2018 — the year of the Yuan on January 18, 2018The year 2018 is all set to be China’s year with its currency, known as RMB (renminbi) or the Yuan, dominating international markets; thereby prompting a gradual shift away from a unipolar monetary system. Admittedly, it will take some time for this process to be completed. After all, in the post-World War-II environment the dollar […]
Sharifs and Saudi diplomacy in 2018 on January 3, 2018Whether Sharifs fish in troubled water or not after meeting with Saudi Royal family, New Year has set the tone of Pakistan foreign policy in favour of Saudi Arab dwarfing role of other key players especially Iran in the region. National interest has once again taken backseat and individual benefits reign supreme in the country […]
CPEC and the Silk Road Rail Network on December 23, 2017If CPEC is handled carefully and Pakistan is able to use it to its advantage, there is a fortune to be made in trade and the industrial market through one of its lesser known projects. This is the Silk Road Rail Network (SSRN), also known as the Eurasian Rail Project or Eurasian trans-continental rail transport […]
Nuke diplomacy answer to US concerns on December 21, 2017Pakistan is in the eye of the storm regarding the stewardship of nukes. With no foreign policy in place and hiking internal insecurity clouded by concerns of ‘safe heavens’ for terrorists, questions loom over Pakistan’s capability to safely run nuclear programs. Pressure is mounting, and Trump’s first foreign policy worry was about Islamabad’s control on […]
Sharifs’ religious vote bank tumbling down on December 12, 2017The religious vote bank which was once boasted by the Sharif’s as political leverage in elections, is crumbling fast. Credit goes to Sharifs’ hardcore team for inflaming religious crisis on the issue of finality of Prophethood. Though controversial amended sections are reversed but damage is done. Bruised religious sentiments will cost Sharifs in the 2018 […]
CPEC as digital Silk Road on December 7, 2017In the backdrop of the 4th World Internet Conference held in China envisioning Digital Silk Road along Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) routes, China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is making its inroads to emerge as high tech digital corridor. As BRI aims to lay down the network of highways, railways, seaways, airways, bridges and ports, […]
Cowardly Nawaz and democracy on November 24, 2017Of all the leaders that Pakistan has, Nawaz Sharif is the most cowardly. Since he was deposed up until now — he shouts of ‘hidden hands’ that only he can seemingly see. Their goal, he cries, it to derail democracy. However, when it comes to naming names, the former Prime Minister becomes uncharacteristically shy. His […]
Chinese Muslims enjoy religious freedom on November 17, 2017I recall this scene from Beijing; a large group of children wearing round caps, walking briskly and pouring into a building. When I looked around, I saw similar scenes everywhere. Large groups of people of all ages headed towards a big gate which bore some words in Islamic calligraphy. It was then that I realised […]
World needs Xi Jinping’s strategic vision on October 27, 2017The Chinese president, Xi Jinping, has grabbed the world’s attention. Especially given how he has pledged to take his country, along with everyone else, on a whirlwind trip to reach dizzying new heights under the banner of modern socialism complete with Chinese characteristics. He outlined this vision during the 19th National Congress of the Communist […]
CIE students in the lurch on October 17, 2017The equivalence and admission criteria for O-level and A-level students pursuing Intermediate (FA, FSc) and Bachelor (BA and BSc) studies under the Pakistan education system are absurd and discriminatory. The situation is worst for O-level students who switched over to FA or FSc studies. Even if they have been high achievers, their grades are significantly […]