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US Judge Terms Google Online Search Monopoly Illegal

By
Info Desk
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Google

WASHINGTON – Google violated antitrust law and created an illegal monopoly to become the world’s default search engine, a US judge ruled on Monday.

The verdict is a massive victory against the Big Tech whose market dominance has raised serious questions around the world, especially in a free market which requires fair competition.

It was the US Department of Justice which had sued Google in 2020 over its control of about 90% of the online search market. Meanwhile, the share jumps to 95% in the case of smartphones.

Google advertising was 77% of Alphabet’s total sales in 2023, the details provided by Reuters and BBC show.

GAME CHANGER

The verdict is a first big win for federal authorities in their attempt to end the monopoly of Big Tech.

It paves the way for a second trial to determine potential fixes, possibly including a breakup of Google parent Alphabet, which would change the landscape of the online advertising world that Google has dominated for years.

More importantly, the US antitrust authorities would now be able to prosecute Big Tech that has been under fire from across the political spectrum.

As a result of this ruling, shares of Alphabet fell 4.5% on Monday amid a broad decline in tech shares as the wider stock market cratered on recession fears.

In its reaction, Alphabet said it plans to appeal the verdict.

“This decision recognizes that Google offers the best search engine, but concludes that we shouldn’t be allowed to make it easily available,” Google said in a statement.

A HISTORIC WIN FOR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE

US Attorney General Merrick Garland described the judgment as “a historic win for the American people”.

“No company – no matter how large or influential – is above the law.”

Similarly, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said the “pro-competition ruling is a victory for the American people.”

“Americans deserve an internet that is free, fair, and open for competition.”

GOOGLE IS A MONOPOLIST

“The court reaches the following conclusion: Google is a monopolist, and it has acted as one to maintain its monopoly,” US District Judge Amit Mehta.

The judge further noted that Google had paid $26.3 billion in 2021 alone to ensure that its search engine is the default on smartphones and browsers.

“The default is extremely valuable real estate,” Mehta wrote.

BIPARTISAN SUPPORT

The latest ruling is given in a case, filed by the Trump administration, went before a judge from September to November of last year.

But the federal antitrust regulators during the past four years have also sued Meta, Amazon.com, and Apple over their illegal monopolies.

That’s why Senator Amy Klobuchar, a Democrat, said the fact that the case spanned administrations shows strong bipartisan support for antitrust enforcement.

The UN Security Council and Kashmir – Article 370 and 35-A

By
Prof. Dr. Muhammad Munir
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Article 370 and 35A

On August 5, 2019, the Hindu nationalist BJP government decided to revoke two parts of the Indian Constitution, Article 370 and Article 35A, while the conflict over the territory of Jammu and Kashmir persisted. This move not only changed the political affiliations map in the region but also attracted a great deal of foreign attention, including the UN Security Council level.

The Indian government revoked Articles 370 and 35A, stripping Jammu and Kashmir of its special status.

Article 370, passed in 1949, gave autonomy to the Jammu and Kashmir region while dealing with the Indian Union. It gave the state another constitution and restrained the degree of the Indian government’s interference in matters other than defense, foreign and internal investment policies, and postal services.

Article 370 was inherent to the Instrument of Accession signed in 1947 by Maharaja Hari Kumar of Jammu and Kashmir. The document said that Jammu and Kashmir should join the Indian Union but with a provision that it will not be fully under the control of the Indian government.

Affirmed in 1954 through a Presidential Order, the Article 35-A lays down the ability of the legislature to define who is a ‘permanent resident’ of the state and extend ‘rights and privileges’ to them. The Article 35-A was devised to protect the state’s demography, and this factor was a matter of great concern for the state due to its extremely dense sociopolitical infrastructure.

The abrogation led to the bifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories: Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.

The Indian government scrapped the abovementioned legislation August 2019, which, in other words, was a withdrawal of Jammu and Kashmir’s reserved status. It was accompanied by bifurcation of the state into two Union Territories: Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. Such a decision was rather sensitive, as it elicited different reactions within the UN and the global community.

The most crucial impact in relation to the region is the shifting of political structures in Jammu and Kashmir following the removal of these two articles. Depriving the state of its special status has led to shifts in the nature and geographical positioning of the bodies’ administration in integrating Kashmir into the Indian Union in a straight forward manner. This process was welcomed earlier in the region, but on the other hand, certain issues are associated with it, like losing the identity and sovereignty of the region.

Further, the scrapping of Article 35A has altered the balance of ownership and property rights in the segment of the states of Jammu and Kashmir. This results in local people being afraid of their demography and the land that can be provided to those who wish to put it to the test. Also, it has thrown debate about the legal character of many freedoms and protections formerly conferred to the people of the area.

Local residents fear the loss of identity and sovereignty due to changes in property and residency rights.

Closely associated with the political changes are security measures personifying curfews, limits of communication, and increases in the number of military reports. These have provoked cases of human rights abuses, not forgetting the social lifestyle of the people of the area.

However, the world has not come up with a single reaction to India’s actions to abrogate the special status. Pakistan, which has a border issue with India over a portion of Jammu and Kashmir, criticized the move. Pakistan has sought assistance from other nations and has requested the UN to consider this because UN conventions and laws prohibit this act.

Many countries shared a similar opinion as they became concerned regarding the possible upsurge of insecurity in the region. Some have urged for a dialogue between the two countries over the issue, while some have demanded the rights of the people of India or the safety of civilians.

International reactions have been mixed, with some countries urging dialogue and others expressing concern over regional security.

It is cumbersome to define the UNSC’s role concerning the conflict in Kashmir, mainly in the form of a resolution that demands holding a referendum to determine the people’s will. However, the UNSC’s position, especially after the abrogation, has been somehow constrained to a certain degree.

Undoubtedly, the UNSC has held sessions to discuss the situation in Occupied Kashmir up to the present, which enunciates the continuing international concern with the issue. While dialogue has always been an important principle, problems have always been oriented on political issues and, as a rule, on the foreign policies of states.

Hasina Wajid resigns, flees Bangladesh

By
Info Desk
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Hasina Wajid

DHAKA – Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday resigned and left the country amid the violence that has gripped the country for around two weeks, claiming around 300 lives.

She has fled to India and landed in Agartala [the capital city of the northeastern state of Tripura], BBC reported.

On the other hand, thousands of people later stormed the official residence of Bangladeshi prime minister in Dhaka.

Footage aired by different TV channels show a large number of protesters looting precious items from the building.

Bangladesh has witnessed the worst violence in its history, as police and security forces used lethal weapons against protesters in different cities and towns across the country.

THE REPLACEMENT

Gen Waker-uz-Zaman, the Bangladesh army chief, addressed the nation after having consultations with the various “stakeholders”.

He asked the citizens to keep trust in the army, promising bring peace to the country, as he announced formation of an interim government to manage the state affairs.

“We will form an interim government,” Zaman said, adding that Sheikh Hasina had resigned.

He said, “We will investigate all killings that have happened over the past few weeks.”

“I am taking full responsibility,” the general said, dressed in military fatigues and cap, although it was not immediately clear if he would head a caretaker government.

“The country has suffered a lot, the economy has been hit, many people have been killed – it is time to stop the violence,” he added.

“I hope, after my speech, the situation will improve.”

He said he would talk to the president to form the interim government and had held talks with the main opposition parties and civil society members – but not the Awami League, the party inherited by Hasina Wajid from her father Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

THE JOB QUOTA PROTESTS

Bangladesh plunged into a political turmoil despite an impressive growth rate during the last two decades. However, the widening rich and poor divide laid the foundations for social unrest that erupted suddenly with the protests over job quota.

Bangladesh plunged into a political turmoil despite an impressive growth rate during the last two decades. However, the widening rich and poor divide led the basis for social unrest that erupted with the protests over job quota.

The South Asian nation is now a major global manufacturing hub for textile industry. It led to top fashion houses and other companies preferring Bangladesh for cheap labor.

Previously, the textile workers had opted for industrial action and violent protests over lower wages. It resulted in some pray raise, although way below the expectations.

THE DICTATORSHIP

But it is the autocratic approach adopted by Hasina Wajid that produced a government which didn’t pay attention to public sentiments and demands.

Hence, media curbs became a norm while rival political parties like Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) led by former prime minister Khaleda Zia and Jamaat-e-Islami facing a constant crackdown.

Assassination of Ismail Haniyeh: Heightened Regional Escalation

By
Prof. Nazir Hussain
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Ismail Haniyeh

The inevitable has happened: Palestinian Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was assassinated by Israel in Tehran on July 31, 2024. The slain leader was in Iran for the inauguration ceremony of the new Iranian president, Masoud Pezeshkian. The killing has been widely condemned and mourned the world over with official censure, and Iran has vowed ‘harsh revenge’ against Israel.

The reported modus operandi of the assassination attack is still unclear, but Israel has killed many birds with one stone. The killing has silenced one of the most popular and loyal Palestinian voices, eliminated the chances of an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, put a severe question mark on Iranian intelligence and security, enhanced the chances of a direct confrontation between Iran and Israel, and heightened the already volatile tension into a regional war.

The killing has silenced one of the most popular and loyal Palestinian voices.

Ismail Haniyeh, popularly known as ‘Abu al-Abd’, was a moderate but uncompromising voice of the Palestinians who became one of the most prominent Palestinian leaders. Haniyeh, born and raised in a refugee camp in Gaza, was a direct witness to the Israeli barbaric atrocities and terrorism. He joined Hamas since its inception in 1987 and worked closely with Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, the founder of Hamas. Haniyeh became Hamas leader after the assassination of Sheikh Yassin by Israel in 2004.

In the Palestinian elections held in 2006, Haniyeh was elected from Gaza and became the Prime Minister of Palestine; later, in 2017, he became the head of the political bureau of Hamas. Since October 2023, almost his entire family, dear and near-ones, have been martyred by Israel, including his sons and grandchildren in Gaza. He mostly lived in Doha-Qatar and widely traveled to Turkey, Iran, Jordan, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia.

He was instrumental in the China-brokered unity agreement of all Palestinian factions in July 2024. (Stratheia, July 29, 2024) Since the Gaza war, he was the most sought-after leader for negotiations and ceasefire and remained the most vocal voice of the Palestinians till his martyrdom in July 2024.

Israel has killed many birds with one stone, heightening the already volatile tension into a regional war.

Israel has a long history of terrorist acts of eliminating Palestinian leadership; Deputy Chief of Hamas Political Wing, Saleh al-Arouri (2024), Senior Leader of Islamic Jihad, Al-Majzoub (2006), Head of Qassam Brigades, Adnan al-Ghul (2004), co-founder of Hamas, Abdel Aziz al-Rantisi (2004), founder of Hamas, Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, (2004), founder of Qassam Brigades, Salah Shehadeh, (2002), ‘Engineer’ of Qassam Brigades, Yahya Ayyash (1996), commander of Qassam Brigades, Imad Akel (1993), co-founder of Al-Fatah, Khalil al-Wazir, (1988), founder of Black September group, Ali Hassan Salameh, (1979), Rome PLO representative, Abdel Wael Zwaiter, (1972), spokesperson PFLP, Ghassan Kanafani, (1972) and many others (Aljazeera, July 31, 2024).

Therefore, the latest assassination of Ismail Haniyeh is not going to make any difference in the political and armed struggle of the Palestinians or Hamas. The ultimate decision for the new Hamas leader of its political bureau would be decided by its Shura Council, a consultative body composed of representatives from Gaza, West Bank, Diaspora, and Prisoners in Israel.

Still, prominent Hamas leaders, such as Khaled Meshaal, Khalil Al-Hayya, and Mousa Abu Marzouk, may take the Hamas leadership. As a senior Hamas official, Sami Abu Zuhri stated that “Hamas is a concept and an institution and not persons. Hamas will continue on this path regardless of the sacrifices, and we are confident of victory.” (Aljazeera, July 31, 2024) It signifies that the Palestinian struggle for their ultimate rights would continue, now with more vigor and valor.

In the wake of October 2023 Gaza war, Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu could not provide the promised security to Israel or its citizens, instead the pro-Palestinian demonstrations in the streets of Europe, Americas and Asia manifest the defeat of Israeli actions in Gaza. Even his coalition partners and some of his military commanders are not satisfied with Netanyahu, and Jews in the streets of Jerusalem are demonstrating against him; he also faces corruption charges. (Asia Times, August 2, 2024)

The assassination of the Hamas leader on the eve of the high-profile inauguration ceremony is a sheer diplomatic and security embarrassment for Iran.

To prove his credentials as a ‘security provider’ and to fight for his political survival, he is enlarging the canvas of the Gaza war into a regional conflict. Despite his being declared as a war criminal by the International Court of Justice (ICJ), his sojourn in Washington DC and reception by the US Congress gave him a new lease to strike the Palestinians and others with impunity. Resultantly, Israel struck two capitals, Beirut and Tehran, and assassinated two high-profile targets, Hezbollah commander Faud Shukar and Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh.

It is widely believed that Netanyahu wants to convert the Gaza war into a regional conflict (Asia Times, August 2, 2024) and has been looking for an excuse to pave the way for a direct confrontation between the United States and Iran. “Netanyahu has for two decades sought to get the U.S. to go to war with Iran. The last four American Presidents have all at various times faced pressure from Israel to attack Iran.” (Time Magazine, August 1, 2024) Therefore, targeting the Hamas leader in Tehran was a calculated risk game to enlarge the war theatre and to discredit Iranian credentials for the Palestinian cause and its ability to provide safety and security to the Palestinian leaders.

Ismail Haniyeh was a regular visitor of Muslim/Arab capitals, where he could have been easy prey to the Israeli attack. Still, the choice of place and timing was based on well-calculated reasoning. The assassination of the Hamas leader on the eve of the high-profile inauguration ceremony of the new president was a sheer diplomatic and security embarrassment for Iran, which had multiple objectives for Israel.

Despite the sacrifices, Hamas will continue on this path, and we are confident of victory.

To blame the Hamas leader’s assassination on Iran and to cast doubts about the Iranian ability to provide security. It also forestalls any move by the reformist president, Masoud Pezeshkian, to have a ‘critical dialogue’ with the West, instead putting him on the defensive to prove his credentials to safeguard the national security interests of Iran. Importantly, the Iranian ability to strike back and revenge the assassination of the Hamas leader has been called into question.

There have been statements by the Iranian supreme leader of Iran’s duty to deliver harsh punishment, “The criminal and terrorist Zionist regime has martyred our esteemed guest on our soil and caused us grief, but it has also paved the way for severe retribution.” (Tehran Times, August 3, 2024) “The IRGC has vowed retribution for Haniyeh’s death, declaring that the Zionist regime would face severe consequences at the appropriate time, place, and manner.

This terrorist attack was designed and implemented by the Zionist regime and supported by the criminal government of the United States.” (Tehran Times, August 3, 2024) Ali Bagheri, the acting Iranian foreign minister, has written separate letters to the UN and OIC and stated that “Iran is seriously determined to hold the regime responsible.”  The ‘Axis of Resistance’ has also vowed to avenge this cowardly act of aggression against Iran and Hamas.

Iranian leaders have vowed to retaliate and stated that ‘it didn’t care if the response triggers a war.

Therefore, despite the dangerous episode of the Iran-Israel confrontation in April 2024, defused only after intense diplomatic maneuvers by the US, Western powers, and Muslim/Arab states (Stratheia, April 15, 2024), Israel wants to test the Iranian response for the determent of regional peace and stability. Iran has rejected the US and Arab State’s efforts to temper its response; Iranian leaders have vowed to retaliate and stated that ‘it didn’t care if the response triggers a war’ (Wall Street Journal, August 4, 2024).

There are serious considerations in Tehran about the possible responses to the Israeli aggression that has severely undermined Iranian sovereignty and security. The efficacy and ability of Iranian techno-military prowess and its political will to respond are severely at stake; Iran has to restore its prestige and deterrence to maintain the regional balance of power. The thinking in Iranian power corridors is very likely focussing on a joint calibrated attack against high-profile Israeli military installations led by Iran and then followed by the forces of ‘Axis of Resistance.’ There are also chances of a three-pronged attack by the ‘Axis of Resistance’ from Lebanon, Syria, and Yemen. The US forces have been dispatched to the region with Arab States in a quandary, the world is anxiously waiting for the Iranian response.

Nikkei down over 12% amid the US recession fears

By
Info Desk
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Tokyo

TOKYO/SYDNEY – Nikkei was down 12.40% on Monday, as global markets tumbled amid the fear that the United States may be heading for recession – with the losses at one point exceeding the nosedive exceeding the 1987 “Black Monday”.

But it isn’t the Japanese stocks as South Korea’s Kospi shed 8.77% with Taiwan’s benchmark TWWII sliding 8.35%.

On the other hand, ASX 200 in Australia fell by 3.7% while New Zealand’s NZX 50 was down around 1.51%

However, the bloodbath witnessed in stock markets means the safe haven currencies – Japanese yen and Swiss franc – are getting stronger.

By the time this report is being filed around 0900GMT, the dollar was traded for 142.27 yen with the Japanese currency making a gain of 2.866%. The Swiss franc, on the other hand, is up 0.875%.

WHY THE MAYHEM?

Earlier on Friday, the US stocks fell sharply as a much weaker-than-anticipated jobs report for July ignited worries that the economy could be falling into a recession.

The reason why investors are in a “selling mode” is that they want to avoid risk and desperately hoping for US interest rate cuts so that the economy could be revived.

HIGHER INTEREST RATES IN QUESTION

Hence, the latest developments have again made the argument stronger that the delayed US rate cuts by the Federal Reserves resulted in economic stagnation and sent a wrong signal to markets and economies around the globe.

But it isn’t just the US Federal Reserve as international financial institutions like the IMF and the World Bank have also been vigorously advocating monetary tightening. The conditions set for Pakistan under the previous and the yet-to-be finalized IMF program are an example.

That’s why businesses around the world have been calling for lowering the borrowing costs to generate economic activity and employment opportunities.

Five Years after Article 370: The Indianization of J&K

By
Dr. Mehmood Hussain
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Article 370

August 5, 2019, marks yet another black and unfortunate day in the history of Jammu and Kashmir, when the BJP government of Narendra Modi repelled the special status of the region granted under Article 370 on January 26, 1950. Jammu and Kashmir have exercised autonomy in their internal affairs, except defense, communications, foreign affairs, and finance. To defend its decision, the BJP government highlighted the necessity of national integration, unity, economic development, equal rights for all Indian citizens and to improve security and stability in the region.

On occasions, the Indian leaders argued that the autonomy in Kashmir was a serious barricade to national unity and integration and to bring prosperity and economic development to the region. Equally, it was important to end the discrimination against the non-permanent residents, a law providing special rights and privileges to Indigenous Kashmiris under Article 35A.

The decision met with mixed reactions. Some hailed the decision, while others criticized it for undermining the region’s autonomy for political purposes. Given the above-stated background, this article examines the Indianization of Kashmir by the BJP and its repercussions for the Indigenous population.

August 5, 2019, marks yet another black and unfortunate day in the history of Jammu and Kashmir.

The people of Jammu and Kashmir largely rejected Kashmir’s accession to India by Maharaja Harri Singh in 1947, and the same has been demonstrated after August 2019. Since the start, BJP leadership has been touting that abrogation could bring national integration and unity to the Indian state. Still, the deceptive policy of India has been rejected by the people of Kashmir.

In 2019, Narendra Modi ordered the deployment of additional troops in the region, suspended internet and cellular networks for months, invoked curfew, denied free speech and movement, and jailed pro-freedom Kashmiri leadership. Such actions validate the illegality of the decision and a stern response from the people of Kashmir, who have always rejected the Indian annexation and colonization.

Economic development was yet another agenda to abrogate Article 370, but the ground realities provide a dark side of the story. The Indian government has unleashed a suppressive campaign in the region, damaging the commercial and private property of Muslim individuals. During search and cordon operations (SCOs), properties, orchards, and farmlands have been damaged on false allegations of terror-sponsoring.

The Indian government has unleashed a suppressive campaign in the region, damaging the commercial and private property of Muslim individuals.

Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, among others, have raised concerns about the impact of security measures on civilians, including property damage. On his visit to Srinagar, Prime Minister Modi announced various development projects worth over Rs 6400 crore, hailing for a new era of development.

Nonetheless, comparing the unemployment figures with the national average in India exposes abject poverty and deprivation. As of June 2023, the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE) reported around 21.6% unemployment in Jammu and Kashmir, compared to a 7.8% unemployment rate in India.

The new residency law also contributes to Narendra Modi’s Indianization campaign. According to recent statistics, the Indian government has issued more than 4 million domicile certificates to non-state subjects, largely bringing demographic change to the region. The relaxed residency rules allow individuals who have resided in Jammu and Kashmir for 15 years or have studied there for seven years and appeared in Class 10 or 12 examinations to apply for domicile certificates.

Due to heavy deployment, Jammu and Kashmir has become the most militarized region in the world.

The domicile certificates, coupled with the NOC issuance to the Indian businesses, allow Indian Hindus to work and settle in the region, massively destabilizing the demographic advantage of Muslims. After getting lease certificates, industrialists are now able to set up their industrial units in the region, bringing Hindu labor, damaging the ecosystem, and depriving Muslims of their lands and properties.

Security and stability have always remained close to the heart of the Indian state, for which New Delhi has deployed around a million troops in the region. Due to heavy deployment, Jammu and Kashmir has become the most militarized region in the world, which is facing state-sponsored suppression, illegal detentions, extra-judicial killings, gang rapes, torture, and inhumane treatment. In addition to involvement in unlawful activities, the Indian army is also occupying the land in Jammu and Kashmir over the pretext of strategic significance.

After the abrogation of Article 370, there has been an increase in land acquisitions for military and strategic purposes. In December 2020, the Indian government amended land laws in Jammu and Kashmir, allowing anyone from any part of the country to buy land in the Union Territory except agricultural land. This has also facilitated easier acquisition of land for military and other purposes. Local communities have raised concerns about displacement, loss of agricultural land, and inadequate compensation, which led to social and economic disruptions for affected families.

The domicile certificates, coupled with the NOC issuance to Indian businesses, allow Indian Hindus to work and settle in the region.

The statehood was abolished through the Reorganization Act of 2019, which divided Jammu and Kashmir into two Union territories: Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. The change brought the region under the direct administrative control of New Delhi, fully implementing the legal, social, economic, and administrative laws. To appease its voter base and win future elections, the BJP also brought the “Delimitation Act,” through which political representation has been altered.

According to the commission’s final order, the Jammu region now has 43 seats, up from 37, while the Kashmir region has 47 seats, up from 46. Critics argue that the new delimitation does not accurately reflect the population proportions of the two regions, potentially diluting the political influence of the Kashmir Valley.

The actions of the BJP government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi expose its anti-Muslim and anti-Kashmir agenda to make it a permanent part of India. The domicile law, delimitation act, and the new industrial policy all demonstrate the effort of the BJP to dilute and dismantle the Muslim majority of Jammu and Kashmir, to which it has used all illegal and unlawful tactics.

Economic Times Being Economical With The Truth

By
Editorial
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0

Indian media continues finding excuses to blame Pakistan to please and embolden a weakened Modi government. If it can’t find any excuses and evidence to accuse Pakistan, it just invents them.

Recently, a hawkish, xenophobic, and rabid Indian channel ran “news” with red flashing screens masquerading as the breaking news that 600 SSG commandos of Pakistan had entered the Jammu valley and were busy attacking Indian occupying forces.

Indian media continues to fabricate baseless accusations to embolden a weakened Modi government.

While it used hyperventilation to create hype, no major international media picked it up, as there was nothing newsworthy about those manufactured lies.

Now, The Economic Times, from their Delhi Bureau (Not Dhaka), has come up with a lie to hurt the relations between Pakistan and Bangladesh.

“The civil society in Bangladesh has accused the Pakistan High Commission in Dhaka of interfering in the internal affairs of the country through its tacit support and active guidance to the radical student protestors in the country”.

It further says, “Several reports suggested that the Pakistan mission is in touch with a section of student protesters belonging to pro-Pakistan Jamaat, which is banned in Bangladesh.”

The paper specializing in economic news went out of its way to manufacture a news story to create tensions between Bangladesh and Pakistan when both countries have their hands full with their internal issues.

The Economic Times’ baseless allegations against Pakistan aim to damage Pakistan-Bangladesh diplomatic relations.

The recent turbulence in Bangladesh has its roots in its national history and politics, which have nothing to do with Pakistan. Pakistan recognized Bangladesh as a sovereign and independent country barely two years after its independence, and the people of Pakistan sincerely wish that Bangladesh would overcome and resolve its issues indigenously without the support and interference of any other country.

The Economic Times, being very economical with the truth, has invented some kind of non-existent “civil society” accusing Pakistan of interfering and being “in touch” with the student protesters. The paper has not mentioned any facts about this accusation. It looks more like a cheap attempt to blame and insult Pakistan in a clear attempt to damage the diplomatic relations between both countries.

Pakistan maintains a consistent policy of non-interference in other countries’ affairs.

When contacted, Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said, “Pakistan has a consistent policy of non-interference in the affairs of other countries.”

While India continues to destroy South Asian cooperation by paralyzing SAARC, it goes the extra mile to hurt the relations between other small nations in the region.

We hope that the people of Bangladesh can see through these cheap attempts to harm the relations between both countries and that they will overcome their issues soon.

Misinformation Leads to Violence : Gwadar Case

By
Naila Ahmed
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Misinformation and violence

The recent violent mob incident in Gwadar is the exposition of the increased threats that false information and group violence in the name of political or social causes present. An attack was launched by a group that called itself Baloch Raji Mochi that ended the lives of thirty-year-old soldier Shabbir Baloch and sixteen others inclusive of an officer injured. This speaks volumes not only about the vulnerability of the security force on any given day but also paints a picture of the effect of misinformation and mob violence on the social fibre of Pakistan.

Facebook and Twitter and applications of such nature have been vital in how people communicate and perhaps organize themselves but are very lethal when used by anti-social people. In the case of Gwadar, such factors as misinformation and support of the illegal and violent march by the so-called Baloch Raji Mochi were actively spread on social media. This negative propaganda is not only wrong but also dangerous to the security, economy, and society of a nation.

Organizing the actions in the social network so that the population will use violence and the creation of disorder as ways of expression, is something that cannot be allowed. Thus, politicians were always exposed to negative comments and threats on their accounts, but the targeting of the highest-ranking judicial authorities and the Pakistan Army is significant. Deeds like these are not only regrettable but also destructive to the stability of the country’s security and existence. It promotes an atmosphere of hatred that deprives all the efforts of those who strive for the emergence of a society that prevails in the prevalence of law and non-conflict.

In the case of Gwadar, such factors as misinformation and support of the illegal and violent march by the so-called Baloch Raji Mochi were actively spread on social media.

The reported act of violence in Gwadar in which a hostel was set on fire and some individuals were killed is an outright revolt against the state’s power and legal requirements. Such actions are tame and cannot be tolerated because they are the precursor to the disturbed order in a country. The death of an officer like Shabbir Baloch is a great loss, the wounding of sixteen other youths among which there was an officer, is a symbol of the struggles the security forces go through to safeguard the nation.

At the same time, the security forces themselves refrained from excessive force based on the destruction of the enemy, to minimize the potential loss of life among the civilian population. This restraint shows the professionalism and commitment of armed forces to their job irrespective of the escalating jeopardy level. The launch of a campaign to ensure that citizens do not resort to violence to adhere to the rule of law with the police force is an equally significant stage in ensuring law and order within the society since division weakens the efforts to fight certain criminal acts.

Addressing such challenges in the meantime, as a way of building a resilient society is going to require an integration of several strategies of community psychological intervention. A major step is to inform, and educate the population and reduce the presence and influence of negative messages spread through social networks. People must be provided with the means to distinguish reality from myth and comprehend the significance of an individual’s involvement or endorsement of violence.

In addition, the legal measures should be enhanced to fight the circulation of fake news and incitement to violence. This involves not only physically violent people but also those who spread violent messages on social media. The issue of accountability is critical in the avoidance of future occurrences and in guaranteeing lawfulness.

Similarly, civil society and the media should assist in the prevention of negative propaganda and the formation of mobs. This way, they can contribute towards reducing adversative information that inclines the population to disruptiveness. Professional and engaged press and an informed and engaged public – these concepts are the cornerstones of society based on the principles of peace and tolerance and focusing on cooperation.

The issue of accountability is critical in the avoidance of future occurrences and in guaranteeing lawfulness.

The meaningful discussion between and among various social and political entities would reduce tendencies of having the respective grievances within the societies be exploited by politically motivated personalities with a view of depicting the society as violent. Promoting healthy debates for matters of public interest helps society understand different perspectives and will hardly find a need to resort to violence.

It is very disturbing that even such a simple matter as peaceful protest could lead to violent confrontation and brutal actions of a mob in Gwadar a prime example of Pakistan’s struggle to provide safety and stability. The two forms of activities that should be combated actively and immediately are negative propaganda as well as violence by mobs. Lives have been lost and those who are valiant in the protection of their country have been injured which should be a call to the nation to come together and be vigilant.

By solving the causes of misperception and violence, improving the legislation in this sphere, and educating people, Pakistan can develop a strong society that will not yield to such threats. Security can only be achieved when armed forces and law enforcement agencies act in unison with the civil society and the media whereby act as a watchdog over the government to ensure peace is maintained. The lives of the people sacrificed in the course of work must not have been in vain; they help remind society of the continued fight against the delinquent individuals in society who are bent on denting the image of the country.

Youth Empowerment is key to Transforming Pakistan

By
Saba Kiran
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youth empowerment

The dire state of education and skill development in Pakistan presents a challenge and a profound opportunity. As we stand at the crossroads of a burgeoning population and an increasingly competitive global marketplace, it is imperative to harness the potential of our youth through focused youth empowerment initiatives.

According to the data obtained during the 2023 census in Pakistan, the problem of young people’s future needs immediate focus. With more than 2.5 million children not attending formal education and the population growth rate, being one of the highest in the world, the issue requires urgent intervention. An analysis of census data shows that there is ability in the young people that can help in the development of every nation.

However, this ability cannot manifest itself if the youth is not educated properly or given relevant skills. For this potential to be fully realised and take the nation towards a direction of economic growth and development, what is needed is the development of skilled manpower.

With more than 2.5 million children not attending formal education and the population growth rate, being one of the highest in the world, the issue requires urgent intervention.

In 2017, the World Economic Forum presented the skills problem in Pakistan and placed the country in the 125th place among 130 countries regarding the skilled workforce. On this account, other South Asian nations such as Sri Lanka, Nepal, India, and Bangladesh are better placed. This lack of skills is not only a national problem, but it also hinders the travel of youth to avail employment opportunities in other countries.

Currently, people from Pakistan especially the young ones look for jobs overseas, nevertheless, they lack the adequate skills to get better official jobs. This is compounded by the lack of technical education institutions to produce competent technical persons for the country’s human resources.

There are around 3500 technical education institutions in the country which can only produce around half a million qualified manpower. This is sadly lacking, especially in the light of the large population, most of whom are in desperate need of jobs, including careers in the skilled professions.

To deal with such problems, Pakistan needs a revolutionary change in its educational and skills development policies. Specifically, the government should realize that the traditional concentration on passing exams and, consequently, on obtaining a university degree is insufficient. Today’s world economy requires people to obtain vocational education and develop technical skills and competencies. Many of the youth in developed countries are going to vocational schools rather than college education to get saleable skills.

However, there is good news regarding the issuance of policies in this regard is that the Punjab government has initiated to encourage public-private partnership for TEVTA Technical Education and Vocational Training Authority projects. The intended purpose of this regard is to implement contemporary courses relevant to market standards and even foreign languages in TEVTA institutes.

Such collaborations can help in closing the existing gap between education provision and demand in industry as the product; the graduate, will be fitted to meet the demands of the employers. However, it can be said that the suggestion to form the Punjab Overseas Employment Promoting Authority is very sensible. This authority can go a long way in outsourcing international jobs and ensuring that the youth makes himself or herself ready to meet the skills demanded by these countries. In this way, with the help of accurately oriented training programs, which correspond to international standards, the personnel of Pakistan can be improved and get the opportunities to work for an international company.

The Punjab government has initiated to encourage public-private partnerships for TEVTA Technical Education and Vocational Training Authority projects.

The trade secret can also greatly be enhanced through the services of trade officers attached to various countries’ embassies across the globe. They can therefore be useful to technical training institutions as they indicate trades and specific skills, needed in different countries.

These are the facts, which can be employed to develop the training programs for overseas job markets within Pakistan; in this way, the probability of finding the job by the Pakistani youth will be elevated overseas.

Thus, to build the Pakistan of tomorrow, the education, health, and skill development of human capital is unquestionably the most important long-term investment. This calls for a change of education policy, specifically quality compulsory education up to the higher secondary level. On the same note, there should be a plan to expand the vocational training colleges with market orientation to address the demand for skilled human resources.

These institutions must be fashioned to offer training by the modern standards of the industry and new technology. In this way, Pakistan can produce a human resource that they could use at the domestic level to fuel their economy and can compete in the international market.

Arab Spring: A Decade of Change?

By
Muhammad Umar
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0
Arab Spring

The concept of Arab Spring had surfaced in late 2010s with protests and uprisings across the Arab World. Tunisian Mohamed Bouazizi burned himself due to financial problems and the policy of persecution and oppression followed by the authorities on December 17, 2010, in Tunisia. It resulted in the ousting of President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali on January 14, 2011. This first victory led to the creation of similar movements in other Arab countries. In Egypt, President Hosni Mubarak stepped down from power on February 11, 2011, because of a revolution, but General Abdel Fattah el-Sisi’s military coup put an end to a brief democratic stint in 2013.

Bahrain’s monarchy, aided by some Gulf States, started a crackdown on violent protests on February 15th, 2011. Meanwhile, unrest in Libya resulted in a civil war and the death of the long-standing dictator Muammar Gaddafi on 20th October, 2011. The uprising in Syria was initially nonviolent, but eventually turned into a civil war, which resulted in hundreds of thousands of deaths and millions of people being forced to flee their homes.

Yemen’s President Ali Abdullah Saleh stepped down in February 2012 and the country plunged into armed conflict underscored by interregional wars. The expectations of freedom and change of power ignited by the Arab Spring were realized on a political level up to a certain extent; however, many of the goals were left unfulfilled, causing the continuation of internal conflicts in the Arab countries.

The image of politics in the Middle East and North Africa has changed significantly after the Arab Spring, which overthrew authoritarian systems. Results have ranged from new types of regimes, political changes and continuation of authoritarianism. Transitional states appeared and uprooted the traditional hierarchies, but more often, they paved the way for hybrid political systems or new forms of authoritarianism, unlike that witnessed in Europe after post-totalitarianism.

Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and the UAE continued with the rentier state plural to access to resources and voices, political alteration, and coercion. Syria was the only nation that remained autocratic under prolonged conflict under the leadership of Bashar al-Assad. However, other countries faced different political changes. This diverse political environment demonstrates the development of political structures in the region and emphasizes constant difficulties and uncertainties of further evolution. The Arab Spring brought the emphasis of Middle East countries from the international politics on the political situations in their own countries.

Transitional states appeared and uprooted the traditional hierarchies, but more frequently, they paved the way for hybrid political systems.

While Saudi Arabia launches a confrontation with Iran using its oil resources, Qatar applies gas to gain its influence. Currently, Egypt, which at one point was among the countries deemed influential in the region, is experiencing political and economic challenges. Consequently, Iraq continues to suffer the impacts of external forces and conflict. Historically, the Arab powers have become weaker, and emerging powers like Iran, Turkiye, and Israel are taking up the power vacuum. Nevertheless, the US aids Israel despite hostility in the region; Turkiye increases its influence by being a model democracy; and Iran sees the Arab Spring as a continuation of its revolution.

Turkiye and Iran support different sides in Syria but do not attack each other directly. Nine years on, expectancies of reforms have remained mainly unmet. Seemingly, many of these uprisings took a violent turn and brought back authoritarian rule in countries such as Syria, Yemen, and Libya, while Egypt reverted back to the military regime. Tunisia remains the only country that has managed the change towards democracy.

Protests that recently occurred in Algeria and Sudan brought down dictators; however, their future is ambiguous. Specifically, violence, sectarian conflict and migration have been propelled by the interferences of external powers. Hence, long-term stability is only achievable by embracing democracy. Sadly, two years after the Arab Spring, the world’s interests faded while problems stayed. That being the case, infamy and ruthlessness persist, which is evident in the case of Syria, despite the removal of some rulers.

Some countries favor monarchies and may not embrace change as easily, while other leaders exploring the Islamic religion can suppress people’s rights and liberties. Democratization is still a challenging concept, and it can produce adverse consequences. However, Egypt’s latest constitution contains some positive additions that can be discussed. Nevertheless, some of them are still rather uncertain in their nature and may turn into odious ones in the future.

It can be seen that the movement in Algeria back from democracy and the enthusiasm of Libyan revolutionary processes show that stable governance and protection of the minorities are the pressing issues. The support for human rights and democratization must continue to be supported internationally. A decade later, large-scale change is not expected.

The problems that initiated the Arab Spring are still relevant, and people have taken to the streets again.

The problems that initiated the Arab Spring are still relevant, and people have taken to the streets again, calling it Arab Spring 2.0 in Algeria, Lebanon, Sudan, and other Arabic countries. Modern protests are mostly peaceful, and all the participants are dressed, which indicates skepticism towards the existing leadership and the need for new leaders. Old symbolisms of monarchic and dictatorial powers monopolized by oil wealth in the region are decreasing, but building a just form of governance is still not easy.

Some demonstrators denied that they were interested in military or Islamist groups as heirs to the current regimes. Dictators have quelled democratic presidents, yet PFOK reports growing discontent in 12 of the 22 Arab states. However, the unpredictable results suggest that there is still a chance for change because the tactics used by the actors are strategic and nonviolent.

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