01 Pages : 1-23
http://dx.doi.org/10.31703/gssr.2017(II-II).01 10.31703/gssr.2017(II-II).01 Published : Dec 2017Pak-US Relations: Understanding of the Misunderstandings
This paper critically analyses the US and Pakistan relations in historical context and thereby comprehends the causes of misunderstandings between them, especially under the new administration of Donal Trump. Like other states in our world both Pakistan and USA have priorities to secure their national interests as both have their own way of protecting their interest in short, medium or long terms. The paper finds that unlike the US which makes a policy that focuses only on the current scenarios, Pakistan keeps in view the lessons from past betrayals from US and her future needs arising from her security issues related to her neighbours i.e. Afghanistan and India. Pakistan also fears Indian involvement in Afghanistan and the US support to India in Afghanistan in general and particularly in the region. Pakistan needs to understand US mistrust for rapid proliferation (even legal) to earn easy money to strengthen its weak economy. From the US perspectives, it strategy regarding Pakistan is no different from that of a major powers as she only focuses short terms objectives. USA needs to realize that the strategic location of Pakistan and the nuclear capability makes her an important country that bestows on her the right to be treated like medium power in the region. It not only about dealing with mutual misunderstandings related to realization of mutual concerns but it is also about peace, security and future of every sixth human being on earth who lives in the region or maybe its impacts can go far beyond to the whole world. Therefore, both Pakistan and the US need to address each other's concern and work on converging lines.
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Pakistan, United States of America, Afghanistan, Indian factor, Afghan War, Security, Nuclear proliferation.
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(1) Asghar Khan
Lecturer, Department of Regional Studies, University of Peshawar, Peshawar, Pakistan
(2) Ayaz Ahmad
Lecturer Department of English, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Mardan, Pakistan.
(3) Amjad Ali Dadda
Post Graduate Diploma in Business Management, UK
Emerging Political Economy of CPEC Future Dynamics and Perspectives for Pakistan
The study focuses on China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) as a great regional, political and economic force, which would lead the region to a prosperous future. The route of CPEC is not only a connection between Gwader and Khunjrab but it is also "a motorway of political economy" which would become a track to development and sustainable prosperity. No doubt, the route leads to cooperation in the transition of resources and increase the bilateral trade partnership but there emerge various questions. The present study provides detailed analysis of how the route connects Asia to Europe and provides access the local markets. The study further recommends that Gwadar Port is one of the shortest ways for China rather than Strait of Malacca or any other international route. At the end, based on an in-depth critical evaluation, the study recommends the strategy of boosting its Political Economy on emergency basis.
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Political Economy, Silk Road, China Pakistan Economic Corridor, One Belt One Road.
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(1) Muhammad Zia Rehman
Assistant Professor, Department of LMS, National Defense University, Islamabad, Pakistan.
(2) Asif Khan
Independent Research Scholar, Islamabad, Pakistan
(3) Qaim Raza Jaffry
Director & Instructor at National Defense University Islamabad, Pakistan
US Afghan Strategy: Policy Responses of China and Pakistan (2001-2017)
This paper attempts to explore the level of variations in the pattern of foreign policies of Pakistan and China to US Afghan strategy. To investigate this question, the paper examines US strategy in Afghanistan. The current administration under Trump and announcement of China Pakistan Economic Corridor further complicated the US presence in Afghanistan. The study analyses the factors that are responsible for differences between Pakistani and Chinese stance. About the results, China's response was an outcome of their foreign policy principles, that is not to indulge in direct clash with the US and Western world. The interests of China in Afghanistan are linked to that of Pakistan, South and Central Asia. China does not want to wage unilateral talks with Taliban at the cost of Pakistan's interests. While on the other hand, post 9/11 2001, Pakistan could not resist the pressure of US policies in Afghanistan because it was heavily dependent on the US, economically, militarily, politically and diplomatically. The respective Political structure and culture; their foreign policy priorities, goals, and tradition; perception of threat and resulting priorities; political and economic dependence; location, policy options and decision-making and professional capabilities of decision making were jointly responsible for their differences.
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Strategy, USA, China, Pakistan, CPEC, Policy Response
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(1) Ijaz Khalid
Demonstrator & PhD Scholar, Department of Political Science, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Pakistan
(2) Bushra Qureshi
MPhil Scholar, Department of Pakistan Studies, NUML, Islamabad, Pakistan
(3) Shazia Hassan
Assistant Professor, LMS Department, Faculty of Contemporary Studies, National Defence University, Islamabad, Pakistan
Kashmir at Crossroad: The Partition's Unfinished Agenda
Independent dominions in shape of Pakistan and India emerged as result of partition on 14 August and 15 August 1947 respectively while the fate of over 500 princely states awaited decision. Due to overwhelming majority of Muslims, Jammu and Kashmir should have acceded to Pakistan. The hardness in Indian stance resulted in the two wars i.e. of 1965 and 1971 besides two limited wars of 1947-48 and 1999Kargil war. South Asia remained on the brink of war in 2002 standoff and the current escalations in Azad Kashmir. Contrarily, both Pakistan and India had agreed upon the United Nations resolutions, including, "the accession of the state of Jammu and Kashmir will be decided through free and impartial plebiscite under the auspices of United Nations". The Indian strategy was to gain time on the pretext that "Indians are superior to Pakistanis in military and industrial power therefore Pakistan would accept a settlement imposed by the Indians". Additional India pleaded that Pakistan had joined defence Pacts with west, so India moved away from the process of Plebiscite. Now, India wants to discuss only terrorism brushing aside the core issue of Kashmir. Resultantly, the people of Kashmir are at the mercy of despotic and tyrant Indian Forces and they are suffering the most. How long the innocent population of Kashmir will be looking to ask the world to come forward for an open hearted settlement of this long outstanding dispute? The situation may escalate into a nuclear flashpoint.
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Pakistan, Kashmir Issue, India, UNO, India, Cross Border Terrorism
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(1) Hikmat Afridi
Phd Scholar, Department of Politics & IR , International Islamic University Islamabad, Pakistan
(2) Manzoor Khan Afridi
Assistant Professor and HoD, Department of Politics & IR , International Islamic University Islamabad, Pakistan
(3) Ijaz Khalid
PhD Scholar and Demonstrator, Department of Political Science, AWKUM, Mardan, Pakistan
A Critical Analysis of Terrorism and Military Operations in Malakand Division (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa)
The 9/11 was a paradigm shifting event in the international and global politics. On September 11, 2001, two jet planes hit the twin's tower in United States of America (USA). US official authorities said that it is done by alQaeda. This event also changes Pakistan's internal and foreign policies. The government of United States compel Afghan Taliban government to handover the master mind of 9/11 attack and their leader Osama bin Laden but the talks failed between the both governments. Therefore US government compel the government of Pakistan to give us Military bases and assistance against Afghan Taliban. Pakistan agreed with US as frontline ally of US in war on terror. The majority of Pakistani people were not happy with the decision, therefore, some non-state actors appeared in different part of the country especially in Malakand Division and FATA to support Taliban regime in Afghanistan. In Malakand Division Mulana Sufi Muhammad head of Tehrik Nifaz-e-Shariat-e-Muhammadi started a proper armed campaign for Afghan Taliban Support and sent thousands of people to Afghanistan support Taliban against US and their allied forces. It was a basic reason behind the emergence of terrorism in Malakand division KP but it did not played it role alone to cause terrorism in the region. Many other important factors i.e. weak political administration, unemployment, economic deprivation, socio-political instability constituted the main reason that opened room for non-state actors to consolidate their grip on the region.
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Afghanistan, Pakistan, United Sates of America, Al-Qaeda, Taliban, Malakand Division.
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(1) Musab Yousufi
PhD Scholar,Department of International Relations, Qurtuba University of Science & Information Technology, D.I. Khan Pakistan
(2) Fakhr Ul Islam
Professor and Director, Pakistan Study Center, University of Peshawar, Peshawar, Pakistan
Women, State and Islamic Legislation in Pakistan
Pakistan has declared itself an Islamic state, but in terms of gender, its constitutional provisions are equal to all citizens. The gendered UN-evenness is embedded in the social fabric of society due to men’s domination over the mode of production. This unevenness is causing gendered segregation and alienation by women in a society. How does 'state' ideological orientation influence women's politics and their involvement in Islamic Legislation? This is a fundamental question that has been addressed in this paper. The available scholarship explained the nature of Islamic legislation and place of women in Islam. The present study is an attempt to explore the nature of the state and its ideological implications on women's role in Islamic legislation. Applying the qualitative approach, it has been found that the ideological nature of the state is structuring and re-organizing the relationship between women and legislation.Despite representation in the legislative process, women are yet alienated from control over the decision-making process.
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Women, State, Islam, Legislation, Pakistan
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(1) Saiqa Jabeen Shouket
MPhil Scholar, Department of Islamic and Religious Studies, Hazara University-Mansehra, KP, Pakistan.
(2) Muhammad Shakeel Ahmad
Assistant Professor, Department of Humanities, COMSATS Institute of Information Technology- Abbottabad. Post-Doctoral Fellow, School of Politics and International Relations, The University of Nottingham United Kingdom (UK).
Parliament not-Parliaments: Legislature of Pakistan in the Hatching (1947-69)
The evolution of parliamentary system in an ideological state, with two major units; miles apart on the globe, having multiple social and regional identities, and claiming being a federation has been a unique experience. After getting independence from the British, Pakistan decided to opt for a parliamentary form of government. The process was based on single house i.e. legislative assembly which was entrusted with dual responsibilities of framing the constitution and making legislation to run the state system. Initially, its membership was based on indirect elections through the elected representative on provincial basis in the elections of 1946 conducted by the British government. This system of indirect elections for national legislature was kept in practice till 1970 general elections after twenty three years of independence of Pakistan. First and second decades experienced multiple changes of electoral process and that of the practices of the floor of the constituent assembly. Apparently it is claimed that there had been major changes in the parliament of Pakistan with reference to the system of elections, and membership but certain practices seem consistent till date. The present study is an effort to analyse the early phase of the parliament which provided the basis for the parliamentary system of Pakistan.
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Parliament, Legislature, Democracy, Elections, Pakistan.
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(1) Rahat Zubair Malik
Associate Editor of Pakistan Journal of History and Culture and Research Fellow at NIHCR, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan
Varying Written Perspectives on Politics of Pakistan
Every discipline has its own specific perspective. The very difference of varying perspectives draws a line primarily between scientific and nonscientific knowledge. Then, amongst sciences it differentiates the rational from the empirical sciences. Apart from the natural sciences social sciences also utilize both rational and empirical approaches to science. Even, with in both of these perspectives there are also some other perspectives of social sciences. The present paper attempts to explore these perspectives as per the varying approaches of the respective writers contributing to the domain of the politics of Pakistan. A number of scholars have explored the politics of Pakistan. A brief review of them shows that they have studied the phenomenon of politics in Pakistan as per their respective approaches. The varying perspectives of these researchers can broadly be categorised into four main approaches i.e. 'Elitist Approach', 'Marxian Approach', 'Ideological Approach', and 'Praetorian Approach'. Every researcher of social science should necessarily understand the difference of these perspectives before initiating his investigation in to the politics of Pakistan. This paper aims to engulf the writings of all the potential writers in this field.
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Politics, Elitist, Marxist, Ideological, Praetorian, Approaches, Perspectives, Pakistan.
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(1) Sajid Mahmood Awan
Senior Research Fellow at the National Institute of Historical and Cultural Research (NIHCR), Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan
(2) Sana Hussan
Senior Research Fellow, Humanity Research Council, Islamabad, Pakistan
Indigenous Culture and Academic Discourse: A Critique of English Textbooks in Pakistan
The paper aims to explore how far English textbooks in Pakistan embody Pakistan and its culture. In this connection, the reading passages and pictures/images of the textbooks taught at secondary level in the government schools of Punjab were analyzed. It was a mixed method study and the specific method employed was content analysis. For this purpose all the reading passages of both the textbooks were firstly categorized and quantified into three categories; Source Culture/s, Other Culture/s and Neutral and then the cultural elements of Source Culture/s were discussed qualitatively using an adapted checklist. The results of the study reveal that the English textbook of class 9 has 12 passages out of which 75% have Source cultural elements, 8.83% have cultural elements of Other Culture/s and 16.66% are Neutral. As far as the English textbook of class 10 is concerned, there are 13 reading passages out of which 23.07% have Source cultural elements, 15.38% have cultural elements of Other Culture/s and 61.53% are Neutral. The findings of the study show that English, being an international language and as a result of globalization, has become compulsory for people belonging to different countries to learn it. However, in order to retain their identity, they try to appropriate English language to underpin their own culture/s through English language used in the textbooks of Pakistan.
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Indigenous Culture, Academic Discourse, English Textbooks, Pakistan, Appropriation
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(1) Azhar Habib
PhD Scholar, Air University, Islamabad & Research Fellow, University of North Texas USA
(2) Inayat Ullah
Assistant Professor, Faculty of Social Sciences, Air University, Islamabad, Pakistan
Resurgent Russian Ingress in Afghanistan: Implications for Pakistan
After the fall of soviet-empire, Afghanistan became the playground of international players, with covert and overt agenda towards the country. It has also become a breeding ground for militant organization. Russia, after her recent show of power in the Middle East has set her eye on its regional chessboard. For protecting its borders from incursion of extremism and the menace of drug trafficking which is gaining pace, Russia is entering Afghanistan again. This time she has found her 'favorite' jihadis on their side, the Taliban. How the entrance of resurgent power in the existing world order will have an impact on the country already going through the tough tides of unfolding international arena, Pakistan. The paper delineates, how the geo-political scenario compelled Moscow to get into bargaining with its rivals and what are the impacts on Pakistan.
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Afghanistan, Russia, Pakistan, Implications, Taliban, Jihad.
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(1) Qurat Ul Ain
Research Associate, National Defense University, Islamabad, Pakistan
(2) Taimoor Shah
Research Intern, ISSRA, National Defense University, Islamabad, Pakistan
(3) Seemab Zafar
M.Phil. Scholar, National Defense University, Islamabad, Pakistan