A Brief History of “Zan, Zindagi, Azadi’’
Iranian women have inspired women all across the globe with their courage and resilience in the face of tyranny.
Their dilemma is extremely complex as they’ve fought against Reza Shah’s exploitation just to be betrayed by Khomeini’s promise of emancipation.
Undoubtedly, the freedom of Iranian women is indispensable for the liberation of Iranian society.
Need for Political Wit in Pakistan
Owing to the statements of political leaders and the inefficiency of institutions, Muhammad Hamza Tanvir argues that the people of Pakistan have lost trust in the state. Political polarization within Pakistan has reached its apex since May 9th – one that’s reminiscent of the Arab Springs in the Middle East. This political instability has proven itself detrimental to the economy and society of Pakistan. The author emphasizes the dire need for all of the stakeholders to exercise political wisdom and rebuild confidence in institutions, instead of breaking it down, to overcome the political crisis.
Riots Put France in Chaos
As a result of the police shooting of a 17-year-old boy, hundreds of thousands of people flocked to the streets across France to protest the situation.
Fizza Batool notes that France’s predicament is complicated and multidimensional since it encompasses law and order, public safety, human rights, social justice, and national identity.
Working Hours in South Korea: A Matter of Debate and Resistance
The proposal to increase weekly working hours from 52 to 69 in South Korea was met with immense resistance.
Maryam Jilani observes that the proposal was quickly dismissed after demonstrations left the government with no choice but to yield to the will of the public.
Violent Protests in Pakistan: A Hollow Endeavour?
As Pakistanis, we’re accustomed to placing the blame on others and seeking remedies through sit-ins and protests that characteristically morph into violent and fruitless endeavours.
This time, however, it won’t just stop with arrests and economic contractions as the economy is closely inching towards a catastrophic collapse.
The Pension Fiasco in France and the UK
President Macron’s decision to bring pension reforms in France has been met with displeasure from the citizens who find the increase in the legal retirement age—from 62 to 64—particularly concerning.
Such resistance, in Maryam Jilani’s opinion, is in sharp contrast to the UK’s silent submission of the discriminatory gender pension gap.
The French labor strikes are effectively mobilizing citizens thus showing the strength and hold of the unions.
A Look at the Ongoing Protests in Peru
A nationwide insurrection has engulfed Peru since early December, following the arrest and imprisonment of the country’s former president, Pedro Castillo.
The violent confrontation between the Peruvians and the security forces has entered the eighth week, culminating in the death of 60 civilians – and counting. What prompted these protests, and what lies ahead for Peru?
Protests Against China’s Zero-COVID Policy
China continues to stand by its zero-covid policy, one that requires extended lockdowns, mass testings, and quarantines. The government believes this is necessary to completely eliminate the virus from China.
Waves of protests are now erupting all across China. Although citizens previously yielded to these strict measures, it seems patience has worn out.
The Economic Cost of Political Instability
Afflicted by political instability and uncertainty, Pakistan has faced a difficult trail in economic growth.
Laiba Umer Malik points out the economic costs that Pakistan has paid due to political uncertainty—elections, protests, and terrorism—in its history.
Myanmar Executions: Four Activists Killed by the State
The recent execution of four pro-democracy activists in Myanmar is the first time in decades that the state has handed out the death penalty. Myanmar’s military government has received backlash and criticism from human rights activists and the international community for its unjustified acts of terror. Maryam Ibrahim notes that even the threat of losing their lives has not deterred the supporters of democracy in Myanmar from raising their voices.
The Economic Crisis in Sri Lanka Explained
Amid the food, fuel, and medicine shortages in Sri Lanka, the island paradise broke out into protests which soon turned violent. For months, the situation in Sri Lanka has been spiraling out of control. Maryam Yasmeen takes a look at the triggering factors of the crisis that led to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s resignation. The 2022 Sri Lankan crisis is far more than just an economic matter. The state has been deeply influenced by political dysfunctionality, administrative negligence, ethnonationalism, and the Covid-19 pandemic.
What Is Happening in Sudan?: The Coup & Abdalla Hamdok
In October 2021, the prime minister of Sudan, Abdalla Hamdok, and his cabinet were arrested in a coup d’etat led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan. The coup was followed by domestic and international condemnation, as a result of which, the general later signed a deal with Hamdok, reinstating him as the interim prime minister. The author, Ayesha Waseem, explains that General Al-Burhan had, simultaneously, appointed himself as the chairman of the new Sovereign Council – the main decision-making body in Sudan. This decision ultimately caused the protests in the country to intensify.
Understanding the Russian Invasion of Ukraine
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has left the world quaking. President Zelensky and the people of Ukraine are presently resisting the assault of the Russian forces on their sovereign state. The authors, Alyan Waheed and Muskan Moazzam, discuss the events that set the scene for the current war.
The Collective Security Treaty Organization’s (CSTO) Mission Kazakhstan and a Lesson for OIC
When protests became unmanageable in Kazakhstan, the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), a military alliance of post-soviet states, rushed to the scene and quelled the unrest. The author, Mirwaise Khan, finds the CSTO’s cohesive structure admirable and thus recommends that the OIC take a page out of the former’s book.
The Cycle of Nepotism & Protests in Kazakhstan
Soaring fuel prices and rising inflation have resulted in mass protests in Kazakhstan. These protests have dominated Almaty, the nation’s largest city, calling for the dismissal of Nursultan Nazarbayev.
Now that Nazarbayev has been removed, will President Tokayev allow Kazakhstan to embrace political liberalization?
The Idle No More Movement in Canada: A Case Study of Contentious Politics
Contentious politics is the use of confrontational and unconventional tactics against political authorities to make a social or political point. Such advocacy has transformed the national political landscape in Canada since the announcement of the White Paper policy. The author, Hurain Sheikh, addresses the definition of contentious politics, the use of social movements and protests in Canada and its contributions to indigenous peoples, especially during the “Idle No More” movement.
The Troublesome Dharna Culture in Pakistan
The positive image of a state certainly depends on the political culture and hence it is vulnerable to political conundrums that raise questions about the legitimacy of the state. Since 2014, Pakistan has been targeted for its ‘Dharna Culture’ which affects the masses, the politics, the economy, and whatnot. In fact, the country has witnessed a surge in this culture in recent years. The author, Alina Fayaz, considers the ideology of resolving crises by staging dharnas, to be a dangerous one.