Incomplete political promises, constitutional deficiencies and institutional weaknesses have triggered debate in Pakistan for redrawing fiscal balance which was heavily tilted towards federating units after the 18th Constitutional Amendment. Theoretical and empirical evidence tells that broader socio-economic development is possible if fiscal, administrative and political powers reach from federal to provincial level and from provincial […]
Why army chief is concerned about the economy
Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa, the army chief, has taken to the National Development Council like a duck to water. The council, set up recently, is to ensure accelerated growth of economy and to develop policies and strategies for the purpose. It will also play a key role in helping with plans for regional connectivity. When […]
How Pakistan views Indian elections?
There are two traditional assumptions about Indian elections and there is one non traditional approach to Indian elections. First traditional approach is that in case Congress Party wins this election there are chances comprehensive dialogue may start between both states. Comprehensive Dialogue was started by BJP when Foreign Minister Susma Siraj visited Pakistan in Nawaz […]
Who holds the key to Afghan peace?
Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and his government have accused Pakistan of interference in Afghanistan’s domestic affairs. Over the past few years, a narrative accusing Pakistan of controlling non-state actors in Afghanistan has permeated Afghan society. While speaking to Zalmay Khalilzad – an American peace negotiator – Ghani stated that it is Pakistan which holds the […]
Is South Asia ready to face the United States Asia Pacific Pivot?
United States is a global power and its pivot to Asia is a strategy which was initiated under the tenure of President Obama; when he realised that the future of he United States will not be determined by the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq but in Asia Pacific. Thus, the US wants to control the […]
Rise of the new Islamists
Currently the world is sharply divided over how to define ‘Islamists’. Different schools of thought have their own meanings for this word. According to some, Islamists are fundamentalists who want to impose a system of Islamic laws on Muslim and non-Muslim populations alike. Others define Islamists as individuals who believe in having an Islamic system […]
Why does India intervene in its neighbours’ affairs?
After World War II, all decolonised countries faced many problems in their early years. Whether it was based on the differences between their citizens, or weak political systems, it led to a struggle between the government and its people. However India was better off than others in this regard. Due to their size, wealth and […]
Why are Moscow and Islamabad partnering up?
The rise of the Islamic State (IS) in Iraq and Syria in 2013 shook global tectonic plates, and they are reverberating to this day. States around the globe are utilising hard and soft power to eliminate the infamous terror network. Despite this, it has managed to retain a massive footprint in Afghanistan. In some areas, […]
Why are Pakistan and Russia opening up?
Though Pakistan and Russia are opening up to each other, both states have competing and divergent interests. Russia’s engagement with Pakistan is intended at eliminating Islamic State (IS) in the region. Russian Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov, has accused the United States of ignoring the rise of IS in Afghanistan. Meanwhile, Pakistan’s interest in Russia stems […]
Why are Islamists uniting again?
De-intellectualised Islamist political leaders are attempting to harvest what the visionaries of political Islam in Pakistan sketched out decades ago. The Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal (MMA) has been revived after ten years. The organisation comprises of five confessional parties, which have been shaped to contest the national elections this year. The five parties certainly aren’t on the […]