ﮐﺮﮐﮯ ﮨﺮ ﺭﻭﺯ ﻧﯿﺎ ﻭﻋﺪۂ ﺗﺠﺪﯾﺪِ ﻭﻓﺎ
ﺻﺎﻑ ﮐﮩﮧ ﺩﯾﺠﺌﮯ ﺍﺏ ﺩﻝ ﻧﮧ ﺟﻼﺋﮯ ﮐﻮﺋﯽ
Tuesday, August 2, 2016
ﺩﯾﺎ ﮨﻮﮞ ﻣﯿﮟ، ﺑﺠﮭﺎ ﺩﻭ ﯾﺎ ﻣﺠﮭﮯ ﺗﺴﻠﯿﻢ ﮐﺮﻟﻮ
ﺩﯾﺎ ﮨﻮﮞ ﻣﯿﮟ، ﺑﺠﮭﺎ ﺩﻭ ﯾﺎ ﻣﺠﮭﮯ ﺗﺴﻠﯿﻢ ﮐﺮﻟﻮ
ﮨﻮﺍﺅ ،ﺗﻢ ﻣﺮﮮ ﭼﺎﺭﻭﮞ ﻃﺮﻑ ﮨﻮ، ﺟﺎﻧﺘﺎ ﮨﻮﮞ
ﮔﮭﺮ ﺗﻮ ﭘﯿﺎﺭﺍ ﮨﮯ ﮨﻤﯿﮟ ﺍﺏ ﺑﮭﯽ ﺭﮒ ﺟﺎﮞ ﮐﯽ ﻃﺮﺡ
ﮔﮭﺮ ﺗﻮ ﭘﯿﺎﺭﺍ ﮨﮯ ﮨﻤﯿﮟ ﺍﺏ ﺑﮭﯽ ﺭﮒ ﺟﺎﮞ ﮐﯽ ﻃﺮﺡ
ﮔﮭﺮ ﮐﺎ ﻣﺎﺣﻮﻝ ﻣﮕﺮ ﻧﻘﻞ ﻣﮑﺎﻧﯽ ﻣﺎﻧﮕﮯ
Monday, August 1, 2016
Indian Ocean Power Struggle: Pakistan Responding India
The third largest ocean in the world, the Indian Ocean, which can be characterized as a gateway, linking the East with the West and different regions of the world. The rising geo-politics in the Indian Ocean can be directed as power struggle between states to increase their influence and impact in the region. The international world lately has been buzzing with assessments and critique on Indian naval projection in Indian Ocean and also the sea-based nuclear deterrence around the region of Indo–Pacific.
Since the last decade the concept of Asian Century is been extensively used and the factors like increased economies, big markets, trade routes and access to resources and energy has shaped the geo-politics of Asia. The Indian Ocean encloses these rising economies and with that have the access to the necessary choke points. As Rear Admiral Alfred Mahan said, “whoever attained the maritime supremacy in Indian Ocean will become an important actor internationally.”
Also, whoever controls the Indian Ocean will be dominating Asia. Today, Asia has the potential to be the biggest market economy and the Indian ocean is the key to all the seven sea of the world. In the twenty first century, the future of the world will be decided depending on these seven seas. Since then, the Indian Ocean has become a centre point of power struggle among many regional players.
Pakistan is troubled and worried by the latest Indian development in Indian Ocean, especially the recent tests conducted by submarine launched, nuclear capable ballistic missile. These gestures of India in Indian Ocean, although are directed towards the Chinese modernization of their naval forces, yet they disturb the delicate balance of strategic stability in South Asia. New Delhi has also confirmed the testing of a K4 missile, also a submarine launched, having the capacity to carry the nuclear warhead up to the range of 3500 km.
The worrisome moment for Pakistan which is causing frequent frictions and has raised tensions among the international world is India did not inform Pakistan of these tests. As in 1988, both India and Pakistan have given a mutual understanding regarding prior information of each others missiles tests. Another agreement was signed in 2005 between both states on the pre-notification on the ballistic missile test for the both states to avoid any sort of misunderstanding and direct confrontation.
The accelerated growth of India’s nuclear development and the nuclearization of Indian Ocean will greatly upset the strategic balance of South Asia. The evolving nuclear dimensions in Indian Ocean is making Islamabad jump in a new competition of nuclear race with its arch rival India, hence creating an alarming situation at the international arena.
Both states today are said to be building their naval forces. So far, India been the largest importer of weapon in South Asia, has already assigned around $16 billion for the development of its nuclear submarines and the naval warships. There are also reports that suggest India is developing around 160 navy ships, few stealth destroyers and also anti-submarines corvettes.
If Pakistani side is viewed, Islamabad has just approved a proposal to buy diesel-electric submarines. If looked, eighteen years back, Pakistan was forced to be a nuclear weapon state when India first exploded its nuclear device in May 1998. Even that moment, Pakistan waited and looked towards the international community to take action against India but in vain. Pakistan having no other option, became a nuclear weapon state.
In the similar context, Pakistan today had requested United Nations not to let Indian Ocean be a nuclear zone. But Pakistan also needs to look for different avenues to neutralize the Indian developments in Indian Ocean by having a permanent solution to the existing problem, Pakistan’s initiative for a submarine launched cruise missile (Hatf-7-Babur).
The explorations made by the Gulf States highlighted the worth of the Indian Ocean economically; however these explorations are also the biggest factor, which has caused such a power struggle in Indian Ocean. Today Indian Ocean has become a point of competition between China, India and Pakistan.
The bilateral disagreements between China and India and also between Pakistan and India are acting as a catalyst which is escalating the nuclear activities in the region. Although, Pakistan has considered putting up a proposal calling for making Indian Ocean a Nuclear free zone which might be difficult owing to the region’s geographical importance and the ongoing power struggle.
The question which concerns many academicians and analysts is, if India’s nuclear development is aimed against China then why and for what Pakistan is entering into a nuclear race with India. The answer can be easily understood by taking an example from the past, India’s nuclear explosion of 1998 was directed against China’s explosion as India felt vulnerable, they were compelled to make necessary steps to deter China.
India’s explosion created a direct security dilemma for Pakistan whose sovereignty was put at stake. Also the fact that international community seemed to be at ease with the Indian nuclear explosion. It was not a knee jerk reaction for Pakistan to take such a decision but it was compelled by the actions of India.
Today as Indians are forced to respond to the Chinese threat in sea based nuclear developments, Pakistan is also forced to respond to the threats which arise by the accelerated nuclear sea based growth of India to stabilize the unique line of deterrence, which India keeps upsetting. Pakistan’s minimal deterrence strategy is what has kept a balance and reduced the possibility of a nuclear attack.
US or China; Who Should Pakistan Side with?
US President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama with Chinese President Xi Jinping and first lady Peng Liyuan before the State Dinner at the White House: Reuters
The world politics is a theatre of ever changing interests and partnerships. The recent visit by Chinese president Xi-Jinping to the United States signifies that China and the United States are looking forward to enforcing normalization of relations between them. Even though the task looks daunting especially because of their competing interests in the South China Sea, the way has been opened for talks and deliberations. The meeting of the two Presidents is being hailed as quite important not just for the two states but for their respective allies as well.
While the two major powers are engaged and working on finding an amicable solution to their outstanding issues, Pakistan is faced with a serious question which probably is not new but needs a more immediate attention than ever before, i.e. In wake of the changing regional dynamics, which of the two states should Pakistan be focusing on while contemplating on its future strategic alliances; China or the US?
The answer might seem obvious but is not very easy to follow through despite the realization that US has been exploiting Pakistan’s dependency in return for all its “favors”. It is specifically difficult for Pakistan to decide because it continues to be an important ally for both the states. Nonetheless, looking closely at the emerging regional realities might help Pakistani officials to arrive at some logical decisions.
China is a re-emerging power, and the most trusted partner of Pakistan. It has always been inclined on developing Pakistan to give it a stable economic, military and political foothold in the region, and views Pakistan as an effective counterweight against India. Pakistan has also been able to reap huge benefits in terms of its economic and security interests. China continues to support Pakistan on Kashmir issue.
Both share a long history of cooperation in various sectors including, defence and energy. At present China is the biggest investor in Pakistan, committed to the infrastructural developments through CPEC. Another significant dimension to consider is that both Pakistan and China have never been skeptical of each other’s intentions even when they are pursuing parallel relations with the US and India respectively.
The continued drone strikes on Pakistani soil, terming Pakistan a strategic key ally in US’ war against Terrorism while making it suffer unimaginable number of causalities fighting Al-Qaeda and Taliban since more than a decade now and still asking Pakistan to “do more”, all of this implies that US remains skeptical of Pakistan’s efforts and commitment. Moreover in the wake of US’ forces leaving Afghanistan, the coalition support fund is also being suspended despite the fact that Pakistan would need it more than ever before to fight against the extremist elements inside and outside its borders, a byproduct of WOT.
History seems to be repeating itself where during the Cold War, after having achieved its objective against Soviet Russia, the US left Pakistan on its own to deal with Jihadis, drugs and Kalashnikov culture. On top of all this US is now actively forging strategic alliance with India, further weakening Pakistan’s position in the region. At the same time the US is offering nuclear concessions and NSG waiver to India even though it is not an NPT signatory. This discriminatory policy by the US provides sufficient rationale for Pakistan to seek much closer ties with China.
In the light of these facts, it seems Pakistan might have already made a decision where it is gradually tilting more towards China, aiming to decrease its reliance over the US. At the same time the closeness between US and India and suspension of CSF further indicates that Pakistan may not be required as a front line ally by the US; however the CPEC project on the other hand naturally puts Pakistan in the front seat with China. No doubt Pakistan needs to re-visit its strategic relationship with the US and find a better alternative, which in this case is China.
However the “obvious” does not mean “easy”. The fact that US has infiltrated deep into Pakistan, physically and even diplomatically, and that financially Pakistan is liable to IMF being under the huge burden of debt, makes it nearly impossible to break away from these multi-layered shackles.
Pakistan needs to tread carefully in line with its national interests. China is an anchor against which Pakistan has always found support and it is looking more promising than ever. Once this understanding has been developed, the diplomatic machinery needs to churn out plausible route through which Pakistan can create more robust economic linkages with China and work towards charting a mechanism of reaping swift economic and strategic dividends. That’s the only option available to Pakistan as it cannot possibly afford a public breakup with the US despite having the right to do so.
The Consequences of Brexit
Finally Britons have decided their destiny by departing from the European Union through a referendum. This historic decision is bound to be marred with so many political, social and economical implications. It is the greatest catastrophe to befall the union in its history of almost six decades. No state has shunned the union before and this is going to be a hard-hitting challenge for the government to go forward without it.
The Brexit ramifications will affect the Britain economy and its immigration policy. The fate of Scotland, and Northern Ireland will remain in a limbo as it has to be seen whether they would want to continue to stay in federation or invoke the referendum as both were in favor of staying with European Union. The referendum result will strengthen the separatists in both states. Dealing with this new reality will be a tough challenge for new political leadership.
As far as economical ramifications are concerned, it is likely that the country go into a recession since she has to revise the different economic agreements with 27 countries. It is going to be a tough task for the government to maintain Britain’s position in economic terms. Economists argue that leaving the EU might shrink economy by 3.8 to 7.5 percent by the end of 2030.
The realization of the Brexit ramifications is also very strong. Hardly a day has been passed and there are loud calls demanding a vote re-run as a petition for vote re-run passed 2.4 million. Also, David Lammy MP called for parliament to block Brexit.
Now it remains to be seen how the Britain comes out of the post-referendum situation especially the issue of millions of immigrants and British residents living in the EU countries and how it maintains its territorial integrity with its three joint states.
SCO Expansion: Prospects for Pakistan
Pakistan moved nearer last month to join a regional security and economic coalition led by China and Russia, a move seen to enhance the importance of the organization. Pakistan has become full member of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) after signing Memorandum of Obligations (MoOs) in SCO’s Heads of State Summit at Tashkent.
Pakistan has been an observer at SCO since 2005. It has been a regular contributor in the meetings of SCO and was the first SCO observer to apply for full membership in 2010. The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) was created in June 2001, comprising China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
The recent approval of granting permanent membership has raised many hopes about the future of cooperation and tenacity of many persisting disputes and the critical issues which have been a bone of contention in the South Asian region.
Present era is the era of connectivity, so we can rightly interpret that SCO expansion is timely and Pakistan will be looking to play an important role in the region. Pakistan’s insertion in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) would be advantageous for the whole region. Pakistan’s geostrategic location allows it to become a source for regional economic incorporation among the SCO member states.
The expansion would enable the organization to prevent extra-regional pressures. With Pakistan’s eternal membership and enormous experience in the context, new measures and joint projects can also be taken for countering violent radicalism in the region.
Pakistan had attained excellent success in the internationally highly praised operation ‘Zarb-e-Azb’ and could share precious knowledge with the SCO member states. Pakistan’s role and experience as a frontline state in combating terrorism and extremism, which can be an asset to the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) and the Regional Counter Terrorism Structure (RCTS).
With the addition of Pakistan, the collective efforts by member states to counter terrorism and violent extremism will attain an important ally, as we have been effectively countering this menace for over a decade now. The internationally lauded Operation Zarb-e-Azb, which has reclaimed our national space from terrorists, is a prime example of the successes achieved by Pakistan in this context.
Pakistan permanent membership will help SCO embrace the world and will act like a bridge. From last four decades, Pakistan has suffered the War on terrorism and SCO can play a significant role in erasing the misperceptions about our country surrounding whole the world. It has become obvious particularly in the outcome of the War on Terror, that this part of the globe once again finds itself left to consider with the consequences of an imposed conflict, and to assemble the pieces of societies and structures that have been crushed by decades of conflict.
Economically, Pakistan will be the best medium between SCO countries and the South Asian region, providing the shortest possible trade routes between Central Asia and Iran on the one hand, and the Russian, Chinese and Indian markets on the other. And it will enhance trade itself by tying the region together with new energy corridors. No doubt that Pakistan’s inclusion will inculcate new might into the organization.
The country’s entry will open doors of opportunity for all SCO member states. It will boost the organization’s appeal and influence within the international arena, and strengthen its future development, setting it on the path to become a leading regional cooperation organization.
Particularly after Pakistan and India’s membership, if the SCO successfully managed its significant role in bridging relationship of the two nuclear rival neighbors then it would definitely be a sign of turning point to jot down a new history which will of course, encourage and attract many other states to come under the SCO umbrella.
Apart from the issue of SCO’s role in the region’s economic development and members’ security issues, a particular emphasize is required for the result oriented efforts to resolve core issues like Kashmir, Siachen, Sir Creek etc on priority basis. Otherwise even after granting permanent membership to Pakistan and India, the outcome would be no more than a further divide in the Organization particularly by crafting the conception of organization within the organization where two sides would be supported by their respective supporting states.
For that matter, we all need to work for the betterment of the country and be proud of what we have achieved by being part of the SCO Forum. We must take the first collective step towards diminishing the distances and misunderstandings between us, and work towards the betterment and prosperity of entire region. It was a long wait but is worth it.
Thus the much-awaited expansion of SCO would provide great opportunities to Pakistan keeping in view its geo-political, geo-strategic and geo-economic features and engagements.
Abdul Sattar Edhi – An Angel of Mercy
Very few persons in the world rose to such a high level of prominence that even the opponents find it very difficult to oppose their mission and have no option but to praise their contributions. Abdul Sattar Edhi was one of those personalities. He died after suffering from kidney failure and diabetes related problems. A selfless person who lived his entire life for others, who despite the owner of world’s largest ambulance service (1500 ambulances) as well as nursing homes, orphanages, clinics and women’s shelters, along with rehabilitation centers and soup kitchens across the country, lived in a small two-bedroom apartment and lived a very simple life.
The height of simplicity and selflessness is that he asked his family to bury him in his own clothes. We have often heard the phrase in the news during last few days, “He built an empire out of nothing”. It is not an exaggeration. He literally built this vast network out of nothing. He masterminded Pakistan’s largest welfare organization almost single-handedly, entirely with public donations.
When he was eleven, his mother became paralyzed from a stroke and she died when Edhi was 19. His personal experiences and care for his mother during her illness, caused him to develop a system of services for old, mentally ill and challenged people.
He never finished school but later said that the world of suffering became his tutor. After migration to Karachi in 1947, he made a living at first by working as a commission agent selling cloth at the Karachi wholesale market. A few years later, he started a free Bantva dispensary with the support of some community members. That was the start of his charity work.
Later, he planned for developing a systemized welfare service and drew a persistent and wide response for donations, expanding the trust at a remarkable pace. He first set up a maternity home and the emergency ambulance service in Karachi. Meanwhile, he met Bilquis Bano( Later she became Bilquis Edhi) , who was working as nurse at his dispensary. They married in 1965. The couple has four children, two daughters and two sons. Bilquis Edhi ran the free maternity home and organized adoption of abandoned children.
Edhi remained involved in the Edhi Foundation, from raising funds to helping with ritual bathing of the bodies of the deceased poor. He also personally drove one of the network’s ambulances across Karachi to help anyone in need.
Later Edhi’s foundation started providing technical and religious education to the disadvantaged street children. The foundation also provides consultations on family planning and maternity services, as well as free legal aid, financial and medical support to prisoners and the handicapped.
Since its inception, the Edhi Foundation has rescued over 20,000 abandoned infants, rehabilitated over 50,000 orphans and has trained over 40,000 nurses. It also runs more than 330 welfare centres in rural and urban Pakistan which operate as food kitchens, rehabilitation homes, shelters for abandoned women and children and clinics for the mentally handicapped.
His work earned him numerous awards at home and abroad, including the Gandhi Peace Award, the 2007 UNESCO Madanjeet Singh Prize, the 2011 London Peace Award, the 2008 Seoul Peace Award and the Hamdan Award for Volunteers in Humanitarian Medical Service.
Edhi Saheb’s insistence on helping people regardless of their background (especially religion), and his criticism of orthodox clerics drew the ire of some extremist Islamist groups over the years. Some criticized him for helping non-Muslims, while other clerics accused him of promoting adultery by encouraging people to leave unwanted children born out of wedlock in his organization’s care, in cradles placed outside the foundation’s orphanages.
His critics have remained a small minority in Pakistan, however, and his foundation is one of the most revered institutions in the country. “In a country where trust in public figures and institutions has never been high and has been eroded over time, Mr. Edhi’s was a cause that everyone could get behind and support without fear of being let down. Everyone was ready to contribute because they trusted him. They knew that their donations will be used appropriately.
In 2013, The Huffington Post said that he might be the world’s greatest living humanitarian. BBC wrote that he was considered “Pakistan’s most respected figure and was seen by some as almost a saint. He was known as Angel of Mercy and was considered Pakistan’s “most respected” and legendary figure.
His last wishes included the request that his organs were to be donated but due to his ill health, only his corneas were suitable. Even after his death, he continued his service to humanity. His corneas were transplanted into two blind persons and now they got their vision back.
Government of Pakistan needs to declare 9th July as national charity day in remembrance of his services and provide all kinds of possible assistance to his heirs in order to continue his mission.
Abdul Sattar Edhi was one of his kinds. We may never see a person like him. He will be missed forever. May God rest his soul in peace.
President Ghani’s Blame Game and The Afghan Peace Process
Afghan President Ashraf Ghani has once again resorted to using allegations against Pakistan regarding its commitment and honesty to the Afghan Peace Process. While accusing Pakistan for the apparent stalemate in the talks, President Ghani stressed that it was largely because Pakistan has adopted a discriminatory approach and is keeping a distinction of good and bad Taliban and showing leniency towards them. According to him, such a policy by Pakistani leadership is reflective of its half hearted pledge to making the peace process successful. While President Ghani may have his reasons, right or wrong, to doubt Pakistan, one can’t help but wonder why Afghan leadership is so distrustful of Pakistan’s effort.
What can be done about it and why is it that whatever efforts Pakistan has been making, are not being acknowledged by the Afghan counterpart? It’s a fact that the Afghan Peace Process was set in motion and has recently gained momentum by the dedicated efforts of Pakistan. This has been duly appreciated by the US as well. There is no doubt that the peace in Afghanistan is closely linked to peace in Pakistan as whatever elements cause disruption to stability in Afghanistan have direct repercussions to the peace and stability in Pakistan.
Doubting and distrusting Pakistan is not going to resolve the situation. No one can deny that Pakistan has its stakes in Afghanistan. The need to have a functional and progressing neighbor along its Western border is not only going to be of great benefit to Pakistan but will also add to the regional stability.
Despite all these factual arguments, Pakistan is directly blamed for any derelictions in the peace process. It is a general rule that in order for any negotiations or talks to evolve and culminate successfully, the beginning point is to have trust in the intentions of each other, to have faith that the stakeholders are truly committed to the objective. If this basic ingredient is missing, the succeeding efforts will not stand much chance. In the recent case scenario, the trust not only seems to be largely lacking but the situation has been made even worse by broadcasting the insecurities and suspicions at the international forum.
Such political immaturity on part of Afghan leadership is not only alarming but also raises suspicions about the prospects of success for the future of peace process. There is no harm in voicing the grievances, but ideally they should be discussed and communicated bilaterally instead of trumpeting it out loud to the world. Here the intention of President Ghani clearly was to malign and tarnish Pakistan’s image and to disregard all the previous efforts it so far has made for the peace process. This also shows that Afghan leadership does not want to give peace a chance, instead is more interested in delaying the process.
The Afghan leadership needs to keep in mind that while there already are enough sabotaging factors on a look out for the chance to derail the progress, such allegations and blame game will only serve as a force multiplier for the anti-peace elements. Hence it needs to end its obsession with blaming and suspecting Pakistan every now and then for its efforts. It’s not just the RAW operating on the Afghan soil, working against the interest of both Pakistan and Afghanistan but there are several local Afghan’s who do not support any initiative taken by Pakistan.
This is where Afghan government needs to first and foremost concentrate its efforts. Pakistan and its security forces cannot miraculously make the peace process successful or help Afghanistan unless the Afghan government itself tries to put its house in order first. Pakistan on its part has always been lauded by the US state department for its support to the peace process. Pakistan continues to maintain its policy of “Afghan-led and Afghan-owned” peace process.
The need of the hour is to devise a trust building mechanism where such kind of statements should especially be avoided to be pronounced on the international platforms. Otherwise the recurring hurling of blames only emphasizes the fact that Afghanistan is itself more responsible for the hiccups in the peace process and for jeopardizing the future prospects of its success. Pakistani government should deal with such situations at two levels: First, it should come up with a good verbal response and emphatically refute these unfound allegations; Secondly, it should take prudent diplomatic measures and highlight its constructive role and dedication to the peace process at the local and international level through all the mediums available.
Pakistan needs to be more proactive without being defensive and reactionary to Afghan insecurities. Failing to do so will not only have adverse effect on the Afghan peace process but will also allow the country like Afghanistan to take disrespect Pakistan, which no country especially not a nuclear state deserves to be treated as.
If the anti-dialogue factors in Afghanistan are not dealt with properly, the sustainability and progress on the peace process cannot be guaranteed. The future of the peace in Afghanistan will remain bleak with adverse effect for Pakistan too. A strong political will is required on both sides of the border, more on Afghan side to let the trust be cultivated. Otherwise all the stakeholders could be in for a long haul without much hope for the efforts to materialize successfully.
Protest Against Trump Outside Republican National Convention
Protests continue outside the Republican national convention at Cleveland against Trump and Mike Pence nomination. Donald Trump and Mike Pence were officially selected to be the Republican Party’s nominees for president and vice president.
Protesters, who were a mix of various ethnicity and religions such as Muslims, Blacks and Mexicans, held placards with slogans such as “Dump Trump” and “Stop Trump” written on them.
They said Trump was bent on creating hatred based on ethnic lines which was against the basic tenets of American philosophy. “I do not want my children to grow up hating people because they are Muslims, Blacks or Mexicans, a society Trump is trying to create”, said a protester.
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