oa ae A efR Nag aL) WORLD TIMES | M. Shahab Aslam (PAS) CSS-2016 JWT helped me a lot during my preparation for PMS exam. It provided me with most relevant ‘material for the preparation of GK paper. ‘Abdul Rehman Khan ae PMS-2016 Time to Build a » Economy of Pakistan »» Prevention of Child Abuse »» Globalism and NationalismPate w tn EitOF For feedback and suggestions, please write to us at: editorjwtmag@gmail.com; editor@jworldtimes.com The Grievous Outcomes The Menace of Interviews with of Illiteracy Child Labour Balochistan Officers literacy is a buming issue in hild labour has become a WT magazine has been a rich source of Pakistan as the picture it portrays of Crm ‘issue in Pakistan. knowledge and motivation for aspirants the youth is grim. A large chunk of Millions of children are forced for all competitive examination. youth of our country s illiterate and it is to work, instead of going to schools. Recently, Balochistan Public Service due to this reason that our youth and for Every child has a fundamental right to ‘Commission (BPSC) held examination forthe ‘that purpose our country is grappling ‘education. According to Unicef, there posts of Assistant Commissioner (AC) and with many problems, Since they are not are about 158 million children, aged ‘Section Officer (SO). These exams were held ‘educated, our young men and women between 5 and 15 years, working as after a long time and are considered the most find it difficult to find a suitable job to child labour worldwide. These children transparent of all previous exams. They have make both ends meet. And, if one are forced to work as they are victims motivated many a new aspirant to strive remains deprived of the blessings of ofthe circumstances which we exploit. because a number of qualifiers belonged to education, one will not be able to play A cursory look at the causes would less-privileged areas of the province. | ‘one's part in the development of the teveal that the root cause of child request the JWT team to conduct exclusive society, thus, the economic growth and labour is extreme poverty. A private interviews with position-holders lke it does to development of the country will get research organization recently PMS and CSS qualifiers. Itwill be a source of hampered. Despite having countless reported that 49 percent employable motivation and will help new aspirants to natural resources, the country is people are out of job in Pakistan. The follow their precious tips. | hope JWT soon dependent on foreign aid and debts. government ought to assist them in conducts interviews from the qualifiers of the So, the government should take all getting education and employment. _less-privleged province ofthe country. steps to raise the literacy level, NGOs and civil society should also ‘Abdul Khaliq) ‘especially ofthe youth of Pakistan, as it ‘come forward to promote this cause. Hub City, Lasbela isinevitable for a better, brighter future. Salman Khan Soomro Bahoot Noor herrea) Quetta Mr. Trump Goes Berserk 1n tst January, when the world was celebrating the first sunshine of the New Year, Mr. Donald Trump showed his animosity against O== jin these words: “The United States has foolishly given Pakistan more than 33 billion dollars in aid over the last 15 years, and they have given us nothing but lies & deceit, thinking of our leaders as fools. They give safe haven to the terrorists we hunt in Afghanistan, with litle help. No more!” Mr. Trump has charged Pakistan on two accounts: Firstis that the country is a liar, and the second, itis the supporter of terrorism. On the other hand, Mr. Trump revealed his mercy that America gave aid to Pakistan. | think, he should understand that America is doling out doliars to other countries including Pakistan only to expand its dominance over the ‘world. So, if American aid is being advantageous to Pakistan, itis also amplifying America’s influence in this part of the world. History proves that Pakistan stands against terrorism. The country has launched various operations to eliminate terrorism from its soil. And, to achieve that goal, numerous soldiers and civilians have sacrificed their lives, yet Pakistan is condemned for every terrorist attack happening ‘anywhere in the world. On the other hand, the US condemns terrorist attack but discriminately. For instance, it did not condemn Myanmar’s state-sponsored terrorism, India's atrocities against the Kashmiris, and so on. But, it supported Israel and declared Jerusalem its capital. ‘Trump is a dogmatist but his conservative policy can erode America's soft power. For example, Trump revealed his best wishing for Pakistan, when Pakistan army secured American-Canadian couple. But after this, after Israel capital issue, in which Pakistan confronted America, it declared Pakistan a supporter of terrorism. ‘Safia Malik Imtiaz KarachiEN Managing migration is one of the most profound, }) challenges for international cooperation in our time. Migration powers economic growth, reduces inequalities and connects diverse societies. Yet it is also a source of political tensions and human tragedies. The majority of migrants live and work legally. But a desperate minority are putting their lives at risk to enter countries where they face suspicion and abuse. Demographic pressures and the Did you know impact of climate change on ff that women vulnerable societies are likely to drive uulnerable societies are likely to dr rakes further migration in the years ahead. As a global community, we face a choice. Do we want migration to be a source of prosperity and J of migrants eben Ey ae es aerating for inhumanity and social friction’ waridy This year, governments will negotiate a Global Compact on Migration through the Unitgd Nations. This will be the first overarching international agreement of its kind. It will not be a formal treaty. Nor will it place any binding obligations on states. Instead, it is an unprecedented opportunity for leaders to counter the pernicious myths surrounding migrants, and lay out a common vision of how to make migration work forall ournations. ‘www.jworidtimes.com February 2018 ‘ Antonio Guterres This is an urgent task. We have seen what happens when large-scale migration takes place without effective mechanisms to manage it. The world was shocked by recent video of migrants being sold as slaves. Grim as these images were, the real scandal is that thousands of migrants suffer the same fate each year, unrecorded. Many more are trapped in demeaning, precarious jobs that border on slavery anyway. There are nearly 6 million migrants trapped in forced labor today, often in developed economie: How can we end these injustices and prevent them recurring in future? In setting a clear political direction about the future of migration, I believe that three fundamental considerations should guide discussions on the compact. The first is to recognize and reinforce the benefits of migration, so often lost in public debate. Migrants make huge contributions to both their host countries and countries of origin. They take jobs that loce workforces cannot fill, boosting economic activity. Many are innovators and entrepreneurs. Nearly half of all migrants are women, looking for better lives and work opportunities. Migrants also make a major contribution to international "MEENA development by sending remittances to their home countries. Remittances added up to nearly $600 billion last year, three times all development aid. The fundamen~ tal challenge is to maximize the benefits of this orderly, productive form of migration while stamping out the abuses and prejudice that make life hell for a minority of migrants. Migrants make significant contributions to both their host and home countries. Secondly, states need to strengthen the rule of law underpinning how they manage and protect migrants — for the benefit of their economies, their societies and the migrants themselves. Authorities that erect major obstacles to migration — or place severe restrictions on migrants’ work opportunities — inflict needless economic self-harm, as they impose barriers to having their labour needs ‘met in an orderly, legal fashion. Worse still, they unintentionally illegal migration. Aspiring migrants, denied legal pathways to travel, inevitably fall back on irregular methods. This not only puts them in vulnerable positions, but also encourage undermines governments’ authority. The best way to end the stigma of illegality and abuse around migrants is , in fact, for governments to put in place more legal pathways for migration, removing the incentives for individuals to break the rules, while better meeting the needs of their labour markets for foreign labour. States also need to work together more closely to share the benefits of migration; for example, through partnering to identify significant skills gaps in one country that migrants from another are qualified to fill. Third and finally, we need greater international cooperation to protect vulnerable migrants, as well as 2 We need to empower women migrants. refugees, and we must re-establish the integrity of the refugee protection regime in line with international law. The fate of the thousands who die in doomed efforts to cross seas and deserts is not just a human tragedy. It also represents the most acute policy failure: Unregulated, mass movements in desperate circumstances fuel a sense that borders are under threat and governments not in Migration is an expanding global reality. intratonlmlracs hes grown by 49% ince 2000. International ition control. In turn, this leads to draconian border controls which undermine our collective values and help perpetuate the tragedies we have too often seen unfold in recent years. We must fulfil our basic obligations to safeguard the lives and human rights of those migrants that the existing system has failed. We must take urgent action to assist those now trapped in transit camps, or at risk of slavery, or facing situations of acute violence, whether in North Africa or Central America. We have to envisage ambitious international action to resettle those with nowhere to go. We should also take steps - through development aid, climate mitigation efforts and conflict prevention - to avoid such unregulated large movements of people in the future. Migration should not mean suffering. We must aim for a world in which we can celebrate ‘migration’s contributions to prosperity, development and international unity. It is in our collective power to achieve this goal. This years global compact can be amilestone on the road to making migration truly work for all. 8 Antonio Guterres is Secretary-General of the United Nations. ‘www jworldtimes.com February 2018The last few months have not been good ones for the large Internet platforms - Facebook, Google, and Twitter. Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg asserted after the 2016 presidential election in the United States that it was “crazy” to think that his company had any influence on it. But Sheryl Sandberg, Facebook's Chief Operating Officer, had to spend a week in Washington doing mea culpas as it was recently revealed that the Russians had bought political advertising during the campaign. Twitter had been notified that a handle @TEN_GOP pretending to be the mouthpiece of the Tennessee Republican Party was actually a Russian troll spewing racist and divisive messages, and that it had not been taken down for months after the real Party organization notified the company. More executives from the platforms will be dragged in front of Congressional committees and grilled over their responsib ies to American democracy. ‘The internet and the rise of social media has changed the terms of the free speech debate worldwide. There has always been bad information, propaganda and disinfor- Te ae Teg The present-day world is characterized with digital means of communication, and social media is the most important of them. In fact, the © twenty-first century has placed usin world where we can connect with people across the globe with just one click. Although the social media impacts allfields oflife, the most conspicuous one has been on political systems of countries. In this article, noted political scientist Francis Fukuyama has discussed the challenge the social media poses to democracy. ‘www jworldtimes.com February 2018 Francis Fukuyama mation deliberately put out to affect political outcomes. The traditional free speech defence has been the marketplace of ideas: if there is bad information, the solution is not to censor or regulate it, but to put out good information, which will eventually counter the bad. More information is always better. But not clear that this strategy works so well in the internet age, when thousands of bots and trolls can amplify the bad messages without anyone knowing. The platforms’ business models exacerbate the problem with algorithms that optimize for virality and accelerate the rate at which conspiracy stories and controversial posts are passed along. ‘The platforms, for their part, argue that they are just that: neutral technology platforms on which their users share information, just as a phone company connects telephone users. The legal regime left over from the 1990s reinforces this view, since it exempts them from liability for materials they host on the grounds that they are conduits and not media companies. But they are not neutral: their business model is built around their knowledge of their users! likes and preferences, which they use to tailor 13Te advertising toward them. This is precisely what politically-driven firms like Cambridge Analytica did deliberately on Trump's behalf during the campaign. Only the platforms have the power to do this on a global basis. The sudden recognition of the prevalence of fake news, targeted advertising, and manipulation of these systems bya hostile foreign power has naturally led toa reaction in the form of calls, and in some cases action, to regulate the internet. The most notable case is the German law passed by the Bundestag over the summer to criminalize fake news, setting huge penalties of up to €50 million for platforms that allow such content to appear. In the United States, Mark Warner, John McCain, and Amy Klobuchar have introduced a bill that would require platforms to disclose information about purchasers of politicaladvertising on the internet; others have suggested banning foreigners from doing so altogether, Such measures would simply bring internet rules in line with those already set for television, though enforcing them would be considerably more difficult. In confronting the social media challenge to democracy, a long-standing political divide has appeared between Europe and the United States. Among developed democracies, the American First Amendment stance on free speech has always been exceptional, putting few, if any, limits on political expression. Most European countries by contrast have been more willing to criminalize certain forms of hate speech such as Holocaust denial. In general, Europeans are more willing to use state power to regulate behaviour, based on their more benign view of the state as a neutral protector of public interest. State-sponsored public broadcasting ~ one obvious way of combating fake news - is far more prevalent in Europe than in the United States, and indeed is a condition for membership in the Council of Europe. Americans, by contrast, are much more ready to see the state as a threat to individual freedom. The Public Broadcasting Service has never been seen as a neutral purveyor of public interest. It has been attacked from the start by conservatives, with some justice, as a captive of the Left. It is not clear at the present moment whether state regulation Is even possible in the United States, given the country underlying degree of polarization. Banning foreigners from buying political ads might work, but any effort to control content will run afoul both of First Amendment protections, and of political disagreement. It is hard to imagine government regulation of fake news when the President himself is one of the biggest purveyors of the genre, and has turned the very words “fake news” into an epithet he uses against his critics. This means that the burden of any move towards control ofbad information will have to rest in the United States on the platforms themselves. They are coming under huge pressure from their users, advertisers and their own employees to step up to the responsibility of seeing themselves not just as neutral platforms but as media companies that have a responsibility for curating the content they provide. They have already been forced to play such a role with regard to terrorist content, child pornography and cyber-bullying through changes to their terms of service. They need to go further than this, however, by changing the algorithms that promote certainkinds of sensational stories that have harmful political effects. This is not a free speech issue: the First Amendment does not protect the rights of bots to replicate messages on a global scale at a speed limited only by network latency. There is a further problem, however, that will not be solved by self-regulation, which is the problem of scale. In a healthy democratic political system, media companies will compete with one another to provide alternative points of view, subject to certain baseline journalistic standards. Such companies take particular political slants, but there is enough diversity to ensure some form of overall balance: if you don't like the New York Times, you can always turn to the Wall Street Journal. ‘This is not the situation that prevails in today's internet world, There are not a variety of competing platforms with differing points of view; rather, there is Facebook, which has become a sort of global utility. Facebook does not have a clear political agenda, and is motivated by profit-maximization, which probably ensures that it will not want to annoy any large group of users by appearing biased. On the other hand, it de facto exercises a huge amount of control over what its users see on a virtual monopoly basis. There are entire countries where Facebook Messenger has replaced email as the primary channel by which people communicate. This kind of power wielded at such a scale is unprecedented in human ‘experience, and we need to think carefully about whether American democracy can continue to coexist with such power concentrated over the longer run. 6) The writer is a renowned political scientist, political ‘economist, and author, best known for his monumental book entitled "The End of History and the Last Man’. Courtesy: The American Interest www.jworldtimes.com February 2018 ‘ TE (EEE EY The Case of Pakistan In ecent years, the number of people engaged with social media has skyrocketed in Pakistan, and spinning everyday life at 360 degrees. At present, Facebook is the leading platform with over 2 billion active users globally In Pakistan, it has outdone all other applications with more than 30 milion subscribers, and growing with every passing day. WhatsApp, FB Messenger, YouTube, Twitter, Linkedin, ‘Snapchat, Instagram, etc., are also very popular apps. Facebook Ino-owned WhatsApp is the second most used ‘app for messages, pictures and videos sharing, whereas the ‘#hashtag culture on Twitter has forced political parties to cteate their separate social mediacels. ‘The power of social media is immense as it can give fame ‘and recognition while atthe same time destroys someone's lifeorcareer. ‘As regard the positive role of media, itis most vibrant in the realm of democracy. Today's Pakistani populace, a major chunk of which is youth that is the country’s demographic dividend, is more politically vibrant and participatory; this claim can be substantiated by views of the youth on social media especially Facebook and Twitter with respect to any politcal tumult taking place in our political landscape. Social mediais an advent othe twenty-first century. Theres ‘no denying the fact thatt can reinforce democracy, which is the zeitgeist ofthe present age, in an unprecedented ways, by giving platform to people to unite and raise voice in unison. So far, we have seen glimpses of social media's magic wand the form of Arab spring, Occupy Wall Street to squares of Istanbul, Kiev and Hong Kong, but the connection it yields is devoid of anything substantial and long asting in nature. Because of lack of critical discussions, sometimes it tums to be a double-edged sword which if can unite, can also rip a society apart, as we saw in the case of Egypt. Moreover, in our case, it has tumed out to be a diversion which does not let us to face realty head on. Itis said that the only way to work through creepy circumstances is to walkthrough them which unfortunately we can hardly i we are connected through social media. Though social media should be credited for uniting us at many points, we ‘need to figure out how to stay with our problems and go for critcal discussions if we are interested for democracy to flourish EEE 15TERNATIONAL and debates have centred on liberal versus conser- vative, left versus right. No longer. The ideological divide of the 21st century is emerging as globalism versus nationalism. Since the end of World War Il, global integra~ tion and technological progress have fuelled a new world order centred on free trade, open borders and interde- pendent economies. Goods, capital and people should be able to move freely across borders, which is actually the meaning of globalization. But Greg Ip of the Wall Street Journal argues that globalism is a “mindset that global- ‘zation is natural and good, that global governance should expand as national sovereignty contracts.” The new nationalist surge has startled and shocked the advocates of globalism. This new nationalism is the vital centre of Brexit and the election of Donald Trump. Speaking in Washington in April 2016, Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump declared that “we will no longer surrender this country or its people to the false song of globalism.” Trump's supporters on the American far right, such as the pseudonymous “Virgil,” similarly attack the “old globalist vision” as a “gospel,” a “new kind of religious faith” of “murky international enterprises” seeking to abolish national borders and undermine democracy. ‘These views caricature globalism as a liberal, capitalist and anti-democratic alternative to nationalism. This understanding, however, is far from the historical meaning of the term. Indeed, the idea that globalism is fundamentally at odds with national sovereignty is a false and misleading narrative. To understand the meaning of globalism today, we need to look back at the emergence of the idea in the 1940s, After World War I, American, F: much of the 20th century, ideological discussions Or Rosenboim British, and émigré intellectuals suggested that the rise of globalism would define the postwar world order. Thinkers such as Raymond Aron, David Mitrany, Owen Lattimore, Nicholas Spykman, Barbara Wootton, Lionel Curtis, Clarence Streit, Lionel Robbins, Friedrich Hayek, Charles E. Merriam, Michael Polanyi, Richard McKeon, Jacques Maritain, and Luigi Sturzo were among those who identified increasing interconnectedness throughout the world, including in technological, cultural and economic terms. Globalism in the postwar period embodied their commitment to find an international political order to fit thisnewly-interconnected world. This growing international interconnectedness, however, did not signify a blanket rejection of all national political units and communities. What it meant was that polities of all scales ~ nations, empires, federal unions, non-state communities and international organizations - were adjusted to fit the reality of new interdependencies. Globalism, in this postwar definition, meant an awareness of the political implications of the interconnected globe. ‘The recognition of the world’s “oneness” did not mean that political or cultural homogeneity was inevitable or desirable. Very few globalists argued for the abolishing of existing states or the banning of patriotic ideologies. Rather, the most influential globalist thinkers measured the desirability of balancing unity and diversity, according to their understanding of how best to create a stable, prosperous and peaceful world order. Three core tenets anchored globalism then and continue todo sonow. First, globalists were concerned with the future of democracy. World War I had laid bare the extent to which totalitarianism and authoritarianism represented an Nationalism Interconnectedness does not threaten sovereignty 16 ‘www.jworldtimes.com February 2018NT EET Refers to a mindset that favours the overall [success of the world over the success of any single country. Describes peoples’ individual tendency to support their own country's policies and decisions. Deena [Could mean open borders or lenient immigration policies. ‘Stems from a strong feeling of patriotism. [Allows for global prosperity. (Causes people to value the success of their own country lover that of the world as a whole. existential threat to democracy as an ideal and a political reality. In response, the ideologues of globalism sought to outline regional, federal and world institutions that could be guided by democratic principles. This was a crucial extension of democratic norms: while domestic democ- racy was important, italone could not guarantee liberty or independence. The devastation of the war had proven that, alone, any democratic state could fall. The globalist world order sought to create a democratic safety net to enhance equality, political inclusion and participation on an international scale The second aspect of mid-century globalism was its repudiation of empire. Globalist thinkers proposed alternatives to the declining European imperial order. Some, such as the British ex-official and author Lionel Curtis, sought to reformulate the imperial legacy in new terms and suggested that the British Empire should be re branded as a global federal commonwealth that would advance the common good of al its citizens. Others, such as the American journalist Clarence Streit, built on the British imperial experience to imagine a global federation of democracies stretched over vast territories around the world, guided by the American democratic ethos. Similarly, for the geopolitician Nicholas J. Spykman, globalism referred to the American strategy of becoming a leading world power that could replace the British Both of these ways of thinking are very different, but neither one of them is more correct than the other. A balance of both ideas could allow for the prosperity of individual countries as well as the world as a whole. To lunderstand this idea better, we should start to think about it on a more simplistic level. imperial system with anew American world order. In repudiating empire as it was traditionally defined, globalism became a strategy to reorganize the world after the war's devastation of Western Europe. New empires, such as the United States and the Soviet Union, gained prominence: these two forces pursued their goals through varied means, each seeking to establish a dominant global presence. Nonetheless, the postwar period gave rise to a ‘widespread globalist consensus that imperial exploitation and discrimination at least ought not to be repeated, ‘Traditionally-structured imperial holdings were broken ‘up and eventually achieved independence. The British sociologist Barbara Wootton and the British economist Lionel Robbins saw globalism as part of the battle for colonial liberation and socioeconomic progress. The American scholar Owen Lattimore imagined a global order in which China and India would offer a model of postcolonial freedom. In this framework, there was no space for imperial domination, ‘The third tenet of the postwar globalist approach was a pluralist conception of world order. The globalist gaze on the world identified both interconnectedness and diversity as the constitutive elements of the postwar era. ‘The existing political and moral pluralism prescribed, for these thinkers, a normative commitment; the new globalist must recognize that states, with a variety of ‘www.jworldtimes.com February 2018 7MN values and political structures, could come together in ‘groups and organizations to interact and advance their ‘common political, social and economic goals. It is true that this commitment has sometimes been ill at ease with the globalists’ commitment to democracy, which has occasionally turned into a conservative defence of Western political and cultural values. The globalists' challenge was and remains the need to stretch democracy to fit a world scale, recognizing that its key attributes come in various forms. To this end, they sought to outline abroad ideological base for the global order. For example, the postwar globalists suggested a new conception of modernity that would draw not only on science, technology and rational thought but also on faith, myth, religion and morality as the unifying elements of a democratic humanity. In the 1940s as well as today, sceptics of globalism have exploited the unsolved challenge of pluralism, arguing that it risked either hypocritically endowing global validity to one’s own values or accepting any values for the sake of global unity. This brief history of globalism in the modern era sheds light on fundamental misperceptions of it in the age of Trump. “I'm a nationalist and a globalist,” Trump told the Wall Street Journal in April 2017. “I'm both.” Even in this rare show of support for “globalism,” Trump presents it as one of two oppositional forces: nationalism vs. globalism. In truth, globalism has long allowed a place for nationalism and national sovereignty while suggesting that some human needs and practices transcended national borders. In the 1940s, champions of globalism attempted to outline a pluralist, democratic world order as an alterna- tive to empire. Today, the concerns of globalists have 18 aeerst eu of globalization is that we should admit that the Perea Conon ce ata Perens ens evolved, but globalism remains linked to core convictions about the importance of political interconnectedness. Globalism challenges the idea that national, regional or international political decisions can be detached from global implications and causes. Only a political strategy grounded in a global understanding of political relations can effectively advance national interests. Of course, no president or administration can disentangle the United States from the rest of the world, however committed it is to repudiating the so-called false song of globalism. Recent American foreign policy decisions reflect the reality - albeit inconsistently that the United States is inextricably part of the existing global order. The aerial bombardment of Syria suggests that Trump may envisage American interests in terms of militant proactive globalism. And although Trump's decision to reject the Paris Climate Accord affirms his ‘commitment to limiting America's global obligations, the amount of time and energy his administration had to dedicate to doing so also demonstrates the depth of these connections. The president of the United States operates in a political space where no national boundaries can limit the flow of ideas, ‘comments and reactions, By presenting globalism as a purported threat to national sovereignty and prosperity, Trump has invited us to reflect on it as a political project. This reflection begins with a historical analysis of the concept's diverse mean= ings and uses; the idea of globalism is much more than a political slogan. It is a complex and multifaceted worldview, developed in the wake of widespread devasta~ tion that has defined twentieth-century politics at both the national and international levels. ‘www jworldtimes.com February 2018TERNATIONAL ‘A close look at the rise of globalism reveals the competing visions that led to the development of globalism as a modern. political concept. The mid-century globalist debate sought to balance the tensions between pluralism on the one hand, and an appreciation of global interconnectedness, on the other. ‘Today, a more nuanced and sophisticated understanding of globalism's past can highlight its potential limits and benefits in debates that remain crucial to peace and prosperity even. today. Courtesy: Fohrenbergkreis Finanzwirtschaft The writer is a Research Fellow in Politics at Queens’ College, Cambridge and the author of The Emergence of Globalism: Visions of World Order in Britain and the United States, 1939-1950. 66 Vocab Card murky: dark, gloomy, leaden, dreary, louring caricature: parody, lampoon, mimic, burlesque émigré: emigrant, outgoer, migrator totalitarianism: autocracy, despotism, tyranny repudiation: rejection, disavowal, recantation normative: prescriptive, insistent, pontifical illatease: uncomfortable, embarrassed, inextricable: inseparable, indivisible, tangled, lim, profess, impersonate 99 Is the nation-state still important in the contemporary world? The nation-state is a complex governance structure with a Jong cultural and historical process of interactions between people, territory and political power. A nation-state is a cultural identity with political legitimacy, in a determinate territory, such as Portugal and Japan. However, most of the cases of nation-states are a result of a cultural homogenisation implemented or forced by the state, as is the case or France and Mexico. In addition to nation-states, we stil have states with more than one nation (e.g. Belgium), states without a nation (e.g., Kosovo) and stateless nations (e.g, Tamils) Ina globalised world, we can stil find the manifestations of national identity based on common culture. The quest for a state persists in stateless nations (e.g., Kurdistan) and the search for a common identity continues by states without a nation (e.g., post-colonial countries in Altica) It can be argued that national identity struggling for politcal legitimacy thas not abated with globalisation as the nation-state is stil ‘seen as an important govemance structure to achieve the welfare of people. Examples such as Iceland and Portugal demonstrate that nation-states can provide a good ‘govemance structure, as these countries achieve good welfare levels in the Global Peace and Human Development indices. www. jworldtimes.com February 2018 1 Nevertheless, the attempt fo create a nation-state can provoke conflicts between nation and state. Different reactions followed the Iraqi Kurdistan referendum, but with the same fear that an independent Kurdistan in Iraq could spark more confcts in the region. The same fear exists in Europe, as Catalan independence could see other stateless nations seeking the right of sel-determination. These two cases have a long historical background behind a common cultural identity that could create a stable nation-state. ‘Aithough unilateral declaration of independence could have a bad impact as it lacks political legitimacy, as seen with the Catalan Republic. However, for African countries, the nation-state might not be the best solution. Tribals is seen as a threat by the nation-state and any attempt by the state to create a national identity in a territory with several ethnic groups can lead to ethnic cleansing, as the Isaaq genocide during Somali Civil War. These examples show thatthe attempt to create a nation-state in the contemporary world, without legitimacy, has an impact on the stabilty of countries (.g., Spain) and it can provoke the deepening of conflicts in states without a nation (e.g., Somalia). Even though nations and states are stil looking to achieve the nation-state structure, its success depends on the application ofthe rule ofaw. 19TERNATIONAL Mie Ur ees snus RIGHT TO SELF-DETERMINATION IN INTERNATIONAL LAW Distinguishing the case of Kashmir from Catalonia (Spain) and Kurdistan (Iraq) Introduction The news about the efforts by the peoples of Catalonia (Spain) and Kurdistan (Iraq) have reignited the debate on the importance of the right to self-determination in international law. Understanding the right to self- determination is particularly of interest for the foreign policy makers and students of international relations in Pakistan as the country's very claim on Kashmir (India~ held), legally speaking, is carved in and around this fundamental right. The origin, the legal basis of the right to self-determination and its application to Kashmir (india-held) in contradistinction to Catalonia (Spain) and Kurdistan (Iraq) will be discussed in this part of International and Constitutional Legal Debates. L.The Origin, One of the most comprehensive studies ’ ‘on the origins of the right to self- determination, in English language, is ? found in the report of the roundtable conference organized by the United States Institute of Peace (USIP), an institution established in 1995 by the US. Congress for the study of peaceful resolution of conflicts. The report 20 Kamran Adil entitled ‘Self-Determination: Sovereignty, Territorial Integrity, and the Right to Secession’ has been authored by Patricia Carley. She delineated many aspects of the right to self-determination and its relevance to the US foreign policy making, Tracing the origins of the right to self determination, she quoted Professor Hurst Hannum of the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, who divided it origin into three eras, which may be summarised as: 1.Farly nineteenth century to 1945 ‘The period was characterised by three feature First, the concept of self-determination was purely political by then and was not recognized as a ‘right’. The origin of the concept was in the philosophical approach of John Stuart Mill who connected the language, ethnicity and culture with statehood for the first time. Later, in the early twentieth century, US President Woodrow Wilson in his famous Fourteen Points mentioned it (without naming) in Point Five as: “A free, open-minded, and absolutely impartial adjustment of all colonial claims, based upon a strict observance of the principle that in determining all such questions of sovereignty the interests of www jworldtimes.com February 2018TERNATIONAL the populations concerned must have equal weight with the equitable claims of the government whose title is to be determined.” Secondly, it only meant autonomy, not independent statehood, which was a separate concept of secession. Thirdly, it was, initially, a unifying principle for unification of nations such as Germany and Italy. Later, after the disintegration of the Ottoman and Austro- Hungarian empires, it turned into a dividing rather than a unifying principle. 2. 1945 to late 1970s This period witnessed formalization of the principle of self-determination into a right, in legal sense. The UN Charter mentioned it twice in Articles 1(2) and 55; Article 1 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, 1966, and Article 1 of the International Covenant ‘on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, 1966, recognized {tas a right; and the 1960 UN Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Peoples also specifically noted it. The salience of this period in which treaty law declaration of independence by Kosovo that was under suppression for long that got recorded in the UN Security Council Resolution 1244 (2009) was not inconsistent with international law; hence, the subsidiary source of judicial decisions as mentioned in Article 38 (1) of the Statute of the ICJ also provides some legal basis for the right to self: determination, Ill Application to Kashmir, Catalonia and Kurdistan Having examined the origins, evolution and legal basis of the right to self-determination, it may be now useful to distinguish between Kashmir (India-held) and Catalonia (Spain) and Kurdistan (Iraq) (jointly termed as Separatists Case). The following distinctions emerge: a. In the first place, Kashmir Case obviously relates to decolonization era and is very well documented about its relationship with the independence of the Subcontinent from Britain. On the other hand, the Separatists Case has nothing to do with decolonization, The difference underlines the fact that this right relates to decolonization and cannot be utilized by separatist or developed on the right to self-determination is that it confined the exercise of the right to decolonization process. 3. The present era The present era, which tried to fuse the political first era with the legalistic second era, is continuing. The aforementioned report was written first in 1996, therefore, the present era may not be very elaborate; nonetheless, itis indicative of a new thought process that was emerging after the Cold War. U. Legal basis The evolution of the right to self-determination, as discussed above, clearly demonstrates that its legal source is treaty law and soft international law. The applicable legal framework, therefore, is punctuated by treaty provisions that confine the right to colonization. A Judicial development further expanded the legal scope of the applicability of the right to peoples under Suppression. The International Court of Justice (IC) in its Advisory Opinion, in 2010, found that the unilateral www.jworidtimes.com February 2018 1 nationalist. groups in random manner. A necessary corollary of the difference is that Kashmir Case qualifies for the right to secession, which is a consequential right that emanates out of the right to self-determination in the context of decolonization and is further buttressed by the maxim nemo dat quod non habet (no one gives what he doesn't have). According to Professor lan Brownlie, the maxim has been taken from English Law and now ‘it is undoubtedly part of international law’; the secession is, thus, justified on the ground that the colonising states did not have lawful right over their colonies. On the contrary, the Separatists Case is precluded for qualifying for the right to secession by pressing into practice the axiom of international law uti possideris (as you possess); it may be noted that the principle of uti possidetis provided for preservation of international boundaries in post-colonial world save the cases where owing to decolonization international disputes like Kashmir were outstanding. b. The literature on the subject categorically states that aST the right to self-determination needs to be examined in conjunction with the concept of sovereignty of a state; the implication of juxtaposing the right to self-determination with sovereignty of a state is that some authors tend to discuss the right to self-determination in terms of its internal and external manifestations. The external ‘manifestation links self-determination to decolonization whereas the internal manifestation provides the basis for constitutional autonomy and anything but secession of a state, The balance between the right to self-determination and between keeping the territorial integrity of states Intact isa delicate one, and in Kashmir Case the external self-determination is backed by treaty law enacted with the UN Charter's Article 1(2). Contrarily, the internal self- determination aspects of Separatist Case are well documented as Catalan and Kurdistan claims rest on constitutional framework and not on the international law framework. ¢. The role of the UNO (and its organs based on the UN Charter and principles of international law) in Kashmir Case is another point of distinction. The Separatists remained part of Spain and Iraq and their claims have no such basis. d, Quintessentially, the external manifestation of the right to self- determination in the context of decolonization is a question of law qua the territorial sovereignty, whereas the internal manifestation of the right to self-determination in post-colonial era falls in the realm of the transfer of territorial sovereignty; in the case of former, statehood is the new legal fact whereas in the case of latter, autonomy is the new legal fact. Applying the abstraction to Kashmir Case will clearly vest Kashmiri peoples with the external right to self- determination, which is not to be found in the Separatists Case. As a legal consequence, the question of recognition will emerge when Kashmir Case is allowed fruition; the question of recognition, on the other hand, will not be raised at all in the Separatists Case. Concluding Remarks Against the general perception about Calls fori Separatist movements in Europe regional government is demanding self-determination — there are several ‘other movements in Europe seeking self-rule the relevance of the right to self-determination, it is included as an active item on the agenda of the Third Committee of the UN that deals with Social, Humanitarian and Cultural Issues. On its part, Pakistan needs to internationalize Kashmir as an international dispute not only to help Kashmiri peoples to get their rights, but also to highlight the state-sponsored terrorism of India in Kashmir. 6 ‘The author is an independent researcher and has done his BCL from the University of Oxford. kamranadilpsp@gmail.com are not unique to Spain where Catalonia’ ¥ 22 ‘www.jworldtimes.com February 2018TN ds Elections. to look out for this year> ‘nthe year 2017, the French elected Emmanuel Macron as their president, while South Koreans elected Moon Jae-in to replace Park Geun-hye who was ousted in a corruption scandal. n the same year, Iran's President Hassan Rouhani won re-election with a ‘much wider margin of support than his first term while Turkey voted to expand President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's constitutional authority. In Britain, Theresa May gambled but lost her parliamentary majority whereas Japan's Shinzo Abe came away with a resounding victory in the parliamentary elections and in Germany, Chancellor Angela Merkel led her party toa first-place finish. On the other hand, a disputed independence referendum in Catalonia triggered a constitutional crisis in Spain, and a similarly controversial independence referendum in Iraqi Kurdistan raised political tensions in Iraq. The Year 2018 will see equally important and consequential elections. If 2017 was the year of botched independence referen- dums, the 2018 will see strongmen (and no women) around the world seek re-election and some jaded old- timers stage unlikely comebacks. Here are some important elections to look out for in 2018: 1. Italy ~March 04 Italians must love government; they have had sixty-five of them since Italy became a republic in 1945. The Italian parliament was dissolved on December 28, 2017, and a new election will be held on March 4, 2018. As Italian voters mull over government number sixty-six, polls show the 5 Star Movement is neck and neck with Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni’s center-left Democratic Party. Could a right-wing, Eurosceptic, populist party do surprisingly ‘well, as has happened elsewhere in Europe recently? It's possible. The ingredients are there. Italians are upset over high unemployment, large government debt, and the ‘ongoing refugee crisis. The Five Star Movement casts itself ‘as a populist party. As in the last election in 2013, the anti- establishment mood is likely to favour the Five-Star ‘Movement of comedian Beppe Grillo, while the continuing, ‘migrant crisis is playing into the hands of the hard-right, 24 Dr M. Usmani anti-EU Northern League. All of which points to a highly unpredictable contest. 2.Russia- March 18, There will be no such uncertainty in Russia, where Viadimir Putin is bidding to extend his 18-year iron grip fon power (including two stints as prime minister) Opposed only by token candidates, Putin is widely expected to win a fourth term in the March 18 poll ~ his only prominent opponent, Alexei Navainy, being barred from running due to an embezzlement conviction. Moreover, polls have shown that 80 percent of Russian people trust current President Vladimir Putin, who signed up as an independent candidate on December 27. Observers believe that Putin's re-election is highly likely, with a stable governance foundation, high rate of public support and a weak opposition. The main challenge facing Putin is not the election, but figuring out how to lead the country to solve thorny domestic and diplomatic problems in the next six years. The opposition leader has called for a boycott of the vote, mindful that a low turnout would be seen as a setback for the president and embolden his critics at home and abroad. ‘www jworldtimes.com February 20183. Egypt-March 26-28 Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi came to power in July 2013 after ousting his predecessor, Mohammed Morsi, ina military coup. Sisiwas then elected president in May 2014 with roughly 96 percent of the vote - a suspiciously high turnout for a free-and-fair election, ‘The Egyptian president's term is up for renewal sometime between February and May, and el-Sisi has made no mystery of his plans to carry on. Odds are good that el-Sist will enjoy continued electoral success, even though he has failed to deliver on his promises to jumpstart economic growth, has been accused of widespread human rights abuses, and has had Egyptians living under a state of emergency since April 2016. Itis still not clear who will be allowed to run against him. When Ahmed Shafia, a former prime minister, announced his candidacy from the United Arab Emirates, he was promptly expelled to Cairo, where he soon said he was pulling out of the contest. In December 2017, army colonel Ahmed Konsowa was sentenced to six years in prison for violating military rules after he announced his intention to challenge el-Sisi, Another candidate, prominent rights activist Khaled Ali, has also thrown his hat in the ring. Hanging over his bid, however, is a September conviction for allegedly making an obscene hand gesture the day he won a court case against the government's decision to transfer two Red Seaislands to Saudi Arabia. 4. Hungary - April 08 Hungary will hold its parliamentary election in April. Like Putin’s Russia, it has become something of a pariah state to many western Europeans alarmed by its government's Increasingly illiberal shift. Over the past seven years Hungary has become an “illiberal democracy” under the leadership of Prime Minister Viktor Orban and his Fides Party. Orban does not value an independent judiciary, the free press, or fair election laws; he has had his disdain for these bedrock democratic principles enshrined in Hungary's constitution. As a result, journalists and diplomats alike have taken to calling him a “dictator”. Orban dismisses his critics out of hand. He can do so because Fidesz dominates Hungarian politics; it currently holds roughly two-thirds of the seats in the Hungarian parliament. Polls also suggest the nationalist, anti- migrant leader, who has been in power since 2010, is a shoe-in fora third term in office. 5. Cuba - April 19 On April 19, 2018, Cuba's national legislators will vote for the country’s next president and successor to 86-year- old Raul Castro, who officially came to power in 2008 after \www.jworldtimes.com February 2018 1 his brother Fidel Castro retired for health reasons. A shift of power from an old generation to a young generation is set to take place on the island in 2018. 6. Lebanon - May 06 Lebanon has become a new theatre of conflict between Saudi Arabia and tran. The former patronizes the incumbent Saad Hariri government whereas the latter backs Hezbollah. Thus, this election has got huge significance in the Middle East context. Lebanon hasn't held a parliamentary election since 2009, for want of consensus on a new electoral law. The May 06 vote will inaugurate a system of proportional representation whose proponents say it will help renew the country’s factional political class and better represent its multi- confessional society. While the country’s delicate balance of power is unlikely to shift much, a smooth election would in tself bea considerable achievement. 7.Mexico- July 01 Mexico is expected to hold its presidential election on July 1. The incumbent President Enrique Pefia Nieto is constitutionally barred from running for re-election. The-frontrunner in this election is the former mayor of Mexico City, Andres Manual Lopez Obrador who finished second in the last two presidential elections, and lost the controversial 2006 election by less than a percentage point. Mexico figured prominently in the 2016 US presidential campaign, thanks to Donald Trump. Now, the United States will figure prominently in Mexico's presidential election because as the leader of the left- wing National Regeneration Movement (MORENA), he vows to fight Trump's “poisonous, hateful, xenophobic” policy toward Mexico. But like Trump, he also is a NAFTA critic, though MORENA's platform talks about improving the trade deal rather than ditching it. Another contender is Margarita Zavala, the wife of former President Felipe Calderon, the man who beat AMLO back in 2006. Sometimes called the “Mexican Hillary,” Zavala recently split with her husband's party, the right-of-center National Action Party (PAN), to run on her own. The PAN's Ricardo Anaya is trying to lead a “broad coalition” with the left-of-center Democratic Revolutionary Party. Meanwhile, Pefia's Nieto's Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) will likely nominate José Antonio Meade, a former finance minister. With four major candidates running in a first-past-the-post race, Mexico's next president could move into Los Pinos with the support of a third or less of the Mexican electorate. 2MEET 8, Cambodia-July 29 ‘On July 29, Cambodia will hold its parliamentary election, and the Cambodian People’s Party, led by Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen, is expected to continue its victory. A former Khmer Rouge commander, Hun Sen has been in power since 1985 and he shows no interest in letting anyone take his place. The Cambodian National Rescue Party (CNRP), the country’s largest opposition group, had been making serious gains, winning 44 percent of the vote in June's commune election. However, on November 16, the country’s Supreme Court dissolved the Party after its leader Kem Sokha was arrested on Sept. 03 and was charged with treason for conspiring with a foreign power to attempt to overthrow the government. The election will, thus, serve as a testing ground for public opinion, and reflect domestic attitude on Western political interference. 9. Pakistan - within 90 days of June After the disqualification of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif by the Supreme Court for improper financial dealings that came to light with the release of the Panama Papers, the political battlefield in Pakistan is wide open. Before the scandal broke, Sharif's party, the Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz), looked to be well positioned for the 2018 election. Now, however, the party's future is unclear. The main opposition party is Imran Khan-led Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf. PTI looks to be in a stronger position than it was a year ago, but that might not be saying much. The Pakistan People’s Party, the country’s oldest democratic political party, could also be a factor. Many Pakistanis would take the point even further, arguing that whichever party has the blessing of the army and the United States will win the election. However accurate that perception is, alot is at stake in the election. Moreover, a report published in The Economist has predicted that Pakistan PML-N is headed for another five- yearterm after the 2018 general elections. 10.Brazil-October 07 On October 07, 2018, presidential election will take place in Brazil. The major South American country has gone through political turbulence in recent years, with a continuous economic downturn, Brazil could be another Latin American country leaning heavily to the left as the Workers’ Party is eyeing a spectacular return to power just two years after former president Dilma Rousseff's dramatic removal. The party's comeback champion is ~ ‘once again - Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who ran Brazil from 2003 to 2011. Caught up in a sprawling corruption scandal that has rattled Brazilian politics, Lula was sentenced to prison in July for accepting bribes. But he remains free as appeals courts sort out whether he can run, and polls currently give him a large lead ahead of the 26 October election. However, fhe loses his appeal, he will be headed for the penitentiary and not the presidency. Candidates who might be competitive if Lula departs the race include Jair Bolsonaro, a far-right congressman, known for his homophobic and sexist outbursts, who has called himself a “threat to the stubbornly corrupt.” Another possibility is Marina Silva, who many thought might win the presidency back in 2014. Whoever does win will inherit a political inbox full of problems and a public deeply cynical about what its politicians are doing. 11. United States ~November 06 On November 06, 2018, the United States will hold mid- term congressional election, the result of which could be significant for President Donald Trump and his Republican Party, commonly known as the GOP. Mid-term elections generally don't go wel for the president's party in the United States. Over the past seven decades, the president's party has, on average, lost twenty-five House seats in the mid-terms. Sometimes the results are much worse than that. President Obama saw House Democrats lost sixty-three seats in the 2010 mid-terms. Does this ‘mean that 2018 will bea terrible year for Republicans? Not quite, True, President Trump's public approval rating is south of 40 percent, the GOP has recorded few major legislative victories despite controlling both the White House and the Congress, and voters tell pollsters that they prefer a generic Democratic candidate over a Republican ‘one by the widest margin in over a decade. But the gerrymandering of House districts means that the Democratic candidates could win many more votes than Republicans and still end up with fewer seats. As for the Senate, Democrats have to defend twenty-three of the thirty-three seats at stake in 2018. To make matters worse for Democrats, they are defending ten seats in states that Trump won in 2016; only one Republican senator hails from a state that Hillary Clinton won. Events could help, or hurt, either party. What remains true is that the dynamics in Washington would shift dramatically if Democrats take back either house of the Congress. 8 ‘www jworidtimes.com February 2018(TERNATIONAL PER RUNE ae” Revolutionizing Connectivity through Belt and Road alae ihe Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is an initiative taken by Chinese president Xi Jinping to build (i) Silk Road Economic Belt; and (ii) the Twenty-first- century Maritime Silk Road, to expedite the implementation of the Initiative under "Silk Road Spirit” which is “peace and cooperation, openness and inclusiveness, mutual learning «ad mutual benefit” based on the idea of Connectivity” ‘The Silk Road Spirit is having a deep bond with the phenomenon of connectivity between different civilizations of the world as it was in the days of the Old Silk Road (OSR). The OSR was not just a road; it was a cradle of great heritage of human civilizations belonging from different vibrant regions such as South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East up to the Roman Empire (Mediterranean Sea). ‘The BRI was first propagated by Chinese president Xi Jiping in 2013, during his visit to Central and Southeast Asia in September and October of 2013, where he raised the initiative with the forename of “The Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road”. ‘The Chinese idea of BRI is based on futuristic economic relationship among China's neighbours and even beyond. Itis now an upgraded version that emphasizes the mega~ scale connectivity through vibrant corridors of road, railways and maritime linkages. This forms vital portion www jworldtimes.com February 2018 Initiative (BRI) In the contemporary world, the connectivity phenomenon is having its deep roots and itcan be easily seen in theoretical world as well as practical fields in maintaining dynamic relations among states. Either to discuss the realist or the liberalist, one thing is common; they are concerned about survival sustain life and living, Realism s one of the oldest paradigms in International Relations and itis “a spectrum of ideas’ based on shared principles about what determines states’ behaviours towards one another. China's idea of revolutionizing connectivity revolves around survival; sustain life and living, which is also the need ofthe hour for China as well as the developing countries. The instant article ams to discuss the BRIand its six economic corridors Saadia Saif Niazi of the OSR, ‘The BRI comprises five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence ie. Mutual respect for each other's sovereignty and territorial integrity, Mutual non-aggression, Mutual non~ interference in each other's internal affairs, Equality and ‘mutual benefit, and Peaceful coexistence. The framework of BRI revolves around the ‘win-win’ concept, which would promote common development and prosperity and a road toward peace and friendship by enhancing mutual understanding and trust, and strengthening all-around exchanges. Other than this, the Chinese government advocates peace and cooperation, openness and inclusiveness, mutual learning and mutual benefit, ‘The BRI Cooperation Priorities has five major goals: Policy coordination, Facilitating connectivity, Unimpeded trade, Financial integration and People-to-people bonds. By 2050, the Belt and Road region aims to contribute 80 percent of the global GDP growth, and uplift three billion more people to the middle class. ‘The main idea of BRIis “Connectivity” Beijing has initiated six main corridors namely: (i) Bangladesh-China-India~ Myanmar Economic Corridor (BCIM-EC), (ji)China~ Indochina Peninsula Economic Corridor (CICP-EC) (tii) China-Mongolia-Russia Economic Corridor (CMR-EC), (iv) China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (C-PEC), (v) China- Central and West Asia Economic Corridor (CCWA-EC), (vi) New Eurasian Land Bridge (NELB). 1. Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar Economic Corridor (BCIM-EQ) BCIM-EC fs the initiative taken in the late 1990s. The idea arTE was to connect China's Yunnan Province in a possible sub-regional cooperation involving southwestern China, eastern India and the whole of Myanmar and Bangladesh. It is also regarded as the connectivity of “sub-regional” economic cooperation. The final BCIM-EC priority agenda is TTE (Trade, ‘Transport and Energy) and it took almost fifteen years to become a reality. After 1990s, the year 2013 was crucial in the development of the BCIM initiative. A major development in realizing the BCIM-EC, following the Silk Road spirit of “peace and cooperation” is a join study group the first meeting of which was held in December 2013 in Kunming; thus, officially setting up the ‘mechanism to promote cooperation indicating that New Delhi and Beijing are prepared to work together in ‘common peripheries. For China, the BCIM-EC offers several advantages. Firstly, it is giving China a great connectivity with the lucrative markets of India and Bangladesh; secondly, it provides China with an outlay to the Bay of Bengal which is an alternate way to evade Strait of Malacca and also to feed China's southwestern provinces with oil and gas. Itis also another channel for China to diversify its oil imports. Currently, the BCIM-EC countries are facing many political, security and environmental issues at the local, national and regional levels and they need to be addressed urgently. It seems difficult to handle three states in the peripheries of China and before trade architectures, transit facilities and infrastructure capabilities, it is important to initiate people-centric projects to ensure engagement and involvement of the respective societies of these countries in projects that are being developed under the BCIM-EC. 2. China-Indochina Peninsula Economic Corridor (cIcP-EQ) ‘The CICP-EC has a strategic significance for Beijing; itis a and bridge that links China with the Indochina Peninsula and crosses the heart of Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, | ONE BELT, ONE ROAD a cr ers 28 ROE rary ‘Thailand, Myanmar and Malaysia. It is also expected to ‘boost China's cooperation with the ASEAN countries as it has natural linkages through the Greater Mekong Sea as it is an international region of the Mekong River basin in Southeast Asia. Several projects like $23bn Kunming-Singapore railway by the China Railway Construction Corporation (CRC) to connect China to all ASEAN countries, (scheduled to be completed in 2021), ten cross-national highways including one high-speed railway from Bangkok to Singapore and the Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS) transnational infrastructure network cutting across five ASEAN countries, are some possible connections under the SilkRoad Spirit The CICP-EC aims to better connect cities in this region with a network of railways and highways to facilitate the flow of people, goods, capital and information as important part of Silk Road Spirit. In fact, the coastal states in Southeast Asia such as Vietnam, Cambodia, the Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia, Myanmar, Brunei, Singapore, Indonesia and the only landlocked country in the region Laos would take part in the BRI to build highways, railways and seaports to realize the China~ Indochina Peninsula Economic Corridor and the 21 Century Maritime Silk Road. 3. The China-Mongolia-Russia Economic Corridor (CMR-EC) ‘The idea to create this corridor was first conceived in September 2014, in Dushanbe (Tajikistan), and the final ‘agreement was concluded in June 2016 in Tashkent (Uzbekistan), where the three leaders of Russia, China and Mongolia signed the CRM-EC programme. The CRM-EC has its significance in collaborating three important, big countries Russia, landlocked Mongolia and China with the goal of increasing economic ties and political relationships which could lead to future cooperation in infrastructure building, ‘The Programme of Trilateral Economic Corridors includes different fields of cooperation, such as transportation infrastructure, cooperation in industrial sector, development of border crossings, cooperation in energy sector, environment and ecology, education, science and technology, humanitarian and agriculture sectors, The Russian roads and railways would connect Asia and Europe with Mongolia's Prairie Road Project which is aimed at improving the Ero) Crees bh \www.jworldtimes.com February 2018connectivity within Mongolia and towards neighbouring countries. Connecting three colossal transportation infrastructures such as BRI, Prairie Road Project and Russian roads and railways will create an effective network for cross-border trade for a greater party of the world. From China side, it will connect Chinese autonomous region of Inner Mongolia with Russia via Mongolia through railways, roads and energy pipelines having western, central and eastern corridors and railways linkages. Regarding the road transit corridor, eastern corridor, AH-3 (central Road) and AH-4 (western road) would be established. ‘The effort China is exerting toward establishing economic corridors shows how the goal is not only a network of transportation infrastructures, but it is a complete system that can balance trade and transportation. The strategic location of the economic corridors, particularly the CMR-EC could lead to the establishment of free trade zones or special economic zones that will facilitate ‘communication and trade between Europe and Asia. Another important aspect of this corridor is that it would be connected, in future, with the other flagship corridors of BRI, CPEC through road connectivity of AH-4. 4, China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) The Chinese investment of $46 billion - now nearly 60 billion - on China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is very consequential in this regard. CPEC is one branch of China's $1 trillion investment tree for Pakistan. It’s all due to China’s investment-friendly philosophy. Fortunately, this came as the privileged bounty for Pakistan owing, www.jworldtimes.com February 2018 1 OES ‘mainly, to the latter's geo-strategic location and time tested Pak-China friendship. It is one corridor with multiple passages and comprises 3Cs i.e. Connectivity, Corridor linkages and Cultural relationships, which are important aspects of cooperative priorities of BRI and Silk Road spirit. Chinese cooperation with Pakistan follows what China refers to as a 1+4 model, where 1 represents the CPEC initiative and 4 represents each of the pillars that support it; Gwadar port, energy, infrastructure, and industrial collaboration. In the medium-to-long term, both sides will explore and expand the cooperation fields to financial services, science and technology, tourism, education, poverty elimination and urban planning, etc. Gwadar port is an important element of CPEC. A sea is a major mode of traffic, happens to be comparatively cheaper trade route than other modes like land or air. Pakistan's Gwadar port is the second largest deep sea port in the world, bearing strategic significance, especially with reference to maritime linkages along the Silk Road. CPEC offers Pakistan a tantalizing opportunity for investment in trade, marketing, business and banking sectors, as well as a sizeable market for common goods. Connectivity of regional states with Pakistan could unfold immense opportunities in trade, business, infrastructure, transportation and emerging markets for both China and Russia. CPEC, on the other hand, would present an obvious ‘opportunity also for Gulf countries to enhance their trade owing to Gwadar’s proximity to the Persian Gulf. At the same time, another important project China-Central~ West Asia Economic Corridor (CCWAEC) with CPEC will also have important strategic implications for the Gulf region. 5. China-Central and West Asia Economic Corridor (CCWAEC) This important corridor connects China with Central and West Asia including the Arabian Peninsula. The vast region it covers generally follows the trajectory of the ancient Silk Road. The corridor starts from China's Xinjiang and crosses into five Central Asian Republics and 17 countries and regions in West Asia (including Iran, Saudi Arabia and Turkey), while reaching the Persian Gulf, It is an important 29TE ‘component of the Silk Road Economic Belt: Despite being rich in hydrocarbon reserves, Central and West Asia have many factors such as backward {infrastructure and lack of funds that hinder local development. The CCWAEC is designed to facilitate economic and trade cooperation as well as flow of capital to these regions, boosting local economic and social development. Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 and Kuwait's Vision 2035 are having a lot in common with BRI Frequent high-level, Misits of both countries’ important figures to Beljing have presented opportunities to coordinate plans with BRI projects. Therefore, as per an estimate, the Sino-Gulf trade has swelled from just under $10 billion in 2000 to $114billionin 2016. 6, New Eurasian Land Bridge (NELB) Last but not least, the sixth corridor is land-based "Silk Road Economic Belt” project i.e. NELB. It runs through Kazakhstan, a landlocked state and has very positive attitude towards the BRI because it allows the country and other nations in the region to become a bridge between different civilizations and continents as was the case in the days of ORS. Itis an international passageway that links the Pacific and the Atlantic. It goes from China's coastal cities of Lianyungang and Rizhao to Holland's Rotterdam and Belgium's Antwerp. The 10,800-kilometre-long rail link runs through Kazakhstan, Russia, Belarus, Poland and Germany, and serves more than 30 countries and regions. Several transcontinental rail routes have already entered into service. These include the Chongaing-Xinjiang- Europe Railway (reaching Germany's Duisburg via Poland), the Chengdu- Xinjiang-Europe Railway (reaching Poland), and the Yiwu-Xinjiang-Europe Railway (reaching Madrid). The construction of associated highways, — power transmission lines and ports is > progressing in a steady manner. ( Other different freight rail route like Chengdu to Lodz (Poland), Zhengzhou to Hamburg (Germany), are new routes that offer rail-to-rail freight transport, as well as the convenience of one declaration, one inspection and one cargo release. Needless to narrate, China-Europe 1AM cooperation is heading towards new 3 horizons. A dedicated forum for : cooperation with Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) countries has been around now for several years. This forum was created in April 2012, with '16+1" framework, constitutes a platform of sixteen countries from Europe, which would bring heads of states together annually to strengthen dialogue and cooperation between China and the CEE region. This cooperation is going to connect China via NELB to European Union. As indicated {n the report of The Hague Center for strategic studies, “A Road to Riches or a Road to Ruin? The Geo-economic Implications of China's New Silk Road”, 2017, that in November 2016, during the last Summit of the "16+" framework, China launched a €10 billion investment fund to finance projects in the CEE region. China's interest in the CEE region could be seen as a medium through which it can influence the European Union (EU). This influence manifests itself primarily in the form of initiatives which ‘aim to persuade the CEE countries to adopt favourable policies vis-a-vis China, ‘As the ancient silk route embodies the spirit of ‘peace and ‘cooperation, openness and inclusiveness, mutual learning and mutual benefit’. Above-mentioned six economic corridors are one positive aspect of globalization where borders do not impose limits, checks and restrictions or create walls of distrust. Free flow of trade, goods, capital and ideas could gestate a new world. As an old saying goes: where caravans start crossing the borders, the armies usually will hesitate twice to do so. ®) The writer is a Lecturer in Department of International Relations, Faculty of Social Sciences National University of Modern Languages NUML, Islamabad. She can be reached at: saadia.ir@gmail.com { [lll (ili | i i www.jworidtimes.com February 2018TRUMP vs. INTERNATIONAL LAW Fee JERUSALEM ASISRAEL'S Donald Trump's unilateral move to recogize Jerusalem as Israel's capital and move the ASISRAEL'S CAPITAL US embassy there directly violates international law and breaks with decades of s =pledgestomove consensus among US administrations, both Republican and Democrat. did not move | embassy to Jerusalem embassy to Jerusalem | | [Relocating “itis unwise | the embassy] for the United | wouldbe Statesto inconsistent take actions "Ihave withthe UN “TheUnited We do not that could be | anaes ‘Wecontinue _Fesolutions States eceecetie interpreted “Movingthe | oe tosupport eating considers new [sree asprejudicing embassy. ea [.Jthe with the (east basiclaw] as sensitive would deepen |e international- international Jerusalem} determining matters, the Israeli Be izationof nature of ‘as occupied thastatlgor. suchas Palestinian | ea Jerusalem. Jerusalem.” territory: Jerusalem. Jerusalem.” crisis.” ey a 4>, ( mt ; fan Ag hs - €: =f Ne * 4 Se Ne ‘TRUMAN EISENHOWER KENNEDY JOHNSON NIXON WWbUSH: CLINTON. wAuSH NAKBA ATHGENEVA ANNEXATION BASICLAW JERUSALEM UNSC UMassexpulsionot | CONVENTION _Isae'egalannexation lsrae passes ew basic aw’ EMBASSY ACT RES. 2334 | Paestinans. including | Prohibits ‘of ast Jeruslom claiming the whole of Mandates for US Reattrms that ffomWest Jerusalem | counetes from Jerusalem asits capital Ernbesey trae! Isrets settlement andsuroundingvilages. | moving UNGARES. 2253 theca herons ‘activty n East Popuiationsinte _ Statesthatal ne Jerusalem “Jerusalem is UNGARES.181 territories Tarot activities in Peeadpee aie President forced ‘itlegal under Statesthat Jerusalem | occupledinwar~ East Jorusolem ion ogeeien topes wot international iow. e Shouldbe'estobished | USisasignatory. _areilegaland Healers every months ’ fra corpus separatun” should cease. Cote upon atstatess arco i acriatare bythe Inissions fom Jerusalem. United Nations” | ~USisa signatoryNTERNATION. $ Protests in Perspective The regime needs to change its policies Living under the shadow of crippling international sanctions for a long time, Iran has faced many an economic predicament. Its population of over 80 million has been reeling under the isolationist policies of the world, especially those of the United States and Europe, against the Islamic Republic. On the other hand, nearly three decades of Iran's Revolutionary government's rule has been marked with lack of good governance and productivity. The Iranian regime, over the years, failed to come up with new ways and means to support its flagging economy. A ray of hope emerged after the landmark Iran-P5+1 Nuclear Deal, also known as Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOAI, whereby some sanctions were lifted, in early 2016, and Iran was given access to its frozen assets amounting to more than US$SO billion besides the long-awaited freedom to sell its oil to the world, but there have been no substantial improvements in the lives of ordinary Iranians. Although the incumbent President, Dr Hassan Rouhani, has reaped the benefit of the nuclear deal, as he got elected for the second term, no substantial vitality and vibrancy in the country’s economy has been seen yet. The situation has been so precarious that even the Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who is considered the real hand behind the regime, in March 2017, condemned Rouhani government for its utter failure to deliver the nation any significant economic rejuvenation. "I receive people's complaints and experts’ views. [The government} must act in matters such as production, ‘employment, elimination of recession ... in away that people feel its impact on their lives,” said the supreme leader. However, on the other hand, the International Monetary Fund (IMP) declared an “impressive recovery” for Iran which is attributed mainly to a doubling of Iran's crude production since the lifting of sanctions in January 2016. Nonetheless, this, too, had least positive impact on the people's living 32 Mustansar Hussain Tasir standards, inflation and employment rates. This decay has not happened in a vacuum as it appears that the state, after the 1979 revolution, deliberately or criminally neglected the economic welfare and kept on feeding the nation with rhetoric and slogans like ‘Iranian Nationalism’ and ‘Anti-Western’ and ‘Anti~Arab’ doses. In this regard, very surprisingly, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini reportedly said during the early days of the new Iran, that economics was “for donkeys,” and over the question of rapidly-rising inflation, he said tauntingly that “1979 revolution was not about the price of watermelons." It very well clarifies what the priorities of the Iranian regime and its powerful clergy has been all through these three decades. This false and misplaced prioritization can evidently be witnessed from the Islamic Republic's foreign “missionary” adventures. Its sectarian proxy war with Arab patron Kingdoms of Salafist ideology particularly in Lebanon, Iraq, Syria and Yemen; recruitment of warriors from South Asia especially Pakistan and Afghanistan, and www jworldtimes.com February 2018TN further plans of expansion and export of its revolution beyond Middle East have always been at the top of its priority list - all, obviously, at the cost of welfare and development of the social sectors and the people's basic needs. Same priority problem is also the cause of international isolation of Iran and the unending series of sanctions against it, The major dilemma which the Islamic Republic has been facing since long is the ever-increasing disparity between the various classes of society. Sharp economic differences as well as the uneven state policies in terms of its welfare programmes are further widening the gulf. The inhabitants away from Tehran and other mainstream areas feel alienated and neglected and their living standards are painfully miserable as shown by various reports in international media, One such piece titled: “How the other half live in Iran” was published in New York Times on 15th January 2018. However, the Iranians might be able to manage thet economic problems in the near future but Trump's increasing threats and declaration to kill the JCPOA have created an environment of uncertainty. His tirades have cautioned the investors to stay away from Iran and that would result in unprecedented economic losses for the country. Given this environment of uncertainty, even if the nuclear deal is not killed, Iran cannot reap the economic dividends of the lifting of sanctions. So, when Trump said during the protests that he is seeing “brave Iranians,” he was actually making fool of the people. But, Iranians paid no heed to his gimmick and they never called Trump for help, unlike the 2009 Green Movement when the protesters kept on calling Obama for assistance. Although world powers’ policies in Middle East are discriminatory and prejudiced when they come to their Arab friends, the world’s view and perception about Iran, by and large, is based on its history and ideology and seems nothing far from the truth as an Iranian parliamentarian, known close to Khamenei said, “Three Arab capitals (Beirut, Damascus, and Baghdad) have already fallen into Iran's hands and belong to the Iranian Islamic Revolution,” anticipating Sana'a the fourth capital to befall at that time as tran has been fully aiding and abetting Houthi insurgents. Despite the fact that, historically, Iran never perceived any credible threat from Arabs and the chances of Sheikhs invading the Persian nation had remained slender until Iran's real engagement in Arab territories. Israel is the country that has successfully exploited these developments by magnifying the Iranian threat, shifting the focus from Palestine issue, hence it became the real beneficiary of Arabs' fear of Iran. In this backdrop, the recent protests in Iran were not a surprise; rather they are a bit late because the causes which resulted in the so-called Arab Spring in 2011 are all present wwjworldtimes.com February 2018 1 in Iran ~ some even in their developed stages. Despite elections and representation, successive Iranian governments might never prove themselves lesser authoritarian and dictatorial than the monarchs in the Arab region as far as human rights and freedom of expression are concerned. The clergy has full control over power, and questioning their vision and policies is no less than a blasphemy The protests erupted as a result of the revelation of recent budget and the losses the common people were expected to face, such as 1) An imposition of 50 percent increase in the fuel price; 2) cancellation of monetary support and subsidy to more than 34 million people; 3) price hike of various daily consumable items including eggs and poultry; 4) further increase in the military budget which mainly goes to the most dominating Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) - the practical exporter of revolution. Later on, the protests on purely economic grounds turned political both cannot be separated, and the slogans against the president and clergy were unprecedentedly resounding, Protestors also demanded the government to end its backing of the ‘terrorist’ groups abroad and echoed clearly in their slogans: “Neither Gaza nor Lebanon ... my soul is searching for the redemption of Iran.” Iran needs to set its priorities right as the strength of a nation is in the prosperity of the people and no sane person could deny that internally fragile nations cannot withstand external threats, It has to learn lessons from its Arab neighbours and as the Crown Prince has declared to bring its Kingdom out of its oil addiction and to modernize the state and society by opting for a moderate, tolerant and open slam by getting rid of the conservative one. Iran must follow suit and should abandon its expansionist religious designs. It is high time the Islamic Republic abandoned its traditional economics-for-donkeys thinking. & The writer is a freelance columnist and analyst. He is currently pursuing his MPhil in International Relations, from Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad. ‘Maryam Rajavi: The people of Iran are determined to end the clerical regime 33ari Despite the continued protests of the Democrats on Wednesday, Dec 20, 2017, the Republicans’ proposed tax bill was finally passed by the US ‘congress and was signed by President Trump on Friday, Deo 22, 2017, to make ita law. Although there is stil a wide range of differences over the bill, let's take a look at what exactly is included in the new bill and for whom it is beneficial The statistics and numbers are extracted from different sources including forbes.com, money.cnn.com, washingtonpost.com, enbe.com, Congressional Budget Office Report dated 26/11/2017, Think Tank -Centre for American Progress, Dainik Bhaskar Newspaper, ete. The House of Representatives has by 224-2014, and the Senate by 51-48. These reforms are considered the the US tax law in the ith more than 200 PROVISIONS, : een Cn ecm Pee Rog sponsible for approx. 5 TRILLION the deficit by $1.46 TRILLION, Pe Cra the United 3s Iti Te a} eon S eee ee eed ier Se oa Considering these tax provisions, President Donald Trump's own tax burden will be by approx. 18 bili per year. A Itis also estimated that by 2019, ps approx. 4 million US people will ‘and approx. 13 million will do so by 2027.DS Richard G. Olson On January 04, the State Department options lie in geography and history. Pakistan essentially confirmed the suspension of security amounts to a relatively indefensible sliver astride the assistance including “coalition support — Indus River, with flat plains in the east and mountain funding,” which redoubts populated by hostile tribes in I MB vemburses Pakistan for | president Trump's decision | the west. Ths fragile geography would counterterrorism not matter if not for Pakistan's long operations, and the Foreign Military | t0 Suspend almost all history of enmity toward its far larger Financing program, which pays for neighbour, India, purchases, of American military | Seouty aid to Pakistan, Since its founding in 1947, Pakistan has hardware, services and training. The | which quickly followed his defined itself as a national security state decision is expected to affect about $1.3 in opposition to the Indian behemoth to billion worth of annual aid. accusation that Pakistan its east. Pakistanis have long dreaded While perhaps it is emotionally | had “given us nothing but | the prospect of Indian tanks from the satisfying to penalize a country that has : adjoining plains of Indian Punjab rolling ‘American enemies in | les and decelt,” suggests | unimpeded into Lahore and beyond. We supported Afghanistan for the past 16 years, the | that his administration is may not agree with how Pakistan administration's approach is unlikely to assesses the threat from India, but in my work. Pakistan has greater leverage over | Catrying out the hard-line experience, almost all Pakistanis us than many imagine approach that the president | perceive ndiaas an existential threat ‘The keys to understanding Pakistan's | °?P! m Because of its real and perceived policy and the limitations of American | foreshadowed in August. geographic precariousness, Pakistan to With www.jworldtimes.com February 2018To has naturally gravitated toward asymmetric military solutions — specifically, the use of proxies. The Pakistani Army and, especially, its spy agency, the Inter-Services Intelligence, have clandestinely supported all manner of anti-India and anti-Afghan groups. During the 1980s, the United States found it convenient to support some of these proxies against the Soviets in Afghanistan. That policy ended in 1989 as the Soviet war in Afghanistan wound down. Under the 1990 Pressler Amendment, we punished Pakistan for development of >_—— nuclear weapons by cutting off security assistance. Teen der ation trecel agree end sespectally But Pakistan, having these groups on its territory and a large Pashtun population of its own, never had an easy option of breaking with Afghan militants. And it has continued to allow the Taliban, including the Haqqani overflight of Pakistani territory. Absent an implausible similar arrangement with Iran, other options are not good. Supply through the Central Asian states to the north is theoretically possible, but would rely on Russian good network - a group the United States supported during the will, Enough said. Without Pakistani cooperation, our Reagan era - to operate from its territory and at critical remy in Afghanistan risks becoming a beached whale, moments has provided quiet support. The American solution has been a robust package of ‘The geography that defines Pakistan's security worries assistance to Pakistan, beginning with the Bush adminis~ has also been a bane for the United States. For the past 16 tration in 2001. The United States sought to reimburse years, our military efforts inlandlocked Afghanistan have pakistan for the costs of supporting our war in Afghani stan. In the eyes of the Pakistanis, this became payment for their war against domestic terrorism, which has cost Pakistan 50,000 lives and untold billions, and was widely perceived as abad deal. Despite an infusion of about $1 billion per year of development assistance during the Obama administra- tion, money never gave the United States the leverage it desired. The Pakistani generals who run Afghanistan policy from their headquarters in Rawalpindi were never convinced that they had to choose between their relationship with the United States and their relationship ‘with the Taliban, I can vouch from bitter personal experience that 1 hammered away at the need to make that choice for four Things You Need To Know President Trump began the year on Twitter by saying that Pakistan had engaged in lies and deceit over a fifteen years or so during which the US has provided Pakistan with $33 bilionin aid. Though the United States was one of the first allies Pakistan had at its inception, the two nations have had a fraught relationship, especially over the past 30 years. In the 1980s, the US gave funding and arms to Pakistan that helped it train the Mujahideen that fought the Soviets in ‘Afghanistan. In the 1990s, the Afghan-Soviet War ended and the US withdrew ftom the region. Pakistanis viewed this as abandonment, which fed into the narrative that the US uses Pakistan and then betrays it. 11990, the US determined that Pakistan had anuclear device, leadingitto cutoff military and economic aid. ‘After 9/11, the US. called on Pakistan to join their war on terror in Afghanistan, Pakistan assisted the US in return for military and security aid ‘After the mid-2000s, Pakistan struggled with a Taliban insurgency on its own soil. In the waning years of the Obama administration, the US found that Pakistan was providing a safe haven to the Talban- www jworldtimes.com February 2018 a7 1years, but never got any purchase. The generals knew th ‘as long as the United States maintained an army in ‘Afghanistan, it was more dependent on Pakistan than Pakistan was on it. This disconnect between Washington and Rawalpindi led to the decline in United State Pakistan relations that was already highly visible in the last year of the Obama administra~ tion. ‘The harsh truth is that American leverage over Rawalpindi and Islamabad has been declining. And as United States aid levels have diminished — reflecting bipartisan unhappiness with Pakistani policy from the Chinese has increased. China has invested around $62 billion in Pakistani infrastructure under the China~ Pakistan Economic Corridor, an element of the “One Belt, One Road!” initiative, ts magnitude and its transformation of parts of Pakistan dwarf anything the United States has everundertaken. Thus, the Trump administration's attempt at humiliating and penalizing Pakistan is unlikely to work. Pakistan, like most countries, reacts very badly to public attempts to force its hand. Itis likely to respond by showing how it can truly undercut our position in Afghanistan. [A better approach would be to privately convey, at the highest levels and without equivocation that the only way to preserve any relationship with the United States is to cut all ties with the Taliban, including the Haqganis. The ‘Trump administration, with its hard-line reputation and willingness to reject all previous United States policy, could credibly deliver this message. But the path of the tweet and highly public aid cuts is not a ‘method that will engender success. The United States can address Afghanistan only with a political initiative. The ultimate answer to the Pakistan conundrum is to start a diplomatic initiative to bring peace to Afghanistan by opening talks with the Taliban. Much of diplomacy is taking away the other side's talking points, or excuses. The Trump administration has publicly stated that it sees the conflict ending only through a negotiated solution. Itis difficult to understand why no such diplomatic initiative had been started. © Richard G. Olson was the United ‘States ambassador to Pakistan from 2012 to 2015 and the special representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan from 2015 to 2016. affliated Haqqani Network, and as a result withheld aid, ‘more single-minded focus on the Hagganis. peace inAfghanistan, 1G, 80 GO! 20% 0; ‘sponsor of terrorism, or diplomatically isolating Pakistan. (©. Therelationship could improve ifthe US seeks to develop a long-term relationship with Pakistan. ‘The current situation is, in a way, just a continuation of the Obama administration's policy with much stronger rhetoric and a To win the war in Afghanistan, America needs Pakistan for supply routes as well as to negotiate a lasting settlement and ‘The United States s also concemed that Pakistan has nuclear weapons and could goto war withits perceived enemy, India, Pakistan craves the approval othe US and the stature associated with strong US tes. ‘The US-Pakistan relationship right now is at @ low point and i is unlikely to improve soon, as American say, unless the elements within the Pakistani military that support the Haqgani Network fundamentally change their behaviour. The relationship between the US and Pakistan could worsen inthe short term if the Trump administration follows the decision to cut off aid with further actions, such as rescinding Pakistan's major non-NATO ally status, declaring Pakistan a state 38 www jworidtimes.com February 2018COI DONOR-FUNDED PROJECTS AND aU ae AVM UM eee HEALTH SECTOR ‘An overview of the health system in Pakistan over the past 70 years offers evidence of efforts for better service delivery as well as challenges and impediments in this regard. The challenges have spread over a wide area including policy formulation, financing (or lack thereof), coordination of available resources and implementation at the level of end users ~ the people seeking healthcare. Attempts have been made to fill policy, financing and implementation gaps through different approaches, including participation of donor agencies and private sector. thas been argued that for health reforms to deliver, these must be strategic and outcome- and equity-oriented, with a comprehensive long-term focus on strengthening of health systems because programme-based interventions depend critically on the robustness of the health systems in the first place and are, hence, no alternate to these systems. Ihe last National Health Policy of Pakistan was approved in 2001. While a draft policy was developed in 2010, it was not approved due to the then ongoing process of devolution. In August 2016, the federal and provincial governments finally agreed on a ‘common National Health Vision (NHV) for the entire country after years of controversies over health issues and disagreements over the regulation of health departments. The document incorporates suggestions from public sector stakeholders, the private sector, UN agencies, donors and academia, and has been endorsed by representatives of all provinces and federating units. NHV aims to bring the country’s health policy frameworks in line with Pakistan Vision 2025 (such as increasing health spending to 3 percent of the GDP), international health priorities and provincial realities within the framework of constitutional roles in the post-18th Amendment www worldtimes.com February 2018 1 M. H. Rehman scenario. The NHV notes that donor funding has been minimal in recent years with less than two percent of the total national health expenditure and underscores the need for better alignment and coordination of donor assistance with government's strategies. Detailed policy options for coherent channeling of donor ‘support for achieving improved outcomes and avoiding wastage of resources, however, have not been outlined. Multilateral and bilateral donor agencies and develop- ment partners, offering financial and technical assistance for improving healthcare delivery in Pakistan include ADB, CIDA, DFAT, DFID, GTZ, IDB, IFRC, JICA, RCS, UNAIDS, UNDP, UNICEF, USAID, WB, WFP and WHO. Foreign aid, as a percentage of total health sector funding, has ranged from 3.5 to 16 percent in different years as shown inable 1. 39oN ‘Support from donors also comes in the form of technical sistance, specifically from UN agencies, and in kind contributions such as mobile health units, drugs, vaccines and diagnostic kits. There are other donors as well, including, for example, the Gulf States, overseas Pakistanis, philanthropists, INGOs and leading private sector entities providing resources to country in social sector areas including health, directly or through corporate social responsibility. Main fields of donor intervention are shown in Figure To meet the need for healthcare in Pakistan, private sector's role has increased over the years. In the year 2009-10, it was reported that 87.6% of the population accessed healthcare from the private sector and 12.3% from public sector. In the wake of ‘weak regulations and societal trends, however, the private sector has very few accredited outlets and there has been a mushroom growth of largely unregulated hospitals and small-scale medical units, general practitioners and clinics, homeopaths, Hakeems, Unani (Greco Arab) healers, herbalists, traditional/spiritual healers, bonesetters and quacks. Some NGOs have been active in the health sector and there are few public-private partnerships (PPPs) and franchising of private health outlets. PPPs for healthcare in rural areas have been tried but without much evidence-based planning and success. In 2015, Government of the Punjab tried a model of outsourcing health facilities and management of 10 districts but it did not work. In 2016, Punjab again offered health facilities in five low-performing districts to private sector. As per the TORS of this PPP, the private party will be responsible for maintenance of infrastructure, procurement and provision of medical and non-medical, supplies and consumables, enforcement of clinical and Fig. hygienic protocols, employing efficient administrative practices that ensure patient satisfaction, hiring of staff against vacant positions, ensuring efficient system for referrals between facilities, efficient management of outreach staff and developing strong linkages between the facility and outreach workers, The government would be responsible for ensuring consistency of supply of funds, providing funds as agreed in the contract, providing initial information on the status of facilities, facilitation and coordination with district officials, guidance and mentoring on quality regimes, ensuring adequate political support, monitoring and providing supplementary grants according to reasonable requirements. ‘There are gaps in proper utilization of the private sector as well for better healthcare delivery. Private sector is largely unregulated and whatever regulations do exist usually fall victim to weak enforcement mechanism. Apart from unregulated hospitals, the bigger challenge is control and check over quacks and traditional, obsolete healing procedures that can cause serious health problems. No policy tools have so far been formulated to harmonize the private sector with broader perspective of national health objectives and policies. Donor assistance in the health sector does not come without its own complications and shortcomings. ‘Absence of well-defined national priorities and a health system incapable of optimally absorbing and channeling donor resources, coupled with the fact that donors have their own policies, value and priorities, result in prioritized resource allocation by the donor agencies in specific programme-based areas that offer short-term ‘measurable and tangible outcomes rather than interven tions that could bring long-term system strengthening. A ‘major cause of concern is that not only the effectiveness of specific donor projects is undermined due to this lack Table 4: Foreign aid as a percentage of public sector health allocations 4998-99| 1999-00 | 2000-01 | 2001-02 | 2002-03 | 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2007-08 | 2009-10} 2011-12 16% | 43% | 4% | 11% | 8% | 10% | 14.7% | 5.9% | 5.1% | 3.5% | 49% ‘Sources: 1, Nfonal Health decounes Reports rious sue). 3 Rhatak FH. Bdget and mato heth acount of hel sector n Poison. amabad, Piston: Planning Commision 2004 = www.jworldtimes.com February 2018IIE of coherence, it also has somewhat adverse impacts on existing health systems. It has been documented that continuous influx of donor-driven projects has inculcated a peculiar organizational culture in the public health sector, which influences the long-term sustainability and the effectiveness of these projects. Besides the well-known political interference and bureaucratic barriers, a less tangible and insufficiently recognized phenomenon of “Project Mentality” portrays this transformed culture in the public health sector in Pakistan. Any distorted organizational culture may affect the work environment and hence the ability of the health personnel to practice in a professional manner. There are structural gaps in the way donor assistance is handled in the country. Foremost is the ownership, or lack thereof, at least in the apparent way things have shaped over the years, taken by the state for sustainability because health is a basic human right and primary responsibility remains with the state, no matter how extensive donor assistance may be. There is no national policy for utilization of donor support due to which international assistance is not properly synchronized with the national policies and becomes a victim of fragmentation within the national system. Lack of proper mechanism for sustainability makes the donor assistance an administrative burden. Weak coordination between the government and donor agencies, lack of clarity in roles and expectations of partners behind national health reform, lack of clear priorities, responsibilities and uniform benchmarks by the government for donors and poor mechanisms for sharing information between the government and donors are also key impediments in effective utilization of donor assistance in the country. ‘The donors and their development partners executing agencies also put forth a number of challenges they face while working in Pakistan in general, and in the health sector in particular. To points of general objection, it was pointed out that the governments of the respective donor agencies provide funding out of their taxpayers’ money and according to their foreign policy, therefore, they are bound by certain limitations on what can be done, how and where, and what cannot be done. That's why funds and interventions are time- and area-barred in many cases. Answering criticism merit and legitimacy of donor- based programmes, it was suggested that end-line www jworldtimes.com February 2018 rf surveys and evaluations by third-party evaluators are conducted for most of the projects, donors also have their own research and survey teams, no project is started without defining proper objectives and delivery outcomes, risk-management matrices are made at the start of the project by consulting most of the stakeholders and generally they works. They argue that donor projects do have positive impacts in specific fields of intervention but Pakistan has population explosion which dilutes the impacts ormakes them negligible. It can be concluded that numerous factors contribute to non-optimal utilization of donor assistance for healthcare in Pakistan. There is neither a proactive ‘mechanism for taking need-based proposals to donors for tailor-made projects in the first place nor a clearly- defined policy for integrating donor-initiated projects in the national healthcare objectives by channeling and diverting resources where needed the most. Coordination with donors is Jacking from national and provincial levels to district and health facilities levels. Bottom-up approach is totally missing. Starting from disjointed data ‘on health indicators across fields, regions and over time, there is marked absence of field officers’ input not only at the stage of policy formulation but also in signing of agreements with donors. Fragmented databases exist but there is no joint/central health management information system in place that could provide data from across the country. Subsequently there are numerous implementation challenges and outcomes don't materialize as envisaged, leaving the target population un-served in the real sense. Other problems include lack of sustainability framework on completion of donor projects, lack of incentives in the public setup for skilled health staff to perform, cumbersome procedures and financial management in the public sector and finally absolute mismatch in political priorities of successive governments, Inadequate regulatory framework for private healthcare providers (from full-scale hospitals to presumed healers in streets) ‘and weak enforcement mechanism for regulations that exist have left private sector completely unchecked. PPPs have been tried without proper policy based on ground realities, which resulted in unsuccessful experiments. ‘Recommendations * Health is a provincial subject after the 18° Amendment. Health Coordination Committees (HCCs) may be setup aDET ‘under executive orders in the four provinces, AJK and GB, headed by respective Secretary Health and comprising Chief of Section from P&D Departments, DG Health, provincial representatives of donor agencies and UN development partners working in the province. HCCs shall be required to meet every month. + HCC will co-opt two members ~ one health expert with vast experience of field work across the province and one head/representative of a well-reputed philanthropic organization in the province. DCs/DCOs and EDOs Health will be called to HCC meetings whenever there is a proposal of their district under consideration. * HCC will be presented with, to analyze, approve, monitor and evaluate, all donor-assisted programmes/projects, PPPs and philanthropic contribu- tions in the province under the NH = HCC will cause, through DG Health, for a comprehensive provincial health database to be developed, maintained and properly updated for evidence-based decision- making. * HCC will be required to adopt a proactive approach vis~ &-vis donor assistance and PPPs especially in rural areas ie. based on data, forecast emergency and routine requirements from infrastructure development to availability of vaccines and drugs in the health facilities, prepare short-, medium- and long-term plans/proposals formeeting those requirements and then presenting them in HCC meeting before the donors for their assistance, rather than just relying on donor-initiated proposals which may not be specifically aligned with local needs at times. = HCC will be required to focus on long-term goals of infrastructure development, improved working conditions for doctors and paramedical staff and better approach to health facilities in far-flung areas, and ~ ensuring appropriate performance of duty by SS thestaff. ao +A National Health Coordination Committee (NHC) may be setup, headed by Secretary MNHSRC and comprising Additional Secretary EAD, national representatives of donor agencies and UN development partners, and HCCs of all provinces. NHCC willbe required to meet every three months. * NHCC will be a coordination and regulation body, aimed at keeping provincial donor-assisted programmes in line NHY, resolving issues between donors and provinces, if any, and supervising proper maintenance of a national health database by consolidating provincial databases provided by HCCs on monthly basis. + District Health Coordination Committees (DHCCs) will also be setup, headed by DC/DCO and comprising District Nazim/Chairman, EDO Health, ACs, local representatives of donors /development partners, NGOs, and civil society representatives/community leaders. * Under HCCs and DHCCs, government can enter into partnership with international donors and local philanthropists (optional) at district level * Initially, the projects may be started in 5 to 10 districts from all provinces and, if successful, may be replicated in other reas, + The projects will target preventive as well as curative diseases. *DC/DCO would proactively identify the problem area for which the project(s) is/are tobe initiated. + Project(s) should be flexible enough to appropriate funds from curative side to preventive side and vice versa ‘onrequirement basis, with the approval of the HCC. * Capacity and performance of District Hospitals, Tehsil Hospitals, RHCs and BHUs should be enhanced such that they serve as filter clinics for the tertiary and teaching hospitals of the respective province. BI The writer isa Fulbright alumnus, presently serving as Deputy Secretary in the Federal Government. (rehman.alpha@gmail.com) www.jworldtimes.com February 2018TE th Under Article 19A of the tution of Pakistan, Bilal Hassan applicant will be denied access to information or record held by the the people of Pakistan eee public body. Accordingly, pursuant to have a fundamental right of freedom of opinion and Section 5(1), the following categories access to information. expression; this right includes of information and record need to be International law also guarantees the leawited Wo noid opines: published including uploading over right of the people to have access to all ‘ the internet. information held by public bodies; of ‘without interference and to, a) description of the public body's course, subject to reasonable ‘seek, receive and impart organization and functions, duties, restrictions. To ensure that the people aoeutabor and Lider tough powers and any services it provides to of Pakistan have improved access to the public, including a directory of its record held by public authorities, to | am media and regardless of officers and employees, indicating make government accountable to its frontiers.” their duties and functions and their people, to improve participation of the | —__ Universal Declaration of respective remunerations, perks and eople in public affairs, to minimize privilege Chances of coruption and inefficiency Human Rights B statues statutory rules, regulations, on the part of state-owned organiza tions, to promote sound economic growth, to promote good governance and to promote human rights, the government has recently passed the “Right of Access to Information Act 2017” (hereinafter Information Act 2017). The law will be applicable to all public bodies of the federal government including ministries, divisions, attached departments or subordinate offices including autonomous bodies, federal, municipal and local authorities, the National Assembly, the Senate of Pakistan, any court, tribunal, commission or board established under federal law, ete, Pursuant to Section 3(1) of the Information Act 2017, no 44 by-laws, orders and notifications, etc. applicable to the public body wel disclosing the date of their respective commencement or effect ©) substantive or procedural rules and regulations of general application evolved or adopted by the public body, including any manuals or policies used by its employees; 4) relevant facts and background information relating to important policies and decisions which have been adopted, along with a statement of the policies adopted by the public body and the criteria, standards or guidelines upon which discretionary powers are exercised by it; e) the conditions upon which members of the public can ‘www.jworidtimes.com February 2018acquire any license, permit, consent, approval, grant, allotment or other benefits of whatsoever nature from any public body or upon which transactions, agreements and contracts, including contracts of employment which can be entered into with the public body, along with particulars about the recipients of any concession, permit, licence or authorization granted by the public body; fa description ofits decision making processes as defined in the Federal Government's Secretariat Instructions, 2004 and any instructions for the time being in force for public to provide input into or be consulted about decisions; 8) detailed budget of the public body, including proposed and actual expenditures, original or revised revenuie targets, actual revenue receipts, revisions in the approved budget and the supplementary budget; h) the methods whereby information in the possession or control of the public body may be obtained and the prescribed fee required along with the name, title and contact details of the designated officials; i) reports including performance reports, audit reports, evaluation eports, inquiry or investigation reports and other reports that have been finalized; i) such other matters which the principal officer of the public body deems fit to be published in the public interest;and ky Camera footages at public places, wherever available, which have a bearing on crime provided that if the information or record pertains to a period earlier than the year 2008, the same shall be published within reasonable time ‘As per section 6 of the Information Act, 2017, public record means. a. polices and guidelines; b. transactions involving acquisition and disposal. of property and expenditure undertaken by a public body in the performance ofits duties and functions; ¢. information regarding grant of licences, allotments and other benefits, privileges, contracts and agreements made bya public body; 4. final order and decisions, including decisions relating to members of public; and €.any other record which may be notified by the minister- in-charge of the Federal Government as public record for the purpose of this Act. Nonetheless, pursuant to section 7 of the Information Act, 2017, the following record will be excluded from publication. -notingon the files, subject to a final decision by the public body; www jworldtimes.com February 2018 ‘ ’b, minutes of meetings, subjects to a final decision by the publicbody; any intermediary opinion or recommendation subject to a final decision by the public body; . record of the banking companies and financial institutions relating to the accounts of their customers; e.record relating to defence forces, defence installations or connected therewith and ancillary to defence and national security excluding all commercial and welfare activities; | £. record declared as classified by the minister-in-charge of, the federal government provided that the minister in- charge of the federal government will have to record reasons as to why the harm from disclosure of information outweighs public interest, and further that information pertaining to allegation of corruption and violation of human rights shall not be excluded; -record relating to personal privacy of any individual; and h, record of private documents furnished to a public body either on an express or implied condition that information, contained in any such documents shall not be disclosed to a third party Pursuant to Section 11 of the Information Act, 2017, a citizen of Pakistan may make a request to public body through designated official in writing for information or record Public bodies will response within ten working days of receipt of the request extendable for further ten working days. Upon denial, the applicant can file an appeal within 30 days. Information commissioners in all public bodies will address such appeals. Pursuant to Section 15 of the Information Act 2017, prescribed fee will be charged on cost of sending to the applicant and Section 16 of Information Act, 2017 prohibits disclosure of information if its disclosure is likely to cause damage to the interests of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan in the conduct of international affairs, and: a)result in the commission of an offence; b) harm the detection, prevention, investigation or inquiry inaparticular case; ‘reveal the identity of a confidential source of information; 4) facilitate an escape from legal custody; or ¢) harm the security of any property or system, including a building, a vehicle, a computer system or a communication, system. B) The writer is a graduate in Taxation Policy & Management from Keio University Japan. He can be reached at: bilalhassan70@yahoo.com 45CI THE LARGE DAM CONTROVERSY The Case of Kalabagh Dam Farrukh Aziz Ansari Introduction Water is indispensable for the sustainment of life on earth. Itis a lifeline for all the earthly activity and is a driving force of the nature. Although this most-needed natural resource is found in abundance on the earth, its distribution is quite uneven. It covers around 70 percent of earth's surface, out of which only a paltry 3 percent is believed to be the freshwater that is fit for human consumption while the remaining 97 percent water is highly-saline, thus, unsuitable for crop production or human use. Nonetheless, this precious resource is fast shrinking on account of a multitude of factors, such as swelling population ending up in the awkward quagmire of increasing demand and decreasing supply, expansion of irrigation, silting of water reservoirs, overexploitation of groundwater, use of western rivers’ waters by India, industrialization, urbanization, wasteful use and climatic changes. Essentially an agrarian economy, Pakistan's survival hinges largely on agriculture that requires huge amount of| water. The agriculture sector accounts for about 24 percent of the GDP, while supporting 70 percent of the country's rural population. Besides, it employs 48.4 percent of the country's total workforce. ‘There are three principal sources of water: (1) rivers; (2) rainfall;and (3) the underground water. Givenits scarcity, the distribution of water has been a bone of some messy contentions sub-nationally, and internationally as well, Pakistan has the world's largest contiguous irrigation system. The Indus River System (IRS), along with its tributaries, constitutes the major source of water flow to Pakistan. ‘The Water Stress Index by Malin Falkenmark suggests that Pakistan, already a water-stressed country, will soon fall 46 in the category of countries having acute shortage of water, Given that, the voices for highlighting the urgent need to conserve water by augmenting the country's wwater-storage capacity are raised from all quarters. That suggested to be carried out by storing in reservoirs the discharges - estimated to be 33-36 MAF - that drop ‘unused down to the sea. The existing dams have lost their storage capacity up to 3 MAF due to increasing silting. The US has the storage capacity of 900 days of average flow, and India 120 to 220 days whereas Pakistan can store river flow only up to 30 days. Discourse ontheissue Before we delve into the specifications of the proposed large dams, apprehensions of provinces and the rebuttals thereof, it is necessary to briefly overview the assertions put forth by protagonists and antagonists in this regard. The virulent charge sheet levelled at the large dams is based on the social issue of the submersion of large tracts ‘of agricultural land and the ensuing dislocation of a huge number of people. It is believed that the so-called large dams do more harm than good; and that they are guileful instruments of unabashedly usurping the water and land rights of the poor while benefitting only the rich. tn the garb of the ‘national interest’ mantra, lies concealed the furtherance of the interests of the privileged. As maintained by Emest Geliner, the driving force behind nationalism is the denial of the economic resources by a dominant group to the underprivileged. Arundhati Roy contends that [large] dams put the earth to. waste, inducing natural disasters and different epidemics. The contention often dwells on the paradigm of human rights to plead the case against the large dams. It is held that www,jworldtimes.com February 2018Cn relocating and resettling people against their will and submerge their lands is tantamount to flagrant violation of the fundamental human rights. In addition, the charged buildup of criticism against large dams also centres on the failure of the latter in living up to their promised benefits To what degree the claim of rehabilitation of the affected ona just basis is actually met is taken with a pinch of salt; in large-scale displacements, the feasibility of the recompense for the land lost and livelihood deprived is doubtful. Social and environmental parameters are pushed forward as the decisive factors behind any project, The rebuttals hurled to counter the anti-large-dam arguments are no less forceful. It is argued that whatever {s said against dams is out of ill information or prejudice. ‘The ecological impacts are outweighed by the benefits; the human deprivation, environmental degradation and migration would take a further toll; thus, benefits greater than the cost. Displacements and submersions are seen as the harbingers of the concomitant development. If dams displace, so does the sheer deprivation. But the former has a conclusive package of rehabilitation to offer. The Kalabagh Dam The government's strategy has been of augmenting country’s water-storage capacity by means of the construction of large dams so as to tackle the imminent water crisis. The reservoirs would also come in handy in the generation of the hydroelectricity tomeet the exigency of power shortages and also in controlling the floods. Kalabagh, the subject of a widespread controversy, has ‘been proposed to be built at Kalabagh in Mianwali district on the borders of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab. The claimed storage capacity of the Dam is said to be 7.6 ‘www.jworldtimes.com Fediuary 2018 1 million acre-feet (MAF). The cost is estimated at USD 7 to 17 billion. The project, which is expected to employ 35000 people, will also be generating 3600 megawatts of electricity. The advantages of the site of Kalabagh, as enumerated by various experts, ar Location: It is located in a developed part of the country that is equipped with sufficient infrastructure in terms of roads and railway networks, etc., thereupon is likely to costlow. Transmission line: The transmission line for electricity transfer will be shorter as compared to the alternative sites proposed in which enormous transmission losses will also occur. Conjunetive use with Tarbela Dam: There would be conjunctive use of electricity of both Kalabagh and Tarbela dams. Mechanism of flushing out sift: It will be much easier to flush out silt through the provided mechanism. Life: The dam will live longer as compared with the alternative dams. The Kalabagh Dam (KBD) has been turned into a touchy subject as controversies and differences of opinion on its construction are still rife. In the face of strong resistance from provinces to the proposed dam, the federation is likely to be in jeopardy if any bid at its construction is sped up; every government has stepped back in order to avoid putting the integration of the country in danger. Punjab supporting passionately its construction stands ‘on one side while other provinces are on the other side by vehemently resisting the same with concrete reservations. Here is a gist of the points of view of the three provinces vis-a-vis the KBD to ascertain as to what extent the provincial apprehensions are substantiated by objectiv- ity. Since the conflict is more between the upstream Punjab and the downstream Sindh, their views will be ‘under thoroughgoing scrutiny. Sindh’s viewpoint 1. Punjab is involved in water theft’, The case of stealing 16000 cusecs between Taunsa and Guddu in just one week is presented as an evidence to corroborate Sindh’s accusation; thus, revealing the apprehension of being deprived ofits due share of water. 2, Surplus water is available only in flood years with great fa variation, The construction of dams such as Kalabagh, tc, will unleash a great mayhem to the lower riparian Sindh, for whatever surplus water is available in times of flood will be stored in them. The past record discloses that extra water is hardly available every year. “If such a mammoth dam costing USD 7 to 17 billions is built, Punjab will be tempted to fillit to the detriment of Sindh's due share even when water isin scarcity 3. A number of canals have been proposed beforehand to a7on take out from the KBD. This again will divert water to irrigate farmlands in Punjab to the disadvantage of the downstream Sindh's rightful share. 4, Sindh’s Sailaba (or the riverain) areas will be adversely affected with the KBD's construction. 5. Water flow below Kotri is too little to check seawater intrusion. Even 10 MAF, as agreed under the water agreement, is not released; the result being that the saline seawater intrudes inland up to 100 kilometres. That has resulted in the increased salination of lower Sindh, slow death of the once mighty Indus Delta, extinction of rare species and biodiversity and acute poverty in the coastal areas. Indus Delta is exposed to annihilation. Ecosystem the former sustains is imperilled owing to the low water flow to the sea. The low flow below the Kotri has wreaked some serious havoc to the world’s sixth largest mangrove forest that has been reduced in size by 38 percent. Punjab’s assertions 1. Punjab pleads the cause of the KBD and asserts that the claimed 36 MAF water flow, which goes waste by falling into the sea, can be utilized. This wastage can be turned into an asset by a storage reservoir wherefrom water would be transferred to the needy areas when they face a deficiency of this precious source, 2. The multipurpose KBD will help the country pull itself off the load shedding dilemma, water crisis and flood devastations visiting on the people every other year. 3, The storage in the KBD would hardly leave any impact on the Indus Delta. In fact, the extent of the sea intrusion is now at its maximum with human activity, flora and fauna having adapted to the new regime. The ecological conditions have stabilized. At this point, however, Sindh’s point of view seems substantiated, with factual data, to a large extent. The fan-shaped Indus Delta, the world's sixth largest delta, has long been a vital source of bread and butter for Sindhi farmers and fishermen and also has the sixth largest ‘mangrove forest system. Thatta and Badin are prominent districts located on this delta. It is home to very rare species of marine life and birds. However, with the construction of the water reservoirs, the delta has begun shrivelling to a terrible degree. With the Indus Delta dying down, salinity has started to permeate the basin posing a serious threat to ecological footprint of the region. However, Punjab continues to push for more decrease in the amount of freshwater released by the Sindh from the Indus River to stabilise the environment - something at which Sindh has always protested. Not to forget, as per the report by Asia Dispatch, 17 major creeks of the delta have dried out. 4. Punjab contends that Indus River System Authority (RSA) should be sufficiently authorized to impose sanctions in case of water theft or violation by any stakeholder. The regulatory regime needs to be bolstered. 5. Sindh's sailaba areas are not likely to be affected much. ‘The dam will take away only part of the flood flow, and flood discharges of 300,000 cusecs will continue to occur. 6. Fish production below Kotri will not be affected; rather, there would be allot of catch from Kalabagh reservoir. Reservations of KP and Balochistan 1. Flooding of Peshawar Valley and Nowshera town. 2, Submergence of fertile land; and dislocation of locals exceeding 100,000. 3.Effect on the drainage of Mardan and Swabi plains, 4. Royalty to the KP. 5. Balochistan supports Sindh’s point of view believing that reduced share to Sindh will, in turn, affect its share drawn from Sukkur and Guddu barrages. Conclusion A circumspect look at the dynamics of the KBD controversy in a broader context of interprovincial conflict that has a history predating Pakistan's inception, suggests that the mistrust of smaller provinces has been based on a number of factors. Sindh contends that water apportioned to it is lesser than that it is entitled to under the 1991 Water Accord and that the Punjab has not abided by the Accord. There is a pressing need to overcome this distrust by ensuring the implementation of the agreements in letter and spirit. Telemetry system should be made accurate to the maximum possible extent. IRSA also needs to be empowered to impose heavy penalties for water theft, and it should also be brought under the administrative control of the Cabinet Division, ‘The rights of the smaller provinces should be respected. ‘The prodigious water scarcity rings death bells. It calls for comprehensive national water policies and visionary leadership to shore the boat. Above all it is indispensable that the feeling of being a Pakistani should take precedence the feeling of being Punjabi, Sindhi, Pashtun orBaloch. B The writer is an MPhil Scholar at (Quaid-e-Azam University, Islamabad, ‘www.jworldtimes.com February 2018CTI The var Islamic Military” Counter Terrorism Coalition : A Spice to the Boiling Cauldron? In December 2015, Saudi Arabia announced the formation ofa pan-islamic unified front inthe global ight against terrorism and violent extremism under the name the Isiamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalton (IMCTC). This coalition of 41 countries is claimed to be a counter-terror force, however, the real motives of this strategic move have been received with a tinge of scepticism. With its real objectives buried under the glaciers of secrecy, the alliance is being viewed also as a calculated Saudi move to have more military and political mightin the Middle Eastem theatre of war. Mansab Munir Gaisrani The inaugural meeting of the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition (IMCTC) Ministers of Defence Council was held under the theme ‘Allied Against Terrorism’ on November 26, 2017 in Riyadh, the capital of the Saudi Kingdom. While speaking at the meet, Saudi Arabia's assertive Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman vowed that extremists will no longer “tarnish our beautiful religion.” Addressing the gathering, General Raheel Sharif, the military commander of the coalition said, “The vision of the IMCTC is to have a collective response to terrorism... it will provide a platform to the member-countries to fight terrorism.” ‘The terrible catastrophe unleashed by the ISIS in the Middle East has given a fresh impetus to the cause of combating terrorism which, apparently, is the basic cause of setting up the very alliance. The war-ravaged countries like Syria, Iraq and Yemen are home to the ISIS terrorists and their presence www.jwordtimes.com February 2018 49 4in these countries is a grave threat to the trembling peace of the entire Middle East. But, the setting up of the alliance with its ambiguous agenda prompts a number of questions: What purpose has the alliance been set up for? What exactly is meant by terrorism under this coalition? ‘What will be the targets of the operations carried out by it? Why Iran, Syria and Iraq have been kept out of it? Some analysts view the IMCTC as a sect-specific alliance as Shia-majority countries. like Iran, Syria and Iraq have not subscribed to the coalition. The perennial feud between Saudi Arabia and Iran is nothing new. COT reek tau ae ed Pero De Ehret eee er Localization Enable cuturally appropriate regional and eer ae ee) Ceti) n of member counties to funding ey eee ed eee rd and the UAE, Some think the alliance is neither against ISIS nor specifically against Shias; rather it is for KSA’s showdown in the Middle East that has become a theatre of war and, hhence, an arena of political wrangling. Being a_ strong regional power, the kingdom ‘wants its grasp on come-what~ may basis in power politics of the region, tactically playing on the fronts of politics, economy and millitary. Hence, the alliance might serve the purpose of extending the Saudi sway in the conflict zones of the Middle East. The story does not end here. Saudi Arabia and the United The strained relations between the two countries have a long history of hostilities. The Sunni outlook of the alliance could further widen the Shia-Sunni gulf. Saudi intervention in the ongoing wars in Syria and Yemen has been a hard pill to swallow for the Shia governments. Is the military alliance to finish ISIS or is ita move to get further engaged in vicious brawl for regional sway? Mystery shrouds! The Saudi government has Collaboration General Raheel Sharif shown zero tolerance towards terrorism and the Isis. Examples abound. In June 2017, Saudi Arabia accused the tiny Gulf state Qatar of being in league with the ISIS. As a casus belli, the Saudi Kingdom has isolated Qatar on the allegations of sponsoring terrorism, down to the present day. The former browbeat the latter into submitting to its demand of neutralizing itself. This very move has dented the integration of the Gulf Cooperation Council - an alliance of 6 countries: Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman States are staunch allies and both the states have almost identical interests in the Middle East. The US backs the KSA on Syria and Yemen theatres of war. The two are members of the same camp vis-a-vis the Russo-Iranian camp. Hence, the alliance might become a tool to protect US interests in the region instead of tackling terrorism in the Muslim world. Although the much-touted agenda of the IMCTC is to tackle terrorism in the Muslim countries, developments on the ground suggest otherwise. It is ironical that the country that leads the alliance i.e. Saudi Arabia, is itself involved in wars in the Middle East and, hence, causing humanitarian crises Said simply, the downsides of the coalition might outweigh its benefits, if concrete parameters of the alliance are not drafted. It has failed to defuse the heightened tensions between KSA and Iran. If leftunaddressed, the rift might turn into a deadly conflict. The lack of strategic objectives casts doubt on the operational neutrality of the alliance. Thus, instead of uniting the Muslim countries, it may eclipse the existing loose Muslim unity. Iflacunae in the agenda of the alliance ‘are not deciphered and plugged in the now-wary states may become part of the Islamic military bloc, which would lead the alliance — and, hence, the Muslim countries — to the unprecedented level of unity and prosperity. py www.jworldtimes.com February 2018TT Economy of Pakistan The delusion of growth ‘The economic journey of Pakistan always has [= been a rollercoaster ride. The reliance upon. : foreign aid and remittances, along with lack of real domestic economic base, has been a constant source of uncertainty for the country's economy. With apparently impressive growth rate, the state of economy is not as hunky-dory as itis portrayed by the authorities. Economy is not all about numbers. There are many problems flying stillunder the radar in Pakistan's economy. The growth rate for 2016-17 has been estimated over 5 percent ~ first time after 2006-07. But this growth has ‘been mostly consumption-driven. Pakistan is a lucrative consumer market as the country hosts the sixth largest Population in the world. But, an economy cannot berun on ‘consumption basis in the long run. Even with a good growth rate, the government has missed a number of important macroeconomic targets including sectoral and overall GDP (gross domestic product) growth, investment and exports. The current trajectory of growth is unlikely tobe sustainable unless these challenges are addressed. The growth is unbalanced; the 5.3 percent growth rate does not appear to be broad-based with 67 percent of the contribution coming from the services sector only while industry and agriculture sectors contributed 20 percent and 13 percent, respec- tively. The unbalanced growth problem also contributes to lack of of exports and unemployment. papa Taugeer Ahmed Services sector does not contribute to employment as industrial and agricultural sectors do. The situation of agriculture sector is particu- larly dire which accounts for 42.3 percent of employment but contributes only 19.53 pereent to GDP. Textile sector, the largest industrial sector of Pakistan's economy, is also in shambles; having serious implications for the labour force and employment prospects. Less growth in indus- trial and agricultural sectors also means less exports. In addition, overvalued currency is also a big cause of decrease in exports. Textile products, like many of Pakistan’s export commodities, are price-sensitive. Overvalued rupee makes exports less competitive. Commerce ministry largely blames decrease in Pakistan's exports for three years straight on an overvalued cur- rency; therefore, a cheaper currency could help them become competitive again. ‘Weak exports are not the only predicament; high imports, too, are a part of the problem. As economy is driven by consumption rather than production, market is flooded with imports. Among these Imports are the capital goods Which are being imported from China as part of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project. Half of Pakistan's imports from China are capital goods, and their value rose by 30 percent between 2015 and 2016, Few in Pakistan have a bad word to say about the CPEC, but it certainly seems to be creating some negative impacts on the country's economy. The IMF is right to be “appalled” at the implications for Pakistan of having to pay back billions of dollars in expensive loans to China with no export recovery in sight. Trade deficit was targeted at PKR 20.4bn for current fiscal year but actual deficit swelled to PKR 24bn. Exports fell by 2.3 percent while imports increased by 19.88 percent, In the past, Pakistan paid for its import bill from foreign ‘aid and remittance rather than income from exports. However, both these principal sources have plunged in recent months. The fall in aid was due to reduction in the inflow from Coalition Support Fund (CSP). More cuts are expected due to President Trump's Afghanistan Policy ‘and the differences between Pakistan and the United > States. Remittances did not grow sufficiently due to ZZ gro ly ARTES STE RIB GY iaTes fall in oll prices. Gulf economies are diversifying their ‘economies by moving from energy to other economic sectors. It would damage remittances to Pakistan as Pakistani labour in these countries is mostly employed in the energy sector. With external inflows of aid, remittances and export income at a low ebb, taxes are the last resort. But there is ‘no improvement in this regard, too. Federal Budget 2017- foreign-exchange reserves dwindled; the country’s stock of dollars shrunk by almost 30 percent during the past year. The State Bank of Pakistan, the country's central bank, appears not to want to play defence any more. Depreciation can make exports of Pakistan more compet- itive by decreasing their prices but its effects on inflation and public debt would be devastating. If situation remains the same, Pakistan will have to go to IMF forbailout. Gross domestic product is the best way to measure a countrys ‘economy. GDP is the total value of everything produced by al the people and companies in the country. It doesnt matter if they are citizens or foreign-owned companies. Ifthey ae located within the country’s boundaries, the government counts their production as ‘GDP. Usually, GDP is expressed as a comparison to the previous ‘quarter or year. For example, the Q3 2017 GDP is up 3%, this is thought to mean thatthe economy has grown by 3% over the third quarter. While quarterly growth rates are aperiodicmeasure ofhow the economy isfaring, annual GDP figures ae often considered the benchmark forthe size ofthe economy. 18 indicates that the revenue target set by FBR for 2016- 17 is likely to be missed by Rs100 billion. It further reflects a compromise on equity and progressivity by a heavy reliance on indirect taxes. With low taxes comes the issue of fiscal deficit. Fiscal deficit is predicted to be 4.2 percent in FY17-18. To fill the gap between revenue and expenditure, Pakistan Is relying on debt. But debt~ servicing is already a significant budgeting problem. Despite various claims on reduction in debts, revised estimates of 2016-17 show that more than 70 percent of net revenue receipts (gross revenues excluding transfers to provinces) are consumed by debt servicing alone. This implies that most of the current and development expenditures of federal government are financed through borrowing. Public debt is now at 59.3 percent of GDP. In the long run, the government is widening the fiscal deficit, with its efforts to shorten it, But economic policy makers in Pakistan lack the foresight to understand it. ‘The steady depreciation of rupee will also pile up the debt burden, The rupee has been artificially overvalued by foreign exchange reserves, not earned by trade but aid. For months, the rupee had held steady even as Pakistan's Devaluation is a deliberate downward adjustment to the value of ‘country's currency relative to another currency, group of currencies ‘or standard. Devaluation is a monetary policy tool used by counties that have a fixed exchange rate or semi-fixed exchange rate. Devaluing a currency is decided by the goverment issuing the currency, and unlike depreciation, is not the result of non- ‘governmental activities. One reason a country may devaluate is ‘currency is to combat trade imbalances. Devaluation causes a country's exports o become less expensive, making them more ‘compeiitive in the global market. This, in tum, means that imports. ‘are more expensive, making domestic consumers less likely to purchase them, futher strengthening domestic businesses. ‘Tax reforms are needed to stem reliance on aid, remit- tances and debt. Political capital should be used to collect more taxes from those who have managed to escape for years the taxman or have grossly underpaid the amounts they owe the government. Bringing the budget under control will also need a sharp reduc~ tion in large deficits being incurred by the public sector enterprises (PSES). Rupee depreciation is inevitable, so partial depreciation can be used to strengthen exports. Growth should be ‘across the board. To encourage growth in industrial and agricultural sectors, government needs to attract invest~ ment in these sectors by enacting business-friendly policies in these sectors, Increased agricultural and industrial production and exports would ultimately lead to increase in employ~ ment. Pakistan has to focus on labour skill and business competitiveness to engage with vibrant Chinese economy after completion of CPEC. By these measures, CPEC can be areal game-changeras itis touted to be. 6 ‘The writer is an MPhil Scholar in International Relations, currently serving in the Government of the Punjab as a PMS Officer. He is also a member of faculty at World Times Institute, Lahore. woww.jworldtimes.com February 20182 TTS Analyzing the Problems and Issues of Federalism National Integration/Federalism Federation is a form of government in which power is constitutionally divided among different federating units in such a way that each one exercises responsibility for a particular set of functions and maintains its own institutions to describe these functions. Federalism establishes two sets of government: federal or central authority, and the government of federating units on the basis of mutually-agreed formula of division of power or authority. The mode of political organization unites smaller polities with an overarching political system by distributing power among general and constituent governments on an equal footing. The essence of federalism lies in the coordinate status of both central and provincial /regional governments and in independence of both in their own spheres. The principle of distribution of power is the basic reality behind the structural composition ofa federation. Crisis of federalism in Pakistan Crisis of federation is one of the major challenges confronted by Pakistan, Row over distribution of resources, delay in construction of dams, surrounding NEC award, growing inter- provincial mistrust and insurgency in Balochistan, all are symptoms of a malaise that afficts the body politic of Pakistan with the crisis of federalism. In the past, this crisis led to the secession of East Pakistan and now again this crisis has assumed horrific proportions, and resolution of this crisis is inevitable to secure the future of federation Here is abrief analysis on the problems that have plagued Pakistan with the crisis of national integration: 1, Overdeveloped state structure This means the structural roots of dominance of non political forces in the state system that is embedded in colonial legacy. The perpetuation of this overdeveloped state structure obstructed the civilian supremacy. Moreover, it has encouraged state authoritarianism which ‘nas Suriner widened Yne guii among Sederating units. 1 has also been responsible for a strong centre which was www jworldtimes.com February 2018 ‘ lgra Riaz Ud Din reinforced under the military regimes. It has been the main culprit in the case of East Pakistan’s separation and yet it is prevailing. The concept of strong centre has been due to the military interference. This trend was further reinforced by non-political forces. This has been common. in Pakistan politics that the central government is often interfered with authoritarianism and over-centralization which has cause serious conflicts between the centre and the provinces. 2. Intermittent military coups Dr Hassan Askari Rizvi argues that under direct military rule, Chief Martial law Administrator (CMLA) is not restrained by the constitution; therefore, Pakistan loses its federal character at operational level. The provinces become subsidiary adminis trative units of government in. which capital city is controlled by top brass of military and the provincial governors become quite active in governance, impinging on the authority of chief ministers. Another significant development under military rule is the enhanced powers of corps commanders, especially those based in provincial capitals. This is more common if the governor of a province happens to be a civilian. This continues even after the military rule ends. So, as a result of prolonged military rule, Pakistan's political system has turned into a unitary one. Moreover, in the absence of representative governments, the role of centre becomes more overwhelming over the affairs ofthe units and the spirit of federalism is scared. Therefore, martial laws further exacerbate oraggravate the crisis of federalism. 3. Absence of provincial autonomy All of Pakistan's constitutions have failed to provide and guarantee a substantial degree of provincial autonomy. 1 is quite unfortunate that the makers of our constitution found it convenient to proceed on the basis of Government of India Act, 1935, which may be good model for democracy, but is a poor design for a federation. For instance, there was a conspicuous absence of a bicameral 53DUE legislature in the Constitution of 1956 - though it was touted as parliamentary in nature. It propagated strong. the president; controversial One-Unit Policy was prominent example. The Constitution of 1962 was made for Ayub Khan and all authorities were tailored for the president. Although the Constitution envisaged a provincial form of government, yet a feature of provincial system was totally missing, that is, separation of powers and a system of checks and balances. Furthermore, the Constitution of 1973 provided » substantial degree of provincial autonomy through its institutions like Council of Common Interests (CCD, National Finance Commission (NFC) Award and Senate reforms yet it only contained two lists: federal and concurrent - provincial was absent. 4, Highly-centralized fiscal authority Fiscal authority is mostly in the hands of central government and this factor generates high degree of imbalance between the federation and the provinces. This vertical fiscal imbalance isso pronounced that in order to perform their duties and functions, the provinces depend upon the transfer of resources from federal government or foreign assistance. For example, Pakistan's provinces are dependent upon central government for the distribution of funds. The extent of dependence varies between 70 percent and 90 percent. Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are highly dependent. From the very beginning of the NFC Award (previously Raisman Programme), the provinces have shown reservations on the distribution of resources from the national exchequer. Another example of this fiscal imbalance is that sales tax, which was provincial subject in Government of India Act, 1935, remained a federal ‘subject in all constitutions, 5. Diverse structures of the federating units Shahid Javed Burki opines that Pakistan's problem of federalism stems from the arbitral way in which we tried to resolve it by ignoring the diversified structures of ‘governance of our federating units. For instance, Punjab was created by British in 1849. NWFP (now Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) became province in 1901 but it was accorded provincial status in the real sense in 1937. Sindh was separated from Bombay in 1937. Balochistan province was formed in 1970. Punjab was more settled, educated and developed, and political institutions were already present there. On the other hand, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was divided in the settled areas and tribal belt. Sindh was part of Bombay til 1937; Balochistan was under Governor-General's (and later President's) rule till 1970. Therefore, there existed great diversity in the structures of governance of these provinces and growth of political culture, These conditions affected the psyche of the people as well as of political socialization and degrees of integration into federation. Unfortunately, our policymakers ignored. all these issues and tried to tackle this crisis through myopicapproach. 6.Row over distribution of resources ‘These problems became more complicated under military rule as it further causes interprovincial mistrust. This varies from distribution of dams, issue of distribution of Financial resources as well as row over issue of royalties. 7. Unplanned migration ‘Analysis of the 18th Amendment Passed in 2010, the 18th Amendment removed the most formidable obstacle in the way of provincial autonomy i.e. the Concurrent List. "According othe Amendment, the provinoes have been empowered in thre prospects: consttuional, policl and administrative. The ‘constitutional role of several state institutions, such as legislature and judiciary, was minimized and the provincial executives were ‘empowered in making ther poltical and administrative decisions. At the poltical level, the amendment highlighted the sense of cooperation among the poltical elites from national and regional political partes on the critical issues. Among them was renaming the NWFP to Khyber Pakhitunkhwa. In he administrative realm, the provinces have aoquired their unique position, untike the earlier political | reforms. designated the enhancing role of the Council of Common Interests (CCI), the incorporated decision for the establishment of the local governance system under the provincial tier and the adaptation of the new provision forthe establishment ofaloose federalism — | with insttutionalized structure in Pakistan, The Amendment has addressed the concems ofthe smaller provinces so as to resolve their {terms forthe decades-long demand of the greater politcal decision-making at a transparent level under the provincial ets to meet -theirlocalinterests. 54 ‘www.jworidtimes.com February 2018DNL Another reason is the unplanned migration which not only disturbs demographic balance of the regions but also creates numerous problems including urbanization, sanitation and growth of slums. And, when these problems are not addressed or resolved properly, tensions among the various segments of urban population rise. For example, rehabilitation of Urdu-speaking people in Sindh. At present, Urdu-speaking people have outnumbered the local Sindhis in Karachi, and in this ‘metropolis, five ethnic communities are ‘competing for control over economic resources. Another example of urban migration is Balochistan where Pashtuns outnumber the Baloch in three major cities of the province - Quetta, Pashin and Loralai. Therefore, the concerns of Balochistan regarding the division of resources in Gawadar Port are not unfounded at all. Here the Baloch people would be outnumbered by non-Baloch people. It causes crisis of law and order as well as ethnicity problems. 8. Absence of pluralistic traditions Pluralism is an accommodationist and tolerant political culture that is capable of accommodating. dissenting voices. It fosters the tradition of ‘unity in diversity’. But, unfortunately, this trait has been conspicuously absent in our political system as we failed to develop strong pluralist traditions. 9, Crisis of democracy This crisis is described as a reason that is in multi-ethnic states like Pakistan, there is no other feasible alternative to involve the stakes of smaller provinces in the federation. Democracy is not only a system but it inculcates traditions such as decision-making through consensus, public opinion, public accountability through electoral exercises, a tolerant culture and a spirit of sacrifice for national interests. The absence of democracy leads to a negative growth of political culture which means people become indifferent when the political system is confronted witha systemic crisis. 10. Rigid criterion for NFC award. Another factor responsible for the crisis of federalism is very rigid or population-based criterion for NEC Award. Except Punjab, all other provinces have grievances over the formula of distribution of resources. For instance, Sindh demands allocation of resources according to revenue generation, Balochistan demands it on the basis of area and royalty. KP wants it to be devised keeping in view the factors such as relative backwardness or www jworldtimes.com February 2018 1 deprivation. Therefore this has also been an apple of discord among the provinces. 11. Politicization of ethnicity Another factor usually ascribed to the crisis of federalism in the Third World countries is the politicization of ethnicity, and Pakistan also is no exception. If a political system guarantees amicable settlement of disputes and demands of ethnic groups, ethnicity no longer causes any challenges. Otherwise, it becomes a severe challenge of federalism. 12. Failure to address this issue Another factor is our failure to address this issue in its true perspective which is to resolve it from bottom-up approach instead of top-down approach. Instead of accommodating genuine demands of provinces or federating units concerning lingual rights, provincial autonomy, decentralization and development of indigenous cultures, we tried to resolve this issue either through the use of force or through ad-hoc solutions e.g. One-Unit. Solutions i, Provincial autonomy through constitutional measures which may include: + Revision of distribution of powers between the centre and the provinces through constitutional amendments; «Transfer of subjects from Federal List to the Concurrent List; + Adding Provincial List; ‘Empowering the Senate of Pakista + Fiscal autonomy to provinces in order to address the {issue of vertical fiscal imbalance. 4i, Holistic solutions should be found to resolve the issue of provincial autonomy. iii, Pakistan should opt for people's federalism. iv. Pluralistic solution to the problems of federalism. v. Try to resolve problems keeping in view the historical diversities in the structure of governance of the federating units. vi, Creation of more provinces on lingual and administrative basis, vii, Allaying the fears of smaller provinces regarding the dominance of Punjab. viii, Devising NEC formula giving equal weight to all factors, not the population only. 8) The writer is the author of “Public Administration: Issues and Perspectives” Email: Iqrarz2009@live.comThe Hair- huhamm Diplomat American Board of Hair Restoration Surgery ~ Al if Se OUR LG LG eee) ea go for achieving excellence in Hair Transplant Surgery Dr. Muhammad Nasir Rashid, the founder of 1st chain of Hair Transplant clinics in Asia, after earning his degree of medical graduation from King Edward Medical College devoted himself for the research and development of Hair Transplant Surgery. During his 15 years tenure of valuable experience, Dr. Nasir Rashid had the privilege of working with internationally renowned World's top 10 Hair Transplant Surgeons and had the unique opportunity to acquire the most advanced expertise by utlizing the latest equipment and facilities in USA & Europe. This unique experience of working with World's Best Hair Transplant surgeons & being the 1st Asian Member of American Society of Hair Restoration Surgery has given him unbeatable edge over his counterparts. He is the only Hair Transplant Surgeon who specializes in NO-TOUCH AUTO INJECT Hair Transplant with powered FU.E Technology & holds a patent for it. The amazing results of his expertise & experience in this latest and most advanced technology can be very well seen in his celebrity patient's Hair Transplants on TV. He is ‘also.a member of ESHRS (France) & AIT Singapore & is the only American board certified Hair Transplant Surgeon in Asia. 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This is one of the reasons why Hair Club is the oniy firm in the industry today with its own extensive research department. research & NAUMAN EJAZ, Legendary TV-Super Star, after Hair Transplant Question: Can you tell us some details about your Hair Transplant surgery experience? Nauman Ejaz: Hair transplantis Not just about taking hair from the back & putting them onthe TM front. The real challenge is to design the hair line aesthetically align individual hair artistically in such a way that they do not look lke transplanted hair. |had seen so many hair transplant results of my different colleagues from showbiz but one thing they alllacked was a natural & undetectable hairline. | did extensive research on all the Local_& International clinics before selecting Dr. Nasir Rashid & after my ag Ae DrMohammad Nasir Rashid is one of the few ‘American Board certified Surgeons in the Region & has undergone extensive training with wortd’s top 10 surgeons at ISHRS, USA. He is accredited with numerous scientific publications & is the longest standing Member of |S.H.R.S, USA besides being the Founder of Hair Club International, one of the Asia's Leading Hair Restoration Clinic. He Practices ln UK, Malaysia, UAE, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh & Pakistan with Consultation Facilities in USA, Canada, Europe, Australia, Kuwait, Qatar & Bahrain. 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My fantastic results are in front of you now. | strongly recommend & guarantee that Dr. Nasir & Hai Club are the best in the whole of Asia, Dr. Nasir is ranked among the Top 10 Hair Transplant Surgeons of Asia & among Top 50 Hair Transplant ‘Surgeons of the World, ZX epicanx Hair cLuB) gM “® hairclub.com.pk (© PK: #92-3455-786-424 © v4: +44207-0633.77, un 971.585.0437,a TS The Fundamental Right to EDUCATION Is the state fulfilling its responsibility? ver since the dawn of modern civilization, education has played a pivotal role in building, Inourishing and sustaining societies. It is only after the Renaissance, Rebirth and Reformation, egged on by printing of books (Bible was one of them) that Europe was saved from the Dark Ages and it ushered in an era of modernization and reform which continued to become the benchmark for the whole world. The role of education in any context is as important as life itself. In today’s world, it has enhanced manifolds and has, thus, become a necessary condition for a society or a country that looks forward to progress, build and sustain its polity and ideology. Around the globe, people, organizations and institutions work and strive to unlock the enormous potential of their youth. Pakistan abounds with this precious asset. Itis the second largest country in terms of young population. However, with political, social and economic quagmires, the views of our politicos have become myopic. There is an urgent need to resurrect the institutions of our country and make them assume their responsibility and the role which they ought to play for the dissemination of knowledge and education. Being a lawyer, I would like to touch upon the legal dimension through this research article to prove that It is not only our moral duty but a legal obligation as well. With the 18'" Muhammad Usama Constitutional Amendment, the subject of education hi fallen into the exclusive domain of the provinces. This is ‘one of the reasons why the Fighteenth Amendment Act is popular for its element of provincial autonomy. The federal legislature has the power to legislate on the subject of education to the extent of federal territory only. But as for provinces, it cannot enact legislation except in the matters pertaining to higher education and research, scientific and technical institutions which fall within Part Mof Federal Legislative List. In Rana Aamer Raza Ashfaq and another Vs. Dr. Minhaj Ahmad Khan and another (2012 SCMR 6] the abovementioned view was maintained as: “Subject of Education [is] within the exclusive legislative domain of the Provinces.” Right to Education was also added as a Fundamental Right through the Constitution (Eighteenth Amendment) Act, 2010, under Article 25~A, which reads as follows: “The State shall provide free and compulsory education to all children of the age of five to sixteen years in such manner as may be determined by law.” And after the 18" Amendment, the prime responsibility of education lied on the shoulders of the provincial government. Miss Tahira Bibi in her research ‘Article 25-A Implications of Free and Compulsory Secondary Education’ says: “The implementation of this provision is on part of provincial government and there might be different levels of implications at different levels.” Former Chief Justice, Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, held in “Petition regarding Miserable Condition of the Schools” [2014 SCMR 396}: “After devolution of the subject of education to the provinces (by way of 8th Amendment to the Constitution), it was obligatory on the provincial governments to ensure that children of respective areas received education as a fundamental right at all tiers of the education system." Education in pre- and post-18th- Amendment scenario * Before the 18” Amendment, education as a subject was placed at Entry 32, under Part I of the Federal List which was moved to ‘www.jworldtimes.com February 2018CONIA provinces. + A new entry, number 12, “Standards in institutions for higher education and research, scientific and technical institutions” has been placed in Part Il of the FLL; thus, establishing a joint jurisdiction of both provinces and federation over this matter: Pre-18th-Amendment Education Before the 18" Amendment, education was acknowledged a aright inall prior Constitutions of Pakistan but was not justiciable. The 18° Amendment Act of 2010 has made this right justiclable, Moreover, education was a joint the Federal Legislative List (FLL) Part Il, as entry 7 through Subject of federation as well as provinces (as discussed Ge istanieninene above), but after the 18" Amendment, education fell ‘Part of the FLL had no entry relating to education prior _ Within the exclusive jurisdiction of the provinces. tothe Fighteenth Amendment. Poo) s in pmandment Baty ad fol ti Concern List Constitution (Eighteenth contained provisions related to peumeucinent As A2010)g kneettes education as “curriculum, syllabus, MO A@ MOM raat acmmm flowing entries to the Federal plannin, Legislative List Part II which pertains , policy, centres. of ‘ excellence and standards of Ce EU ag to education: education.” AU e cara mm (2 Entry 6: All regulatory authorities ‘With the abolition of the Concurrent Pp caecum ed eras List after the 18" amendment, all of MDE EatE ya Ci standarda.sin institutions of higher education and these functions except standards of higher education got transferred to repent acientine and’ ecunical The road to achieving SDG 4 In September 2000, leaders from around the globe adopted the United Nations Millennium Declaration. Pakistan was among the 193 signatories that committed to help achieve the eight international development goals which included achieving universal primary ‘education i.e. “ensuring that by 2016, children everywhere, boys and girls alike, will be able to complete a full course of primary schooling’. In parallel to the MDG commitment, Pakistan also pledged to achieve six education-elated goals by 2015 set under Education For l(EFA), a global movementled by UNESCO. Where we are itis disheartening to lear thatnotonly dd Pakistan come up shortin upholding itsintemational commitmentto ensure thatallits citizens have access to primary education as prescribed under the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) 2 but it also failed to meet its constitutional obligation of providing ll its children (between the ages of Sand 16 years) the access to free and compulsory education Now the worlds setto finalise the Education 2030 Agenda as apartof the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Education is represented by SDG 4 which aims to “ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong leaming opportunities for all” The goals set under SDG 4 are more comprehensive than the MDGS as they extend from primary to secondary and tertiary education and from access to the quality of leaming. However, the progress on MDG 2 and MDG 3, and the EFA goals paints a grim picture, The potential fr Pakistan to meetits SDG 4 obligations, therefore, needs tobe examined carefully. Despite a decrease inthe out-of-school children population in 2017 (ftom 25 milion to 24 milion), 47 percent of ll children between the ‘ages of 5 and 16 in Pakistan remain out of school. Of the children who do get enrolled, 31 percent drop out before they finish primary school, While a significant reduction has been observed in gender disparity, 52 percent of all girs within the age bracket ofS and 16 years in Pakistan are currently out of school compared to 43 percent of all boys. The aim of bringing to light the existing picture on the state of education in the country is to underscore the urgency of dealing with SDG 4 with greater seriousness and commitment than what was afforded to the MDGs. Without evidence-based policy decisions, adequate financial and human resource allocation, robust implementation and devout politcal wil, the SDG 4 targets are on track to be missed, across the board, Courtesy: Alf ilaan www.jworidtimes.com February 2018 59 4NATIONAL institutions (© Entry 13:Interprovincial matters and coordination ‘The following table shall lead to a clear idea about how the Constitution (Eighteenth Amendment) Act, 2010, resulted in jurisdictional shift of the subject of Education. Scbpet [Pr 1kAmendinand [Poet 1th Arandnent [Roto Eavsion|Remognaed but natalie [usicate by nsoron oT AGe ER Eswcaton fae & acon Prat sion Paming) [Feder Prov) [Cursn one sraaezan Pron aaeon Rater Eaton oe rsacron Fer san wi i manda Iccbcaue ties n Fadel eget stp ny 1) Based on this tabular status of education scenarios, it is quite clear that after the 18% Amendment, the federation has relinquished its control over the subject of education. Itis only the higher education that the federal legislature still has power to legislate on but that too falls in the FLL Part Il on which federation can enact but with the consultation of reconstituted and more empowered Council of Common Interests. Role of Federation in Education Although it is well settled that the subject of education has been completely devolved to the provinces, it does not, however, mean that the federation has nothing to do with education in Pakistan. Federal government cannot deny to enforce Article 25-A as a fundamental right of thecitizens, Article 25-A says that the state shall provide free and compulsory education. Now what constitutes the “state” or what falls within the definition of the state can be traced from Article 7 of the Constitution of Pakistan, 1973, which reads: “In this part, unless the context otherwise requires the state means the Federal Government [Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament), a Provincial Government, @ Provincial Assembly and such local or other authorities in Pakistan as are by law empowered to impose any tax or ca This means that the term “state” in Article 25-A includes not only provincial and local authorities but also the Parliament. ‘The federation can also not deny regarding Article 2-A which accentu- é outcomes? 00 Sone (=) 2/2 4)(2 [2] Teachers a ried ates the lifestyle in accordance with the teachings of Holy ‘Quran and Sunnah which lay great emphasis on education and its importance. ‘A research paper published by Pakistan Institute of Legislative Development and Transparency (PILDAT) covering the Responsibilities of Federal Government as to the enforcement of Article 25-A of the Constitution says that the Federation is obligated to provide “special financial support, monitoring and harmonization and enabling environment.” ‘The legal status of education, barring higher education, is pretty much clear after the 18” Amendment but have we such clarity on our education policy also? Are we targeting the right areas or are we just creating a public discourse to highlight the need of education? Is the approach of the government rightly directed to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) via connecting them to education or are we just allocating budget without any substantial target-oriented policies to attain the real objectives? ‘These are some of the questions ~ in fact, very relevant ‘ones - that need to be logically and pragmatically addressed! © Dropout rate at sommes ww jworltimes.com February 2018 =Introduction Following the suppression of the War of Independence of 1857, the burden of responsibilty fell squarely upon the ‘Muslims, though the Hindus had equally spearheaded the ‘revolt against the British. Whereas the Muslim found themselves in the bad books ofthe rulers, they latter took the Hindus for ther blue-eyed boy. The nightmare of ruthless persecution by the British haunted the Indian Muslims who, having lost their potical power and their past glory, had als to run the gauntlet of perennially-hostile community, the Hindus. Economically hard-pressed, poltically marginalize and intellectually retarded, the ‘Muslims saton the peripheral edge ofthe Indian socal fe At this critical juncture, Sir ‘Syed Ahmad Khan, the noted Muslim philosopher, socal activist and pragmatst, appeared as the messiah forthe Muslim community. With his pragmatism, Sir Syed Impressed upon the Indian Muslims to abandon the romantic illusions and il advised aversion tothe British regime in India ‘www.jworidtimes.com February 2018 ‘ ras Sir Syed Ahmed Khan & His Contribution to Muslim Resurgence Asifa Abbas ‘Sir Syed Ahmed Khan was born on October 17, 1817, to an illustrious family that was particularly known for sophistication and piety. His parents Syed Muhammad Muttaqi and Aziz—un-Nisa were from the lineage of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). He got nurtured in an educational milieu, He was formally educated in Arabic, Persian, Mathematics and Medicine. However, the death of his father in 1883 left the family tottering, and ultimately the onus of its upkeep fell on Sir Syed's shoulders. The Manof Laurels Syed was a man of multidimensional talents; he was a government servant, anlslamic scholar with vast scholarship, amature politician, an aristocrat, a journalist, a social reformist and, above all, an educationist strongly committed to resurrecting the overshadowed Muslim nation that was in a state of intellectual bankruptcy. He took great pains to impassion the socially-backward and educationally-torpid Muslims to reconcile themselves to the new system and march on to acquire the western education. He brought the fact home to them that the only outlet whereby they could ensure their escape out of the current quagmire was to focus only and only on education. It was through education only that they could make themselves capable enough to compete against the other ‘community on politico-educational fronts. If dwelt on obstinate resistance to the modern learning, he warned them cogently, they will be in. a state of perpetual doom. In this way, this old man with a young soul, naroused the deadened spirit of the Indian Muslims. Further, he was a historian and an archeologist of great excellence. He was a prolific writer who left behind a vast treasure in the form of books and articles. He wrote extensively on social and political issues. Sir Syed's Trinity of Ideas Sir Syed Ahmed Khan seriously contemplated the factors responsible for the decline of the Muslims. Having diagnosed the malady, he put forward the remedy in the form of Trinity of Ideas’ around which revolves his entire philosophy. 1,Rational approach to the government Though not alone, Muslims were in the forefront of the fight against the Britishers. Since the British had usurped power of the Muslims, they feared the potential threat they could pose to the British Raj. The apprehensions were further substantiated by the events of the 1857 War. ‘The Muslims, on the other hand, were distrustful of the new masters and averse to reconciling themselves to the css to remove the misunderstandings between Muslims and the British. 2.Noto political participation ‘The emergence of the Indian National Congress evoked a political fervour among the Indians leading to entry into politics of Indians in spates. With the national facade, the Congress turned out within no time to be an epicentre of anti-Muslim activity. Sir Syed's exhortation to the ‘Muslims was already that they should eschew politics until and unless they had bettered themselves education- ally and economically. Now that the Congress with its nominally national character was tempting the Muslims into its embrace, Sir Syed left no stone unturned to ask the Muslims to stay away from it. He continued with pressing them to focus on education only. 3.Reform through education Sir Syed strongly believed that any national or religious cause could be promoted only on the strong foundation of education. He was the champion of the modern western “Sir Saiyad was an ardent reformer and he wanted to reconcile modern scientific thought with religion by rational tic interpretations and not by attacking basic belief. He was anxious to push new education. He was in no way communally separatist. fepeatedly he iphasized that religious differences should have no political and national significance” Jawaharlal Nehru, First Prime Minister of India) entirely new system - which the Hindus were sharp to accept. The result was that the new Anglicised and educated colonial service-class of the Hindus emerged with the Muslims being reduced to the status of a blip on the radar. The traditional indifference of the conservative Muslim class to the western education at which Sir Syed ‘was particularly distressed had to be given up. He believed that the Indian Muslims should make friends with the new ‘masters and learn with an open heart the western science as it alone could make possible their salvation, It was a suicidal folly on the part of the Muslims to detach themselves from the western education system. At the same time, he attempted to dispel the suspicions the British had about the Muslims pleading with the former to revisit their policy vis-a-vis the latter, for the Muhammadans were as loyal subjects as the Hindus and others. He also inked many books and articles attempting 72 education. The first school he established was at Muradabad in 1859, followed by Victoria School at Ghazipur in 1863. The third school was established in 1874-1875 at Aligarh with the name MAO School which ‘was upgraded to the college as Muslim Anglo Oriental College in 1877. GL Graham in his “The Life and Works of Syed Ahmad Khan’ notes: “Syed Ahmad's motto was Educate, Educate, Educate. All the socio-political ills of India may be cured by this treatment. Cure the root and tree will flourish.” In 1869, Sir Syed accompanied his son Syed Mahmood to. England. Travelling across England, he visited various colleges and universities. He was very much inspired by the culture of learning established after the Renaissance. Upon his return to India, he started endeavouring to set up a college on the pattern of Oxford and Cambridge universities. www.jworidtimes.com February 2018In “The Educational and Social Ideas of Sir Syed Ahmed Khan’, Riazuddin H. Zobairi writes: “He (Syed Ahmad) was impressed by the practical eneray of the West. The resourcefulness, industry and thorough- ness of the white men had made Syed Ahmad their great admirer. Gradually he became convinced that it must be the western system of education which produced such promising results in Europe. Looking at the conditions of his own people, he concluded that the spread of modern education was the only cure.” It may be noted here that the Aligarh Movement, the supreme achievement of Sir Syed, was essentially an educational venture. Further, it was an amalgam of various endeavours carried out by him in the realm of social and educational reform. According to Dr Latif Kazmi, an associate professor of Philosophy at Aligarh Muslim University, Sir Syed Ahmad Khan magnificently contributed to the intellectual ‘movement of the 19th-century India. His profound vision "Sir Salyad’s vision and his laborious efforts to me aging times are highly com William's book about the Prophet and it has disturbed me. My heart is burnt to a cinder to see his prejudices and unfairness. I have made a firm resolve, and it was there since long, that I should write a biography of the Prophet. I don't care even ifall my money is spent, and Tam reduced tobeggary.” Sir Syed could write with nerve to bring to the face of the ruler of the day his flaws. Following the 1857 Mutiny or War of Independence, as the case may be, he penned the famous “The Causes of the Indian Revolt,” abooklet which put the blame squarely on the British policies. Itis taken as the best document to capture the realistic picture of the episode. It is necessary to mention here that when the Congress was founded by A.O. Hume who having been inspired by Sir Syed's ‘Causes of Indian Revolt’, thought of forming a social organization, SirSyed pleaded againstit. During his lifetime, he was heaped upon unimaginable obscenities by puritans and his adversaries alike. A t the demands of ndable. The dark post 1857 era indeed hopeless and only men like Raja Mohan Roy and Sir legacies were valuable but it was the future that a society was called upon to cope with. | offer my homage to Sir Salyad for his vision and courage that withstood all obstructions both from the friends and the foes’ (Mr, Inder Kumar Gujral, Former Prime Minister of India). “The real greatness of the man (Sir Saiyad) consists in the fact that he was the first Indian Muslim who felt the need of a fresh orientation of Islam and worked for it” {Sir Allama Iqbal) reached its zenith in the form of ‘Aligarh Movement’ the sole goal of which was to prepare Muslims to imbibe the scientific spirit of the modern times and climes. ‘Amanofnerves When Sir William Muir, an Orientalist scholar and a colonial administrator, wrote his “The Life of Mahomet” in ‘which he depicted a negative image of Islam, and the Holy Prophet (PBUH), Sir Syed could no longer sit in the defeatist acquiescence. The way he rebutted the arguments of Muir, and defended Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) defies words of admiration. Instead of running into hysteria of calling for banning or burning the book, he launched into a scholarly debate showing how to defeat the opponent in a civilized manner. He penned his own “Life of Mohammed (PBUH)” in which he responded each of the false and faulty claims of Muir with his counter arguments. He said: “My mind ts a bit agitated these days. Iam looking at Mr wonv,worldtimes.com February 2018 ae ‘number of bizarre Fatwas (religious edicts) were hurled at him calling him a pawn at the hands of the British ‘government. He was also termed an infidel. However, he remained firm in his mission. And his mission was reason and compassion. He stressed the rationalistic and progressive aspects of Islam. His rationalism was mostly misunderstood. His aim was to show to the world the lighter and milder side of Islam. Islam, he contested, was never static and rigidly dogmatic. Ashe said, "Do not show the face of Islam to others; instead show your face as the follower of true Islam representing character, knowledge, tolerance and piety. Call me by whatever names you like. I will not ask you for my salvation. But please, take pity on your children. Do something for them; send them to schools.” This shining star disappeared beyond the horizon on 27th of March 1898.80 The writer is an MPhil Scholar. 73ra PICHTS a EGA EL UEMURA) a There is no blinking at the fact that human rights have played an important role in promotion of a good society by making the Concepts of humanity and human dignity popular. Throughout the human history, autocratic governments have violated the fundamental concept of human dignity, and rights of human beings were violated on a large scale. Human rights are important in the relationships that exist between individuals and the government that has power over them. However, human rights mean that Lo this power's limited. States have to look after the basic needs of the people and protect their freedoms. The following discussion discourses the importance of human rights in aid of ‘humanity and promotion of a good society. Relationship between human rights and development Human rights and development both aim to promote wellbeing and freedom, based on the inherent dignity and equality of all people. The concern of human development is the realization of basic freedoms, such as having the choice to meet bodily requirements or to escape preventable diseases. Corruption and human rights Corruption compromises states’ ability to fulfil their obligation to promote, respect and protect human rights of individuals within their jurisdictions. The consequences of corruption are multiple; violating almost all the basic human rights — civil and political, economic, social and cultural rights. With the adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 2015 - and most notably in this regard, SDG 16 - awareness has spread within the UN system on the detrimental impact of corruption on human rights. Human rights and development ‘The Declaration on the Right to Development is now in its thirty-second year, yet remains as divisive as it was at the time of its adoption on 4 December 1986. While proponents of the right assert its relevance or primacy, sceptics relegate it to secondary importance or even deny \. Muhammad Shahid Rafique its existence altogether. In 2016, the 30thanniversary of the Declaration and the adoption of the SDGs (which explicitly recognize the right to development), and that of the Paris Agreement on climate change presented a new opportunity to replace this division with a common understanding, among states and other key stakeholders, as to what the right to development actually is; what it ‘means; why itis important; and howit should be realized. This project seeks to contribute to such realignment and help the international community move beyond misconceptions and toward realizing the right, together with all other rights, including the realization of the SDGs. The project aims, inter alia, to: present an objective analysis of the debate today; create a safe space for states and other stakeholders to confront misconceptions, build bridges and exchange views on the links between human rights and development, understand the role of the UN human rights system in contributing to sustainable development and the realization of the SDGs; and to identify gaps in that contribution. Human rights, climate change and disaster-induced cross-border displacement Climate change has enormous implications for the enjoyment of a wide range of internationally-protected human rights. This is especially the case for people already in vulnerable situations. Over the past 8 years, the international community has taken a number of steps to leverage human rights law and principles to strengtheninternational responses to global warming. One of the ‘most important human impacts of climate change will be on displacement. Already millions of people are forcibly displaced each year by natural disasters. With the effects of climate change, the frequency and intensity of such disasters will further increase, as will the number of people being displaced across borders. Yet, at present, the international protection framework for such scenarios is insufficient. Importance of human rights in overcoming poverty. ‘The economic empowerment of the world’s poorest people will remain only a dream unless their human rights are also duly considered. So, governments around the world ought not to separate development and basic rights UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS ‘YEARS when devising policies. Poverty, undoubtedly, remains hhigh in many regions of the world, particularly sub- Saharan Africa and parts of Asia. Empowerment cannot be achieved if development policies are pursued in a human rights vacuum, The UN Charter envisions a more equal, secure and just world in larger freedom. Human rights principles such as equality, participation and accountability and the rule of law are instrumental for development to take firm roots and be both equitable and sustainable. A human rights approach to development is essential as it puts people in control of their own lives. ‘Human rightsand terrorism Terrorism confronts us constantly with our responsibility to uphold the rights of the individuals. It has devastating consequences upon its victims’ rights to life, liberty and. security. The human cost of terrorism has been felt in www worldtimes.com February 2018 virtually every comer of the globe. Various countries have experienced the terror of multiple bomb attacks in which many people were killed, while many others have had their lives changed beyond recognition by terrible injuries and trauma -both mental and physical. ‘The fundamental obligation of any government is the protection of its individuals. States have an obligation to ensure the human rights of their people and others when taking measures to combat terrorism. What is vital to bear in mind is that the promotion and protection of human rights and effective counterterrorism measures are not conflicting goals; rather they are complementary and mutually reinforcing. However, the measures adopted by states to counter terrorism have often posed serious challenges to human rights. States engage in torture and other ill-treatment of suspects; the independence of the judiciary is undermined; the voices of human rights defenders, Journalists, minorities and civil society are stifled. More and more resources are channelled toward the security sector, to the detriment of economic and social development. All these practices, individually and ee uc (On 14 September 2017, Saad Afarargi, Special Rapporteur on the rightto development, delivered hs frst report tothe UN Human Rights, Council. The report highlights the disproportionate impact of global pandemics, coruption, the energy and climate criss, and other adverse global trends on the world's poor and those ving in Africa, least developed countries (LDCs), landlocked developing countries, (LLDCs) and Smallsiand Developing States (SIDS), In is frst report othe Counc, the Special Rapporteur laments that ‘many people are not even aware that such aright exis, although the LUN atoped the Decaration onthe Right to Development more than 30 years ago (in 1986). The Special Rapporteur aso observes thatthe right to development has become polcized, with the intemationl, ‘community fling to agree on what the right o development means or how tomeasure progress towards thisright. ‘The report outines the Special Rapporteur’ preliminary views, highiights implementation challenges and presents @ preiminary ‘strategy that wilinform his work, incuding his approach o stakeholder ‘engagement. Key challenges addressed in the report include politicization of the isve, lack of engagement in promating, protecting ‘ancfuliling this right, and adverse global trends, suchas the energy ‘and climate crisis, the increasing number of global disasters, corruption andl financial flows, icollectively, have a corrosive effect on human rights, the rule of law and good governance. They are also ‘counterproductive in combating terror. Between 2009 and 2013, there were 10,102 terrorist events, including failed attacks. Organizations working for human rights have tried to build international consensus and promote international standards for fighting terrorism. Counterterrorism strategies that do not commit to protecting the human rights of suspected perpetrators risk causing as much damage as terrorism itself. Our ability to claim these rights and to enjoy freedom and democracy must carry with it the responsibility to ensure that everyone is able to enjoy the basic human rights regardless of their ideology, ethnicity, gender, colour or creed. Human rights and migration Another considerable challenge to a HLH UT INSTITUTIONS iy be forced to resort to. irregular migrant channels, including smugglers, or fall prey to human traffickers. As the scale, scope and complexity of international migration has grown, states and other stakeholders have become increasingly aware of the need to engage in international dialogue to address migration, and to enhance the international governance of migration. Violations human rights of migrants, including denial of access to fundamental economic and social rights such as the right to education or the right to health, are often closely linked to discriminatory laws and practices. These violations are also the result of deep-seated attitudes of prejudice and xenophobia against migrants. Conclusion ‘Today, there is unprecedented stress being placed upon the international “States shail take resolute steps to eliminate the massive and flagrant violations of the human rights of peoples and human beings affected by situations such as those resulting from apartheid, all forms of racism and racial discrimination, colonialism, foreign domination and occupation, aggression, foreign interference and threats against national sovereignty, national unity and territorial integrity, threats of war and refusal to recognize the fundamental right of peoples to self-determination.” hhuman rights in today’s world is the sue of migration. UN estimates put worldwide IDPs at the end of 2014 at (60 million as compared to 40 million a decade ago. This staggering increase in IDPs shows the scale and urgency of the challenge. The human cost of migration has increased significantly over the last few years as people flee their homes in search ‘of protection and opportunity. Migration is a response to growing global inequalities, and is also an important economic and social phenomenon, While many migrants move to take advantage of increased opportunities out of genuine and informed choice, many others are compelled to leave their homes due to economic, social and political factors including poverty and a lack of decent work, social exclusion, persecution and armed conflict. In the absence of sufficient regular migrant opportunities, migrants can 76 — Declaration on the Right to Development (Article 5) human rights regime by crises of governance, terrorism, international economic problems and ideological chasms, to name a few. How we deal with these pressures defines who we are as a society. We as individuals must insist on claiming our human rights and we must ensure that others are able to do so as well. We must also collectively hold governments accountable for their commitments to protect the rights of tizens, and we must continue to insist on states’ faithful compliance with international human rights obligations. This is of the utmost and fundamental importance and potentially the defining challenge of the modernera. 6) The writer is a civil servant. \Wwww.jworidtimes.com February 2018ESS if EMD Me rh mec rattan 2™ Position Essay Is Populism Threatening the Liberal World Order? OUTLINE 1. Introduction “The roots of the once unchallengeable liberal world order are being shaken; populism has emerged to counter this world order.” What in populism? 2. Rising populism A threat to the liberal world order: 2.1 Trump's election 2.2 Brexit 2.3 Massive number of votes to AfD in Germany 2.4 Growing nationalism in countries like India 3. Era of triumph of the liberal world order: 3.1 End of the cold war: Victory of liberal capitalism 3.2 Francis Fukuyama's End of History’ 3.3 Ever-increasing globalization 4. Start of downfall of the liberal world order: 4.1. Economic downfall: (a) 2008 financial crisis (b)Rising unemployment (©) Increasing account deficit: Imbalance of imports and exports 4.2. Other vices brought by the liberal world order: (a) Global climate change (b) Trans-boundary terrorism (Cultural invasion (d) Drugs and human trafficking (©) Settlement problems due to mass migration 5. Shift towards populism: Rising xenophobia 6. What threats is populism posing to the liberal world order? 6.1 Border closure for immigrants 6.2 Cutting down investments 78 Dr Ayesha Khan 6.3 Greater chances of conflict due tonon-cooperation and lack of dialogue 6.4 More space for terrorists and extremists 6.5 Rising regional organizations against the global ones 6.6.A setback to global research and education 6.7 More chances of dictatorship against the democracy 7.Conclusion “The rising threat of populism to the liberal world § _ovdercanonly be countered by a saner approach.” iberal wwnw,worldtimes.com February 2018:ESTA The roots of the once unchallengeable liberal world order are being shaken; populism has emerged to counter this ‘world order. This is not a toothless statement. There are many incidents to support the argument. The election of the populist president Donald Trump, much talked about Brexit, the massive votes gained by the AfD, the neo-Naz in Germany's election and the growing nationalism in ‘countries like India are all but a testimony to this fact. No doubt, the liberal world order emerged victorious after the cold war. However, Francis Fukuyama was wrong to call it the End of History. The economic globalization promoted by the liberal world order not only led to severe economic crisis of 2008 and unemployment but also paved the way for many other evils. These include the global climate change, trans-border terrorism and drug-trafficking. Hence, in such a situation, populism gained popularity. It proved a saviour for those who were most severely affected by the liberal world order. Thus, in the present world, populism is threatening the liberal world order to an enormous level The most glaring example of rising populism is the election of Donald Trump as the President of the United States. An inexperi- enced, unpredictable and a populist man who gained popularity by his rhetoric of “America First", he was successful in convincing the people of America that the prevailing liberal order is the root cause of all their problems. He was against bridges and wanted to build walls. The common people suffering froma serious financial crisis and a rising unemployment were shown the dreams of a wonderland surrounded by walls. The most astonishing fact is that the people were convinced and Trump was elected the President of the United States. However, there was much more of it coming. After his lection as the President, Trump has withdrawn from the Paris Climate agreement, he has taken his country out of| the Trans-Pacific Plan and his much talked about immigration banis also a testimony to his populism. Relying on this trend, more populist politics can be expected from Trump. In such a situation, when the world power has bowed down before populism against the liberal world order, it is easy to estimate the threat populism is posing to the liberal world order. Realizing this rising populism, Wolf Gang Schnabel is rightly concerned when he says, “I warn against fuelling cheap populism.” wwrw,jworldtimes.com February 2018 ‘ Another very important proof of this threat posed by populism is “Brexit”. The Great Britain has decided to withdraw from the European Union which is the produce of the liberal world order. What Brexit means is that England no longer wants unchecked immigration to its territory. It wants to snatch the educational opportunities and the employment opportunities from the so-called ‘outsiders’ and return them toits natives. The 54% votes in favour of Brexit in a referendum shows that populism has emerged with a bang and is trying hard to replace the liberal world order. In this case, the liberalists are bound to cower over the threat posed by populism. Additionally, the huge number of votes AfD, the neo-Nazi party, won in the recent German election darkens the situation further. This shows that general masses are fed up of the liberal world order. This no more attracts them. What appeals to them now is a populist approach. An approach that is against this liberal world order that is skeptic about the present globalization and that promotes xenophobia. This is the moment of concern as populism's threat to the liberal world order cannot be denied. Last but not least, rising nationalism in countries like India also shows the strengthening of populism. People are not ready to accept outsiders in their country neither do they tolerate people of other religions, caste or ethnicity. This is the extreme form of populism, where xenophobia reaches to such a level as the people become suspicious about every unknown person and do not welcome the strangers. This is the very basic theme of liberal world order where countries are open for others to ‘come, live, work and invest in other's territory. However, this approach is now being threatened by the rising populism, 9Itwas way back after the World War Il when the conquest between the two world orders started. The one, ‘communism, was full of checks, balances and restrictions, ‘The other, capitalism, was the liberal one that promoted free market with no checks and balances. With the fall of the Soviet Union, capitalism won and Francis Fukuyama termed it “The End of History”. According to him, the liberal world order that emerged after the cold war is an unchallenged final world order with no further movement to challenge it. Unfortunately, +he was unaware at the time of the very strong populism ‘movement that was going to pose a threat to this liberal world order in the future. The liberal world order promoted free trade and free movement even across boundaries. It brought with it a wave of economic globalization. The developed countries started investing in the lesser developed ones. The free movement of goods, services and people started across the boundaries. The walls between the countries were replaced by bridges. The march of China from isolation to globalization is the best example to prove this fact. Nevertheless, this liberal world order came with its costs 4s predicted by Karl Marx. The world order that promised economic prosperity led to a global financial crisis in 2008, the aftershocks of which can still be felt. Moreover, as the doors for foreigners were opened, the locals had to share their jobs and resources with the newcomers. This led the locals to dislike the foreigners and blame them for their unemployment. Additionally, the flow of foreign goods paralyzed the industries of the consumer countries creating a wide account deficit. The example of Pakistan is worth mentioning. Its markets are flooded with Chinese ‘goods, its industries are toothless and the account deficit here is sky-high. ‘The story does not end here. This liberal world order paved the way for a global climate change where the under-developing countries have to pay the cost of industrialization in the developed ones. Terrorism, now, is not confined to particular countries. It has spread globally in the form of IS and other organizations. This liberal world order makes it easy for the terrorists to travel from country to country and spread their terror. Additionally, drug and human trafficking, cultural invasion and settlement problems due to mass migration areall the evils brought about by the liberal world order. With all these shortcomings, the liberal world order was bound to be criticized. The general public blames the liberal world order for all their woes. The people are not willing to take this world order anymore. This fact is demonstrated by the rising number of bigots who not only hate the Muslims in the United States but also want the blacks to leave their country. The English want to quit any joint venture like the European Union, and the story goes Resultantly, people now are more inclined towards populist leaders who promise to purify theirland from the aliens. For this sake even the non-populist leaders are adopting such slogans as hit the emotions of the people deeply. This populist movement caused the victory of ‘Trump and in Pakistan, it has changed even the extreme left parties to more or less rightists. The fact that is the norm of the day is that the more populist approach you have, the stronger chances are there for you to win public support. As such the rule (populism) is all about political expediency. The populists don't think about the consequences, they even do not know what one step ahead lies.” - Vladimir Putin It is, hence, a proven fact that the liberal world order is under grave threat from the rising populism. The borders ‘once opened owing to the liberal world order are now being closed. Countries are now becoming a no go sign for the immigrants. In a crisis of civil wars and terrorism in different states, the space for the masses fleeing from atrocities is shrinking, This is a point of concern. Moreover, the countries pursuing populist policies are among the world’s biggest investors. A lot of poor and ‘wwwjworldtimes.com February 2018Ea developing countries depend on funds from these countries. Once populism gains ground, these funds and investments would be cut down. This will cost nothing to the developed countries as they have already exploited the resources of other countries but the developing ones ‘may be deemed into severe economic crunch. In addition to this, populism means xenophobia. This ‘means that no one is going to trust the other. Hence, there will be no chances of cooperation as promoted by the liberal world order. This lack of cooperation and dialogue can lead to conflict. In the present nuclear world, even a minor conflict can lead to devastation. This lack of dialogue and cooperation is also creating a breeding space for terrorists and other extremist groups that are exploiting this opportunity to the fullest. ' { 4 Hs education and research that is promoted by the liberal world order. Itwas the liberal world order that opened the doors of the orientalist educational institutions for the occidents. Students and researchers went from their country to other countries with better opportunities of education and employment. Nevertheless, populism hampers this free flow of knowledge. Hence, populism ina number of ways fs posing a grave threat to the liberal world order. The liberal world order was once perceived as unchallengeable and the ultimate world order with no ‘opponents. However, rising populism is proving this wrong in the form of Trump's election, Brexit and the popularity of the AfD in Germany. No doubt, the liberal world order emerged victorious after the cold war and i Moreover, the rising regional organizations like SCO, ASEAN and BRICS against the global ones also demonstrate rising populism that is shrinking the scope of communication and dealings from a global level to a regional one. Another very grave threat populism poses to the liberal world order is that to democracy. Liberal world order means democracy. This means everyone has an equal voice and the leader is bound to deliver. As opposed to this, a populist leader is an authoritative one. The examples of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Donald Trump are in front of us where these populist leaders work with impunity and believe in the absolute concentration of power, “Besides the theocratic right, two other policies pose a threat to the liberal democracy: regressive populism and white supremist nationalism.” Chip Berlet Last but not least is the threat posed by populism to woww.jwordtimes.com February 2018 1 led to an unceasing globalization. Nevertheless, globalization with its economic and other vices compelled the people to turn their faces away from the liberal world order. In search of a remedy, they were encountered with populism that promised to reverse all their sufferings that were due to the liberal world order. The closing of borders for immigrants, cutting down investments, lack of cooperation and dialogue, closing the doors for trans- boundary research and the rising threat to democracy by the dictatorial attitude of the populist leaders are all but some of the threats that populism poses to the liberal world order. As Benjamin Netanyahu says, “Populism is dangerous.” In this world of rising populism, we can only hope that populism will not rise to such an extent as to crush the liberal world order completely. The rising threat of populism to the liberal world order can only be countered byasanerapproach. 81os M. Sheraz hile many have had their interest piqued, it can be challenging to understand the basics of bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. There are a few reasons for that. First, there is alot of technical language involved, particularly if you're trying to understand how the software works. Also, many cryptocurrencies are experimental ‘open-source projects and there is disagree | ment about how they should evolve among 4 i developers, miners and early investors who 1) fe have large holdings, and therefore a lot of 5 f - influence. Then there is the issue that the concept alone challenges many people's conventional notions of money Cryptocurrencies have been called everything from the future of currency to outright scams and Ponzi schemes. Cryptocurrency defined A cryptocurrency, also known as digital currency, is a digital or virtual currency that uses cryptography for security. It is just some lines of a computer code that hold monetary value. Those lines of code are created by electricity and high-performance computers A cryptocurrency is difficult to counterfeit because of this security feature. This form of digital public money is created by painstaking mathematical computations and policed by millions of computer users called. ‘miners Physically, there is nothing to hold. A defining feature of a cryptocurrency, and arguably its most endearing allure, is its organic nature; itis not issued by any central authority, rendering it theoretically immune to government interference or manipulation, Bitcoin: The first eryptocurrency The first cryptocurrency to capture the public cryptocurrencies during the recent o imagination was bitcoin. No one knows exactly who created it - cryptocurrencies are designed for maximum anonymity - but bitcoins first Le ULCER appeared in 2009 by an individual or group nversations, in the money market, even in ATMs. T known under the pseudonym. Satoshi Nakamoto who has since disappeared and left behind abitcoin fortune. eee cuacmt orate Cryptocurrencies are secured through one- Peet EEE way cryptography, the enciphering and deciphering of messages in secret code or cipher. Many of them rely on publicblockchain technology - a distributed ledger of all transactions that is decentralized and unable to be changed under most circumstances as CRC ee investors, financial compani 82 www.jworidtimes.com February 2018long as nobody controls more than 50% of the computing power on the network. Because bitcoin was the first cryptocurrency to exist, all digital currencies created since then are called Altcoins, or alternative coins. Litecoin, Peercoin, Feathercoin, Ethereum and hundreds of other coins are all Altcoins because they are not bitcoin. Howdoesit work? “pitcoin is nothing more than a mobile app or computer programme that provides a personal bitcoin wallet and allows a user to send and receive bitcoins with them. This ishow bitcoin works for most users," bitcoin.org says. The bitcoin network has recorded details of all transactions ever made. A transaction's authenticity is ensured through digital signatures. "All users have full control over sending bitcoins from their own addresses... Anyone can process transactions using the computing power of specialised hardware and earna reward in bitcoins for thi service. How bitcoin and eryptocurrencies areused? ‘There are some merchants that accept bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies directly from a user's wallet. Even though some of them have very high prices, they are divisible into very small fractions. bitcoin, for example, is divisible down toa “satoshi”, which represents 0.00000001 of one bitcoin. Some companies have created ATMs where you can use US dollars and other fiat currencies to buy bitcoin and sell them to get cash. ‘There are also companies that have created debit cards where you can convert bitcoin into dollars and use just peedigital finance: eee ta transaction eee en cnet contract rpiseurreney “eB lock chain “teedata abitco tein” marketeych ANP viriTals=” wivw,worltimes,com February 2018 ‘ Renmei legalise bitcoins ma Pome ital idiaiees INaNC sie, eT Zou Cla nice Ue Se cryptocurrency and the State Bank of Pakistan's a ae eee underground exchange of cryptocurrenci ue ee Bitcoins on websites, Facebook and WhatsApp SATOSHI NAKAMOTO NTO eri Eve CIMT a like you would any other debit card. Other cryptocurrencies have more specific uses and are used to pay for services ona certain network. For example, Ether is the digital currency used for operating smart contracts on the Ethereum network. What miners do? Everybody can be a miner. Since a decentralized network has no authority to delegate this task, a cryptocurrency needs some kind of mechanism to prevent one ruling party from abusing it. Imagine someone creates thousands of peers and spreads forged transactions. The system would break immediately. AF So, Satoshi set the rule that the miners need to invest some work of their computers to qualify for this task. In fact, they have to find a hash ~a product of a cryptographic function - that connects the new block with its predecessor. This is called the Proof-of- Work. In Bitcoin, it is based on the SHA 256 Hash algorithm, Isitsafe tousethe technology? The bitcoin technology — the protocol and the cryptography — has a strong security track record, and the bitcoin network is probably the biggest distributed ‘computing project in the world. Bitcoin's most common, vulnerability is in user error. Bitcoin wallet files that store the necessary private keys can be accidentally deleted, lost or stolen. This is pretty similar to physical cash stored in a digital form. Fortunately, users can employ sound security practices to protect their money or use service providers that offer good levels of security and insurance against theft or loss,” bitcoin.org says. However, a Tokyo-based bourse halted withdrawals ay er 83after detecting “unusual activity’. It later abruptly stopped trading, An unverified document circulating on the internet purporting to be a crisis plan for Mt. Gox said more than 744,000 bitcoins were "missing due to malleability-related theft. ‘Transactional properties: (1) Irreversible: After confirmation, a transaction can't be reversed. By nobody. And nobody means nobody. Not ‘you, not your bank, not the president of the United States, not Satoshi, not your miner. If you send money, you send it. No one can help you, if you sent your funds to a scammer or if a hacker stole them from your computer. There is no safety net. (2) Pseudonymous: Neither transactions nor accounts are connected to real-world identities. You receive Bitcoins on so-called addresses, which are randomly seeming chains of around 30 characters. While it is usually possible to analyze the transaction flow, itis not necessarily possible to connect the real-world identity of users with those address (3) Fast and globai: Transactions are propagated nearly {instantly in the network and are confirmed in a couple of minutes. Since they happen in a global network of computers, they are completely indifferent of your physical location. Itdoes n't matter ifI send Bitcoin to my neighbour or to someone on the other side of the world. (4) Secure: Cryptocurrency funds are locked in a public key cryptography system. Only the owner of the private key can send cryptocurrency. Strong cryptography and the magic of big numbers makes it impossible to break this scheme. (5) Permissiontess: You don't have to ask anybody to use cryptocurrency. It's just a software that everybody can download for free. After you installed it, you can receive and send Bitcoins or other cryptocurrencies. No one can prevent you. There is no gatekeeper. Cryptocurrency: benefits and drawbacks Cryptocurrencies. make it easier to transfer funds between two parties in a transaction; these transfers are facilitated through the use of public and private keys for security purposes. These fund transfers are done with minimal processing fees, allowing users to avoid the steep fees charged by most banks and financial institutions for wire transfers. Central to the genius of Bitcoin is the block chain it uses to store an online ledger of all the transactions that have ever been conducted using bitcoins, providing a data structure for this ledger that is exposed to a limited threat from hackers and can be copied across all computers running Bitcoin software. Many experts see this block chain as having important uses in technolo~ gies, such as online voting and crowdfunding, and major 84 a a5 I ihe ‘Cryptocuerncies are digital and cannot be counterfeted or reversed arbitrary bythe ‘sender, as with cred card charge-backs “Ene cng op pea chs a ed ti a Ra pre ty ‘Spr netmaneyporny sectors nae ‘oer sonny Cale Se occa (Gnipiodseettoatins lth py pone feces wna ic neg aan arin rihton ate cps ste sunset tod The asprin 2b nda wih ase et rae ores ts era aes sr eta sles Tse ces pede Cree) mat Kos IMPESk pr ame one ted rant anes areg seine onset acon eee wht ee Karo ‘nga eo alt ate pe ap. En pecan were aeeee es ‘eerste ac ‘eee sree era eieaepaarieniea tenes tear (Site nah bb ores Seesnorn te Pg sme ac ane wwrw,worldtimes.com February 2018financial institutions such as JP Morgan Chase see potential in cryptocurrencies to lower transaction costs by making payment processing more efficient. However, because cryptocurrencies are virtual and do not have a central repository, a digital cryptocurrency balance can be wiped out by a computer crash if a backup copy of the holdings does not exist. Since prices are based on supply and demand, the rate at which a cryptocurrency can be exchanged for another currency can fluctuate Did Yow Know? OPES Cn em Pen En eas eee ee eo Te mem Aenea widely, Cryptocurrencies are not immune to the threat of hacking, In Bitcoin's short history, the company has been subject to over 40 thefts, including a few that exceeded $1 million in value. Still, many observers look at cryptocurrencies as hope that a currency can exist that preserves value, facilitates exchange, is more transportable than hard ‘metals, and is outside the influence of central banks and governments. ‘Common Cryptocurrency Terms Here are some of the basic, non-technical terms you are likely to come across as you read about cryptocurrencies: ‘Address: Sort of like an e-mail address, you can share your coin-specific address so somebody can send coins to you. Unlike e- mail, people can have many different addresses and itis typically recommended that you generate a unique one for every transaction. Altcoin: Short for alternative coin, the term is 8 ier? ce Bra ah www.jworldtimes.com February 2018 1 WoRLOWiDE. DECENTRALIZED ‘PEERTO.PEER NETWORK ‘ued cory deny commonly used to describe any cryptocurrency other than bitcoin, Blockchain: A cryptographically protected distributed ledger made up of blocks that contain transaction history. As the blockchain grows longer and longer, it becomes increasingly difficult toalter older transactions, Fork: A software fork occurs when there is a change to the original programme, which can result in a split of the original blockchain and the creation of a new coin—Bitcoin Cash and Ethereum Classic are two examples of coins created from forks. There can be hard forks, soft forks and accidental forks. Hodt: Traced back to a drunken, profanity-laced ‘misspelling in a forum posting, the term has become the battle cry for early cryptocurrency adopters that are holding onto coins regardless of price volatility. Initial Coin Offering (ICO): An ICO, also known as a token sale, is a means of crowdfunding where a company offers a new coin in exchange for fiat currency (US dollars for example) or a digital currency (Bitcoin, Ether, Litecoin, etc.) Typically, the funds they received are used to develop the new concept, and the token they issued will be used to transact on their network once it is launched. Both China and South Korea have banned ICOs, and the SEC has stated that they could be considered the offer and sale of securities depending on the circumstances of the offering. ‘Smart Contract: An agreement thatis written in computer code and automatically executes when certain conditions are met. Some networks, most notably Ethereum, support smart contracts while others do not. Wallet: A cryptocurrency wallet stores private and public keys, which are necessary to send and receive coins. There are hardware, software and paper wallets. Hardware and paper wallets are typically considered more secure than software wallets, although there are pros and cons associated with each. If you lose your private key and can’t access your wallet through backup methods, you will never be able to recover your coins and they are effectively removed from circulation. 6) OTE 5One of the most prominent aspects of Islam is that it attempts to moralize every walk of life. All social institutions (religious, political, economic, educational, recreational and legal) are structured in such a way that the enabling societal conditions are provided where an individual's as well as a society's collective advancement is ensured within strong moral precepts. The ‘same is the case with economic institution of Islam that seeks ‘equitable distribution of resources, end of economic exploitation, mainstreaming of marginalized segments of society and elimination of poverty with its moralized fundamentals of economy and finance, Aftab H. Wahla Yi Islamic finance refers to the provision of financial services as per Islamic jurisprudence (Shariah). Shariah bans all forms of Riba (interest) whether on commercial loans or on personal ones, gambling and short sale, and also prohibits all business activities that maybe harmful to society such as trade of alcohol and other such drugs. Fair treatment and sanctity of honour are, in principle, important pillars of the Islamic finan: The whole edifice of Islamic finance has been underpinned by the real economic activities and it implies that investments are made in tangible properties and businesses, and the risk associated with investmentsis shared by all parties involved. As per Islamic viewpoint, money is only a way of determining the value of something; it has no value itself. So, generating more money by simply saving ‘money in banks or lending it to someone on interest is not allowed. Islamic banks are funded by non-interest current account as well as profit-sharing investment accounts where the investor receives ex-post profit (based on actual results rather than forecasts) that is determined by the profitability of banks or the pool of assets financed thereby. Traditional means of earning money in conventional banking systems like loans, mortgage and charging interest on them are avoided in Islamic finance. The Shariah-compliant banks use the depositors’ money to acquire assets and share any profit earned thereupon with the depositor. So, Islamic banks do not ‘engage in lending but these banks deal with sales, lease, profit-and-loss-sharing financing and fee-based services. All transactions, transfers, ownerships and purchases are made in real goods among the parties and the return hinges on the profitability of underlying transactions. The principal amount is not guaranteed and instead of interest, the debtors provide predetermined and periodie payments tothebanks based upon expected profits earned from investments. Islamic finance reveals itself in many different forms and hues. Broadly speaking, economic activities based on Islamic finance can be classified into three categories: 1. Debt-like financial products such as sales that could be with markup, or deferred payments, are known as Murabahaha, These products can be in the form of purchases with deferred delivery of products which is called as Salam for basic products and istisna for manufactured products. Sukuk bonds can also be placed under this category of which Jjara is the most common type that is Islamic finance's version of leasing. [ara is asset-based leasing in which the issuer transfers the ownership of some tangible assets to bondholder and pledges to give predetermined rent to the bondholder until the maturity of bond, 86 ‘www.jworldtimes.com February 20182. Another category is profit-and-loss-sharing financial products. These are further of two types: (a) Profit~ sharing and loss-bearing known as Mudarbah, and (b) profit-and-loss sharing known as Musharkah, Under Mudarbah arrangement, the financier (whether bank or investor) provides capital and beneficiary provides labour and skills. In this arrangement, profit is shared and loss is borne by the financier. As name indicates Musharakah is arrangement under which two parties have equity-like financing of projects and they share profits and losses. 3, The third form of Islamic finance provides different services such as safe-keeping contracts as current account known as Waliah or agency contract known as Wakalah used for market transactions. In addition, equity market, investment funds, insurance (Takaful) and micro-financing are other services provided in Islamic banking. Islamic finance or Islamic banking is fast- ‘emerging as a parallel to the conventional banking system. It has been expanding at the rate of 10 to 12 percent and its total assets, at present, are valued nearly USS 1.9 trillion, The fast-growing importance and relevance of Islamic finance is mainly due to the following factors: 1. It provides unique opportunities of extending the banking services to OIC member states whose majority populations are under- served and excluded from safety nets provided by the conventional banking system, The abject poverty, untapped natural and human resources and religious tendency to avoid interest-based economic activities make Islamic banking a profitable sector for developing and underdeveloped Muslim countries. So interest-free banking. system should be the choice of majority of Muslim population. Islamic finance has the potential to foster financial inclusion, especially for those who are reluctant to undertake economic activities due to religious and cultural reservations associated with conventional banking system. This would result into equitable distribution of resources and availability of untapped human resource, thus ensuring inclusive development on sustained basis. Risk-sharing feature and prohibition of speculation can be instrumental in avoiding the systemic risks associated with conventional financial management. The principles of risk-sharing and asset-based financing help promote www.jworidtimes.com February 2018 ed better risk management by both financial institutions and customers and this results into increased stake for both parties and their cautious approach translates into relative stability. ‘The emphasis of Islamic finance on real economies ensures macro- and microeconomic stability as equity and investment in real business help promote stable and productive banking system and financial capital does not lead to artificially bloated asset prices. Thus the overall element of uncertainty is eliminated and investors continue to make investments. Asset-based financing and risk- sharing features mean that Islamic financing would prove helpful for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and it can help promote investment in public infrastructure. SMEs play a critical role in the elimination of poverty and empowerment of downtrodden segments of society. In addition to risk-sharing, the strong link of capital to the collateral indicates that Islamic banking is well suited to SMEs, ‘and especially Sukuk (Islamic bonds) have shown their importance in the realm of infrastructure finance as it is helpful in supporting investment and economic growth led by SMEs. Islamic finance or Islamic banking is founded on strong ethical precepts. The underlying ethical precepts provide an important basis for high level of ethical conduct, governance and customer protections The moralized concept of finance adds another distinction to this system as conventional financial system believes in ruthless race of increasing wealth without any regard for the legitimacy orillegitimacy of sources of income. Financial Crisis 2008 or Global Financial Crisis proved the resilience of Islamic finance to withstand the recession. ‘The resilience of Islamic banking resides in its emphasis on doing business in real economy. Islamic banking was less exposed to the toxic assets that contaminated the global financial system. As per an IMF report, the asset ‘quality and capitalization of Islamic finance are better ae er, * 87than those of the conventional banking system. The humanitarian approach of Islamic finance is also unique feature of this system. Different financial instruments such as Zakat and Wagf (charitable endowment) can generate resources on sustained basis to eliminate poverty and other social ills such as illiteracy and unemployment. Particularly Zakat, which is collected for mitigating the sufferings of the poor and the needy. Despite the advantages and opportunities provided by Islamic finance, it is facing multiple challenges that have hindered the full exploitation of its potential Islamic finance is unique form of financial system that necessitates corresponding supervision and regulation, ‘The most daunting challenge Islamic finance is confront {ng today is the one posed by regulatory and supervisory frameworks that are designed for conventional banking system, not for Islamic finance. This is the reason of relatively slow-paced development of this system. In addition to non-conducive regulatory environment, near~ absence of innovation is also proving a mighty roadblock in the way of Islamic finance. ‘There are very few Muslim countries that have developed full-fledged Islamic deposit insurance scheme with premium invested in Shariah~ compliant assets. The safety nets and resolution framework to ensure the resolution of disputes remain underdeveloped. Furthermore, the tax and. regulatory mechanism of majority of Muslim countries is proving counter-productive for Islamic financing and it is operating where legal rules, financial infrastructure and access to safety nets and liquidity are absence. Monetary policy formulation for Islamic finance and its implementation are facing constrains due to scarcity of Shariah-compliant monetary instruments and Islamic scholars with expertise in money transmission mechanism. The absence of consensus on different Islamic Finance's products and instruments among different schools of thought is further hindering the outreach of Islamicbanks. It is general tendency on the part of experts to structure the Islamic banking on the pattern of conventional banking system with a few modifications. This results into the same risks factors (market, credit and operational) that plague the conventional banking and people begin to consider Islamic banking as the other side of same coin. So, people show lack of interest in this banking. In addition to these, Islamic finance is facing structural problems as well. One of them is as to how to counteract the devaluation of paper currency without interest. The Islamic scholars have yet to solve this issue. Although Islamic banking is facing multi-faceted problems, its potential cannot be ignored. That's why both the World Bank and the IMF are offering financial and technical assistance for Islamic financing. The World Bank has introduced investment projects that use Islamic financing. World Bank treasury issues varieties of Islamic instruments such as Sukuk and International Financial Corporation has issued $100 million worth trust certificate, IMF has played very determinant role in the establishment of Islamic Financial Service Board and it is providing assistance and training to assist countries seeking to strengthen regulatory and supervisory framework of Islamicbanking. Apart from global financial institutes, national governments are also investing in Islamic investment. UK government's issuance of Sukuk Bondiis such an example. Islamic financial system is unique because its underlying philosophy seeks to end poverty and economic exploitation. It is provision of interest-free financial services. It reveals itself in different forms and has huge a ae) potential to bring about massive transformation in the lives of the people of developing and underdeveloped countries. It offers many opportunities and advantages as compared to the conventional banking system, Although itis confronting many challenges, the presence of strong legal institutions that protect property rights and ensure enforcement of contracts, the standardization and harmonization of regulations across the countries and reforms in national tax, monetary and fiscal policies would go a long way in erecting the edifice of Islamic finance on sustained basis. The enactment of appropriate, enabling environment that is characterized by effective partnership and level playing fields is also imperative in reaping the rich fruit produced by Islamic financial system. 8) The writer is a graduate of University of Agriculture, Faisalabad. He writes on national and international affairs. ‘www jworldtimes.com February 2018