March 2016

Pakistan with its 200 million inhabitants is experiencing rapid urbanisation and industrial development. Its population is facing a water challenge. Currently, it is the world’s 26th most water-stressed country, where 35 per cent of the population lacks access to safe water. By 2025, the population is expected to cross 250 million, reducing Pakistan’s per capita annual availability of water to …

Introduction The Supreme Court of Pakistan rendered two judgements recently that included substantial questions of international law: one was the case of Houbara bustard that had excited a lot of public interest and discussion, and at the heart of it was a jurisprudential question touching upon the area of the Public International Law; the other case related to a suit …

Pakistan-US relations, spanning more than six decades, have seen their ups and downs. At one point, Pakistan was called the most allied ally and at times, the relationship descended to the lowest point. But during different phases of turbulence, both countries have sought to restore their ties. In the current phase, relations between the US and Pakistan are on the …

Balochistan figures prominently in the list of major political challenges Pakistan has been dealing with ever since its independence. The nationalistic movement augmented by ethnic grievances including the claims over provincial discrimination and injustices, gave impetus to the problem and it continued to intensify till it spilled over beyond a manageable threshold. Now whether it was intentionally allowed to exacerbate …

The American dream is not a thing in physical terms but an idea that lives or dies with certain beliefs in society. Can it die? Yes it can, if those beliefs are purged from the conscience of society. This is what Jefferson meant by watering the tree of liberty with the blood of patriots from time to time. Many people …

Operation Zarb-e-Azb in North Waziristan is fast forwarding to a successful conclusion. After annihilating the safe havens and operational bases of Hafiz Gul Bahadur Group, Punjabi Taliban and the Haqqani Network in Mirali, Miranshah, Datta Khel and Hassu Khel areas, Pakistan Army is busy in wiping out terrorist elements through a valiant and vigorous military campaign in mountainous terrain of …

Relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia have been tense ever since the establishment of the Islamic Republic back in 1979. Initially, Iran’s doctrine of exporting its revolution and its leaders’ negative view of countries such as Saudi Arabia, together with Riyadh’s creation of the Gulf Cooperation Council and support for Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein’s regime during its 1980-1988 war with …

If, as the true believers think, George W. Bush really does have to meet his Maker someday, and if God really is Just and Good, and if the point of the meeting is to decide whether George will spend eternity in Heaven or Hell, then that man should be thanking the divinity every moment of his waking life for making …

The start of 2016 has been anything but calm. Falling equity prices in China have destabilized markets worldwide. Emerging economies seem to have stalled. The price of oil has plunged, pushing petroleum producers into crisis. North Korea is flexing its nuclear muscles. And in Europe, the ongoing refugee crisis is fomenting a toxic tide of nationalism which threatens to tear …

Most research across disciplines unanimously agrees that it is immoral to detonate an atomic weapon due to both short- and long-term catastrophic effects. Therefore, this piece shall not focus on the actual use of nuclear weapons, but instead will analyze the latter question. Using various philosophical concepts, it will explore the fundamental question as to whether any implementation of nuclear …