Efficient Laws & Systems for Domestic Violence in Dubai: Where Did Pakistan Go Wrong?
The legal measures and reporting mechanisms for domestic violence in Dubai are functional. That is in stark contrast to Pakistani systems that counter domestic violence.
To ensure safety for the victims, Pakistan, too, must adopt Dubai’s best practices in confronting domestic abuse.
From Persecution to Open Calls for Muslim Genocide in India
Is India’s democracy buckling under the weight of its endless anti-Muslim hate speech? Gandhi really did not wish for his beloved state to become what it is now — a secular state that inspires antipathy to its Muslim citizens. Hindutva or Hindu nationalism has recently sparked calls for Muslim genocide, distancing the notion of democracy in India.
The Enactment of the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act by the US
Signed into law on 23rd December 2021, the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act will prevent US businesses and consumers from becoming complicit in human rights violations. The Act will radically reorient the US’s foreign policy with China, as it will presume that goods made wholly or in part in the Xinjiang region are a result of forced labor and hence the onus to disprove that presumption will be on the importer.
Alternatives to Egypt’s Suez Canal: Russia’s Northern Sea Route & Israel’s Ben-Gurion Canal
In March 2021, a container ship called “Ever Given” blocked Egypt’s Suez Canal for six days. On one hand, the blockage of the canal cost the world around $10 billion in trade each day, while on the other hand, it provided Russia and Israel with the perfect opportunity to garner support for their respective sea route projects. The authors, Alyan Waheed and Muskan Moazzam, note that Russia’s Northern Sea Route (NSR) and Israel’s Ben-Gurion Canal can act as alternatives to the Suez Canal and reduce the international community’s dependency on it. As such, to prevent states from opting for these routes, Egypt will have to make several changes – one of them is lowering the trade barriers.
Myanmar’s Shadow Government: In the Name of Democracy
Composed of the opposition, the shadow government provides feedback and criticism on the policies supported by the ruling party. Myanmar has witnessed completely distinct shadow governments—from the military junta to the NLD—throughout its history. Even now, there is a shadow government; the National Unity Government is one that is displaying its resistance to the military rule of the country.
Blood And Oil: Mohammed bin Salman’s Ruthless Quest for Global Power
In “Blood And Oil: Mohammed bin Salman’s Ruthless Quest for Global Power”, Bradley Hope and Justin Scheck tell the story of how Saudi Arabia’s Mohammed bin Salman rose to the position of the crown prince. The book provides a glimpse of the future Saudi king’s thought process, his vision for his country, and his approach towards the people he considers a threat to his plans and power.
How to Avoid a Climate Disaster by Bill Gates
In his book, How to Avoid A Climate Disaster, Bill Gates expresses his concerns about the overwhelming climate change, beckoning readers to urge policies around net-zero emissions. He also provides readers with a list of ways that they can individually contribute to such an end—which is more than just turning off the tap while you brush your teeth.
Peace Talks with the Pakistani Taliban (TTP): Then vs Now
Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), formulated in 2007, is one of the deadliest terrorist groups in Pakistan. It has carried out massive attacks against Pakistan’s security forces and also targeted civilians. As a result of its actions, Pakistan has lost thousands of lives. The author, Muhammad Hamza Tanvir, notes that although Pakistan has tried to negotiate with the TTP on several occasions and even signed peace agreements, all of its efforts have failed. He explains that while the state favors a peace deal with the TTP, many analysts believe that this move will prove damaging for the country.
How MNCs Are Destroying the Foreign Exchange Reserves in Pakistan
The writer, Mir Mohammad Alikhan, reflects on the cause of plunging foreign reserves in Pakistan. Is it because of businesses’ proclivity for imports, like many believe it to be? That truly isn’t the case. Multinational corporations are actually the ones sending shock waves to the foreign reserves by importing a considerable amount of raw materials for their products and then selling them at prohibitive prices. Naturally, huge profits are made, which are declared as dividends before being converted into dollars and sent abroad to a parent company.
Is Judicial Activism Undermining the Justice System in Pakistan?
Judicial activism can be defined as the exercise of legislative and judicial functions by the judicial branch, thereby compromising the doctrine of the separation of powers. One thing is for certain: judicial activism has not gone unnoticed by the people of Pakistan. Judicial activism in its very nature is pervasive and inequitable. The author, Asfand Yar Katchela, presents a compelling argument for restraining judicial activism by giving reference to significant case laws and the findings of his own survey.
Will Saudi Arabia and Israel Normalize Relations?: Understanding the Arab Peace Initiative
On the condition that Israel will implement the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative, Saudi Arabia has expressed its willingness to improve its relations with Israel. The initiative proposes a two-state solution for the Palestine issue and an end to the Israeli illegal annexation of the territories of the West Bank and Gaza Strip. The author, Muhammad Hamza Tanvir, notes that although an alliance between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Israel would be beneficial for them, the condition imposed by the kingdom is not pragmatic for Israel, even more so after the change in its leadership.
The Gruesome Assassination of Jamal Khashoggi
In 2018, the world witnessed the assassination of Jamal Khashoggi – a Saudi-born Washington Post columnist known for his criticism of Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman – in the Saudi consulate in Turkey. The author, Palwasha Khan, explains that Saudi Arabia had used an assassination squad to eliminate Khashoggi. Though Saudi Arabia denied its involvement in the murder, America’s Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) affirmed that the journalist was killed on the crown prince’s orders. Moreover, the death of Khashoggi sparked a diplomatic crisis between Saudi Arabia and several of its closest allies, including the US.
Night Letters: Gulbuddin Hekmatyar and the Afghan Islamists Who Changed the World
In their book, Night Letters, Chris Sands and Fazelminallah Qazizai venture together into the historical depths of Afghanistan. They relate a fair account of Gulbuddin Hekmatyar and his political ambitions, notably the Islamic Movement.
Pakistan in 2021: A Tumultuous Year
2021 was truly an unpredictable year for Pakistan. The country saw turbulence in the political realm with protests by the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), and dharnas by various other entities. The country’s economic woes only intensified as it failed to exit the FATF grey list. On the bright side, Pakistan’s athletes were given the due spotlight at several games this year, particularly at the Tokyo Olympics. Take a look at some of the major developments that took place in Pakistan in 2021.
The Diplomatic Boycott of the 2022 Beijing Olympics
February is nearing and so are the 2022 Beijing Olympics. The US’s boycott of the Games has motivated many states – Australia, Canada, and the UK to name a few – to follow suit. China hasn’t taken kindly to these political ploys and in fact has warned countries of the price that they will pay for boycotting the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing.
Can Pakistan’s EVMs Survive Cyber Attacks?
The Cambridge Analytica scandal, the disclosure of the Pegasus spyware, and the hacking of Pakistan’s Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) have made the vulnerable nature of cyberspace abundantly clear. The author, Taaha Rauf, notes that Pakistan’s decision to use electronic voting machines (EVMs), in the 2023 general elections, comes with the ever-increasing threat of cyber attacks. He explains that since the US, Australia, and Canada, already employ technology for several purposes in their elections, they have undertaken measures to ensure their cybersecurity and election integrity. For Pakistan to do the same, he makes certain recommendations.
Nine Famous Straits of the World: Exploring Trade Routes
This article describes some of the most important straits of the world. Straits are narrow stretches of water that serve as significant strategic and trade routes. As almost 80 percent of the world’s trade is carried over the waves, these straits provide navigable routes to various ships thus playing a critical role in the trade of the world.
