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?
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.
Inglorious Empire: What the British Did to India
Shashi Tharoor’s “Inglorious Empire: What the British Did to India” is a provocative and insightful analysis of British colonial rule in India.
Tharoor, the accomplished author, politician, and ex-diplomat, challenges popular narratives that romanticize and glorify colonialism by offering an honest assessment of the British Raj.
He highlights the economic exploitation, deindustrialization, famines, and political manipulation that took place under British rule in India.
From Debt Burden to Economic Growth: A Roadmap for Pakistan’s Recovery
Faryal Khan discusses pakistan’s external debt and liabilities, proposing measures for the country’s economic recovery and growth. Drawing inspiration from successful examples and policies implemented by other countries, this article suggests policies such as improving the investment climate, reducing the cost of doing business, promoting renewable energy, and implementing microfinance policies. By adopting these policies, Pakistan can create a favourable business environment, attract more investment, and ultimately boost its economy. This proposed roadmap aims to help Pakistan transition from a debt burden to a path of economic growth and prosperity.
China-Pakistan Economic Corridor: 10 Years and Beyond
It’s been a decade since the inauguration of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a $50 billion project under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
While many believe that the project has failed in many respects, Ayesha Shaikh shares what it is and what it isn’t.
Pakistan’s Economic Woes: Exploring the Roots and Possible Solutions of the Crisis
Rida Raja delves deep into the economic crisis of Pakistan to get a more holistic, detailed, and long-term picture. She uses a factual and statistical approach to draw an economic understanding of the country’s ongoing crisis.
She discusses what the reasons behind the economic crisis really are, i.e. lower productivity growth, lower savings rate, untapped export potential, and limited integration with global value chains.
Rida proposes a few solutions to these issues, considering each of the country’s major economic sectors separately.
BRICS’ New Members: Changing Tides & the Impact on the US
BRICS, a group comprising the world’s strongest economies, has been overlooked in the past. However, today, it has emerged on the global political stage as a formidable force.
Aqsa Shaukat assesses the changing dynamics of BRICS to determine whether it will pose a threat to the established Western political order.
From introducing its own currency to welcoming new members, the group is now on its way to achieving independence from Western influence.
[Video] How the Water Crisis in Pakistan is Determined by Hydropolitics
The video points to the fact that Pakistan, a nation heavily reliant on its water resources, is facing an alarming water crisis. From dwindling water levels to increasing demand, the situation is dire, but what many don’t realize is that this crisis is not solely driven by environmental factors; it’s a complex web of politics, diplomacy, and regional dynamics that are exacerbating the situation.
Land Reforms of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto
Land reforms in Pakistan have been a contested issue for years. Since the era of General Ayub Khan, efforts to introduce land reforms for a more just distribution of property have been witnessed in Pakistan. The Zulfikar Ali Bhutto regime introduced two land reform acts (in 1972 and 1977) targeting land ownership, redistribution, and landlord-tenant relationships. Laiba Umer Malik analyzes the effects of Bhutto’s land reforms and the issues in their implementation in an effort to address why unequal property rights still linger in Pakistan.
Fukushima Water Discharge Controversy
A disastrous tsunami followed the 2011 earthquake in Japan, causing disruption to the reactors at the Fukushima nuclear plant site. As a consequence, there was a release of radioactive material.
Japan has now decided to release treated radioactive water into the Pacific, but China, South Korea, and the Pacific Island nations are opposing the discharge of the Fukushima water.
Niger Coup & Its Threat to West Africa
On 26th July 2023, a coup occurred in Niger which left the democratically elected president, Mohamed Bazoum, detained by the presidential guards in the presidential palace.
The presidential guard commander-general, Abdourahamane Tchiani, proclaimed himself the head of a transitional government, the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland.
This one coup has overturned the whole social, political, and economic paradigm of Western Africa.
BRICS Currency: Reshaping Global Economics
Sibra Waseem asserts that the US interest rate rise, monetary policy, and geopolitical tensions on global trade prices have fed the move for a BRICS currency. Where approximately 88% of worldwide commerce is currently handled in US dollars and accounts for 58% of global foreign exchange reserves, the BRICS currency would certainly shift the tides of geoeconomics. She, however, notes that the possibility of a BRICS currrency is marred by tensions between states comprising the powerful bloc.
Monsoon: The Indian Ocean and the Future of American Power
“Monsoon: The Indian Ocean and the Future of American Power” by Robert Kaplan is a captivating exploration of the geopolitics, history, and culture of the Indian Ocean. Published in 2010, the book seamlessly weaves together Kaplan’s personal travel experiences with strategic analysis and geopolitical insights. The title cleverly draws parallels between the region’s unpredictability and the monsoon, underscoring its significance in global power dynamics. Overall, it serves as a concise guide to understanding the past, present, and future of this crucial region
[Video] Contributions of Pakistani Christians
In this video, we aim to shed light on the significant contributions made by Pakistani Christians to our society. It’s crucial to recognize and celebrate the diversity that enriches our nation’s fabric.
Unveiling the Legacy: How Zulfikar Ali Bhutto Shaped Pakistan’s Foreign Policy
Fatimah Naeem delves into the tumultuous era of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto’s leadership in Pakistan and the profound impact it had on the country’s foreign policy. With a vision of assertive diplomacy, Bhutto navigated a complex geopolitical landscape, facing both formidable challenges and remarkable triumphs. From his ambitious pursuit of nuclear capability to the redefinition of Pakistan’s role in the Muslim World, the author explores the changes in Pakistan’s relations with its neighbors and the US.
Parallels between Palestine and Kashmir
Palestine and Kashmir are two of the world’s most drawn-out and complex conflicts to date. They are multi-dimensional, focusing not only on a territorial epicenter but an ideological one as well.
Hafsa Ammar focuses on the several parallels between these two conflicts: a Muslim-majority population, colonialism, regional enmity, geostrategic importance, among others.
Pakistan’s Digital Diplomacy: The Foreign Office’s Role in Global Outreach
Pakistan, an emerging nation with a tech-savvy population, has the potential to become a digital powerhouse internationally, and Pakistan’s Foreign Office is essential for nurturing the country’s digital agenda and interests.
Various initiatives like the e-visa system, virtual dashboard, and diplomacy policy have been taken by the foreign office. Despite the progress made in digital diplomacy in Pakistan, there are still some major issues and difficulties that need to be addressed and resolved.
Javeria Saghir believes that a detailed analysis of the challenges facing Pakistan’s e-diplomacy efforts, the impact of Pakistan’s digital diplomacy initiatives, and a comparison of Pakistan’s digital diplomacy with other digitally advanced countries are necessary to realize the country’s full potential.