Raast Digital Payment System A Critical Piece in the Financial Inclusion Jigsaw As a part of his Digital Pakistan Vision to include the poor segments of society in formal economy, Prime Minister Imran Khan launched, on January 11, the country’s first instant payment system – Raast. Developed by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), in collaboration with Bill and Melinda …
Read More »Police Reforms, Use of Force and Accountability in Pakistan
Police Reforms, Use of Force and Accountability in Pakistan The tome of official/semi-official literature on police reforms in Pakistan shows that it caters to two types of the reforms: ‘policy’ and ‘service delivery’. While ‘policy’ part of reforms alludes to larger systemic issues like police law, its inter-linkages with larger criminal justice system issues and organizational governance, the ‘service delivery’ …
Read More »HEC’s New PhD Policy
HEC’s New PhD Policy Patching the Bumpy Road to PhD The HEC’s new policy said that in case of students who are unable to complete the program within eight years, the university may designate a competent authority to determine whether the delay was caused by circumstances beyond the student’s control, and if so, grant an extension in such exceptional circumstances. …
Read More »Foreign Policy of Pakistan Challenges, Opportunities and the Way Forward
Foreign Policy of Pakistan Challenges, Opportunities and the Way Forward Diplomacy is the tool for implementation of foreign policy. Growing inter-dependence, partnerships and cooperation are the imperatives in this age of globalization because economic strength and greater integration can be achieved only if viable global diplomatic outreach is ensured. In international relations, there are neither enduring animosities nor friendships; what …
Read More »FATA’s Merger with KP
FATA’s Merger with KP All kinds of criminals including drug dealers, smugglers, kidnappers and the groups of terrorists of various hues and colours made FATA their sanctuary and operated from there with impunity. The State of Pakistan neglected the region for seven decades that turned it into ungoverned spaces. As the State launched a war on homegrown terrorism and sought …
Read More »Devolution of Power
Devolution of Power and Pakistan’s history of local governments Historically, Pakistan has experienced several devolution stages. Interestingly, three local governments had been set up and controlled under the direct rule of military regimes. Later, through the 18th Amendment, a democratic setup devolved significant powers with ministerial portfolios to the provinces. The real essence of devolution of power Devolution refers to …
Read More »Biden and Washington’s Perennial Pakistan Problem
Biden and Washington’s Perennial Pakistan Problem It’s time for a rethink The inauguration of Joe Biden as the 46th President of the United States brings with it many a challenge for him, especially in the domain of foreign policy. An experienced hand on South Asia, he will have a different set of challenges as compared to the time when he …
Read More »Senate Elections Pakistan
Senate Elections Pakistan What is Senate? Majlis-e-Shura, the Parliament of Pakistan, consists of the President and two Houses, known as the National Assembly (lower house) and the Senate (upper house). The Senate was constituted for the first time in 1973 under Article 50 of the Constitution of Pakistan that stipulates a bicameral parliament.The Senate is a body that represents the …
Read More »PAKISTAN-INDIA WATER CONFLICT Nature, Impacts and Solutions
PAKISTAN-INDIA WATER CONFLICT Nature, Impacts and Solutions For over seven decades, water has been a principal reason behind conflict between Pakistan and India. The Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) resolved the issue to a great extent, but it did not prove fruitful in the long run because of frequent violations by India. The recent statements of Indian Prime Minister, Narendra …
Read More »Water Scarcity in Pakistan.
Water Scarcity in Pakistan. Pakistan is, currently, mired in several multifarious crises, but one of the most pressing issues that the country faces at the moment is the water crisis. Pakistan faces a serious water crisis as per-capita water availability falls due to diminishing freshwater supplies and the exponentially increasing demands of the country’s burgeoning population. According to the National …
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