Foreign Investment at Risk By: Waqas Shair on December 7, 2024The World Justice Project (WJP) released the 2024 Rule of Law Index for 142 countries. In this edition, Pakistan is ranked 129th out of 142 nations overall, 5th among 6 South Asian nations, and 30th out of 38 lower-middle-income countries in terms of the Rule of Law. The Rule of Law Index operates on a […]
Clearing the Air By: Shaza Arif on December 7, 2024Smog continues to be a critical health problem in Pakistan. The Air Quality Index (AQI) has soared to hazardous levels, repeatedly hitting 1000 and even 2000 in major urban centres over the past weeks. With Lahore as its epicentre, high smog levels continue to be a challenge for different areas of Punjab and also across […]
The Engineering of Consent By: Faisal Ahmad on December 7, 2024“The engineering of consent is the very essence of the democratic process, the freedom to persuade and suggest.” The recent political unrest in Pakistan triggered by protests led by the PTI has unveiled a disturbing trend of propaganda, misleading claims, and internal disarray within the party. These protests raised serious concerns about the nature of […]
No Redemption from Political Deadlock By: M Alam Brohi on December 6, 2024The suppression of the PTI protests on November 26 in Islamabad has further deepened political antagonism in the country. Notwithstanding the differing claims about the causalities by the PTI and the government, the ruthlessness displayed by the security forces demonstrate the depth of the brutality. The violence was not followed by soothing actions to calm […]
Nuclear Iran and Pakistan By: Hamza Asif on December 6, 2024Different rumours around the internet speculate that the first nuclear test by Tehran caused the recent earthquake in Iran’s province of Semnan. Iran is a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). However, the current ongoing situation between Iran and Israel is sufficient to convince Iran of the need for a credible deterrence. It will […]
Vandalizing Bangladeshi Mission in Agartala By: Abu Saim on December 6, 2024In broad daylight of 2nd December, the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission was attacked in Agartala, by a group of angry protestors under the banner of the Hindu Sangharsh Samiti, an affiliate of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) – a Hindutva-based organization. Bangladesh has strongly condemned the attack on its mission in the northeastern Indian state […]
Fostering Environmental Sustainability By: Shadri Akhtar on December 6, 2024Environmental sustainability is a crucial concept aimed at safeguarding the planet’s natural resources and ecosystems for future generations. It emphasizes responsible living to prevent harm to the environment and depletion of essential resources. From energy production to waste management and water conservation, sustainability permeates all aspects of life. Environmental sustainability is the practice of using […]
Revisiting Governor Rule By: Muneezay Moeen on December 5, 2024The situation has been stabilized, and the remaining time shall be devoted to recuperating. It was difficult to make the ultimate decision, but the government and agencies used all available resources to maintain the rule of law. The state-vs-province challenge was one of the most serious mistakes made by those who were instructed to Do […]
Presidential Pardons By: Syed Atiq ul Hassan on December 5, 2024The United States of America (USA) is globally regarded as a beacon of meritocracy, where justice is impartial and the rule of law reigns supreme. However, a recent presidential pardon has sparked a heated debate about partiality and its impact on judicial independence. President Joe Biden’s decision to pardon his son, Hunter Biden, who faced […]
Repatriation Plan’s Socio-Economic Strain By: Dr Muhammad Abdul Kamal on December 5, 2024For decades, Pakistan has been among the largest refugee-hosting countries, ranking fourth in the world. Nevertheless, Pakistan’s tradition of hospitality has lately been defied due to persistent socio-economic strain, evolving political challenges, and security concerns. On October 3, 2023, the government of Pakistan officially implemented the Illegal Foreigners’ Repatriation Plan (IFRP), intending to repatriate Afghan […]