The Changing Landscape of Faisalabad’s Textile Industry
Maryam Jilani describes the strikes that occurred due to the disputes between employers and workers in the various power looms of Faisalabad. She also comments on the importance of the Labour Qaumi Movement (LQM), an organisation of power loom workers, and how they were able to secure pay raises and social security guarantees.
Sea Guardians-2: Pak-China Maritime Cooperation
Sea Guardians-2, a code name for the maritime exercise between China and Pakistan was held from 10th till 13th July 2022. The navies of both countries gathered at the military port in Wusong, Shanghai to begin the bilateral exercise.
This cooperation was further enhanced by the recent induction of PNS Taimur, a new Chinese 054 A/P frigate, into the Pakistan Navy.
The Lacking 2022-23 Federal Budget of Pakistan
The federal budget for the fiscal year 2022-23 is termed the ‘growth budget’ by the government. However, it does not seem promising, since the taxes imposed will undoubtedly lead to inflation, and because the amount earmarked for the education sector remains unsatisfactory.
Wasif Hassan provides a summary of the budget and briefly analyses the imposition of taxes and education spending allocated under the federal budget 2022-23.
Lords of Misrule
Mir Adnan Aziz discusses the blatant disregard for disaster management by the former and current governments in Pakistan. He stresses that the innumerable casualties and massive destruction caused by the recent natural disasters were certainly preventable. This gross negligence by the lords of misrule has left the people of Pakistan walking on a tightrope.
Defence Day Special: Pakistan Army’s Welfare Support
Palwasha Aftab contends that, unlike many baseless allegations, Army’s welfare organizations are not business ventures.
Rather, as per their charter, they are welfare organizations registered under the Charitable Endowments Act 1890.
Had Army’s welfare organizations not been providing their welfare services from their self-generated funds, there would have been an additional burden on the national exchequer of Rupees 10 billion annually – a whopping amount which the ailing economy of Pakistan can hardly afford.
It is in view of these facts that the Pak Army’s welfare initiatives must be welcomed and supported rather than subjected to any malicious misinformation and/or disinformation.
A Cyclical Disaster: The 2022 Floods of Pakistan
Having experienced severe political and climatic storms this year, Sarmad Ishfaq laments the difficult times ahead for Pakistan.
These devastating floods are putting the economy under even more pressure. There is a strong possibility that food costs and unemployment will now surge to record highs.
Pakistan: Beyond the ‘Crisis State’
Edited by Maleeha Lodhi and several other contributors, Pakistan: Beyond the ‘Crisis State’ was published in 2011. The book effectively embarks beyond terrorism and natural disasters. Instead, it addresses the country’s contemporary security dynamics, demographic pressures, energy shortages, and lack of political will.
High Food Inflation Rate in Pakistan: Causes, Effects & Recommendations
From political instability to an economic and climate crisis, Pakistan has witnessed an innumerable amount of chaos and devastation in 2022. To further add to this burdening state of affairs, the country is now experiencing food inflation, pushing people into poverty. Samana Mehmood addresses the causes of this inflation and suggests ways to overcome it.
Bullying in Pakistan: Hafsa Saeed Khan’s Perspective
In our talk with Ms Hafsa Saeed Khan, a mental health and anti-bullying advocate, we notice how bullying continues to thrive both in online and offline spaces.
While bullying affects all ages, the most heavily impacted are people between the ages of 18 and 29.
Petrol Prices in Pakistan: Determinants & Fluctuations
Petrol is a necessity with fairly inelastic demand. Since Pakistan imports petroleum products, the fuel price is determined by the fluctuating international market, and Pakistan’s foreign exchange rate.
The limited supply, and the unprecedented increase in the prices of petroleum products in the international market recently caused an unexpected global price hike.
Moreover, the rapid depreciation of the Pakistani rupee over the last few months, and the removal of govt. subsidies have caused petrol prices to reach a record high of Rs. 235.98 in Pakistan.
Pakistani IT Company Deemed Forbes Asia’s Best
Pakistan’s Systems Limited – an IT company – has made it to Forbes Asia’s Best Under a Billion list for the third consecutive time, owing to its innovative business model. Systems Limited is the only company from Pakistan to make it to the list, making this achievement even more noteworthy for the state.
Pakistan-Iran Trade and the Upcoming Free Trade Agreement
Pakistan and Iran, after years of not being able to establish a free trade agreement (FTA), have finally started to move in the direction of signing one. In the 21st session of the Pak-Iran Joint Economic Commission, hosted in Islamabad in August 2022, the two neighboring states have shown their eagerness to improve their trade relations by signing an FTA within the following six months.
Examining PTI’s Prohibited Funding Fiasco
Last month, the Election Commission of Pakistan declared PTI guilty of receiving millions from 351 foreign companies, concealing 13 accounts, and receiving $35,651 from 34 foreign national citizens. Faran Feroze probes into PTI’s ‘prohibited funding’ case, uncovering both legal and political implications.
The Devastating Flooding in Pakistan
The destruction caused by heavy rainfalls and floods in Pakistan is reaching new heights as the days pass. The deadly floods have taken the lives of more than 1,300 people and impacted millions of Pakistanis. With lives at stake, extensive rescue operations are underway all over Pakistan.
The Dark Side of the Meme Culture
Noor-Ul-Haya looks into the ethical considerations of consent and privacy w.r.t. the creation of memes on social media. Through examples, she highlights the long-lasting impacts of such a ‘casual’ phenomenon, and a few clear solutions to deal with it.
The World Bank in Pakistan: Transforming the Agriculture Sector
The Punjab Resilient and Inclusive Agriculture Transformation (PRIAT) project, with the help of $200 million in financial aid from the World Bank, intends to reform the agricultural sector of the Punjab province of Pakistan. The project will boost the state’s economic growth and encourage private sector investments and participation in agro-food projects.
TME Receives the 2022 Ed-Tech Award
At the 2022 Technology Awards organised by the Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce & Industry (RCCI), the Millennium Universal College (TMUC) and the Millennium Education (TME) Group bagged the Educational Technology (Ed-Tech) Award. The prestigious award is an indication of the institution’s dedication to digital education in Pakistan.