UNIVERSITY OF THE PUNJAB
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The Possibility or Desirability of a Value Free Political Study, an Insight
No full textThis paper, succinctly but critically addresses the puzzling and burning question, which any political science scholar cannot avoid – whether a value-free approach in political studies/social sciences is either possible or desirable? In an attempt to answer this question, the paper briefly considers the contributions of scholars and commentators in political science and social sciences‟ disciplines, which either oppose or support this subject matter. However, the paper took a stand; it argues that a value-freedom political study (or social sciences) is neither possible nor desirable. The paper concluded categorically that though, the study of politics will not lose its scientific or philosophical character because it is value laden or normative. However those scholars who solicit for a political study that will be free of value, is not only simply engaging in challenging and herculean intellectual exercise, but also in an arid and fruitless one in that matter
Religions Radicalism Resurgence of Taliban and Curbing Militancy: Implications for Pak – Afghan Relation
No full textEvolution of Pakistan‟s Afghan policy is rooted in the British historical perception of Afghanistan. According to which a pro-British Afghanistan was considered essential for India‟s security. Similarly Pakistan‟s military bureaucratic elite perceived a pro-Pakistan Afghanistan essential for Pakistan‟s defence. Historically relations between two neighbourly Muslim states had been marred over the issue of Durand Line. This roughly 2430 Kms long border between Afghanistan and Pakistan had not only been a line of demarcation but a frontier. This involved 1,90,000 sq. miles of territory claimed by Afghanistan as „Pakhtunistan‟. The British government consistently rejected this claim on the basis of well-known principle of international law: pacta sund serevanda, treaty agreements ought to be respected.1 In the aftermath of 11September 2001, and the U.S. unilateral intervention in Afghanistan, Pakistan took a U-turn in its policy towards Taliban. New inputs created a host of socio-political challenges with far reaching impact on bilateral and regional arrangements. President Hamid Karzai had not been able to establish government‟s writ beyond Kabul. Both the incumbent regime and the external forces exploit situation only to the detriment of Pak – Afghan relations. The aim of this study is to delineate such impediments; suggest means of achieving better relations, to establish peace in a war-ravaged region.
Role of State: Protecting Children in Cyberspace
No full textWith the induction of a newer mass medium, Internet, horizons of mass media expanded from mass media society to a cyberspace and this brought more challenges to the media researchers, social scientist and civil societies. In our part of the world either people have no computers or no internet or very limited number of computers and very limited number of internet users. When our children go to cyberspace for information, these information are such overloaded that they cannot easily assimilate. Government with the help of stakeholders, Internet Service Providers (ISP’s) and civil society can design strategies keeping inview the recommendations given at the end of this article to harness the effectiveness
Political Economic Determinants of Foreign Aid Allocation to Developing Countries
No full textThis paper presents a thorough review of recent literature on aid allocation in political economic framework. It suggests that while foreign aid has traditionally been allocated under the auspices of helping support economic growth and development in developing countries, according to the political economicapproach, donor interest (political, commercial and strategic) outweighs recipient need (development objectives) in aid allocation. In the case of multilateral aid, the interests of the major shareholder countries of international financial institutions (IFIs) are considered as major determinants of these institutions’ allocation decisions, alongside with the interests of the international bureaucracy
Pakistan’s Post 9/11 Foreign Policy: Challenges and Responses
No full textForeign policy of a country is the pattern of relationship it establishes with the outside world for the promotion of its national interests, the eternal phenomenon in international politics. The outside world includes state and non-state actors including Non Government Organizations (NGOs) and International Governmental Organizations (IGOs). In a political scientist's analysis, a foreign policy is "the actions of a state toward the external environment and conditions under which (foreign) actions are formulated. Foreign Policy is also a synthesis of the ends (national interests) and means (power and capabilities) of nation states. The interaction between national goals and the resources for attainingthem is the perennial subject of statecraft.1 Pakistan is an independent and sovereign nation-state by occupying an independent position in the South Asia. It emerged on the world scene on August 14, 1947 as a strong Muslim state to promote the aspirations of Indian Muslims, independent of Hindu clutches.Pakistan’s foreign policy has always been in consonance to western interests. In both ways some times the west supported Pakistan, but most of the time Pakistan’s foreign policy stood by the foreign interests. So the hypothesis for this paper is, “If there is a change in international political system, then a change in Pakistan’s foreign policy is likely.&rdquo
Security Concerns of Pakistan in the Changing GeoStrategic Environment
No full textSince the inception of this world, feelings of hostility and friendship have existed among the human groups and societies. In the primitive period, either the people living in an organized group or as individual, had the feelings to minimize the threats and maximize the benefits of peace and cooperation. In other words, from old days to modern world, individuals and their organized groups have made their utmost efforts to minimize the threats, while using different means like interaction among the societies and enhancing mutual concerns with regard to Peace and Security. It means the need to Peace and Security remained an important aspect of Government’s Policies
China-Pakistan Economic Corridor: Significance and Challenges
No full textCPEC is a part of Chinese mega project namely “Belt and Road Initiative" anda bilateral project between Pakistan and China. This project demonstrates the all-weather and time tested friendship between China and Pakistan. CPEC will be helpful not only to change the fate of whole South Asian region but it will also facilitate other regions like Middle East, Europe and African nations. Connected through the railways, highways and pipelines, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor is about 3000 Kilometers long that will connect China’s western region of Xinjiang to rest of the world through Gwadar Port of Pakistan. CPEC Project can be seen through three aspects, i.e. economic, political & strategic. Regarding economic considerations, which are indeed with primary focus, poses the issue of Pakistan’s fiscal and balance of payment issue, which does mean to justify the full – scale version of its financial viability. This projectalso has Political significance, it is initially considered a Project of Pakistan Muslim League (N) and was not rooted in a broader national consensus. There were however, many reservations from the part of military establishment along with opposition political parties, business community. This project also enjoys strategic significance, India is critical toward this project because of its disputedterritorial border issue of Gilgit – Baltistan as well as Dokhlam crisis in 2017 with China. In this perspective, CPEC has been trapped in geo politicalcontroversies between India – China. The role of America is also not positiveregarding this project. The result of all these controversies can be seen in slowing down the pace of project
Electoral Process in Pakistan
No full textThe study of elections and their relationship with the polity is a fascinating field of research and study. By forcusing on different aspects or the electoral process. One understands not merely how and why do the people vote and elect their representatives but also gets an opportunity to understand the politico-social and economic context within which voting decisions are made. How do the ethnic, lingusitic, religous and other primordial attachments shape the electoral process? Do the elections play an inclusionst role for the primordial identities and promote accommodation, defusing the sharp edges of these identities
Pakistan’s Political Culture: a Transition to Democracy
No full textit is well known fact that in Pakistan, repeatedly elected institutions have been pull down in the name of “genuine” democracy, or for greater interest of the country. Each time democratic governments were over thrown with the charges of corruption, inefficiency and failure of constitutional machinery, etc., and the new architect of democracy pretended to be the only savior of the country. The new corner invariably designed the re—building of the political system, ensuring the protections for himself in future. Repetition of series of such dramas is continuing since the first military coup of 1958 —— a formative phase of Pakistan's political and social development
Pak-US relations post 9/11: Impact of aid, irritants and regimes in Pakistan (2001-2013)
Get PDFPak-US relation is a frictional course ever since and a foreign policy challenge for both states. Pakistan’s major dependence on Unites States had been due to its needs for aid. After the independence Pakistan could play a considerable role in region as far as United States’ cold war interests were concerned. The nature of relationship, however, remained very difficult. Trust deficit is a major factor on both sides to determine any future engagement. 9/11 was an event which entirely changed the progression of relationship and level of engagement. This event was the tipping point of rejuvenated bilateral relationship in renewed circumstances. Since then, there have been various factors which affected the bilateral commitment. The aid is the major signal of engagement. The level of and kind of aid determines the propensity of engagement.During War on Terror military aid extended to Pakistan determined US interest with Pakistan and made it frontline ally. Irritants also have their role in eroding the level of cooperation.United States weighed its own foreign policy benefit while engaging with governments in Pakistan. This paper analyses the nature of relationship post 9/11 and impact of few factors. The research is aimed at finding answers to few questions. 9/11 was the event, which brought about a considerable changein relations.US interests dragged it back to the region. Highs and lows of this reinvigorated companionship is determined by aid to fight War on Terror. Differences of interpretation based on varied interests of various events become irritants in conducting smooth diplomacy. Also, it is analyzed that US engagement has been deep rooted with military regime of Musharraf thandemocratically elected government in 2008