2022 FIFA World Cup Match Ball: Made in Pakistan
Pakistan is proud to be chosen yet again as one of the official manufacturers of the FIFA World Cup’s official footballs. Selected for the third time, Sialkot-based Forward Sports is manufacturing the environment-friendly ‘Al-Rihla’ balls, which will be used in Qatar this winter.
Pakistan’s Israel Conundrum
While there have allegedly been quite a few secret meetings between the state officials of Pakistan and Israel in the past, the recent public visit of the Pakistani delegation to Israel has raised a lot of questions about whether Pakistan will recognize the state. Afifa Iqbal discusses the events that led to this meeting, and how it would be unwise to attempt to normalise ties with Israel without considering Pakistan’s national interests.
Bykea: Driving Fintech in Pakistan
Founded to provide accessible options to the public and businesses, Bykea is now looking to advance into fintech. It will use the $10 million it received in fresh funding to boost its fintech services in Pakistan.
Understanding the Kashmir Conflict Through Realism
The Kashmir conflict started between India and Pakistan after the Maharaja of Kashmir Hari Singh acceded to India – despite it being a Muslim majority area. This research aims to study the history of the Kashmir conflict and the policies adopted by India and Pakistan from a realist perspective. Haleema Bhatti believes that for national interests and state survival, both states have tried their best to maximise their power and dominance in the region.
Shooting for a Century: The India-Pakistan Conundrum by Stephen P. Cohen
In “Shooting for a Century: The India-Pakistan Conundrum,” Stephen P. Cohen analyzes the future of India-Pakistan relations. Cohen argues that even after the two rival South Asian states surpass a century since their independence, the ties between them are unlikely to normalize.
A War of Attrition: The Taliban vs ISIS-K
What is the relationship between the Taliban and ISIS? Are they allies or dissimilar enemies? Hania Amaad details the formation and outlook of the ISIS-K and its interactions with the Taliban.
The Unjust Criminal Justice System of Pakistan
The crude reality of countless unresolved cases exposes the incompetence and the flaws of the criminal justice system of Pakistan. Alishba Siddiqui discusses how despite being extremely ‘high profile’, justice has still not been served in the Noor Muqaddam case, the Benazir Assassination case, and the Jazlan murder case – and many others.
Hate Speech vs Free Speech Explained
Kanz-ul-eman differentiates between hate speech and free speech. She explains how hate speech has thrived under the umbrella of freedom of speech and become widespread in Pakistan and the rest of the world. Various forms of media are being used to disseminate hate speech to incite violence against different groups. The author notes that terrorist groups, in particular, have taken a liking to social media platforms to spread harmful messages and for recruitment purposes.
The Military and Domestic Politics: A Concordance Theory of Civil-Military Relations
In “The Military and Domestic Politics: A Concordance Theory of Civil-Military Relations,” Rebecca Schiff uses the concordance theory to better understand and explore the reason for military intervention than the traditional theory of separation which has its roots in the Western system, making it incompatible for non-Western countries. She also gives due importance to institutional development and culture in understanding the civil-military relations of a state.
Covid-19 in Pakistan: The Public’s Attitude Towards Plastic Waste Generation
In order to address the ongoing surge of plastic waste generation, Haya Sultan created an online questionnaire on the SurveyGizmo app and analyzed the results on the SPSS software to understand the attitude of the public towards plastic pollution. The purpose of this study was to assess the per capita estimation of plastic wastes generated at the domestic level during the Covid-19 period. Sustainable practices and a principle model are needed to mitigate this worldwide problem because it has a significant impact on solid waste management.
The Nexus Between Institutions and Economic Growth
Institutions, specifically good/inclusive ones and those from Europe and North America, have been synonymous with economic growth. Afifa Iqbal proposes to eliminate the dichotomous view of institutions and instead, pay attention to the dynamics between the concerned state and society, the socio-political realities, and the historical entanglements.
The Untimely Deaths of Dr. Rizwan, Malik Maqsood Chaprasi & Others: Coincidence or Conspiracy?
Pakistan is a country where uncanny coincidences are commonplace. The sudden deaths of key figures in the Ramzan Sugar Mills case like Dr. Rizwan and Malik Maqsood Chaprasi have raised a few eyebrows. Sarmad Ishfaq details a few of these recent ‘sudden’ deaths and then discusses how such ‘random convenient coincidences’ have also taken place in the past.
IMF in Pakistan: Culprit or Scapegoat?
Though Pakistan has a history of relying on IMF loans, Rida Yamin notes that the organization is not to blame for the state’s economic condition. She asserts that poor governance is a key factor in Pakistan’s economic decline and its tendency to take loans from the IMF. The political parties in Pakistan either fail to implement efficient policies or make high-cost-low-yield flawed policies that further exacerbate the economic crisis.
Roots Future World College Graduates Gain Global University Acceptances
On 12th June, 2022, the Cambridge CAIE High Achievers & College Graduation Ceremony of the Future World School & College was organised at Marriott Hotel. The graduates and high achievers were celebrated for pulling through despite the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sepoy Maqbool Hussain: The Bravest of the Brave
Aleena Imran discusses the unparalleled bravery of the great Sepoy Maqbool Hussain, a courageous Pakistani soldier who was imprisoned and tortured by the Indian Army for 40 years. Despite the horrifying abuse he suffered at the hands of his captors during interrogations, he kept repeating the phrase “Pakistan Zindabad”. When his heartless captors cut out his tongue and pulled out his fingernails – he continued writing the phrase with his own blood on the walls of his prison. His return to Pakistan was nothing short of a miracle – and his bravery and sacrifices should continue to serve as an inspiration for all of us.
Examining PTI’s 2018 Manifesto
Muhammad Mustafa Ahmed Khan appraises PTI’s performance from 2018 to the party’s abrupt end in April 2022. The party’s own 2018 manifesto is reviewed to understand the contributions that it has been able to make — and the damage it has left in its wake.
Explainer: Foreign Exchange Reserves
The term ‘foreign exchange reserves’ has become a buzzword lately. From talk shows to op-eds, everybody seems to be talking about it, but the concept itself continues to elude the comprehension of people who are not well-versed in economic jargon. Afifa Iqbal sets out the basics around foreign exchange reserves.