JWT Desk

The Kashmir challenge

INDIA cancelled talks with Pakistan blaming it for ‘acts of terror’, along with a vicious attack on the newly elected prime minister. Pakistanis and Indians back their own versions regarding an alleged atrocity. Tragically, the truth is rendered irrelevant. The prime minister, however, must ensure he gets to know the unvarnished truth. Otherwise, like his predecessors, he will be systematically …

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Water management

Water management

THE ushering in of a new government has generated excitement in Pakistan for a political paradigm shift, with the promise of strengthening public institutions, good governance and accountability to advance citizens’ social and economic well-being and to protect our environment for future generations. Will we see a paradigm shift in the water sector? What should such a shift look like? …

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Pakistan; A Hard Country

Pakistan; A Hard Country

By: Anatol Lieven In his highly informative book on Pakistan, Anatol Lieven takes the reader on a revealing journey through that troubled country. Departing from a title that is subtly misleading, as it seems to announce misfortunes befalling the country’s fragile state structure, the author, a professor of International Relations and Terrorism Studies at King’s College London and an expert …

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Post-merger challenges

Post-merger challenges

The KPK government’s move to hold local government polls in merged tribal areas is seen as a huge stride in the right direction The progress on the post-25th Constitutional Amendment and subsequent reforms in the erstwhile Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) has become a classic example of “running to stand still”. The government formed yet another taskforce on September 5 …

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Under the FATF sword

Under the FATF sword

The recent raids of the Federal Investigation Agency on the currency dealers in the famous Sarafa Bazaar of Peshawar triggered afresh the debate on the issue of money laundering and the associated menace of terror financing and the rough ride Pakistan is experiencing with the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). Sarafa Bazar — though mainly known as the gold jewellery …

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How to Read Newspapers for CSS Exam

How to Read Newspapers for CSS Exam

Reading good newspapers – both English and Urdu – is considered an indispensable tool to prepare for the CSS examination. But, reading those in such a way that one gets only the relevant information is really an art that one should master to ensure one’s success in the prestigious CSS exam. For the greater benefit of aspirants, Team JWT, after …

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Learning from China?

Learning from China?

IN a couple of recent public comments, Prime Minister Imran Khan referred to drawing lessons from China. Can we learn from China, given the uniqueness of its historical experience, cultural and civilisational outlook, political discipline and command economy of a one-party system and national cohesion? Are there areas where China’s example offers relevance? China’s experience of the last century has …

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George Orwell’s “1984” & Mario Puzo’s “The Godfather”

George Orwell's “1984” & Mario Puzo's “The Godfather”

1. “Who controls the past controls the future. Who controls the present controls the past.” 2. “War is peace. Freedom is slavery. Ignorance is strength.” 3. “If you want to keep a secret, you must also hide it from yourself.” 4. “Doublethink means the power of holding two contradictory beliefs in one’s mind simultaneously, and accepting both of them.” 5. …

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Reforms and the police force

Reforms and the police force

The PTI’s biggest achievement was the improvement made in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police under the KP Police Act, 2017. Imran Khan has attributed this success to former PPO Nasir Khan Durrani, who had his full backing. According to news reports, Durrani introduced ruthless in-house accountability by dismissing almost 800 policemen and awarding punishments to over 6,000 staffers. He established police …

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Changing field of disaster management

Changing field of disaster management

From relief to resilience Our region faces mild to mid range jolts of earthquake frequently and the recent shaking of Lahore with epicenter near Nankana Sahib indicate possibility of future seismic activity in Punjab.  Earthquake of 8th October 2005 that left 75,000 dead and 3.5 million homeless reminds us of how unprepared we were as government and as masses.  The …

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