Economy of Pakistan over the Years
With an external debt exceeding 130.1 billion dollars, Pakistan faces precarious debt levels, political instability, and deteriorating economic indicators.
The global economic downturn spurred by Covid-19 hit advanced economies hard and sent the growth rates of developing and underdeveloped states plummeting. The PTI government made modest gains, particularly in agriculture and manufacturing. However, deep-seated challenges such as energy crises and regulatory hurdles persisted.
Hamza Shariff concludes that Pakistan must prioritize structural reforms, invest in human capital, and diversify energy sources to unlock the nation’s economic potential.
Pakistan—The Balochistan Conundrum by Tilak Devasher
In “Pakistan-The Balochistan Conundrum,” Tilak Devasher analyzes the Balochistan issue and emphasizes the shortcomings of the Pakistani government. He paints a twisted portrait of pain and exclusion that the Baloch have allegedly suffered at the hands of Pakistan’s armed forces.
Arooj Saghir provides a counter-narrative by highlighting the biased statements and lack of evidence from the far-right nationalist author.
NIMA’s Hybrid Seminar on the Indian & Pacific Oceans
Today, the National Institute of Maritime Affairs (NIMA) in collaboration with the Royal Malaysian Navy – Sea Power Centre (RMN – SPC), Pakistan Embassy in France, Centre for International Studies (CeSI) in Italy, and the Institute of Regional Studies held an international hybrid seminar on the regional and international significance of the Indian and Pacific Oceans at the NIMA Head office in Islamabad.
The Indian Economic Model: A Story of Progress & Paradox
Jana Awez provides a critical analysis of India’s economic growth, revealing the harsh realities that exist beneath the surface of its impressive economic achievements. Despite economic gains, citizens grapple with debt, inflation, unemployment, and poor infrastructure. India’s dream of becoming an economic superpower clashes with existing social issues.
The Fault in Our Stars: Pitfalls in Pakistan’s Economic Development
As Pakistan approaches its 77th anniversary, Aiman Shahid reflects on its journey.
Impacted by political turmoil and a neglect of economic development, Pakistan trails behind other developing nations such as Bangladesh – a state once poorer than Pakistan, now emerging as a success story, overcoming adversity through strategic reforms and empowering its female workforce.
Comparing Pakistan to African developing states, she also highlights valuable insights from Rwanda’s path to progress, which could transform Pakistan’s economy and help the South Asian state achieve its development goals. As the nation stands at a crossroads, it must confront its identity crisis and persevere to shape a brighter future.
India’s Cultivation of the Khalistan Movement—Past & Present
The Khalistan Movement is an attempt to liberate the Sikhs of India. The separatist movement was started by Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale and gained momentum in the ’80s.
The recent murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Vancouver has rekindled the movement, shedding light on India’s persisting anti-Khalistan sentiments.
India’s distaste for the Sikhs has been seen time and again over the years from Operation Blue Star of 1948, to the unsavory response that the Farmer’s Protests received.
Sarmad Ishfaq summarizes that with the way India keeps targeting Sikhs, the revival of Khalistan seems inevitable, and it’s only a matter of time before it gains momentum again.
Insight into the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC)
The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) is positioning itself as a competitor to China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Minahil Khalid expands on how this initiative materialized after the September 2023 G20 summit. IMEC holds significant economic and strategic importance as it connects India, the Arabian Gulf, and Europe, thereby establishing a trade route with the potential to reshape global trading dynamics. The impact of IMEC on Pakistan needs to be assessed, considering that this corridor may pose challenges to the success and involvement of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) in the region.
Examining Iran’s Missile Offensive Against Pakistan
Iran conducted missile strikes about 50 Kms deep into Pakistan on 16th January, 2024, striking Panjgur. The news was first broken on social media and then by the international press with a public statement made by Iran. Pakistan then retaliated within 48 hours and undertook a drone attack on Saravan in Iran along with other stand-off weapons and loitering munitions.
Paradigm Shift’s Magazine: November 2023 Edition
The November 2023 edition of the Paradigm Shift magazine contains 12 handpicked pieces. These cover the genocides in Congo and Palestine, the geostrategic importance of the South China Sea, Hindu nationalism in India, and the role of AI in modern warfare.
India’s Experiment with Military Indigenization
Since the 1990s, India has made continuous efforts to expand its economy beyond traditional benchmarks of success.
India has reached the stage where it’s even taken on the indigenization of its defence sector, particularly the Tejas Mk-1 and Mk-2, in hopes of becoming a production house and supplier of military technology.
BJP and its Politics of Cricket
Cricket–and the World Cup–in India have become more than just an event for the people to enjoy. For Modi and the BJP, hosting the ICC World Cup is just one more feather of international recognition in their caps, following the G20 summit just weeks ago.
It could be due to the fact that sports and entertainment have a way of going where historically politics and state media have had a hard time penetrating.
Rise of Hindu Nationalism: A Threat to Religious Minorities
Considering its diverse population, India decided on secularism for the country, but even with that feature, the religious minorities have faced persecution and are anything but safe and free.
From the records of religious intolerance present, it is safe to say that the rise of Hindu nationalism has been at the expense of the Muslims, Christians, and Sikhs of India.
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.
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.
India’s Moon Landing: A Remarkable Milestone
India has achieved a momentous milestone by successfully landing a spacecraft, Chandrayaan-3, on the Moon. This groundbreaking endeavor, which has garnered global attention, marks a significant step for the country’s space exploration program. The mission, led by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), showcases India’s prowess in the field of technology and highlights its commitment to pushing the boundaries of scientific innovation. With this successful landing, India joins an exclusive group of nations that have achieved the remarkable feat of a lunar landing.
Introduction to the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor (CMEC)
The China-Myanmar Economic Corridor (CMEC) is a strategic infrastructure project of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) aimed at connecting China with Myanmar’s major economic centers.
CMEC was endorsed by Chinese President Xi Jinping during his visit to Myanmar in January 2020, marking the culmination of China’s efforts to reconstitute Sino-Myanmar relations after Myanmar’s democratic transition.