October 2015

They’re not people: nobody would tolerate hearing about the drowning of human beings over and over again. At best, they are bleak but intangible statistics, the object of a bit of tutting before mundane everyday life takes over. For others, they are an unwanted and uninvited swarm that Fortress Europe must keep out: full of undeserving would-be leeches, who have …

  On July 31, the President of the General Assembly, Mr Sam Kutesa, circulated a new text for the Intergovernmental Negotiations (IGN) on reform of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). The text, which, according to the letter, is the outcome of consultative, inclusive and transparent process, is intended to serve as a “sound basis” for the next phase of …

The concept of rule of law is not a new one, and actually dates back to ancient times when great Athenian philosopher Aristotle wrote “Law should govern”, but the proper usage of the phrase “Rule of Law” started emerging from the 16th century and it was in the 19th century that the British jurist A.V. Dicey gave it such a …

On July 24, 2015, the world achieved another remarkable milestone in its efforts for polio eradication when Nigeria marked a full one year without recording a single fresh case of this crippling infection. Nigeria long remained among the group of the three infamous polio-endemic countries — others being Pakistan and Afghanistan. These three countries were collectively considered as reservoirs for …

How to Make Pakistan a True Democratic State? Since its inception in 1947, Pakistan has faced various problems including, but not limited to, political agitations, soaring inflation, rising unemployment, unending energy crisis and rampant militancy; all of which have been taking a heavy toll on the country. But, despite all that continues, the so-called plant of ‘democracy’ is taking its …

JWT is the only magazine that fully caters for the needs of CSS aspirants. It sums up vast knowledge in one volume. JWT: First of all, please tell us about your educational background? AVAIS SHAFIQ (AS): I got my early education from Army Public School Chunian, District Kasur. Afterwards, for intermediate, I was lucky enough to get admission to Army …

Pakistan has accumulated huge external and domestic debt mostly as a result of borrowing to finance persistent budget deficit and external current account deficit. In the instant write-up, the writer has delved into the causes that have led to this worrisome situation, and has also proposed some remedial measures to improve the state of affairs. Historically, Pakistan has been facing …

“The world will find us frank and honest in our dealings with it. An undertaking, once given, shall be honoured whatever the cost. Pakistan expects the same from others.”F.M. Muhammad Ayub Khan (Former President of Pakistan)   Border skirmishes escalate, mutual blame game is on and a zero-sum game thrives — India-Pakistan hostility is on the rise and the statements …

  Brahamdagh’s Volte Face & the Way Forward It seems that the government’s efforts to persuade dissident Baloch leaders for holding talks on the Balochistan issue are bearing fruit. In August, after meeting with senior Balochistan Minister Nawab Sanaullah Zehri, the Khan of Kalat, Mir Suleman Daud Khan, promised to consider returning to Pakistan if “right conditions” are created in …

Civil-military relations have had a chequered history in Pakistan. In the best of times, it has been a working relationship defined by narrow set of the rules whereby military has allowed civilians to take the front seat while it deals with complex security and terrorism-related problems. In the worst of times, there has been a pronounced tug of war which …