Pak-U.S. Relations: An Analysis of Major Challenges (Post-9/11)
The Pak-U.S. relations have been through many ups and downs throughout the history of Pakistan. For most of the time during the cold war, relations remained either warm or normal except for some short periods. The ties went down the slope after the cold war and towards the onset of the twenty-first century. In addition to some drastic shifts in the regional and global political scenario, the incident of 9/11 proved a watershed for Pak-U.S. ties as well. Pakistan's decision to stand with America and her allies provided an opportunity for both the states to improve bilateral ties. Key challenges include, but not limited to, issues of trust and coordination, the problems of strategic harmony and divergence of interests and varied policies about arms and nuclear proliferation. Pak-U.S. relations have also been affected by their respective relations with other states. From Pakistan's perspective, it is essential not only to identify points of convergence and divergence with the United States but also to explore policy options to meet such challenges.
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U.S., Bilateral, Challenges, Strategic Harmony, Nuclear, F.M.C.T., Proliferation
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(1) Sultan Mubariz Khan
Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science & IR, University of Gujrat, Gujrat, Punjab, Pakistan.
(2) Saiqa Hanif
Associate Lecturer, Department of Political Science & IR, University of Gujrat, Gujrat, Punjab, Pakistan.
(3) Shumaila Rafique
Associate Lecturer, Department of Political Science & IR, University of Gujrat, Gujrat, Punjab, Pakistan.
Impact of Sectarian Violence on Pakistan's Security and Politics
The sectarian violence got the moment during Zia's reign when the Deobandi sect created violent militant groups as Sipah-e- Sahaba and Lashkar-e-Jhangvi. In contrast, the Shia sect created Sipah-i-Mohammad Pakistan under the banner of the Afghan Jihad. Both Deobandi and Shia sects had ignited the violent clashes, which led to many innocent people's massacre. This moment of violent clashes was continued during the reigns of Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif, wherein the governments had ignored the violent activities of both religious factions. However, the incident of 9/11 had changed the dynamics of this violent conflict when the Musharraf government banned all militant groups for overcoming the extremism. This paper explores the polarization among the Deobandi and the Shias and their influence on Pakistan's national security. This paper suggests that the government should scrutinize all madrassas' curricula by removing hatred materials from the scheme of madrassas' study.
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Barelvi, Deobandi, Intersect Harmony, Sectarianism, Security Risk, Shia, Violence
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(1) Shafiq Qurban
Ph.D. Scholar, Department of Politics and International Relations, International Islamic University, Islamabad, Pakistan.
(2) Rubina Ali
Ph.D. Scholar, Department of Politics and International Relations, International Islamic University, Islamabad, Pakistan.
Social Media's Moral Reckoning and Positive Engagement: Analyzing Its Effectiveness for Peace and Prevention of War
Today, technological advancement has largely altered human existence and has turned this globe more interdependent. In this development, means of communication play a substantial role in promoting peace, harmony, and interaction among multi-cultural societies and discouraging notions of conflict and animosity. Communication is the carrier of culture; it is the key of any relationship, be it interpersonal or intrapersonal. Without communication, no dialogue is possible. Social media, being the cheapest source of communication, is considered only a reliable and effective way of universal interaction, which is tremendous for a peaceful global relation. Social media, along with its approaches, has helped prevent conflict and has helped link people with the world. It breaks the communication barriers and opens opportunities for a peaceful international connection. Its proliferation has served as a bridge between the states and cross-cultures. Moreover, it promotes education, awareness, and a sense of belonging among people and sensitizes them about adverse repercussions of war, terrorism, climate degradation, and cultivates positivity to reserve the amity sphere. This research attempts to analyze social media as an effective tool to bring peace and harmony in the world and can help prevent an environment of animosity and conflict.
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Social Media, Communication, Harmony, Global Peace, Conflict Prevention
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(1) Inayat Kalim
Assistant Professor, Department of Humanities, COMSATS Institute of Information Technology Islamabad, Pakistan.
(2) Muhammad Mubeen
Assistant Professor, Department of Humanities, COMSATS Institute of Information Technology Islamabad, Pakistan.
(3) Sohail Ahmad
Assistant Professor, Department of Humanities, COMSATS Institute of Information Technology Islamabad, Pakistan.
Impact of Religious Tourism on the Development of Smokeless Industry in Pakistan
The purpose of this research paper is to examine the Impact of Religious Tourism on the development 'smokeless industry' that has the potential of igniting significant economic activity, thus creating employment,generating investment, and reducing poverty. The present study is descriptive in nature. Data were collected in view of facts reported in the secondary sources, including news items, national and international reports on tourism,books, journals as well as information gathered from interaction with the local people. The present study not only underscore the prospective implications of religious tourism in the country but also explores the challenges pervading the religious tourism sector in Pakistan. The findings of the present research paper indicate the below-par performance of concerned agencies was the main hindrance to promote tourism in Pakistan. Moreover, the key issues are non-development and maintenance of tourist spots, negative projection of security situation, visa restrictions, inadequate infrastructure, sub-standard transportation, and poor health services, which are badly affected religious tourism. This research paper will be assisted the policymakers in improving travel procedures and providing safety and security to the tourists in Pakistan.
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Religious Tourism, Kartarpur Corridor, Smokeless Industry, Economic Development, Religious Harmony
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(1) Naila Masood Ahmad
Assistant professor, Business Studies Department, Bahria University Islamabad, Pakistan.
(2) Ramsha Sohail
M. Phil. Scholar, Pakistan Institute of Development Economics, Islamabad, Pakistan.
(3) Muhammad Masood Ahmad
Chief Instructor, National Institute of Management, Islamabad, Pakistan.
The Effects of the Afghan Issue on Pakistan's Political Dynamics: An Analysis of the General Musharraf Administration
After the incident of 9/11, Afghanistan emerged as a terrorist state before the face of the world. To eradicate the militant factors the USA initiated a war against terror with the help of her allies on the soil of Afghanistan. This paper aims to analyze the efforts of Pakistan to bring harmony, peace and development to Afghanistan. The Afghan political scenario is a "multi-political scenario" in which different types of stakeholders show their political legitimacy over the masses. The capitalist class led by the USA and the socialist class by the Russians are the antagonistic factors in this regard. Another major group in this regard is the Islamic agenda group, having a culture of arms and is also a main participant in the Afghan political setup. The political legitimacy of the different groups has de-railed whole the system on the verge of chaos. The main focus of this paper is to determine the struggles of Pakistan to restore the true political system in Afghanistan through the participation of all the stakeholders in the scenario.
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Harmony, Islamization, Legitimacy, Negotiations, Pakistan’s Struggles, Peace, Taliban, wars in Afghanistan
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(1) Sajid Hussain
PhD Scholar, Department of Political Science & IR, Qurtuba University, Dera Ismail Khan, KP, Pakistan.
(2) Azmat Ali Shah
Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science & IR, Qurtuba University, Dera Ismail Khan, KP, Pakistan.
(3) Gulzar khan
PhD Scholar, Department of Political Science & IR, Qurtuba University, Dera Ismail Khan, KP, Pakistan