Feb 26

Kashmir  and the War of Narratives

•  India is winning war of narratives when it comes to painting the Kashmir struggle as violent extremism and terrorism but in reality, it is a response to state sponsored oppression of the population and undermining their right to self determination.
•  The right to self determination under international law under UN Charter’s article 1(1) and 55.  The right to self determination is strengthened through GA resolutions of 1514, 2524 and GA res 37/43 passed in 1982.
• Similarly, the use of force in self defence against the occupying force is legal by international law under the mentioned resolution so that the goal of self determination is realised including an armed struggle.
•   India’s use of pellet guns in Kashmir brings unnecessary suffering on civilians which is unlawful under international law

India-Pakistan Issues

•  Pakistan and India must rise above proxy war into the realm of strategic realism which advocates the authority of state over non-state actors
• Pakistan’s PM Imran Khan’s peaceful overtures of joint cooperation to counter the scourge of militancy are reciprocated with disappointment from Indian side

     Steps to Eradicate Radical Groups in Pakistan

•           Having said that, it is in Pakistan’s own interest to take steps in order to curb the extremist elements by undermining their entry into the mainstream. On most occasions, they may disavow the use of violence in public spheres but actively continue their activities through middle and lower rank members. 
•       There should ban on the publications of their propaganda material and zero visibility on cyberspace must be ensured.
•         These members have the capability to align with other banned outfits as well. Due this fickle attitude of these outfits by acting independently, they pose grave threats to the interests of state. 
•          Joint Anti-Terrorism Hotline (JATM) should be institutionalized without politicizing the mechanism. This can sort out many security obstacles between both countries if used actively.

      Drug Safety in Pakistan

•          Thalidomide Tragedy is a tragedy whereby many thousand babies were born with shortened limbs or deformities after their pregnant mothers consumed a drug which was deemed to be safe for morning sickness. In the background of this tragedy, PharmaCovigilance procedures are developed to eliminate the possibilities of such tragedies in future.
•           Drug Regulation Authority of Pakistan was established in 2012.
•           Pakistan Institute of Cardiology in Punjab also underwent a tragedy 2012 whereby a medicine for heart patients resulted in the death of 200 patients.
•          Due to this tragic event, the government of Punjab was the first province to establish a pharmacovigilance unit and laid out procedures to actively monitor the reaction of drugs and enable patient safety.
•          KP is also working actively to enable such a mechanism in the province while Baluchistan and Sindh lag behind.
•          The future of drug safety is incumbent on ensuring good Pharmacovigilance  practices in the country.

           Kashmir Issue

•       According to former Indian spy chief As Dulat, the jingoism in India has increased and disapproved of the war by stating that “War is not  a picinic”. According to Dulat the Kashmir issue is a political problem rather than a military one.
•       In the past few decades the voices of peace have become feeble while jingoism and war hysteria has increased on both sides of the LOC but more so in India.
•       India blames Pakistan for the turmoil in the Kashmir valley but often overlooks its oppression of Kashmiris.
•       Unelss the acknowledgement does not come from New Delhi that the problem of Kashmir is indigenous and the patronage of Kashmir struggle is only a secondary cause, the problem can never be solved.

13th Feb

Afghan Peace Process
Afghanistan is  a war ravaged country for the last four decades. The civil war and the foreign interventions have dilapidated the country. The trials and tribulations of its populace needs to mitigated to say the least. Some of the observations in this regards are:

• Afghan government is completely  out of picture in the peace process, which casts shadows on the viability of the peace efforts. The total isolation of Afghan government has made it to appear fragile and inured the Taliban spirits.
• Taliban prime demand is the announcement timeline for pull out by the US troops.
• Afghan government sustains on western aid and military support. Ghani wants the US pull out to be gradual while Trump Administration does not seem to agree with this proposition. Trump promised to pull out from Iraq and Afghanistan during his election campaign. The much talked-about pullout of US troops  has lacerated the fragile Afghan government.

• There are is some skepticism on part of Afghan and Western intelligentsia regarding Taliban ability to keep  their promises. 
• Question marks regarding permission of girls participation in state building and access to education still persists. However, it is  learned that Taliban have assured the US interlocutors and other negotiators that they will grant basic rights to women. Furthermore, Taliban favor peaceful ties with neighboring countries and the west in order to enable the flow of aid into  the country.

12 Feb

Brexit

Brexit has created immense controversy in Europe for the last few months. Theresa May's failure to win the parliament's confidence has exacerbated the matter. In the hindsight, the following few things can be observed about the situations. These are:

• Referendum has polarized the British society
• The referendum could have contained more options rather than simple yes and no
• Some matters must not be left to polarizing exercise like referendum because the public opinion is fickle
• second referendum will create the same situation or rather make it worse. Therefore an alternate option should be adopted. The elected representatives can discuss the issue in town halls of their constituencies and come back with their suggestions which will be binding on Parliament.

Pakistan's Structural Reforms

The talks with IMF on the bail out package has recently concluded in an amiable environment with both sides willing to compromise their stated positions and adjust each other's point of view. This will surely ease out the balance of payment situation in Pakistan. However, Pakistan needs serious structural reforms to avoid bail out packages. Some observations in this regards are as follows:

• Washington's attitude towards Islamabad has softened owing to Pakistan's critical role in Afghan peace process
• PM Khan declarations about victory will be premature. The real problem lies in the structural arena and one has the courage to embark on effective reforms in order to correct the course.
• IMF bail out packages have been highly politicized which is a negative trend and must not avert our attention.  

New Provinces

The demand for new provinces in Pakistan has to be rationalized with the ground realities. Some observations in this regards are:

• New provinces requires abundant financial resources. Lack of capacity will bring centre on the policy formulation sphere sooner than ever.
• Generally, the principle of political expediency is at play when it comes to the divisive topic of new provinces. The political  parties are concerned about their vote banks and areas of consolidation rather than intrusively working to remedy  the administrative and welfare aspect of their constituents. 
• Mohajirs, hazarwal and Balochistan's pukhtuns are more prosperous than their respective majorities. Therefore, ethnicity must not be the only criterion for new provinces. The equity must take precedence.
• Seraiki has the strongest demand as it has size-able population and legitimate demands since many decades for a separate identity.
• GB and AJK provional provincial status has to be considered

10th Feb

Faez Esa Judgement Reflections

Few days ago, SC bench headed by Justice Faez Esa announced the much awaited judgement of the Faizabad Dharna case. The preamble is rife with searing criticism on institutions, political parties and individuals for their role in the dharna saga, directly or indirectly. The judgement had the following important characteristics, such as:

• The Dharna was termed as illegal and an infringement on the basic rights of the common citizens
• Intelligence agencies had passive role in inciting the problem and provided the example of  high ranking member of armed forces distributing money to the protesters. These institutions were reminded not to exceed their constitutional role 
• Media played an irresponsible role and provided air time to the hate speech. Some anchors and politicians were also criticized on the same charge

India-Pakistan Talks - Long wait till Indian elections

The recent opening of Kartarpur border opening was globally hailed as a positive step between India and Pakistan. Both having nuclear armed states, increases the stakes for peace in the region. However, the Kartarpur opportunity and Pakistan's overtures have been sidelined by New Delhi. These are the  probable reasons, such  as:

• Indian state elections are approaching near and Modi led BJP wants to brand themselves as tough in dealing with Pakistan
• The Kartarpur opening has reignited the Indian anxiety about its fall out on the peace on the Indian Punjab. Referendum2020 is  a symbolic campaign which can be reinvigorated  with the exchange of Indian Sikhs with its brethren in Pakistan. 

Why Bangladesh Excelled and Pakistan did not?

Bangladesh and Pakistan separated in 1971 after the civil war and India's intervention in the conflict. That being a huge blow to the western wing was deemed as a sign by the optimistic intelligentsia to correct the course. However, Pakistan erred again and again, the same mistakes made earlier. Today Bangladesh is one of the fastest growing economy with 7.8 percent growth rate against Pakistan's 5.6 percent last year. Some of the reasons for Bangladesh's phenomenal rise are:

• Bangladesh invests in poverty alleviation, health and human development
• Constant military interventions are stalled and institutions work within their ambit
• Ties with India is tense at times but the priorities of the nations does not waver
• effective population control policies

Feb 4

SDGs
To achieve 17 sustainable development goals, the world economy  leaders must focus on economic, social and political factors. Steps must be taken to promote the following goals:

• Fund developing countries as the output on return is more than double the investment in a saturated developed economy
• Sustainable Infrastructure organization (SIO) under the umbrella of UN must be established unlike the Sustainable Infrasture Forum by developed countries only.
• Global impact projects such as OBOR should be supported

Inter Institutional Dialogue

In the past, the various state organs have indulged in power struggle,often, encroaching on each others  ambit of authority. This environment is a result of lack of trust among the institutions. However, the time has come to fix these problems once and for all.  In order to ascertain the correct mechanism, there are a few options, such as:

• Utilizing the pre-existing National Security Council (NSC)
• Ponder on the role  of judiciary as part of the consultations
• Problem is that judiciary's presence in such forum and the decisions taken afterwards may make them a party which can influence the independence of the  institution

Gilgit Baltistan's Constitutional Status

Before retiring from the office, the former Chief Justice of Pakistan, Saqib Nisar ordered the implementation of the Gilgit Baltistan Self Governance Ordinance 2009 in the light of recommendations by then foreign minister's committee on the matter in 2017. The judgement and the recommendations have the following implications, such as:

• Gilgit should be given a provisional provincial status
• Now, GB residents can lodge their complaints directly to the supreme court of Pakistan
• After the verdict, the GB legislators can demand changes to the governance structure in GB
• Finally iintegrate in Pakistan after seven decades of independence
• GB residents are entitled to basic human and legal rights provided by the constitution of Pakistan 

2 Feb 2019

Fake News Syndrome:

The fake news on social media is an unfortunate trend which needs to be circumvented. Our preconceived biases also strengthens the fake news trope. This menace must be controlled as it spreads misinformation in the society and contributes in a negative way. Some ways to identify fake news are:

• Paying attention to its sources and URLs as to make sure that they are not obscure in nature
• Making sure the news is not predated and running in the guise of current news
• Language of the article is professional
• Sometimes satire is deemed as objective news by those who may not be accustomed to it

The cyber laws may be helpful in curtailing this trend but government must also be conscious of the fact that the process is transparent. 

Scooter for Ladies: 

Motorbikes are less costly and feasible for lower middle class commuters. However, these bikes are also dangerous to commute and amount to one third of all accidents in Pakistan. Demanding motorbikes for ladies may be futile as the clothes worn by ladies in Pakistan are unfit for the commute on bikes owing to danger of accidents. Karachi is also facing serious traffic dilemma and by 2030, the registered bikes may cross 3.6 million. The traffic management must be enhanced.

Freedom of Press:

The federal government is contemplating to convert the media laws under federal government. However, it is a provincial subject. These laws are approved by the cabinet but requires assent of the provinces and the media stakeholders. Cardinal issues regarding these laws are:

• Possible receding of  the provincial autonomy. 
• Unified laws for print electronic and cyberspace is a confused step. all these mediums have its own specific dimension. 
• Print media works rather independently and these laws threaten the enabling environment of print media.
• Media houses will have to renew the yearly licences each year. This gives undue authority to government to control the media. 
• Foreign governments will censure the government for undertaking authoritarian laws.

Due to the above-mentioned critical issues, the government must not  invoke the planned laws and take the media stakeholders into confidence regarding any such laws. 

News:

• A proclaimed sex offender in UK has been caught in Pakistan. A case is lodged in Pakistan's  court to seek permission for his extradition to UK has commenced. The UK and Pakistan have recently concluded cooperative agreement on cross border criminals.
• UK government will not interfere in the Kashmir Solidarity Day event after New Delhi Strongly protested to British High Commission. The UK authorities are of the view that, UK parliamentarians are independent to conduct their activities and can not be barred from their basic rights.