How AI Can Help Resolve Pakistan’s Economic Woes?

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June 14, 2023

Pakistan’s Finance Minister Ishaq Dar while addressing the Chamber of Commerce and Industry relayed about $3.5 billion in loan repayments made by Pakistan while the rest of $2 billion was rolled over by Chinese Commercial Banks. He hinted at the possibility of not making any further extensions to the 22^nd IMF’s program that ends in June while about $ 2.6 billion is still not reimbursed. The burden on forex further by this loan repayment will still be sufficient by underway loan negotiations with China, KSA, and UAE. So the point to ponder here does such fiscal and monetary arrangements suffice.

Atif Mian, the Pakistani-American economist, warned in his tweets that the Pakistani economy was near collapse and needed/immediate course correction. “To thump your chest and say, ‘see we have not defaulted’ means nothing if you continue to ignore the underlying crisis,” he wrote. “The only thing worse than indecisiveness in the face of a crisis is incompetence”. And the journey to end this incompetence begins with bringing political chaos to order at home and with placing capable, well-rehearsed, and experienced personnel at the helm of affairs. This unfortunately fails to be the case in Pakistan.

While we struggle with or balance of payment deficit, draining foreign reserves without development following fitting in the heels of loans, imports, and poorly crafted International dealings, there is this one aspect that is relatively new, fledgling, and exhibits a lot of potential for the resourceful yet in situ potential of Pakistani reserves and resources, and that is what world recognizes as Artificial Intelligence or AI.

Artificial intelligence (AI) has been a trending buzzword for some time. It’s a term commonly used for machines, computer-controlled robots, and software systems performing intelligent tasks such as learning, planning, reasoning, and interacting – simulating the natural intelligence displayed by humans and animals.

The global AI industry is growing rapidly and is estimated to reach $126 billion by 2025 as per estimates by Statistica. The world of AI is considered an engine of economic growth and it is not a fry cry when it will be covering an entire gamut of our socio-political affairs.

Pakistan, for its part, has 600, 000 IT professionals with 25, 000 added annually. It has capacity and aptitude, with the majority of its population-most notably youth-having access to computing and Internet of Things (IoT) devices and training opportunities-the foremost features of any IT-related specification. This is the reason that about half of our GDP comes from the service sector, with the only problem being we still adhere to conventional ways and technologies and the lack of institutionalization, organization, or acknowledgment suppresses the very benefits that the state of Pakistan can otherwise accrue from the sector from that contributed to our GDP with $ 2 billion in exports in 2022 and from which government aims to accrue $ 5 billion in FY23-a goal not attained.

The advances being made in the IT sector and AI, in particular generally come from our private entities, typically in the form of SMEs. From Farmdar, which uses satellite technology to collect data about farmland for the ease of farmers and crop managers to Tax Dosti making tax management easier for the people of Pakistan and helps the Federal Board of Revenue in bringing more users to the tax net with simplified tax return filing, to TactonBiotic- using computer vision, VR, mobility, and object detection features that can be used in disasters and warfare, AI is flourishing fast in Pakistan. In addition to home-grown startups, multinational companies like Amazon, Google, and Microsoft have also ensured their presence in Pakistan.

The only dilemma here is that their services fail to be embraced at the national level or get any financial or diplomatic support so that they are well correlated to the relevant International regimes for the expertise and maximum benefit. In other case scenarios, various MNCs providing services set up their R&D centers in the West and only outsource basic engineering work to developing countries like Pakistan, hampering the maximization of potential. The government of Pakistan and foresighted governance and recognition becomes the only way forward in this case scenario.

It is strategic to work with, go in joint public-private ventures, and learn from the expertise of such MNCs who stand as an exception like that of Motive, which established its primary AI team in Lahore, deploying multiple PhDs, Postdocs in Computer Vision and Machine Learning, and engineers with a solid academic research background and is using AI technologies to help prevent road accidents, keep our roads safer, and save lives.

Various universities offering training and expertise in AI like NUST, and FAST. ITU and PUCIT are working in such domains of AI, publishing some ground-breaking research and cutting-edge technologies/products/solutions to the International AI conferences and events where their efforts are recognized and rewarded while Pakistan draws into raw knowledge outsourcing to our loss, in general. Patient First. AI, Pakistan’s groundbreaking healthcare startup has won $75, 000 recently from Harvard President’s Innovation Challenge for its innovative Electronic Health Record (EHR) system addressing the urgent need for better healthcare record management in developing countries where access to adequate healthcare services remains a critical issue. The platform is transnational in character, shares Pakistan’s perspective of common and collective prosperity, and targets all developing countries lacking adequate healthcare resources and infrastructure in this domain.

With a potential market of over a billion people and an estimated $80 billion in revenue, PatientFirst. AI is poised to make a significant impact on global healthcare.

It is a Pakistani initiative and it goes to the strategic and prudent policy-making on the part of the state of Pakistan to adhere to such potential, recognize it and transform it to the benefit of the overall state and nation-be it in financial, diplomatic, or soft power realms.

State-created National Center of Artificial Intelligence (NCAI) and recently drafted National Artificial Intelligence Policy are hopeful initiatives in this domain. But as with our precedents, our policies, unfortunately, fall short of real-time practical manifestation. Civil Societies, academia, and relevant private stakeholders, dealing in IT and AI, hence shall enforce upon the government to comply with its conceptualization of research and innovation-based culture, fiscal/non-fiscal incentives to start-ups/SMEs investing in AI-based services/technologies, defining data standards and invest in computational resources for the responsible use of organized datasets, centralized organizational support for the AI regime, strengthen international collaboration with both academia and industry and properly channel funds for the purpose. A separate private entity shall be constituted to undergo audit and accountability in such realms as well.

AI is a fledgling market and Non-State actors shall enforce upon the state to take it in a nation-benefitting trajectory while ensuring its own efforts in this domain.

Addressing the Climate Crisis: Imperative for Urgent Action, Global Cooperation, and Climate Justice

By

Talha Tufail Bhatti

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June 13, 2023

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This decade is the decade of climate action, and it should be on an urgent basis. As the latest report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has highlighted the rapidly closing window of the effectiveness of adaptation measures. According to the latest flagship report “State of Global Climate 2022” of the World Meteorological Organization, global temperature has risen 1.15°C above pre-industrial levels. The age of the Anthropocene pushed natural earth systems into the danger zone, according to The Earth Commission seven out of eight Earth system boundaries (ESBs) are out of safe and resilience limits.

The sustainability of Earth’s system and human well-being are directly linked, and yet this developed fact is generally under-recognized and surprisingly treated as non-seriously when it comes to climate justice.

These rapid changes to Earth’s system undermine critical life support systems, fossil fuel infrastructures put enormous pressure on the life support systems and put them on a trajectory that is moving rapidly away from the stable Holocene state of the past 12,000 years.

These changes are mostly driven by the social and economic gains which run on the unstainable resource extraction and consumption of natural resources. For example, tropical forests play a critical role in the hydrological cycle of local and regional precipitation, research confirmed that deforestation increases the loss of precipitation at a scale greater than 50 km. Normally the cost of loss and damage is estimated in monetary terms but indeed it is an ethical issue because climate change has already put 600 million people outside to “human climate niche”. Despite humongous pledges in the form of NDCs and states’ current policies, the world is still on the course of 2.7°C, and the latest research shows that the 1.5°C threshold will cross within the next 5 years. To limit global warming in line with the Paris Agreement, rapid and very wide global participation in GHG emissions reduction is required, and most importantly financial sustainability for the implementation of policies in a localized manner.

We are approaching the Earth’s tipping point because we are witnessing more permanent damage on a global scale, the conditions are grave and challenging. It is important to note that it is impossible to stabilize the current catastrophic change without protecting ecosystems. Forest is crucial for people and nature, not only they provide clean and fresh air to the native homes but also to the animals and other species. They are regulators of climate and protect life-giving natural system and resources, but world forest is under threat because only in the last decade 2011-21 global tree cover has decreased by 11%. Just like oceans, forests are a sink of carbon emissions and the major driver is agriculture, mining, deployment of energy infrastructure, and development of transportation now the reason for concern is that they are also becoming sources of carbon rather than sink. If Power full nations (G7) ambitiously achieve all the set of targets by 2030 which include long-term pledges, 2°C is still expected later this century.

Climate change directly affects the human rights for the livelihood of homo sapiens, while the elite is moving towards disaster buyouts. Housing, food, sanitation, security, and development of people living in poverty, migrants, persons with disabilities, minorities, marginalized women, and indigenous people are directly impacted by extreme weather events like the biblical floods of 2022 in Pakistan.

It’s a developed fact that Pakistan is facing the compound impacts of the climate crisis.

Only in 2022, Pakistan faced a heavy snowstorm of 16.5-inch snow on 7-8 January at the hilly station Murree costing multiple deaths. Extreme strong winds caused 81 events of 30-60 Knots at different plain weather stations. Six heatwaves with above-average temperatures of 8°C to 12°C in the pre-monsoon period (annual national mean temperature 0.84°C above normal) making it 5^th warmest year in the last 62 years. Record-breaking rain which triggers floods, impacted 33 million people and displaced 7.9 million with 1739 people dying with $15 billion in economic losses. Daytime temperature shots to 41°C-47°C during March in the south of Pakistan which includes Sindh, Balochistan, and south Punjab. During the peak of heatwaves maximum temperatures reached 50°C at Dera Ghazi Khan (south Punjab) and 51°C at Jacobabad (Sindh), it’s important to note that 60°C is the limit of life itself beyond this temperature no life can sustain. Heatwaves also impacted north Pakistan, in June Gilgit, Bunji, Chilas, and Chitral were exposed to 42°C-47°C. Pakistan MET department quoted 32 sites that broke the record of the highest maximum temperature, and 25 sites broke records only in March 2022.

In 2022 geographically Pakistan was exposed to record-breaking rainfall, according to MET total rainfall was 77% above the average for the last 50 years containing 526.9 mm (the 1961-2010 average was 297.6 mm). Provincially Sindh and Balochistan were predominantly impacted by above-average precipitation, Sindh with at +331%, Balochistan at +156%, Punjab at +45% then GB at +14%, and KP at -2%.

The country has experienced onset events and vibrant weather patterns which include increased frequency and intensity of tropical storms and coastal rains, loss of biodiversity, glacier retreats, and desertification. All of this has impacts on the vulnerable as mentioned above because they are directly dependent on agriculture, livestock, fisheries, and forests.

Way Forward:

Just like Pakistan most developing countries are focusing on a bottom-up approach in which they are working on resilience, recovery, rehabilitation, and reconstruction framework (4RF). The priorities are implementation and monitoring but due to the economic and political unpredictability in the developing world, it’s difficult to achieve targeted goals. Critically long-term resilience needs transformational measures that would take multi-generational monitoring and evaluations. Most importantly it’s a test of governance and the capacity of state institutions to restore the lives and livelihoods of the affected people, specifically marginalized communities because climate refuges and migrations are in increasing trend.

Global problems need local solutions, for example, climate could be tackled through community-led, ecosystem-based adaptation in the long term while in the near-term developing countries are working on data-driven support systems such as strengthening meteorological monitoring, early warning systems, and increasing technical capacities of managemental agencies at federal and provincial levels.

Climate justice is a central part because planetary diagnosis by IPCC, WMO, and The Earth Commission is horrible but not yet beyond hope, debt cancellation with regular financial grants and technological transfer can save countries like Pakistan from conflicts and degradation.

So that it would be possible for them to sustain financial management for restoration of loss and damages.

Expanding Feminism: Bringing Gaps and Embracing Inclusivity

By

Maria Mansab

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June 13, 2023

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Feminism is the belief in gender equality in social, economic, and political matters. Despite having its roots in the West, feminism is a global movement that has many organizations working to advance women’s rights and interests. Feminist Theory Feminism is an interdisciplinary approach to issues of equality and equity based on gender, gender expression, gender identity, sex, and sexuality as understood through social theories and political activism. Feminism has progressed over time from a critical study of gender inequalities to a more nuanced focus on the social and performative constructions of gender and sexuality.

The feminist theory currently seeks to examine inequalities and inequities along the intersectional lines of ability, class, gender, racism, sex, and sexuality, and feminists want to influence change in areas where these intersectional ties generate power inequality.

Gaps in Feminist Theory:

Feminist theory is often criticized for its “women-centric” approach (myopia). Current Gaps The development of feminism has led to attention being focused on the subordinate position of women in societies. They have placed a greater emphasis on women’s difficulties and marginalization while ignoring other marginalized groups such as males from the lower middle class, transgender and transsexual people, and bisexual people. These underprivileged groups’ voices go unheard and are rarely acknowledged.

Feminism is also considered pro-western and favors a particular class of individuals (most prominently the elite or urban). It is seen as an “elite ideology” since it supports a specific social class and its members while ignoring the oppression and subjection of women from lower social classes, ethnic groups, and castes. This ideology favors the interests of elite women, who confront distinct concerns and problems compared to ordinary women in society, who are subjected to double exploitation by both women and men.

The oppression of marginalized races and classes occurs as a result of social stratification based on class and race, which favors women of the elite class and superior race.

Feminist theory is rejected or criticized, especially in the global south, as anti-culture or religion and promoting Western values and systems. Feminist ideology is referred to as “white Western ideology” because it promotes Western ideas, ideologies, and belief systems to remove women from their cultural and religious values and beliefs. They arose as a reaction to feminism’s exclusive focus on women’s experiences in Western nations and former colonies. They aim to explain how racism and colonialism’s long-term political, economic, and cultural impacts affect non-white, non-Western women in the postcolonial world. Women living in non-Western nations are misrepresented, according to feminist theorists in developed countries, who point out the universalizing tendencies of mainstream feminist concepts. They contend that by treating “woman” as a generic term, women are only defined by their gender, not by their social status, race, ethnicity, or sexual preference. They also strive to mainstream Western feminism through the concepts of indigenous and other Third World feminist groups. Third World feminism is based on the premise that feminism in Third World countries is born of local ideology and socio-cultural conditions rather than being imported from the First World.

Though there is diversity in feminist theory, it is also considered narrow-focused, as in the issue of black feminism. According to black feminist theory, black women are acutely aware of the harmful effects of sexism, racism, and class inequality. Furthermore, discrimination based on race, gender, or social class is all part of the same hierarchical system, which Bell Hooks refers to as the “imperialist white supremacist capitalist patriarchy.” They unite to generate something greater than experiencing racism and sexism separately because of their interdependence. As a result, Kimberlé Crenshaw, a legal scholar, coined the term “intersectionality” in 1989 to describe how the experience of being a black woman is not solely based on being black or female. Intersectionality means that each identity—being black and female, for example—should be studied separately, as should its interaction impact, in which intersecting identities deepen, reinforce, and potentially lead to exacerbated forms of inequality. Identifying Gaps

Feminist theory is also considered to have fewer issue bases and be more activism-based. It promotes activism for the cause of women’s rights.

Feminist theory focuses on gender politics, power relations, and sexuality to understand the nature of inequality. While feminist theory primarily critiques social interactions, it also focuses on gender inequality and the advancement of women’s rights, interests, and issues. Feminist research has traditionally been activist-driven; failing to address women’s essential challenges, such as those faced by black, lower-class, and marginalized women in society.

While feminist theory is internally diverse and dynamic, it is still less empathetic to the problems faced by men in society. Men have been involved in significant cultural and political responses to feminism since the 19th century, in each “wave” of the movement. This includes attempting to achieve gender equality in a variety of social relationships, usually through the “strategic leveraging” of male privilege. However, feminist men and authors like Bell Hooks have argued that a key component of feminist action and scholarship is men’s liberation from the sociocultural restrictions of sexism and gender norms. Feminist theory

Feminist theory has evolved and now incorporates diverse perspectives and opinions; it is more inclusive; however, it still needs to consider the voices of marginalized individuals.

How to Overcome Gaps?

It’s easy to think of feminism as a movement focused primarily on women, but debating men’s rights could help advance the feminist goal by uniting both genders. Focusing more on men’s rights could be a critical first step toward bridging the gap between the men’s rights movement and feminism, which are frequently viewed as adversarial. It may appear counterintuitive for feminism to prioritize men’s rights, especially if we consider men’s rights protection to be a completely misogynistic, tribal movement. Learning to embrace gender unity on certain topics, on the other hand, can help the feminist cause not only strengthen but also become more palatable to its frequently aggressive critics.

In the theory of feminism, non-western women’s ideas and voices should be included. Feminist theories should integrate the perspectives of the global south because they have been subjected to double colonization: patriarchy and colonial power oppression, resulting in distinct perceptions and experiences. Because black women have been subjected to double exploitation by both their men and white men, they have unique viewpoints and voices. As a result, feminism requires a more inclusive strategy.

Rather than focusing on advocacy, it is necessary to address women’s core challenges. To begin, women must recognize their oppression and subordination in society. Men’s experiences and voices must be taken into account; this will make the feminist theory completer and more inclusive.

Conclusions:

Feminism is a grassroots movement that attempts to bring people together across socioeconomic, ethnic, cultural, and religious lines. Feminism is culturally specific and addresses concerns that women in various societies care about.

Although feminism is a movement dedicated to the advancement of women’s rights, feminist theory has many limitations, including issues affecting black women, a lack of contributions from men’s perspectives, and a division between Western and global South feminism.

These limitations must be overcome for feminist theory to become more broad-based and inclusive.

Pakistan’s Perspective on Lethal Autonomous Weapon Systems (LAWS)

By

Isha Noor

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June 13, 2023

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The purpose of the development of weapons by states has usually been propagated as the promotion of peace and stability. However, as technology has advanced, the lethality of weaponry has increased, with disastrous humanitarian effects.

In the case of Lethal Autonomous Weapon Systems (LAWS), the international community has failed to outlaw such lethal weapons, allowing national interests to be pursued at the price of international peace and security.

Consequently, the question of whether LAWS will make human civilization more secure or unstable arises. How best can Pakistan, a developing state, cope with the emerging situation?

What are LAWS

Lethal autonomous weapons systems (LAWS) possess the ability to independently choose and engage targets without any direct human intervention. These systems are sometimes referred to as robotic weapons or killer robots. Drones, commonly labeled as unmanned systems, do not fit this categorization accurately as they involve human control through remote operators. In contrast, autonomous weapons are often classified as “out-of-the-loop” systems, as they operate without continuous human guidance. Once programmed, these weapons carry out their missions without further instructions from humans, effectively removing the operator from the decision-making process. In contrast with autonomous weapons, drones are based on an ‘in-the-loop’ system. Self-ruling weapons, on the other ham, are equipped with decision-making capacity.

In this regard, LAWS can be divided into two categories: semi-autonomous weapons (SAWs) and autonomous weapons (AWs) depending on their decision-making capacity. SAWs require humans for their functioning. However, AWs are fully capable of functioning without human help.

Economic and Ethical Aspects:

The most frequently cited security concerns are that these weapons have the ability to escalate the pace of warfare and the likelihood of resorting to war, in large part due to the promise of significantly reduced military casualties. They ignite and foster arms races. These LAWS can be acquired and used by non-state armed entities, including terrorist organizations and rogue governments. They violate existing warfare laws, controls, and regulations. Contrary to nuclear weapons, LAWS require no specific hard-to-create materials and will be difficult to monitor and track. It is projected that autonomous weapons would eventually replace Kalashnikovs because of how easily they can be obtained. Peter Singer asserts that because war is already robotic in nature, it will continue to be so in the future.

The use of mechanical technology-robotics in conflict today is highlighted by two incidents. First, a private contractual worker supported the rebel armed force in the Libyan Civil War by using commercial, non-military drones. Second, in the war against the Islamic State (IS), semi-autonomous weapons like drones have been used by Russia, Iraq, the US, Iran, Turkey, and Syria. As a result, the development of LAWS would inevitably result in improvements in asymmetric warfare due to the clear benefits to the user.

The ethical and legal debate about weapons is not new. On the basis of the aforementioned claims, there is a discourse within the international community that either accepts or wants to prohibit a new technology, ranging from the Spartan Army’s objection to long-range weaponry to the employment of submarines and chemical weapons, etc.

The initial concern against keeping LAWS is that a machine or machine program can never come to understand ethical and legal principles. The second concern is that it is inappropriate to exclude humans from the system because in that case there would be no one to hold accountable. Simply said, a machine can never understand the worth of human life and, therefore, can never be fully trusted. Another worry is that new conflicts or wars would break out as a result of fewer soldiers dying in battle. One example is the extensive use of drone strikes by the United States in Afghanistan and Pakistan is a case in point.

In April 2013, a United Nations (UN) special report asserted that member states should take the initiative in banning these weapons and should not develop or deploy these weapons since these weapons violate the ‘Principle of Distinction’ (jus in bello) and ‘Principle of Proportionality’ (jus ad bellum).

Currently Employed LAWS

The oldest automatically activated fatal weapons still in use today date to the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries for land mines and naval mines, respectively. Naval and anti-personnel mines also come under the category of autonomous weapons. Anti-personnel mines are banned in many countries under the Ottawa Treaty signed in 1997. However, the US, Russia, China, India, Pakistan, and many Middle East states are not signatories.

Through active protection systems like the US Phalanx Close-In Weapon System (CIWS), the Israeli Trophy, Iron Dome, Russian Arena, and the German AMAP Active Defence System (ADS), the automated systems that are currently available can protect selected subjects. The USS Coral Sea received the first US Phalanx CIWS installation in 1980, following the commencement of manufacture in 1978. Since 1978, the Phalanx has been the subject of an intensive and ongoing manufacture, upgrade, and maintenance effort.

One of the most effective anti-missile systems in the world, the Iron Dome missile defense system can recognize and destroy projectiles before they reach Israeli territory. The US Tube-launched Optically-tracked Wire-guided (TOW) missile can be deflected away from armored vehicles with the help of Russia’s new active defense system Arena-M for T-72 and T-90 tanks.

A sophisticated air-to-ground radar-guided missile called Brimstone was created by MBDA for the Royal Air Force (RAF) of the UK. The missile can accurately and successfully strike both stationary and moving ground-based targets.

Brimstone can be utilized against a sizable enemy arsenal and operates according to the “fire-and-forget” principle.

Following issues caused by significant collateral damage during the Afghan War, laser guiding tools were added to the missile for the purpose of defining targets.

Pakistan’s stance:

Pakistan has taken a clear and straightforward stance on the development of lethal autonomous weapons systems (LAWS). It not only calls for a complete ban on autonomous technology but also argues that LAWS are inherently unethical. Regardless of their sophistication, Pakistan believes that these weapons cannot be programmed to comply with International Humanitarian Law (IHL).

The country expresses concerns that LAWS would lower the threshold for going to war and create a void of responsibility, jeopardizing the lives of soldiers and non-combatants.

Pakistan has actively advocated for a binding convention within the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons (CCW) framework that would ban the advancement and use of autonomous weapons. While there are currently only a small number of such systems in existence, Pakistan warns that the technology will soon become more accessible, potentially leading to increased violence. Pakistan believes that LAWS poses challenges to IHL and was the first country to call for a ban on these weapons. It has played a leading role in pushing for a preemptive ban through the CCW and, as a member of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), served as the president of the CCW’s Fifth Review Conference in 2016, where the ban received support. Other countries, including Sri Lanka, Argentina, China, and Peru, have also expressed agreement with banning autonomous weapons.

Pakistan views LAWS as highly dangerous, particularly due to the potential for upgrading them into fully autonomous systems. The government asserts that in the chaos of war, LAWS could prove to be inhumane weapons.

Pakistan emphasizes the need for clear definitions and guidelines to ensure that human judgment remains central in wartime decision-making, maintaining adherence to International Human Rights Law (IRL).

On the other hand, India is pursuing the development of autonomous weapons while advocating for comprehensive international regulations. Indian proponents argue that due to the security challenges in South Asia and India’s own security needs, autonomous weapons can provide significant benefits in areas such as border management and asset protection. They believe that a ban on LAWS is currently unnecessary since their operational utilization is not fully established. Instead, India aims to work towards the development, transfer, and deployment of these weapons, asserting that the country should secure its share of this technology to align with future global powers. However, Indian proponents also acknowledge concerns about the potential proliferation of automated technology to non-state actors. Nevertheless, it appears that India prioritizes developing this technology before international regulations are firmly established.

Options for Pakistan:

The exact manner in which lethal autonomous weapons systems (LAWS) will be utilized remains uncertain. Therefore, it is appropriate for Pakistan to call for comprehensive discussions regarding their use and integration into international law. However, many of these advancements already exist today and are likely to be employed in future conflict zones, regardless of human involvement. Consequently, the Pakistani government must stay informed about current LAWS technologies. This entails recognizing the continued relevance of LAWS in functions such as targeting, surveillance, and damage assessment. The automation of these functions offers a significant advantage to nations, making it crucial for countries like Pakistan to actively pursue research and development in autonomous systems.

Considering Pakistan’s defense policy and unique security situation in the region, it is important to keep options open regarding the development of these weapons, as the incorporation of LAWS appears inevitable in the military strategies of major international players.

As LAWS technology advances, it will have various potential influences on global events and foreign policy decisions. Unless the United Nations takes decisive action against it, the international community is likely to continue developing these weapons due to their perceived lower error rates in conflicts. In this context, Pakistan should adopt a pragmatic approach in choosing its stance.

The advent of LAWS will also bring about changes in national security perceptions, and international human rights organizations may lean towards supporting the development of LAWS for humanitarian purposes, regardless of Pakistan’s involvement in this technological race. Furthermore, as there is a possibility of combining LAWS with undersea, surface ships, unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs), drones, and cyber technologies, it is imperative for Pakistan to closely monitor this emerging battlefield.

Conclusion:

The extent of the danger posed by lethal autonomous weapons systems (LAWS) is challenging to envision, but machines already play a role in present-day military operations. In the near future, these machines will gain more autonomy, creating new possibilities for decision-makers. It is highly likely that as today’s war machines evolve into fully autonomous systems, decision-makers may become more inclined to resort to the use of force. Therefore, it is crucial to demand answers to crucial moral and ethical questions before allowing the development of fully autonomous weapons. These questions should encompass considerations of potential changes in military doctrines resulting from the development of LAWS. Additionally, politicians should call for more research into the potential consequences of deploying LAWS, with particular attention to the impact on civilian populations. While LAWS can have humanitarian applications, there must be assurances that these technologies will not be diverted from humanitarian purposes to military objectives. Achieving a comprehensive global consensus is necessary to address these issues.

In international relations, states primarily pursue their self-interest. Despite the existence of international law, countries continue to develop nuclear weapons to further their security, political, and military objectives. Similarly, LAWS provide major powers with a significant advantage in warfare, ensuring their continued development. Pakistan, too, cannot disregard the emergence of LAWS as a reality and should strive to comprehend this technology, even if it chooses not to fully develop and operationalize such weapons.

It is important to remain mindful of the Melian Dialogue between Spartans and Athenians during the Peloponnesian War, where “the strong do what they can and the weak suffer what they must.”

Book Review – Pakistan; A Hard Country

By

Amna Zaman

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June 12, 2023

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Part I: Land, People, and History analyzes the historical development of Pakistan and offers a profound exploration of Pakistan’s complex journey through the pre-and post-independence periods.

In this thought-provoking book, the author delves into the multifaceted nature of Pakistan, examining its internal affairs, societal dynamics, historical struggles, and the various structures that shape the nation.

By meticulously examining each aspect, the author provides readers with a comprehensive understanding of Pakistan’s strengths, weaknesses, and the challenges it faces in the present day.

This part includes two chapters. Chapter 1 is about the introduction and understanding of the internal affairs and dynamics of Pakistan. In this chapter, Author explicates the nature of Pakistan as disorganized, divided, economically backward, violent, corrupt, and unjust and in many ways, tough and resilient as a state and a society. The National Finance Commission Award of 2010 demonstrated that Pakistan’s democracy, federalism, and political process retain a measure of flexibility, compromise, and vitality. Pakistan will survive as a state, despite of separation of East Pakistan in 1971 and failing a catastrophic overspill of the war in Afghanistan. Pakistan has a core geographical unity and logic. According to him, the political fact is that a state is weak (whoever claims to lead it), whereas society in its diverse kinds is strong.

Chapter 2 focuses on the struggle of Muslims of South Asia, how their struggle shaped their future, how Pakistan emerged as a separate independent state, and the governmental failure (both civilian and military) that resulted from internal weaknesses of the State.

Part II: Structures includes four chapters in which the author elucidates the diverse aspects of power and structures in Pakistan; Justice, Religion, the Military, and Politics respectively. Chapter 3 of this part mainly highlights the features of the Judicial system of Pakistan (though derived from the British), the biases it inherits against the weak and poor, the nature and role of this system in the State, and how the competition of judicial codes hinders the development of State. Chapter 4 focuses on the role of religion, as Islam became a state religion in 1973’s Constitution, how it prevented extremism, and the different traditions it contains in the State. Chapter 5 explicates the role of the military (in both the defense and politics of Pakistan), its composition, functioning, and influence in Pakistan.

Part III: “Provinces” branches out into different provinces of Pakistan; Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, along with the diversity of the State. Chapter 6 basically highlights different political parties, their role and their politics, and the role played by media in the State.

The author highlighted the general image of Pakistan’s political system portrayed by Western as well as national analysts that Pakistan’s political system is two-faced: *It is bad for the overall economic development of the State. and *It creates obstacles to revolutionary changes.

Chapter 7 elucidates the characteristics of the biggest province of Pakistan with respect to population; Punjab, its history, regions, the impact of politics, and its regional importance. Chapter 8 highlights the insecurity in the provincial capital of Sindh and the largest city of Pakistan; Karachi. He further emphasizes the history of Sindh in the pre-and post-independence period, the role of ethnicity, politics, social order, and traditional systems in this feudal-dominated province. Chapter 9 spotlights the characteristics of Balochistan; the largest province of Pakistan with respect to area and the smallest province with respect to population; highly enriched in mineral and energy resources, its strategic importance, ethnicity, tribalism, and role in the development of Pakistan and vice versa. It has both disputed history as well as population. The author has criticized the role played by the State towards Balochistan that resulted in insurgency due to the marginalization and exploitation of resources and benefits of this region by Punjab’s dominant Federal government over the local tribal population. Chapter 10 emphasizes the aspects of the Pathans, the people having a proud history of independence, their traditional systems, nationalism, ethnic pride, and political cultures.

Part IV: “Taliban” has two chapters in which the author mainly explicates the roles of the Taliban; their rebellion and defeat. Chapter 11 illustrates the Pakistani Taliban’s nature, lineage, and support by the Pakistani government towards them. Chapter 12 mainly emphasizes the turbulence created by the Taliban in some areas of Pakistan and their defeat, the role of public opinion, and the part played by political parties, the army, and the police in the defeat of the threat that militants would push Pakistan towards collapse by 2010.

The author has briefly concluded his two decades of research by saying that Pakistan, a deeply troubled and tough state, is likely to survive as a country despite many threats.

Ecological change is a major threat to Pakistan rather than insurgency. Whatever policy Afghanistan adopts will influence Pakistan to a larger extent as more than half of the Pathan ethnicity lives in Pakistan, and maintain a strong interest in their neighboring Afghan Pathans across the Durand Line. The USA should use Pakistan as a mediator to enhance peace talks with the Taliban to reach a settlement rather than by using force. Pakistan, being a neighbor, can play a prominent role in negotiations and the West should recognize the legitimate goals of Pakistan in Afghanistan.

The author has criticized the intervention of ground forces of the USA in FATA (Federally Administered Tribal Areas) as this will escalate mutiny in Pakistan. The US should limit Indian involvement in Afghanistan and the West should play a part in order to resolve the Kashmir dispute and needs to adopt a generous attitude to assist Pakistan. Furthermore, he emphasized cooperation between US and China for safeguarding Pakistan’s survival at the regional level. The author has tried to anticipate the future of South Asia and the standing of Pakistan in World Politics.

Lieven has given the perspicacious prospect of Pakistan, its cohesiveness and dysfunctionality at the same time, its historical analysis, anthropological investigation, deep analysis of its internal dynamics and structures, issues and outcomes, political structures and culture, demographic swathes, history, religious traditions, and regions.

He tried to cover almost all aspects of Pakistani society. He has accentuated the influence of climate change and global warming emphasizing ecological catastrophe by highlighting the floods of 2010 which demolished the state’s systems, damaged infrastructure, extirpated agriculture, and livestock, and resulted in huge loss of lives. The author has adopted an analytical approach, traveled across the State, and used empirical resources for including the voices of politicians, intelligence officers, bureaucrats, intellectuals, religious personalities, soldiers, and common people.

Stereotypical Gender Roles: Limiting Options for Pakistani Women

By

Tayyaba Khurshid

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June 12, 2023

0

Women play a crucial role in fostering the progress and development of any country, serving as an integral part of society that is essential for its smooth functioning. In Pakistan, women constitute nearly 49% of the population, representing a diverse range of cultures, languages, and ideologies. However, the roles and participation of women in different spheres of society vary across cultures and regions and in most cases are limited to the household. Gender inequality is an issue that is common in almost every state of the world. However, Pakistan faces the worst gender equality crisis. In Pakistan, cultural norms and societal expectations limit women’s career choices and opportunities. Gender equality in the workplace is an important problem in Pakistan, as women face many obstacles to achieving full equality with men. Despite some progress in recent years, women still encounter significant challenges that prevent them from participating in the workforce equally. These challenges include cultural norms, lack of education and skills, discrimination, violence, and slow government policies.

Women face obstacles in the social, economic, legal, and political settings in Pakistan and various cultural norms and stereotypes have limited the role of women.

It is crucial to investigate the reasons behind these challenges and find solutions to promote gender equality in the workplace in Pakistan.

Women in Pakistan face the systematic hurdles that deprive them of to access equal opportunities as men. There remains a significant portion of the female population in Pakistan who is deprived of educational opportunities. Cultural constraints, prevailing stereotypes, and taboos confine women, especially those in conservative and rural societies, to their homes. The society and statecraft design does not significantly help women to break the shackles of cultural taboos and impose limitations on women’s career choices. The employment sector is dominated by the male due to various reasons. Firstly, Pakistani women don’t have access to quality and standard education as men and it has become a norm to send boys to good private schools as they grow up to become bread earners of household and restrict quality education for women as they have to marry one day and leave the family. The literacy figure reveals that the literacy for the male in Pakistan stood at 64 percent meanwhile the literacy rate for the female is at 40 percent. Thus, the gender gap is nearly 14 percent which is the highest for any country. Social taboos are the main reason behind this gender gap. The women in most of the houses are encouraged to do selected degrees like Nursing, Medicine, etc. The number of girls in the business and law degree is less than the national average. Thus, women are left with limited choices. Secondly, even if the women get a quality education, they would not be provided with equal employment opportunities. Most workplaces are dominated by males who provide no space for women. Low wages and harassment at the workplace further discourage women.

The Pakistan Labour Force published a survey between 2013 -2015 that revealed that the wage gap between gender was around 26 percent.

Moreover, one of the primary obstacles for women in accessing education and contributing to society through participation in the workforce is the issue of insecurity. There has been a disturbing increase in incidents of harassment, rape, and sexual exploitation of women when they are engaged in work or pursuing education. Furthermore, most of the work done by the women in Pakistan is unrecognized and about 70 percent of women in Pakistan are housewives that maintain the house and perform the household chore. The social taboos and stereotypes limit their role to households only and that too without any appreciation and recognition. The home has become a primary duty of women due to prevailing cultural values that men are responsible to earn bread for their families and women are obliged to stay in their homes and perform the household. Those who join the workforce to share the financial burden have to be best at both places without any support from husbands in most cases, unlike the developed states. The lack of recognition and appreciation at the house, in schools, and workplace makes the situation miserable and impacts the psychology of women who lives with an inferiority complex leading to anxiety and depression.

Also, women in Pakistan face various social discrimination and practices that limit their opportunities. Firstly, most of Pakistani society thinks that men have immense physical power which makes them superior to all of the women in society. The psychology of society and the socialization process since the early years of growth is developed in the sense that girls are to be frail, weak, and soft and boys are strong. This psychology decides the gender role in society. This masculinity in society allows the man to control every aspect of women. With these social taboos, Honor killings and domestic violence against women also persist. Pakistan is ranked as the sixth most dangerous country for women and fourth worst in economic resources according to a poll conducted by the Thomas Reuters Foundation. The ranking is also due to risks women encounter due to religious and cultural practices used against women like honor killing. The rank is 5^th in the list of countries with non-sexual violence against women (domestic abuse). For example, the concept of “honour killing” is present in Pakistani society which refers to the killing of a woman by a relative, brother, or father in most cases if she is suspected to be having a relationship with someone. Statistics indicate that between 2019 and 2021, over 3,987 women were murdered, and 10,517 cases of rape were registered in Pakistan. Thus, men consider women as their personal property in most cases and take all their life decisions. Other such practices in Pakistan are ‘bride money’ in which the family of the bride has to pay money to the groom, and ‘vani’ in which the woman is used as a bargain for the crime and given to the victim family as a settlement. ‘Watta Satta’ is another practice that means that a pair of sister-brother are married to a similar pair. Other than this, some women are forced to be married to Quran. This is done to save the land of the family. Social discrimination against women has various other forms in Pakistan that vary from region to region and culture to culture, but the victim ( women) remains the same. The 2018 Global Gender Gap Index report also verified the claim by putting Pakistan at the 148th position in a total of 149 countries.

Nonetheless, Pakistani women are completely removed from the decision-making process and legal protection.

Most of the women in Pakistan are unaware of their legal protection and in many cases, the legal protection is not present.

The state law mostly discriminates the women in Pakistan. For example, one-third of Pakistani women are unable to receive their fair share of the inheritance. In the family structure, the most silent subjects are the women of the family. The patriarchal structure of society alienates women from taking the most important decisions in life like education, employment, marriage, etc. Before marriage, the father decides everything about the daughter, and after marriage husband bounds the woman to choose and decide their life independently. Even the number of children in the marriage is decided by the husband. This lack of decision-making and participation is the worst form of discrimination against women in Pakistan.

Other than this, access to basic health care is also a major issue faced by most of the women in Pakistan. The health in Pakistan is already in shamble but most of its burden is faced by Pakistani women. In the rural areas, about half of the women are deprived of any basic healthcare facilities in Pakistan. The social taboo and cultural stereotypes restrict women to get treatment from the male doctor and where there is no availability of female doctors women suffer a lot. For Pakistani women, in most critical cases like pregnancy, regular and quality medical treatment is not present in most areas especially rural regions.

These practices and discrimination against women in every sector from households to educational institutes to job sectors have limited the role of women in the workforce. Societal expectations have restricted women to pursue their careers independently and most women end-up up managing the household those who join the workforce also pursue limited options in teaching and medicine. Pakistan can only achieve prosperity as a nation when women can enjoy a safe environment and exercise their basic rights, including the right to education and the right to work. Although few women are already making significant contributions in some fields, a significant portion of them live in fear of venturing outside their homes due to the prevailing insecurity, social taboos, and cultural norms Therefore efforts need to be made to make the environment safe and secure for women. All in all, there is a dire need to bring back the country to Quaid’s vision which asserts that,

“No nation can rise to the height of glory unless your women are side by side with you. We are victims of evil customs. It is a crime against humanity that our women are shut up within the four walls of the houses as prisoners. There is no sanction anywhere for the deplorable condition in which our women have to live”.

Middle East Women Leaders’ Historic Pact for Diplomacy: The ‘Sarah and Hagar Agreement’

By

Dr. Usman

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June 11, 2023

0

The Middle East has witnessed a growing recognition of the vital role women leaders play in diplomacy and peacebuilding. In a groundbreaking development, female political leaders from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bahrain, Morocco, and Israel have come together to sign a historic agreement called the ‘Sarah and Hagar Agreement’ or the ‘Sarah & Hajar Accords.’ This agreement aims to elevate the role of women in diplomacy and address women’s rights issues in the region. The ‘Sarah and Hagar Agreement’ holds significant implications for the Middle East, shaping the diplomatic landscape and promoting gender equality.

The ‘Sarah and Hagar Agreement’ derives its name from the biblical figures of Sarah and Hagar, who symbolize strength, courage, and the birth of civilizations. The agreement reflects a call for reconciliation between these two maternal figures and highlights their shared commitment to peace.

By drawing inspiration from Sarah and Hagar, the agreement emphasizes the importance of unity, collaboration, and mutual understanding among women leaders in the Middle East.

The pact for diplomacy is spearheaded by a group of remarkable Muslim women leaders who have made significant strides in politics, diplomacy, and governance. Among these leaders are Benazir Bhutto, the former prime minister of Pakistan; Megawati Sukarnoputri, the Indonesian president; Tansu Çiller, the former Turkish prime minister; Mame Madior Boye, the former Senegalese prime minister; and many more.

These trailblazing women have shattered glass ceilings and defied societal expectations, paving the way for future generations of female leaders in the Middle East. They have demonstrated exceptional leadership, bringing about positive change in their respective countries and leaving a lasting impact on the region’s diplomatic landscape.

The ‘Sarah and Hagar Agreement’ encompasses several core principles and objectives aimed at promoting diplomacy and fostering peace in the Middle East:

The agreement emphasizes the importance of open and constructive dialogue among Middle East women leaders. It encourages the exchange of ideas, experiences, and best practices to develop effective diplomatic strategies. The agreement seeks to empower women leaders and promote gender equality in diplomacy. It advocates for the active involvement of women in decision-making processes and peace negotiations. The agreement aims to bridge divides within the Middle East, fostering understanding and cooperation among diverse cultures, religions, and nations. It recognizes the potential of women leaders to build trust and facilitate dialogue across borders.

The ‘Sarah and Hagar Agreement’ addresses common challenges faced by women in the region, such as gender-based discrimination, unequal representation, and limited access to resources. It strives to create an environment where women can thrive and contribute to regional stability and development. The agreement recognizes the importance of engaging with international partners, organizations, and stakeholders to garner support for diplomatic initiatives led by Middle East women leaders. It seeks to build alliances and strengthen cooperation on regional and global issues.

It represents a significant milestone in the empowerment of women in the Middle East and the promotion of diplomatic efforts. By uniting under this pact, women leaders aim to challenge existing power dynamics, advocate for peace, and contribute to the resolution of long-standing conflicts in the region.

The agreement is expected to have far-reaching implications, including increased women’s representation in diplomatic negotiations, the amplification of women’s voices in policymaking, and the cultivation of a more inclusive and diverse diplomatic landscape in the Middle East.

The ‘Sarah and Hagar Agreement’ has far-reaching implications for the Middle East. By elevating the role of women in diplomacy, the agreement brings diverse perspectives, fresh insights, and innovative approaches to regional problem-solving. Women leaders can contribute unique insights based on their experiences and expertise, leading to more holistic and inclusive diplomatic efforts. The ‘Sarah and Hagar Agreement’ stands as a testament to the resilience and determination of Middle East women leaders in shaping the future of the region. It represents a historic pact for diplomacy, emphasizing collaboration, inclusivity, and the invaluable contributions of women in peacebuilding and conflict resolution.

Through this agreement, Middle East women leaders aim to create a transformative impact on regional diplomacy, challenging existing norms, and working towards a more peaceful and prosperous Middle East.

China’s Role in Revamping Middle Eastern Politics

By

Danish Raja

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June 11, 2023

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Let China sleep, for when she wakes, she will shake the world.

This statement of Napoleon Bonaparte seems pertinent today. China has awakened and its growing role in revamping global political affairs has sent shock waves across the world. The recent political transformation in the Middle East took many stakeholders by surprise, when, in March 2022, Iran and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia signed a historic agreement brokered by China to resume their diplomatic ties and resolve bilateral disputes with dialogue. This was the most significant political development in the Middle East after the historic Abraham Accords between Arab states and Israel under the umbrella of the United States. This agreement is of paramount significance for two reasons. First, it has paved the way for the normalization of relations between the arch-rivals of the Middle East. Second, this agreement speaks about growing China’s role in revamping Middle Eastern politics.

The Middle East has remained one of the most conflict-ridden regions throughout history. It remained a volatile region amid incessant inter-state conflicts, predominantly between Arab states and Israel over the Palestine-Israel conflict, and great power rivalry over energy resources. Since the end of World War II, this region found itself embroiled in the great power rivalry between the United States on the one hand and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics on the other. During Cold War, China was hostile towards Arab states due to their inclination towards Western anti-communism block. This is evident from the fact that Saudi Arabia voted against the membership of China in the UN in 1971. However, since the latter half of the 1980s, China started revamping its relations with Arab states. After the end of the Cold War, the United States unilaterally exercised its unchallenged hegemony over the region. Although it maintained cordial ties with numerous Arab states of the region in order to bolster its stronghold on vast energy resources of the region, the relations between the U.S. and Arab states (notably Saudi Arabia) have declined over the years as evident from the inclination of Arab states towards China.

China remained a passive observer towards the Middle East for decades, but its growing economic ties with Arab states encouraged Beijing to play a more proactive role in the region. The deepening economic ties between China and Arab states are evident from the fact that from 1980 till 2021, China’s exports to the Gulf increased at an annual rate of 11.7% while that of Gulf countries increased by 19.7% per annum during the same duration. In the year 2021, China imported more than 40% of crude oil from the Middle East with Saudi Arabia contributing to 17% of China’s total oil demand. Furthermore, in 2021, bilateral trade between China and Arab states increased to $330 billion. With Saudi Arabia alone, the bilateral trade volume increased from $417 million in 1990 to $65.2 billion in 2020. Since 2013, when China launched its historic Belt and Road Initiative, around 15 states from the Middle East have joined it.

From energy projects to infrastructure development, China is investing massively in multiple projects across Middle Eastern countries.

According to the 2022 annual report of Shanghai-based Green Finance and Development Centre (GFDC), total BRI investments across the Middle East reached $67.8 billion with Saudi Arabia being the largest destination of investments. Furthermore, China peppered the Middle East with more than $273 billion in investment between 2005 and 2022- being the largest investor in the region. Today, China has become the biggest purchaser of oil from Saudi Arabia and Iran.

Initially, China abstained itself from entangling in internal conflicts of the region, but with expanding economic ties it has begun to assert itself more proactively in the regional affairs. The success story of China’s nuanced diplomacy came in the limelight when hostile regional powers- Saudi Arabia and Iran- signed a reconciliation agreement brokered by China. This deal ended seven years long diplomatic rift between both states. This is something rather extraordinary that China achieved in the region. China has successfully transformed its economic clout into diplomatic and political clout in an attempt to accomplish its economic and geopolitical interests in the region. According to Atlantic Council 2019 report, China has signed comprehensive strategic partnerships with Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, and Egypt. This strategic partnership entails full diplomatic support on regional and global affairs. In 2021, China also signed a 25-year long economic cooperation deal to deepen its economic ties with Tehran. The rising China’s influence in the region indicates that its policies are underpinned by strategic imperatives.

China also aims to mediate peace talks between Israel and Palestine to end their century-long conflict. It put forth a four-point peace plan 2021 for the resolution of this longstanding dispute in 2021. Last Month China’s foreign minister had a telephone conversation with her Israeli and Palestinian counterparts and offered to facilitate peace talks between both states. China is pursuing more pragmatic foreign policy as evident from its initiative to normalize ties between Israel and Palestine.

If China succeeds in brokering a peace deal between Israel and Palestine the entire geopolitical landscape of the region will be revamped with China being the new and reliable bellwether.

China’s rising political and economic influence in the Middle East comes at the expanse of the apparently diminishing role of the US in the region. There are debates that whether or not China will replace the US in the Middle East. Although China has grown its economic and diplomatic influence in the region it seems least interested in supplanting the US in the region. The United States has long been actively involved in the region as a single security guarantor. It has a notorious history of indulging in wars in the region, dethroning the elected regimes, and intervening in domestic affairs on the pretext of upholding human rights and democratic values. China is a reliable partner for Middle Eastern states in contrast to the US for two reasons. First, China firmly adheres to the principle of sovereignty and non-interference in domestic affairs of states which makes it an unparalleled interlocutor in the region. Second, China through BRI Project aims to deeply integrate the regional economies by enhancing trade, investment, and infrastructure projects. Although China has recently started playing a more proactive geopolitical role as evidenced by the recent mediation of the Saudi-Iran deal and joint naval operations with Arab states, it is less likely that it would replace the US in the region. The United States thus far has remained the sole security provider of the region and it has more than 30 military bases with huge military presence across the region. It also has been the largest arms supplier to the regional states for the past several years.

The United States has retreated from the region for a while but has reiterated not to leave a vacuum for any other player in the region.

Experts are of the view that the recent Saudi-Iran accord mediated by China is an outstanding diplomatic success of China in the region. The growing China’s economic power coupled with its pragmatic diplomatic maneuverings makes it a reliable peace broker between states. As long as it avoids imitating policies pursued by the US it would remain an incontrovertible power in the region. The active involvement of China in the region and the danger it poses to the established regional dynamics may bring it into a confrontation with the US in the region. It remains to be seen in the foreseeable future whether or not China’s active involvement in the region will bring sustainable peace to the region.

A New Era in the Gulf: Assessing Opportunities and Implications of Saudi-Iran Rapprochement

By

Abu Hurrairah Abbasi and Saher Liaqat

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June 11, 2023

4

The much-anticipated renewal of diplomatic ties between Iran and Saudi Arabia, facilitated principally by China, along with other regional countries such as Iraq, and Oman, indicates that diplomacy and dialogue remain viable options in the politics of the Middle Eastern region.‎

Since the Iranian revolution of 1979, the relationship between Sunni and Shiite powers has been characterized by sectarianism and geostrategic calculations prioritizing a zero-sum approach. The diplomatic ties between the two nations have been negatively impacted by various incidents, including the hajj stampedes, executions, the Saudi embassy’s invasion in Tehran in 2016, which was a response to the execution of a prominent Shiite cleric, and resulted in the Kingdom and its allied states severing diplomatic relations with Iran. Additionally, aerial attacks and bombings have further contributed to the deterioration of bilateral relations. Hence, it is imperative to establish additional collaboration to tackle the complete spectrum of apprehensions and hazards these states persist in encountering. ‎

The Saudi-Iran deal has raised hopes for reducing tensions regarding various matters, particularly the ongoing conflict in Yemen.

The plan is to reinstate past bilateral accords, including the Security and Cooperation Agreement 2001, which addressed counterterrorism and anti-money laundering efforts, and commitments made by Iran and Saudi Arabia to refrain from meddling in each other’s domestic affairs. Iran is endeavoring to expand the process of détente by pursuing the restoration of diplomatic relations with Bahrain. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia has pledged to reestablish diplomatic relations with Syria, an ally of Iran, following the end of Ramadan.

There is a possibility that China will undertake efforts to strengthen the agreement by organizing a summit between the Gulf Cooperation Council and Iran.‎

The agreement has already yielded economic advantages. The Iranian currency has exhibited a notable increase in strength, albeit with lingering uncertainties regarding the expeditiousness of Saudi Arabia’s pledged investments in Iran. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is motivated to restore a sense of stability in the neighborhood to protect its investments and facilitate the implementation of its Vision 2030 initiative, which aims to diversify its oil-oriented economy.‎

Normalizing relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran could positively impact nuclear non-proliferation efforts. Despite the current inactivity of the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), Iran may refrain from taking any provocative measures in the near future to protect its economy and prevent any potential retaliation from Saudi Arabia’s nuclear hedging.‎

Moreover, a potential avenue for fostering improved Saudi-Iran relations in the future involves the establishment of a consensus on legal measures designed to curtail sectarian tensions, in conjunction with a renewed dedication to diplomatic protocols outlined in the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.

The advancement of knowledge may encompass comprehending the distinct functions, entitlements, and obligations of various regions, serving as the foundation for a novel regional security framework.‎

Similar to the evolution of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the establishment of a novel regional security forum may arise naturally through sustained interactions. Including additional states and a broader range of traditional and non-traditional security challenges that have already been discussed in Track II dialogues could enhance the effectiveness of a forum and foster a more robust regional identity.‎

Following the announcement of the Saudi-Iran agreement, a pertinent inquiry arises regarding the potential implications for the likelihood of Saudi-Israeli rapprochement. The current US administration under President Biden has been advocating for the expansion of the Abraham Accords, a diplomatic agreement that facilitated the normalization of Israeli relations with several Arab nations, during the previous administration led by President Trump. Reportedly, Mohammed bin Salman, the Crown Prince and effective leader of Saudi Arabia, has requested the Biden administration to provide further security assurances, support in establishing a non-military nuclear program, and reduced limitations on the trade of weaponry as a condition for initiating official diplomatic relations with Israel.‎

The request made by the individual aligns with the United States’ objective to finalize a “123 agreement” with the Kingdom. This agreement would establish a legally binding framework for nuclear cooperation that prioritizes peaceful purposes and includes provisions prohibiting enrichment, reprocessing, and unauthorized transfer of nuclear material. The Saudis must finalize a new safeguards agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency.‎

Nonetheless, there is no assurance that the revival of collaboration will result in a more extensive and enduring reconciliation. Also, it is improbable that the United States Congress will furnish the guarantees the Saudi Arabian government seeks. The potential normalization of relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel would oppose the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative, which was influenced by Saudi leadership and ratified by the Arab League. This statement establishes a connection between normalization and the complete withdrawal of Israel from the occupied territories, a fair resolution to the issue of Palestinian refugees, and the designation of East Jerusalem as the capital of a Palestinian state.‎

In fact, Prince Turki al-Faisal, a former Saudi envoy to the US, said on March 14, 2023, that the Kingdom would stick to this strategy, indicating a continued reluctance to normalize relations with Israel, especially under the current right-wing Israeli government. This adds to Kingdom’s worries that Iran will strike it if Israel attacks Iran’s nuclear facilities, whether the United States is involved or not.‎

Notwithstanding Saudi Arabia’s endeavors to mitigate its foreign policy risks by engaging with China and collaborating with Russia primarily to limit oil production, its security relies on the United States.

The relationship between Saudi Arabia and Iran is expected to face obstacles due to the current tensions between the United States and Iran. This comes when there is limited progress on the nuclear front, and Iran is under scrutiny for its increasing military cooperation with Russia and its suppression of domestic opposition.‎

The leadership of Iran is presently experiencing internal and external pressures, which have resulted in a state of division. This situation increases the probability that Tehran will persist in antagonistic behavior towards the United States and its allies. The aforementioned encompasses assistance for assaults carried out by proxies and other non-governmental entities, as evidenced by a recent escalation in Syria that resulted in the death of a contractor from the United States. It is difficult to evade an increased level of instability. The objective is to expand upon previous accords by implementing additional measures to curtail recurring bouts of hostility and tackle nascent sources of jeopardy.‎

Pakistan’s Counterterrorism Efforts against ISIS-Khorasan

By

Asma Khan Durrani

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June 10, 2023

0

In today’s interconnected world, nations face various challenges, including the ever-evolving threat of terrorism. Pakistan finds itself in the crosshairs of a grave security challenge posed by foreign terrorist organizations. Among these groups, ISIS-Khorasan (ISKP) stands out as the most dangerous threat to Pakistan in 2023. Pakistan, located in a region known for its complex security dynamics, has encountered multifaceted threats from foreign terrorist organizations. The focus is to scrutinize the dangerous threat posed by ISIS-Khorasan to Pakistan in 2023. Additionally, the efforts of the Pakistan Army and its robust counterterrorism strategy, and the ongoing efforts to maintain peace and stability within the country.

ISIS-Khorasan, or ISKP is the Afghan branch of ISIS, and has been particularly active in the neighboring region of Pakistan. The group aims to establish its foothold and expand its influence in South Asia, posing a significant danger to Pakistan’s security apparatus.

The Menace of ISKP ISIS (Islamic State of Khorasan), a notorious terrorist organization, has spread its venomous ideology worldwide, targeting countries and regions with vulnerable security conditions. Pakistan, unfortunately, has not been immune to this threat. The emergence of ISIS in the region has challenged the stability and security of the country, requiring a comprehensive response from the Pakistan Army. ISIS-Khorasan, or ISKP is the Afghan branch of ISIS and has been particularly active in the neighboring region of Pakistan. The group aims to establish its foothold and expand its influence in South Asia, posing a significant danger to Pakistan’s security apparatus. With its ruthless tactics and ability to exploit societal vulnerabilities, ISIS-Khorasan has become a formidable adversary that requires constant vigilance and robust countermeasures.

The Pakistan Army recognized as one of the most professional and capable forces globally, has consistently demonstrated its unwavering commitment to eradicating terrorism from its soil. The country’s army has been at the forefront of numerous successful counterterrorism operations, exhibiting remarkable courage and dedication to protecting its citizens. The Pakistan Army, entrusted with the responsibility of safeguarding the nation, has made notable achievements in its fight against terrorism. Through its relentless efforts, the army has successfully disrupted terrorist networks, dismantled their infrastructure, and neutralized threats to national security. These achievements are a testament to the commitment and bravery of the Pakistani soldiers who put their lives on the line to protect their land. Such as the recent counter-terrorism success in which 5 five ISKP terrorists, including a senior commander, were killed in the operation of the Pakistani police and anti-terrorism units in the areas of Peshawar, Bajaur, and Swat in the northwest of this country. Pakistani intelligence forces announced that they managed to detain 12 ISKP terrorist forces in the country’s Punjab province. Two of the ISIL terrorists were killed during clashes with Pakistani forces. Pakistan has seen a tremendous increase in terrorist incidents inside compared to previous years, ISKP and Tehrik-i-Taliban terrorist groups are labeled as the main causes of violence in Pakistan in 2023.

The Pakistan Army recognized as one of the most professional and capable forces globally, has consistently demonstrated its unwavering commitment to eradicating terrorism from its soil. The country’s army has been at the forefront of numerous successful counterterrorism operations

To tackle the multifaceted threats posed by foreign terrorist organizations, the Pakistan Army has devised a comprehensive counterterrorism strategy that encompasses both military operations and a holistic approach to countering extremist ideologies. This multifaceted strategy aims to dismantle terrorist networks, disrupt their financing, and prevent the radicalization of individuals susceptible to extremist propaganda. This strategy encompasses various aspects, including intelligence gathering, proactive operations, capacity building, and international cooperation. By prioritizing intelligence sharing and collaboration with international partners, the Pakistan Army aims to disrupt terrorist networks and prevent potential attacks on its soil. Military operations have played a vital role in combating terrorism in Pakistan. The army has conducted targeted operations in areas affected by extremist elements, dismantling their strongholds and disrupting their activities. These operations have significantly degraded the capabilities of terrorist organizations, making it increasingly difficult for them to carry out large-scale attacks. Pakistan’s fight against terrorism is an ongoing battle, and the Pakistan Army continues to adapt and evolve its strategies to counter emerging threats effectively.

By prioritizing intelligence sharing and collaboration with international partners, the Pakistan Army aims to disrupt terrorist networks and prevent potential attacks on its soil. Military operations have played a vital role in combating terrorism in Pakistan. The army has conducted targeted operations in areas affected by extremist elements, dismantling their strongholds and disrupting their activities.

One of the cornerstones of Pakistan’s counterterrorism efforts is intelligence-based operations (IBOs). The Pakistan Army, in close collaboration with intelligence agencies, conducts targeted operations based on actionable intelligence to neutralize terrorist cells and disrupt their activities. These operations have significantly degraded the capabilities of terrorist organizations operating within Pakistan’s borders. Despite the challenges posed by ISIS-Khorasan, Pakistan’s security forces have achieved notable successes in dismantling the organization’s infrastructure and curtailing its operations. Recent military operations have resulted in the elimination of high-value targets and the apprehension of key ISIS-Khorasan operatives.

Pakistan has adopted a zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism and actively combats the existence of safe havens for terrorist organizations. Through targeted operations and increased border security measures, the Pakistan Army has taken substantial strides in preventing terrorists from exploiting vulnerable areas for shelter and regrouping.

Recognizing the global nature of the terrorist threat, Pakistan has strengthened its cooperation with international partners in the fight against terrorism. Such as the recent Trilateral manoeuvre by Pakistan China and Iran, in Beijing for information sharing, joint training exercises, and intelligence collaboration, Pakistan has enhanced its ability to track and apprehend terrorists with global linkages, including those associated with ISIS-Khorasan.

To ensure long-term stability and peace, a holistic approach is required, which includes not only military operations but also social and economic development, countering extremist ideologies, and strengthening law enforcement agencies. Investing in socio-economic development is crucial to address the root causes of extremism. By focusing on education, healthcare, infrastructure, and job creation, the government can empower communities, reduce poverty, and provide alternative pathways to vulnerable individuals susceptible to extremist ideologies. Parallel to military operations, countering extremist ideologies is imperative. Efforts should be made to challenge and discredit the narrative propagated by terrorist organizations. Promoting tolerance and religious education that emphasizes peace and coexistence can help in countering radical ideologies. Strengthening law enforcement collaboration between the military and law enforcement agencies is vital for a robust counterterrorism framework. Equipping and training law enforcement personnel to effectively respond to threats.

Recognizing that sustainable security requires addressing the root causes of extremism, the Pakistani government, with the support of the army, has initiated socio-economic development projects in the areas affected by terrorism. By providing better education, healthcare, and infrastructure, Pakistan aims to uplift communities and create an environment that rejects extremist ideologies.

Pakistan, confronted with the multifaceted threat of foreign terrorist organizations like ISIS-Khorasan, has shown exceptional resilience and determination in safeguarding its people and eliminating terrorism from its soil.

Pakistan, confronted with the multifaceted threat of foreign terrorist organizations like ISIS-Khorasan, has shown exceptional resilience and determination in safeguarding its people and eliminating terrorism from its soil. Through the unwavering efforts of the Pakistan Army, the country continues to make significant strides in countering extremist ideologies, dismantling terrorist networks, and securing its borders.

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