UNIVERSITY OF THE PUNJAB
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Governance Reforms in Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) of Pakistan: The Past and Present
No full textGovernance of Federally Administered Tribal Areas of Pakistan is different inits nature and essence than other parts of the state. The theoretical frameworkfor the governance of these areas has been enshrined in the historical regulation called Frontier Crimes Regulation (FCR) designed and implemented by the colonial government in British India during 19th century in order to achieve its specific ends. FATA became an integral part of Pakistan immediately after the great divide of August, 1947. The newly established state of Pakistan co-opted the same Regulation to govern these areas directly. Despite of so many shortfalls and drawbacks it was executed to maintain status quo in tribal areas of the country. Since then the state could neither fully integrate these areas in its fold nor could properly introduce such reform which could bring tribal areas at par with other parts of the country. The legaladministrative mechanism of FATA which bestows more powers in the hands of political administration under FCR is basically responsible for the miseries of its downtrodden populace and the miserable condition of these areas as well. The present research endeavour seeks to observe whether the proverbial notion of “power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely” is applicable to FATA or not. It also highlights that how and to which extent the recent governance reforms introduced via Frontier Crimes (Amendment) Regulation 2011, could curtail the power of political administration and safeguard rights of the people of FATA
Geostrategic Importance of Balochistan: Baloch Insurgency and the Global Politics of Energy Resources
No full textBalochistan is at crossroads of conquerors, traders and settlers. It is ideally located along the long coastal belt from the Middle East toward the Indian-sub-Continent and a critical central point for goods to and from this part of the region to Central Asia through Afghanistan. Balochistan, due to its geostrategic position, has special influence on local, national, regional and global politics. This paper contends that insurgency proved a real impediment in its social, political, economic development and has also destabilized the whole region. The current phase of insurgency will meet the same fate as it did in the past due to its disorganized nature. This paper focuses on the geo-strategic importance of Balochistan and how its significance does exploited by the regional and global players. Baloch accounts for less than four percent of the total population of Pakistan; these Baloch insurgents living in the province that comprises roughly 45 percent of the total area of Pakistan. The Baloch insurgents dreaming of Greater Balochistan, as it includes the Baloch living in Pakistan, Iran and Afghanistan. This paper has proved by what methods the motives, both suspected and stated, reflect the Baloch a very harmful and lethal whose behavior is unexpected
Stabilizing Afghanistan: Agenda – 2015
No full textStable Afghanistan, is still a distant dream, well after 12 years since ruling Taliban were dislodged, post 9/11. The US led foreign forces operating in Afghanistan has managed barely to bring fragile-peace that too at the huge cost in terms of personnel, finance and prestige. Pakistan was initially viewed as a reliable partner due to geo-strategic and professional reasons. Few years later, however Pakistan was accused of playing ‘double game’ and held responsible for undermining the ‘war on terrorism’ by supporting significant section of Afghan Taliban and other terrorist groups. The US, in particular went to the extent of castigating Islamabad openly; and brought to bear significant financial and diplomatic pressure to shun the ‘double game’. The current initiative named “Peace Process Roadmap 2015” nevertheless once again accords primacy to Pakistan in arranging direct peace talks for a coalition government in Kabul. This paper critically analyses “Peace Process Roadmap 2015” and argues that it has a better potential to succeed in prevailing socio-political environ in Afghanistan, in view of consistent policy failures that we have been witnessing since 2005
Media and Conflict Resolution: Toward building a Relationship Model
No full textThe role of media has been immensely increasing in shaping and reshaping the nature of conflicts especially from the second half of the last century. The advent of 24/7 news coverage, advancement in satellite communication, rise of war reporting and peace journalism, and ever increasing role of media in shaping up social, cultural, political and diplomatic discourse has made it an important player in various types of conflicts. Media’s role in conflict resolution is largely dependent upon organizational interests and ideology. This study proposes a Media-Conflict Resolution Model (MCR) that describes the media role in conflict resolution process as (1) an escalation agent, (2) a de-escalation agent and (3) as a mirror, and relates it to media relations with the conflicting parties and consequently the media position/stance either as watchdog, lapdog or neutral. Moreover, this model also discusses influence of global media on local media regarding conflict resolution and prevention
Areas of Engagement and Security Threats between India and Pakistan
No full textPakistan has its longest border with India and its main security threats have mainly emerged from India. Pakistan is also facing Indian hostility and its military development is mainly to secure itself from Indian aggression. Pakistan feel threatened from India as India is a large, economically stable and militarily strong neighbor of Pakistan. History shows that relation between India and Pakistan since their independence remained tense and some times remained worst. Number of talks, discussions and dialogues have been arranged but their results did not solve issues between them. This article is emphasizing on the specific steps which are taken by Pakistan and India in order to improve relations and to minimize the threats. Over the past years, India and Pakistan have been taking steps towards improving their bilateral relations but lacked in their implementation. Both states will have to follow the policy of peaceful co-existence. As a matter of policy, Pakistan is now trying to promote normalization of ties with India. Both states need to develop economic and socio-cultural co-operation for healthy relations between them. Peace is a pre-requisite for the development and growth of the people of both sides. Expansion of population contacts, trade shows, economic conferences, parliamentarian dialogues, release of prisoners, most favored nation status and relaxation in visa policies are good engagements towards normalization and betterment of relations. These engagements would help both India and Pakistan to resolve their long standing issues and it will take time
India-United States Strategic Relations: China as a Factor
No full textThe constructive relationship between India and the United States that witnessed significant upward trajectory by the dawn of the twenty-first century is being portrayed by many in India and abroad as moving in the direction of containing China. Their perception is based on the fact that India and theUnited States enjoy more convergences of interests than the divergences of interests. The paper argues that containment of China would result to serious strategic and economic implications for India. It should be in the interest of India and the United States that they encourage China rise in positive direction that doesn’t pose any threat to both of them rather than in a negative one. This way they can receive maximum benefit out of the expanding relations, both economically and militarily. It further argues that the changing international security environment requires cooperation between thesethree countries rather than confronting each other
Forced Modernization and Public Policy: A Case Study of Ayub Khan Era (1958-69)
No full textThe decade of 1960s in Pakistan witnessed modernization under General Ayub Khan, who passionately believed in the progressive-liberal and modernist version of Islam. His broad-mindedness and liberalism towards Islam was explicitly manifested in the official Islamic policy pursued during the first half of hisregime from 1958 to 1965 when he governed the country in an authoritarian manner. During these years, the modernization program was implemented through public policies aimed at bringing about a progressive change in the constitutional, legal and social spheres of the country. It was, however, forced as well as highly selective and authoritarian in nature. The military regime pushed its modernization agenda despite opposition and resentment from many sections of the society. Nonetheless, the second half of the regime 1965-69, which was ‘quasi-authoritarian in nature’, saw a reversal of his official policy towards Islam, since his popularity was undermined, and he needed popular support for his regime. The present article explores the modernization measures undertaken during the regime of Ayub Khan, and analyzes the shift in the official Islamic policy in the country
Accountability: Has it been hollowed out in the modern state?
No full textIt is generally believed that a democratic form of government rests on the foundation of accountability as government is held accountable to the people through ministerial responsibility. In this paper the notion of accountability has been critically examined and a case has been made that the notion is chameleon in character and is often not adequately understood by its users. It has been argued that accountability has gradually eroded as the new hybrid form of modern governance is based on complex network of relationships which in turn makes it difficult to determine who is accountable to whom and for what. It is concluded that there is a need for strengthening formal accountability institutions as lack of transparency plagues developing countries like Pakistan even more than the developed economies
MUSLIM NATIONALISM IN SOUTH ASIA: EVOLUTION THROUGH CONSTITUTIONAL REFORMS
No full textIn this article an attempt is made to find out that the emergence and growth of Muslim nationalism was intensified due to constitutional reforms which were introduced by the British government from time to time. The article will examine how the partition of India was the culmination of a powerful movement of Muslim nationalism, which began in constitutional shape in the second half of the nineteenth century and symbolized by the foundation of the Sir Syed's MAO College at Aligarh. The article will also observe the role of All India Muslim League in development of political consciousness among the Muslims and how it led Muslimnationalism
Trans-Boundary Water Sharing Issues: A Case of South Asia
No full textThe water issue is gradually becoming the prime focus between the interstate relations. Increasing water shortage has made South Asia a water-stressed region. South Asia has four major rivers basins. They originate from Himalayas and irrigation of vast area of this region; thereby provide edibles and livelihood to the huge population. The four main co-riparian states of the region are India-Pakistan and India– Bangladesh-Nepal are lying in west and east respectively. Water shortage is becoming the bone of contention in this region. With the growing population, industrial, agricultural and domestic uses, glaciers are melting and causing environmental degradation. Conflicts over water issue are growing among the countries and the people of this area. The question of hydropower generation and commercial irrigation is issue of great concern and a source of controversy. The present paper is an attempt to analyze this issue.The outcome of this research reflects that no single policy option will eradicate the conflicts on water shortage; rather a multidimensional and coordinatedstrategy is required to address the emerging challenges