The curious case of (intellectual) corruption By: Zeyd Jooma on October 25, 2024 Discourse surrounding socio-political affairs in Pakistan has long been centred and ‘plagued’, by the concept of ‘corruption’. Over the years, this has resulted in the incarceration of various political leaders, the untimely dismissal of elected governments and in many cases, provided a cover for what may only be termed as ‘institutional and judicial overreach’. […]
Water Wars By: Jawad Saleem on October 12, 2024In recent decades, a growing global crisis has been quietly brewing-one that does not merely threaten the environment but also risks sparking geopolitical tensions, conflicts, and economic disruption. As the planet’s freshwater resources dwindle and global demand surges, the possibility of “water wars” is no longer a distant or hypothetical scenario. Nations are increasingly facing […]
The SCO Summit By: Javed Iqbal on October 12, 2024Pakistan’s hosting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) conference amid security and economic challenges marks a significant diplomatic achievement. The participation of 11 heads of state and 900 delegates of regional players is a demonstration of the world community’s trust in Pakistan’s security and stability. Being the world’s largest organization, SCO represents 40 percent of […]
Girls’ Vision for the Future By: Dr Sonia Omar on October 12, 2024Every girl in this world is a unique creation that brings her light to the world. Girls are not the chapter of life, but they are the creators of the stories of the world. There is a certain strength, creativity and potential that is found in all girls. Any society in the world ripples the […]
Beyond Bailouts By: Irfan Qureshi on October 12, 2024As Pakistan secures yet another bailout package from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the familiar questions about its long-term economic viability loom larger than ever. Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb’s declaration that this will be the country’s last IMF program sounds hopeful, but it rests on a fragile promise: that the government will finally implement the […]
SCO Summit 2024 By: Rakhshanda Mehtab on October 12, 2024The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) 2024 summit is set for October 15-16, 2024 in Islamabad. It is a great honor for Pakistan to host this significant event. It shows that SCO members are keen on having good relations with Pakistan. The purpose of this summit is to promote political and economic opportunities and address security […]
Clearing the air! By: Asad Raza on October 11, 2024While the Punjab government’s current efforts to tackle smog are steps in the right direction, more comprehensive, long-term policies are needed to bring about lasting change. The seasonal spikes in air pollution, often attributed to factors like stubble burning, vehicular emissions, and industrial pollution, require sustainable interventions. One critical area is urban infrastructure development. The […]
Building a More Inclusive and Transparent Punjab Assembly By: Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan on October 11, 2024In parliamentary democracies around the world, a legislature is considered the most important organ of a state. It is the mother of all other institutions in a polity. Strong parliaments are the cornerstone of an effective democracy and stable institutional framework for good governance. Oversight of government, budgetary processes, and the representative structure of the […]
SCO Summit at Crossroads By: Faisal Ahmad on October 11, 2024Pakistan is set to host the SCO Council of Heads of Government (CHG) summit on 14th,15th & 16th October in Islamabad which explicitly showcases her diplomatic relevance and capability to facilitate high-level international dialogues. This summit will gather officials from member states, including Iran, India, China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Pakistan. Pakistan’s role […]
Climate Smart Agriculture and UN-SDGs By: Arslan M Iqbal and Dr Syed Asim Ali Bukhari on October 11, 2024The clock is ticking on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 2030 (UN-SDGs 2030) timeline and the global progress does not show a satisfying picture. According to the Global Sustainable Development Report 2023, the progress on the UN-SDGs 2030 agenda is a “stagnation in the face of multiple crises”. On a global level, only 12 […]