Who Do We Blame?
The past two weeks have been satiated with staggering bloodshed. An estimated 10,000 Palestinians have lost their lives with over 4000 of them being innocent children.
This is a recalcitrant cycle that often sprouts up in the media every one or two years.
However, who do we blame for this catastrophe that shakes up the Middle East’s stability every now and then?
Paradigm Shift’s Magazine: October 2023 Edition
The October 2023 edition of the Paradigm Shift magazine contains 12 handpicked pieces.
These cover important issues like the Israel-Palestine war, the political destinies of party leaders in Pakistan, and the rise and fall of PIA, among others.
A Grim Journey: Narcotics in KP
The use of narcotics in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is a rising issue, specifically the cultivation of opium. A new wave of drugs has also found itself infiltrating the trade market in the form of synthetic drugs (ecstasy pills and methamphetamine).
The influence of Afghanistan and subsequently the new Taliban government alongside the current initiatives and policies of Pakistan have had varying impacts on the rise and fall of these narcotics.
Mineral Resources in Pakistan
Pakistan is one of the most resource-rich countries in the international political economy. The state is known for its rich weather that includes four seasons, distinct geographical features, and of course, the abundant resources of minerals and metals that it possesses.
Due to its rich geography, it not only receives heavy tourist traffic but also favors from processes such as metallurgy and mineral extraction that add to its position in the international market.
Can Europe Affect the Outcome of the Russia-Ukraine War?
Amidst the international community’s changing political and economic atmosphere due to the Russia-Ukraine war, a sort of discord has erupted in Europe. The division between Western Europe and Eastern Europe is becoming more obvious than before, driving a wedge concerning a cohesive European foreign policy towards the war.
There is unease in Western Europe due to the increased role and involvement of the US in Europe in the wake of this conflict. In addition, certain oversights and controversies arising in the middle of the Russia-Ukraine war can affect the course of actions of European countries if the blame falls on anyone significant.
The US Dollar vs BRICS: Is the American Financial Order Declining?
Muhammad Mustafa Ahmed Khan discusses the historical dominance of the American currency, the dollar. He examines the challenges to the supremacy of the US dollar and, additionally, to the American financial order, posed by the economic policies of the BRICS member states. Though they might not match the US individually, together these states contribute significantly to the global economy. Their decision to trade in their respective currencies itself poses a threat to the dollar.
[Video] The Constitution, Crisis, & Tourism in Kashmir | A Conversation with Midhat Shahzad
Join us as we speak to Mrs. Midhat Shahzad, the former Secretary for Tourism, Information, and IT for the Govt. of Azad Jammu & Kashmir. We discuss the special status of Kashmir & GB, the constitution, the ongoing development work, and the increased focus on tourism in Kashmir.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Azerbaijan Airlines Launches Direct Flights to Pakistan
Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) has now launched direct flights from Azerbaijan to Pakistan in order to ease the comfort of traveling for the citizens of both countries.
Access to direct flights will enable both Azerbaijan and Pakistan to establish stronger ties and more opportunities for business, tourism, and cultural exchange.
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.
Small Business, Big Impact: How Government Policies Can Boost Economic Growth in Pakistan
Misha Karim suggests that Pakistan’s economic crisis can be resolved by promoting entrepreneurship through government policies such as streamlined regulations and tax reforms.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has been providing financial support to Pakistan to address its economic crisis. However, IMF loans come with conditions such as reducing government spending and increasing taxes, which can negatively impact the economy and the people.
It is important for Pakistan to implement structural reforms such as streamlining regulations and taxes for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to promote growth and job creation. Supporting small businesses can play a key role in shaping the national growth strategy.
Islam, Ethnicity, and Power Politics: Constructing Pakistan’s National Identity by Rasul Bakhsh Rais
Islam, Ethnicity, and Power Politics by Rasul Bakhsh Rais analyzes the relationship between the issue of identity, power politics and competing ideologies in Pakistan.
Rais illustrates how Islam has been used to legitimize political power, how ethnic identities have been mobilized for political purposes, and how these dynamics have shaped the political landscape of Pakistan.
Electricity Price Hike: A Tale of Poor Governance
Pakistan has been facing a myriad of issues, but the energy crisis is one such issue that has hit the country hard. The phrase ‘load shedding’ has become a part of our daily vocabulary. Insane and unexpected electricity bills are the talk of the town.
Does Pakistan lack the capacity to generate enough electricity? Why has a sudden hike in the bills taken place? Is the current crisis a result of poor leadership or a natural occurrence? And above all, can this be fixed or not?