The Alarming Findings of the 2021 World Air Quality Report
The Air Quality Guidelines issued by WHO for the year 2021 were not met by a single country, revealing the dire state of affairs. It is no secret that air pollution poses an existential threat to the human race, yet the efforts being made to deal with this issue are constantly falling short. IQAir’s 2021 World Air Quality Report puts Bangladesh, Chad, and Pakistan as the three most polluted countries in the world.
Ahsan Ramzan of Pakistan: The Second-Youngest World Snooker Champion
On 11th March, Ahsan Ramzan, a 16-year-old Pakistani, became the second-youngest individual to win the IBSF World Men Snooker Championship.
The young Pakistani is set to participate in more championships and win more titles for himself and his country.
Pakistan’s Perpetual Crisis and Civil-military Relations (2008-2012)
Dr. Nasreen Akhtar, the author of “Pakistan’s Perpetual Crisis and Civil-military Relations (2008-2012),” critically analyzes the relationship between the civilian governments and the military in Pakistan. She examines the history of Pakistan’s civil-military relations and explains how and why the state’s military became involved in the political sphere.
The 48th Session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers in Pakistan
The delegations of over 50 member countries of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation congregated in Islamabad on the 22nd of March for the 48th Session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers. The two-day meeting resulted in the adoption of the Islamabad Declaration; a historic set of resolutions detailing the policies and attitudes of the Muslim world regarding Palestine, Kashmir, and other world crises. The conference was titled and themed “Partnering for Unity, Justice, and Development.”
PTI vs PDM: Why Imran Khan Will Win Whether He Stays PM or Not
All eyes were on Imran Khan during his historic jalsa in Islamabad on the 27th of March. In Pakistan’s recent political history, Imran Khan’s party has been the only one that has consistently garnered massive numbers, and this jalsa exceeded expectations. It transcended others not just because of the sheer volume of people but due to the impetuous political context that surrounds it. The author, Sarmad Ishfaq, believes that in either case, Imran Khan will win — and that the vote against him could embolden him more.
The Juvenile Justice System Act, 2018 in Pakistan
To safeguard the rights of the children allegedly involved in criminal activities, Pakistan passed the Juvenile Justice System Act (JJSA), 2018. The act specified the age limit of juveniles, established a mechanism to verify the age of the alleged offender, categorized offenses, and called for the establishment of observation homes and juvenile rehabilitation centers to provide a safety net for the children. The author, Rida Zaman, notes that the JJSA is far from perfect. By highlighting the shortcomings of the act, she argues that the juvenile justice system of Pakistan has room for improvement. However, this improvement requires the state to first overcome the hindrances in its path to the provision of justice.
The Fourth Agricultural Revolution: Reframing the Farming Industry
The author, Muhammad Bilal Farooq, delves into the world of agricultural developments — or what we would technically refer to as precision agriculture. The fourth agricultural revolution encompasses the use of GPS, GIS, remote sensing, and drones, among others. The author also charts the progress made and the use of these digital tools in Pakistan.
Assessing the Political System in Pakistan Amid the No-Confidence Vote
Prime Minister Imran Khan’s public support holds great promise, but it might not be enough to survive the vote of no-confidence. The author, Muhammad Mustafa Ahmed Khan, examines PTI’s failures, the opposition’s attempts, the apprehensive public, and the untended democratic infrastructure.
The Russia-Ukraine War: Putin, Zelensky & the Economic Impacts
The statements of Russia’s Vladimir Putin and Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky, before the Russia-Ukraine war officially started, offer an insight into the reasons and motivation behind the war. The author, Afifa Iqbal, notes that whatever the causes may be, the Russia-Ukraine war is bound to have severe economic implications for the parties involved, and for the world’s energy-dependent states, namely Pakistan. She asserts that the imposition of harsher sanctions on a petrostate like Russia will have far-reaching effects, one of which will be the surge in global oil prices.
The Thriving Esports Industry of Pakistan
The esports industry in Pakistan has the potential of becoming a success story as both domestic and international companies have been investing in the gaming ecosystem. Being home to leading gamers and players of e-sports, the author, Syed Haris Shah, opines that Pakistan’s commitment to the esports industry would soon bear fruit by creating multiple job opportunities for the youth.
Pakistan’s Politics: A Tedious History of Affections & Defections
The political instability in Pakistan, evident from the no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Imran Khan, has a long-winded history dating back to the Mughal era. The author, Afifa Iqbal, notes that the Mughal dynasty and the British rule in the sub-continent embedded a personalist element and heavy reliance on patron-client networks into the political institutions of post-independence Pakistan. For centuries, defectors have benefited from the political imbalance created by the nature of politics in the sub-continent, while simultaneously consolidating it. The author argues that the current situation of politics in Pakistan is not a new phenomenon, rather, it’s a common occurrence that won’t collapse the political structure of Pakistan.
Addition of J-10C Fighter Jets in Pakistan Air Force
The signs of China and Pakistan’s defense and military cooperation has strengthened after the induction of the multi-role fighter aircraft by the Pakistan Air Force. The author, Syed Haris Shah, believes that the introduction of the J-10C aircraft made by one of China’s leading military and aviation companies, the Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group, is an important measure taken by Pakistan’s security and political leadership to deal with potential security threats to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.
The No-Confidence Motion Against Imran Khan: Pakistan’s Political Tribulation
The author, Afifa Iqbal, illustrates the process of the no-confidence motion in Pakistan before delving into PM Imran Khan’s miscalculations. The uncertainty in the domestic political arena is disquieting as it is, but what will become of the democratic framework if the no-confidence resolution were to pass?
Trafficking of Drugs: The Implications of a Porous Border Between Afghanistan & Pakistan
Pakistan’s close proximity to Afghanistan has caused it to become the perfect target for drug trafficking. Rooha Javed explains that Afghanistan – one of the largest producers of opium in the world – has taken advantage of Pakistan’s transit route to not only acquire precursor chemicals for drug manufacturing but also for smuggling illegal drugs to the international market. Though Pakistan has adopted measures to counter this illegal drug trade, the number of Pakistanis suffering from drug addiction and overdose is increasing every day.
The Pakistan-Russia-China Bloc: A Consequence of US Actions?
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has stirred up bloc politics once again, pitting the West against the Russia-China bloc. Pakistan’s current government is clearly leaning towards the idea of a Pakistan-Russia-China bloc, but that foreign policy truly rests on the domestic political situation of the country. Amid the political uncertainty. the author, Mr Sarmad Ishfaq, illustrates how future policies pivot on the results of the no-confidence vote.
Sehat Cards & the Sehat Sahulat Program: Imran Khan’s Visionary Health Initiative
In an effort to provide universal health coverage (UHC) across the country, Pakistan’s current government recently expanded the scope of the Sehat Sahulat Program. Rooha Javed explains how the initiative aims to provide health insurance to everyone – especially to families living below the poverty line. According to Prime Minister Imran Khan, the Sehat Card will now allow every family in Punjab, Islamabad, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, Sindh, and Tharparkar to avail healthcare facilities up to Rs 1 million at the approved government and private hospitals.
A Glimpse of History: Ancient Civilizations of Pakistan
The author, Muhammad Bilal Farooq, thinks back on the words of Rudyard Kipling, “If history were taught in the form of stories, it would never be forgotten.” In view of this quote, he traces the civilizations that were before us — the Mehrgarh, the Harappa and Mohenjodaro, the Vedic, the Gandhara, and the Indo-Greek.