Study Kit

Lawfare against corruption

Naya Pakistan

‘ANTI-CORRUPTION drive’ has been the primary slogan of Prime Minister Imran Khan’s movement for naya Pakistan with the promise of across-the-board accountability to cleanse the system of the proverbial cancer of corruption. On Sept 17, 2018, a significant step was taken in this direction when Pakistan, led by its law minister, Dr Farogh Naseem, and British Home Secretary Sajid Javid, …

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“Development and environmental conservation must go hand-in-hand”

Martin Kobler

Interview with German Ambassador to Pakistan Martin Kobler German Ambassador to Pakistan Martin Kobler isn’t just a diplomat but a great fan of Pakistan’s breathtaking landscape and environment. His views on environmental conservation have gained overwhelming popularity on social media, calling upon the authorities to protect natural resources from degradation. In an interview with TNS, Martin Kobler shares his views …

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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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World in Focus (Aug-Sep 2018)

NATIONAL  Aug 16: The PML-Q president, Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi, was elected the Punjab Assembly Speaker, for the second time after a gap of 20 years. Aug 16: PPP’s Syed Murad Ali Shah and PTI’s Mahmood Khan were elected as the chief ministers of Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, respectively. Aug 17: The 15th National Assembly elected PTI’s Imran Khan as the …

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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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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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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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