The politics of mediation on March 13, 2020US President Donald Trump in India recently reiterated his desire to mediate the Kashmir dispute between India and Pakistan. This statement shunned Indian policymakers while Pakistan joyously welcomed it and PM Imran dubbed it a diplomatic victory. Nevertheless, it was a long awaited desire of Islamabad to internationalise the Kashmir dispute and to convince the […]
A fragmented OIC? on March 14, 2019Today, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) is fragmented for numerous reasons. These include the Saudi-Iran rivalry, Saudi-Qatar rivalry as well as the competing interests and priorities of various member states. Recently, the organisation has taken a great leap by inviting India as a ‘guest of honor’ in the 46th session of its Council of […]
Trump’s military doctrine and its implications on February 21, 2019None of the presidents in American history have scuttled agreements as Donald Trump has done in the past two years. Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP), North Atlantic Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), Paris Climate Agreement, the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program (DACA), Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces treaty (INF) and Iran Nuclear Deal are glaring examples of Trump’s […]
Xiplomacy: President Xi’s foreign policy on June 29, 2018Over the past five years, Chinese President Xi Jinping has visited many parts of the world. From Asia to Europe, Africa to Oceania, and the Americas. And Xi’s diplomacy has been increasing Chinese influence and promoting bilateral and multilateral economic cooperation. Since President Xi took over, China has contributed 30 percent to the world’s economic […]
Identity — a factor that can make or break terrorist outfits on May 20, 2018Terrorist organisations often portray their struggle as effort that protect and promote their particular strand and interpretation of Islam. They often propagate their mission and its universality. Contrary to their claims, these groups are highly conservative in nature when it comes to local identities within themselves. Identity based on ethnicity, clan, sub-clan and sect acts […]
Character assassination on May 15, 2018In response to a massive public gathering of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in Lahore on April 29, Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah had claimed that the women who went to PTI’s rally at Minar-e-Pakistan were not ‘honourable’. Later a video appeared on social media of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Abid Sher Ali insulting and passing […]
‘Rule by law’ no more on November 6, 2017The democratic set-up is, ideally, meant to serve the people and abide by the rule of law. Here in Pakistan, however, things are somewhat back to front: the country’s political ruling elite is following ‘rule by law’. Meaning, only legislation laid down by the supreme law making authority that is aimed at protecting their interests […]
Foreign policy — state vs society on October 28, 2017From the time of independence, Pakistan’s foreign policy objectives have remained in fluctuation. Of course, there have been some constants, such as close cooperation with the US, deep security commitments to Saudi Arabia and highlighting the Kashmir dispute at international forums. Yet Pakistan is not oblivious to shifting ground realities when it comes to the […]
Re-evaluating Pakistan-NATO relations on February 25, 2017Nations trapped in historical baggage limit their options of growth and stability. Pakistan had been remained trapped into two regional and ideological alliances, expecting for betterment of the region and Muslim Ummah. However, after three decades of its inception, South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) is paralyzed due to Indian hegemonic behaviour and Organization […]
Trump: opportunities for Pakistan on January 15, 2017Pakistani media has rendered Trump as the enemy of Islam and Pakistan. Situation in Pakistan was not in favour of Trump in the past several months. How Pakistan ran out of Trump’s unexpected triumph is a lingering question. Political pundits failed to apprehend Trump’s win in elections. Public opinion was not different from political pundits. […]