: the Saudi-Israel Peace Deal
Saudi Arabia and Israel have been working on a deal to normalize ties between the two nations. The news spread when Mohammed Bin Salman, the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, appeared in a televised interview with Fox News on 20th September and said that the nations were close to concluding a ‘serious’ agreement regarding bilateral peace.
Israel’s right-wing Prime Minister Netanyahu confirmed the rumors of budding peace two days later as well. This deal is complex, and to understand it, there is a need to recognize all stakeholders and their respective demands.
Is there a Future for Cryptocurrency in Pakistan?
Javeria Abbas analyzes the factors that are responsible for the adoption and the rejection of cryptocurrency in Pakistan. She tries to relate each factor responsible for the rejection of cryptocurrency in Pakistan with the Islamic finance system.
This paper also gives an insight into the bitcoin transaction system, how bitcoin is used, and how its usage is classified as unislamic.
Key Takeaways from the G20 Delhi Declaration
Held this year in Delhi, the G20 summit holds economic and political significance in reshaping the world order. The summit saw an expansion of the African Union.
However, both China and Russia did not participate in the summit. It also saw India and the US seizing an opportunity to lay down the conceptual underpinnings of what might be an alternative to China’s Belt and Road Initiative: a new economic corridor.
Murder of Nijjar: Will Canada-India Relations Continue to Sour?
On 18th June 2023, Hardeep Singh Nijjar, born in India and living in Canada, was murdered by two masked gunmen right outside his Sikh temple in a Vancouver suburb. The likely suspect by the Canadian authorities? The Indian government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The Khalistan movement is the reason behind the allegations that Canada has leveled against India. Bilateral diplomatic tensions have so far caused suspensions of visas, expulsion of diplomats, and a negative impact on trade and investment.
Kunda System: The Leading Source of Electricity Theft in Pakistan
Sadia Iqbal elaborates on the pressing issue of electricity theft through the “kunda” system in Pakistan. This illegal practice enables individuals to bypass meters, evade electricity bills, and aggravate the nation’s energy crisis by establishing unauthorized connections to power lines. The author identifies undetectable transmission losses and social factors such as poverty as primary causes of the prevalence of electricity theft. The consequences of the kunda system extend beyond financial losses, encompassing damage to infrastructure, fostering dishonesty, and contributing to a broader atmosphere of lawlessness.
China’s Influence in the Middle East Surges
China has seized the opportunity to assert its presence in the Middle East to reshape the regional dynamics amidst a shift in the United States’ policy focus from the Middle East to the Indo-Pacific region under the Biden administration.
Recent events like the Saudi-Iran agreement and the admission of some Middle Eastern nations in the BRICS bloc demonstrate China’s varied interests in the region, which range from conventional energy requirements to economic and geopolitical worries.
The IMF-Pakistan Deal: Unpacking Economic Realities
Afifa Iqbal highlights the economic challenges facing ordinary Pakistanis amidst the country’s recent IMF deal. Pakistan’s economy is in crisis, with soaring inflation rates and hardships for its citizens. The priorities of the political leadership have only made matters worse. The IMF’s conditions for the deal include fiscal austerity measures that prioritize debt servicing over public and development spending, leading to potential hardships for the people. Additionally, the policy targeting disinflation could result in increased borrowing expenses and unemployment.
CSS Current Affairs 2023 Guess Paper
Success in the CSS exam relies heavily on understanding current affairs. However, the CSS current affairs syllabus can be a bit unclear, causing many candidates to feel unsure. While the Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC) did provide the syllabus, it has not been updated. Also, the specific domestic issues to focus on can be hard to identify. Torchbearer CSS Academy aims to clarify these points and provide a helpful list of guess topics tailored for the special CSS exam.
Indonesia’s Cultural Diplomacy at the 2023 ASEAN Summit
Indonesia is known for its large cultural diversity spread from one end of the country to the other, ultimately making it pay great attention to culture as the best tool in conducting diplomacy. Cultural diplomacy is carried out as a tool to achieve the national interests of each country.
Taking advantage of its position as the host country for the 2023 ASEAN Summit, Indonesia carried out cultural diplomacy with artistic and cultural performances, promoting Batik as traditional clothing, as well as gastro diplomacy which received good appreciation from the heads of states who were present.