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Showing posts from October, 2021

From false flags to surgical strikes

A false-flag operation is when a country carries out a covert operation and blames the enemy country. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/2ZQCbUa

Enter the metaverse

The world as we know it is becoming virtual as we speak. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3mv5lkf

Back to the drawing board

Presenting dossiers on India’s state-sponsored terrorism to the world or announcing countermeasures to Indian misinformation and disinformation campaigns against Pakistan has not produced any tangible results. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/2ZMVaPt

Past in Perspective

“A tyrant’s trust dishonors those who earn it. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/2ZBSrrO

Auto parts and export potential

The automobile industry is one of the leading driving economic forces in the world. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/31m8LOt

PACES 2021

The Pakistan army is a firm believer of the fact that peace is the only way to development and prosperity. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3GGaWwu

The TLP solution

Recent protests by the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), and response by the Government of Pakistan, have laid bare our State’s inability to conceive and implement permanent solutions to the myriad of domestic fault-lines that run through our politico-religious diaspora. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3nJWlr1

Past in Perspective

“Do one thing every day that scares you. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3bq3NSe

The strategy of alliances

Over the years the US has perfected and executed an extremely well-articulated strategy to establish an incontestable sphere of influence and strategic reach all over the globe. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/2ZI2cFk

Pause and reflect

One hears and watches with utter incredulity the demands being heaped on the Afghan Taliban government soon after the complete and forced exit from Afghanistan by the US and allied forces. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3EoPNVo

From Miawand to El Alamein: Colonel Sardar Afzal Khan, MC

In 1880, a military legend was borne on the dusty plains east of Helmand by the rear-guard of the 66 Foot and the stand at Maiwand of its last eleven soldiers who perished in a final charge. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/2XX1wef

Past in Perspective

“The US is determined to stay on the offensive and to pursue the terrorists wherever they train, or sleep, or attempt to set down roots. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3GLtNX1

Together for peace and development

The presence of US troops and their allied forces in Afghanistan, as well as their embarrassing, catastrophic departure, has left in its wake an overwhelmingly disorganised country and an agitated and anguished nation, causing an ambiguous future for a country which suffered military invasion in a modern fashion under the clichéd slogan of. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3Elwk7W

Indian occupation of IIOJ&K

October 27 marked 74 years of Indian occupation of IIOJ&K, and as usual a Black Day was observed by the people of IIOJ&K, the Kashmiri diaspora around the world and in Pakistan. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3blgw8R

Nobel Prize in Literature to an African writer

Every year in October, the Swedish Academy in Stockholm announces the prestigious Nobel Prizes, in physics, chemistry, medicine and literature, as well as the memorial prize in economics. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3vWvYBG

Past in Perspective

“You never change things by fighting the existing reality. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3GB2A9o

50 years in the UN: China true to its aspirations

On October 25, Chinese President Xi Jinping addressed the Conference marking the 50th Anniversary of the Restoration of the Lawful Seat of the People’s Republic of China in the United Nations, saying that “The restoration of New China’s lawful seat in the United Nations was a momentous event for the world and the United Nations. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3jKGlDR

Basic etiquettes

My exposure to foreigners came after I entered my professional life. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/2Zwb3cR

Shining India dims

India stakes its claim of being a regional power with aspirations of becoming a global one. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3Gqvqci

Past in Perspective

“Death wins nothing here, gnawing wings that amputate–then spread, lift up, fly. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3mhWWke

Backing up words with deeds

The Kashmir dispute is one of the oldest unresolved international problems in the world which is still pending on the agenda of the UN Security Council since 1948. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3EjKUNh

Syed Ali Geelani and the freedom movement

The most important aspect of the life of Geelani Sahib was that he concentrated on his aim. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3BkYluq

A flawed economic model

One step forward, two steps backwards—every time we think that Pakistan’s economy is headed in the right direction, in comes the reversal followed invariably by a freefall, sending us even lower in terms of per capita, currency value, debt, deficits, inflation and above all enhanced poverty. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3BiAEDf

Past in Perspective

“In the depth of winter, I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3mjhj0m

China-US competition

The transition from an all-out to “practical contest” presents a space for the Indo-Pacific. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3EifZRs

The darkest day

Historically speaking, Kashmiris have a pretty large number of ‘darkest’ days in the bloody struggle for freedom from the Indian shackles of slavery. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3pDMEx2

Developing the mineral sector

On August 4, 2021 I was waiting to meet the Federal Secretary Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources to discuss the gasification of Thar Coal. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3nx79Zx

Past in Perspective

Piercings have been common throughout human history. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/2ZlD8mW

Digital media and society

The theory of Mass Society and Mass Communication have both been in play since the origin of media. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3b73gEY

Pakistan Saudi ties

The foundation of bilateral relations was laid down in 1951 when a treaty of friendship was signed between two countries; Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3Gknnhe

FATF is here to stay

The good news is that at the end of a three-day meeting on October 22, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) did not place Pakistan in the black list. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/2XKrFgq

Past in Perspective

A healthy democracy requires a decent society; it requires that we are honorable, generous, tolerant and respectful. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3BmXolH

Regional response to restructuring

Apart from Pakistan, the bordering countries of Afghanistan—Iran, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Russia and China have a long history of connectivity and interest in Afghanistan. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3BbNpiR

The China and Taiwan standoff

Earlier this month China celebrated its National Day with a ceremony marked with parades, patriotic chants, a flag-raising ceremony, stretches of anthuriums and sunflower displays, and a new record of plane incursions into Taiwan’s airspace. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3pxlDvc

PTI’s crisis of governance

There is an undeniable crisis of governance in Pakistan. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3vCsqER

Past in Perspective

“Climbing Mount Everest was the biggest mistake I’ve ever made in my life. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3ntqAm6

CPEC’s OLMT on a successful streak

On October 25, 2021 the Orange Line Metro Train is all set to complete its one year of prolific operation with a total ridership exceeding 20 million. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3GfGVmU

Retributive justice

The question of having the death penalty is again in the news and its existence is being questioned. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3nmwdlW

The future of Pak-US relations

Generally it is believed that relations between any two countries are dependent on the behaviour of the two with each other. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3GdF4yJ

Past in Perspective

“Let us not forget that revolutions are accomplished through people, although they be nameless. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3E91jnS

Learning from serious crimes

Crimes happen, accidents happen, old traditions and structures that are harmful to many people change slowly, and the poor will always be with us—and the rich. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3E6wTT0

Eid Milad-un-Nabi celebrations

Eid Milad-un-Nabi, the birthday of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) whom Allah called Rehmatul Almeen (Blessing/Mercy for all worlds) in Sura Al-Anbia in Quran, has always been celebrated with great religious zeal and fervour. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3C73wPU

Economic management: strange policymaking?

Time and again, one has tried to explain that keeping an emerging economy on track needs long-term vision, a sustainable commitment on the path of growth and above all, patience that aims at building institutions through underlying structural reforms. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3m2MiO0

Past in Perspective

“In fifth grade, when I first learned about the rift of Pangea, I cried. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3m3eKzp

Unwarranted confrontation

Our law books either have old laws of colonial times or have no laws to deal with several critical national issues and hence we face various problems while dealing with significant matters. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/2Zd3k3i

The internal therapist

As awareness of mental health is gaining momentum in Pakistan, two things are happening as a result that have an opposite effect. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/2Zi5MFP

Afghanistan—Can the region help?

The past four decades have shown that it was not without a rationale that the poet of the East, Allama Iqbal, described Afghanistan as “the heart of Asia”. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3lXrK9Q

Past in Perspective

“Lets talk of graves, of worms, and epitaphs. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3G6qGbv

Eating grass

It was Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto (ZAB) who assured a demoralised nation; “We will build the bomb even if we have to eat grass”. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/2YZEILg

Modi’s India

Just as India is a big democratic country, it is also the biggest violator of human rights in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3vqSSRz

Treasure in Afghanistan

Torn by four decades of war and desperate poverty, Afghanistan is believed to be sitting on one of the richest troves of minerals in the world. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/2Z6V6tI

Past in Perspective

Edward Said was a professor of literature at Columbia University, a public intellectual, and a founder of the academic field of postcolonial studies. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3FZ1yn9

The north-south divide in India

The oldest racial group in India is Adivasis, or the aboriginals, who live in areas extending from Assam in the North East to Kanyakumari in the South. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3lNayUq

Equilibrium disruption

The logistics industry is one of the most complex forms of business, particularly at the transnational level. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3FULNO0

Is the Afghan conflict over?

In the deafening one-sided interest-centric and ego-prone environment, sane voices are unable to make any inroads. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3FVkgvM

Past in Perspective

“And if you don’t believe the sun will rise, stand alone and greet the coming night in the last remaining light. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3DTeXeO

Reposture in the CASA region

The new challenge for the US military and intelligence community at hand is to accomplish President Joe Biden’s vow to fight terrorists left behind after 20 years of war in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/30yDNSK

The rocky road of Pak-US ties

“We don’t see ourselves building a broad relationship with Pakistan,” is what the US Deputy Secretary of State, Wendy Sherman said to Mr Jamshed Godrej at a talk in New Delhi, a few hours before leaving for Islamabad. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3vjqAs8

The Undoing of ‘incredible India’

More than two years on from Modi’s revocation of Article 370—resulting in the illegal annexation of Kashmir and imposition of a draconian curfew across the valley—the world seems to have woken up to the reality of BJP’s fascist Hindutva regime. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/30Dr80Z

Past in Perspective

“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3DIvKkk

US’ strategic designs for Asia

The US has thus been forced to redefine and reconstruct its policy towards Asia. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3pbNy3o

Introducing alternate coins

Altcoins are also known as alternative currencies. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/2YVNuda

COP26 as the turning point: From climate negotiations to solutions

The evidence is clear. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3aJ7sKM

Past in Perspective

“It is not possible either to trick or escape the mind of Zeus. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3ANUVAn

Bringing hope to the city of lights

Karachi, the city of lights, is one of the largest cities in Pakistan with over 16 million people according to the 2017 census. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3AJWije

Data protection and privacy

A security guard requests for your ID card. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3p1FPF9

The die is cast

Before coming to Islamabad, US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman, while speaking in Mumbai had made it very clear that the United States was not interested in a broad-based relationship with Pakistan, beyond Afghanistan. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3AJWi2I

Past in Perspective

“Death is not the greatest loss in life. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/2XieTpc

Quality control and competitiveness

Generally, quality control (QC) has been defined as a system of maintaining standards in manufactured products by testing a sample of the output against the specification, while quality assurance (QA) has been defined as the maintenance of a desired level of quality in a service or product, especially employing attention to every stage of the. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3p1lGz8

Don’t exist

It’s not the first time and it won’t be the last time that I express my frustration for living in a patriarchal society; with a definite majority of misogynist and sexually-frustrated men who will grab any opportunity to control women, sexually harass them or use any explicit or implicit way to determine their superiority over women. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3FJ3PTo

Nobel Peace Prize 2021

It is only the third time in the history of the Nobel Peace Prize that journalism and media have been awarded the prize. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3p1gxac

Past in Perspective

“Talk sense to a fool and he calls you foolish. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3mQpC2H

A single school system

The human will and ingenuity have often helped them survive and seek the most miraculous and innovative means to rise even through the most trying, tragic and terrible times. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3iZ1EBj

Curiosity or conformity?

Content absorption is an ongoing process. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3AzELKH

Neglect, cynicism, and nice but too late

A quarter century ago, when the two-state solution was still possible and we were optimistic that there was a path to get there, I was co-chairing Builders for Peace (BfP), a post-Oslo project launched by then Vice President Al Gore. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3DA3ksP

Past in Perspective

“In a rich moonlit garden, flowers open beneath the eyes of entire nations terrified to acknowledge the simplicity of the beauty of peace. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3oX2pPh

Seeking guidance

Misguided nations invariably perish. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/2YFl2MW

Improving facilities

Pakistan is invariably blessed in every sense, more specifically when it comes to natural and scenic beauty. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3lyr8qS

Luxury EVs and foreign exchange

In the world we live in, all Electric Vehicles (EVs) are in the luxury segment. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3FNHtAj

Past in Perspective

Hassan Sardar was one of the most talented hockey players that Pakistan ever produced. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3FCC4Mk

America bites the bullet

The eye-opening revelations to the US Congress made candidly by its military leadership have not only confirmed already known facts about America’s longest war in history but also exposed some deep-rooted inter-se scruples in the country’s political and military leadership. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/2YvoVDz

China-India standoff

The Sino-Indian border is divided; the western sector is known as Aksai Chin and the Eastern sector comprises of Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3oTHjB9

Resource distribution amongst provinces

Pakistan is a federal democracy. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3Au1JTx

Past in Perspective

“The theory of evolution is quite rightly called the greatest unifying theory in biology. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3iNlX4y

Voices through social movements

Social movements are a major platform for those who feel their voices have not been heard or find their single voice lost in the cacophony of stubborn structures and systems. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3FtpaAd

A new hard power alliance

The 76th session of the UN General Assembly last month, convened in the absence of one of the most important world leaders. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3oN0PiB

Essence of madrassa reform

In the aftermath of the Taliban government’s takeover of Kabul, many in Pakistan fear a ‘fundamentalist spillover’ in our country. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3oNfTwX

Past in Perspective

“We shall overcome, some day,”–Pete Seeger Pete Seeger, a folk singer, was present at the time Dr. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3iI3iar

A new Cold War

The US and allies’ exit from Afghanistan and the Middle East followed by marshalling of new alliances in the Asia-Pacific region like Quad (USA, Australia, Japan, India) professed to become a mini NATO before the latest military alliance named AUKUS (Australia, UK and USA). from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3DlOw0X

Introduction to cryptocurrency - PART-II

“There will never be another Bitcoin”Flashback to 2008: “Satoshi Nakamoto” didn’t create bitcoin to get personally rich. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3Dpr4jn

Governance, transparency and accountability

Public expenditure is a means through which governments the world over carry out their operations to achieve their strategic objectives. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3mFEAIG

Past in Perspective

I hated every minute of training, but I said, ‘Don’t quit. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3Dspvkv

A truth commission on TTP

Pakistan is passing through the worst span of its history when it is facing a serious economic crisis, sharp depreciation of the Rupee, an abnormal reduction in the growth rate, increase in inflation, trouble on its eastern and western borders, pressure from the IMF, and its impact on the common man and unchecked corruption coupled with nepotism. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3uRKz0U

Lakhimpur and fascism in India

Modi’s India has recorded another chapter in fascism, this time it’s the district of Lakhimpur with a substantial Sikh population in Uttar Pradesh (UP). from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/2WQ6UiK

Preventing the flight of money

Corruption and the misuse of authority by public figures is a universal phenomenon with varying degrees and is more pronounced in developing and poor countries where the people at the helm of affairs build their own fortunes instead of changing the economic situation of their citizens. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3mQvvx9

Past in Perspective

Liberty cannot be preserved without general knowledge among the people. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3akImBy

Love redefined

Love is a funny thing; the most trustworthy and the most mistrusting feeling at the same time. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/2Yunfug

CS indemnity and accountability

A very handsome civil servant from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sultan Hayat, who died a few months ago, once told me that he initially joined the Pakistan Navy and was posted as ADCG of the then President Chaudhry Fazal Elahi on deputation. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3uQHs9j

Learning to cooperate in politics

After the recent general elections in several European countries and in Canada, I have written about the fact that political parties have to cooperate and make coalition governments; gone are mostly the days when one or even two parties could form majority governments. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/2YuncP6

Past in Perspective

We live in a fantasy world, a world of illusion. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3Ak8Z44

A catalyst for nuclear proliferation

The recent Australia, United Kingdom and United States (AUKUS) announcement about the provision of nuclear-powered submarines by the US and UK to Australia through a build and design project has set a new norm in international relations, power politics and nuclear proliferation. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3uKbATM

Policies during the pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has placed enormous stress on governments, health authorities and individuals across the world, with the total global death count estimated at 4. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3iDluSC

The battle for the Pak Rupee—II

Pakistan’s economy seems to be slipping and unless we change course quickly the quagmire may simply become too messy to escape from. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3DirVT4

Past in Perspective

“In a society governed passively by free markets and free elections, organized greed always defeats disorganized democracy. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3mvP5ya

The AUKUS pact

Alliances play a central role in international relations because they are seen to be an integral part of statecraft. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3uE9Qvw

No speaking to the terrorists

More than 70,000 casualties during the two decades of the so-called war on terrorism came at the hands of non-state actors. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/2YgOeJB

Immortalising Kaido

After the recent demise of Dr Faiza Asghar, daughter of the legendary filmmaker Masood Pervaiz, has reignited the discussion on his epic film ‘Heer Ranjha’ and its characters. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/2YfCeI7

Past in Perspective

Ramen is a Japanese version of Chinese wheat noodles that was introduced in the 1660s by Zhu Shunsui. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3Be9Swm

Scapegoating and punishing Pakistan

Soon after independence, Pakistan was confronted with two hostile neighbors; India and Afghanistan. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3Bb0SIt

A clarion call

Pakistan has given a clarion call for creating a comprehensive strategy on a priority basis for effectively addressing the triple crisis of Covid-19, economic downturn and climate change. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3D5SZEM

The writing on the wall

Indeed, a well written and adequately argued article, effectively expressing dismay over the continued disregard of Pakistan’s sacrifices as an American ally in the war on terror for more than two decades. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3l8mFv2

Past in Perspective

Tobacco has a history that dates far back to the 6000 BC. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3mfa7RK

A threat to sustainable development

Air pollution in the atmosphere in modern day is like the monster Medusa, affecting almost all the aspects directly or indirectly related to human life, with its head having many venomous snakes, sometimes impacting human health by elevating risks of heart diseases, lung cancer and chronic respiratory diseases, disturbing sensitive terrestrial and. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3D7VSoM

Exit the bipolar world order

The 20th SCO Summit at Dushanbe called for the implementation of a new game as far as geopolitical engagements are concerned. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/39YAZzR

Demise of the international ‘rules-based order’?

News—the “first rough draft of history”, in the words of Philip Leslie Graham—has declared that Taliban’s victory marks the end of American occupation in Afghanistan. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/2YdSIAl

Past in Perspective

For decades, astronomers have dreamt of finding a planet, just like Earth, that is habitable. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3B58JYd

US’ strategic design for Asia

Geopolitics has never been so dynamic as it is today. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3B4TEFN

Introduction to cryptocurrency

PART-I It has been over 10 years since the inception of cryptocurrency, but it only broke through to mainstream consciousness in 2017 as prices surged. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/39UN6hj

The man who made sports in Pakistan

In the year 2000, an intriguing group of medals appeared for auction on the webpage of Christie, the auctioneers. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3mgEyXB

Past in Perspective

“It’s going to be interesting to see how society deals with artificial intelligence, but it will definitely be cool. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3F7pGUa