Pakistan “a colonial vassal” of China
Pakistan has now become no more than a colony of China, says an American expert and cautions that Islamabad will soon “realize—if they have not already—what a devil’s bargain their country has made.” Writing in The National Interest, a bi-monthly, Michael Rubin, a former Pentagon official, lashed at Pakistan for ignoring that “China thinks nothing …
Pakistan “a colonial vassal” of China
Pakistan has now become no more than a colony of China, says an American expert and cautions that Islamabad will soon “realize—if they have not already—what a devil’s bargain their country has made.” Writing in The National Interest, a bi-monthly, Michael Rubin, a former Pentagon official, lashed at Pakistan for ignoring that “China thinks nothing …
Pakistan’s Obsession with Kashmir
In the midst of the world fighting a grim battle against corona virus, COVID-19, spokesman of China’s permanent representative at the United Nations made a reference to Jammu and Kashmir, yet again, the other day at the behest of Pakistan. He raised objection to Jammu and Kashmir being turned into a Union Territory by the …
Pakistan options on Kashmir ‘limited’
US Congress think tank, Congressional Research Service, (CRS), has spoiled the party for Prime Minister Imran Khan releasing its latest ‘Kashmir report’ that speaks of ‘limited options’ for Pakistan on Kashmir theatre just on the very day President Trump appeared to offer him ‘a bail out’ though in a quid pro quo arrangement. The Trump …
Another Hindu girl kidnapped, converted, married in Pakistan
. Yet another Hindu girl has been kidnapped in the Sindh province; she has been forcibly converted and married. The kidnapping for conversion took place on Jan 15 at Jacobabad. Alarmed at the increasing rate of forced conversions of young Hindu girls, the minority Hindu Community has threatened to leave Pakistan. Under the banner of …
Pakistan Faces Global Backlash Against Money-Laundering, Terrorist Financing
Pakistan is not out of the woods in so far as the FATF threat of blacklisting is concerned. The Paris – based global anti-money laundering and terror funding watch dog has just shot of 150 questions on curbing the twin menace plaguing the land of the pure. And sought details of legal measures, including the …
No Swift Recovery For Pandemic hit China
The Chinese economy rebounded in March but the recovery isn’t likely to endure in 2Q, says the Macropolo Outlook for the Dragon country. Liquidity crunch is pulling down the private sector, which accounts for more than half of China’s GDP. Cash flow constraints will force the Chinese private sector to scale back investment and hiring, …
China’s fault-line: Economy, Stupid!
China’s economic dependence on the outside world and mounting domestic debt may turn out to be President Xi’s twin challenges in the need of a magic wand, says the author. As curtains came down on Year 2019, China finds itself at new cross roads with its economy under increased scrutiny as much on account of …
China’s incomplete financial reform
China has experienced phenomenal economic growth since 1978 when it opened up to the outside world. Fundamental changes have occurred in China’s economy, institutions and markets. Financial reforms have also been profound and have a unique relationship with China’s economic growth, says the author. The conventional finance–growth nexus suggests that a well-functioning financial system is …
Myanmar: A Violent Push to Shake Up Ceasefire Negotiations
The Brotherhood Alliance comprises the Arakan Army (AA), Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) and Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA). The Arakan Army (AA) was formed in 2009 under the patronage of the Kachin Independence Organisation at its headquarters on the China border in Laiza. The group emerged as a serious force from 2015, when …
Religious minorities continue to suffer in Pakistan: HR body
Religious minorities in Pakistan, including the Hindu and Christian communities, continued to suffer in 2019, facing forced conversions and persecution under blasphemy laws, according to the Human Right Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) in its annual report. Religious minorities remained unable to enjoy the freedom of religion or belief guaranteed to them under the country’s Constitution, …
Imran Khan’s Nuclear Rhetoric
India and Pakistan are nuclear rivals. Yet both countries have been exchanging a list of their nuclear installations on the first day of every New Year for the past 29 years. This they are doing under a bilateral arrangement that prohibits them from attacking each other’s atomic facilities. Put simply, nuclear war in the sub-continent …
Minority persecution in Pakistan at the hands of bigots
From acts of violence in the temples in Sindh to attacks on Christian churches in Punjab, Pakistan has seen its minority being deprived of the very basic right, that is, the freedom to exercise their religion without the suggestion of fear
Minorities rights body accuses ministry of non-cooperation
by Nasir Iqbal in Dawn, May 8th, 2020 ISLAMABAD: The one-man commission on minority rights regretted before the Supreme Court on Thursday that it was facing defiance and non-cooperation from the Ministry of Religious Affairs in implementation of the apex court’s 2014 judgement about establishment of a council for protecting minorities’ rights. In a five-page …
Journalists at risk
Editorial in The News International, May 8, 2020In the situation that prevails in the world today due to the Covid-19 virus and its potential to spread rapidly, especially in overcrowded spaces, the New York based Committee to Protect Journalists along with 191 partner organisations has written to the UN secretary general urging action. The CPJ …
Heritage ignored: With no flights, Mohenjo Daro at risk of being forgotten
Karachi: In an alternative universe, Mohenjo Daro could have been to us what the pyramids of Giza are to Egypt. In both historical importance and as a sightseeing attraction, the remains of the ancient city believed to be the hub of the Indus Valley Civilization rival any other wonder of the world. Official neglect, insufficient …
629 Pak women ‘sold’ as brides to Chinese: report
An exclusive report by AP reveals that 629 girls and women across Pakistan were sold as brides to Chinese men and taken to China over the past two years. The list of 629 girls and women was obtained by AP and was compiled by Pakistani investigators looking into sex trafficking. It is believed that the …
Sri Lanka’s new president re-sets foreign policy to ‘neutral’
With ceremonies redolent with symbolism, followed by administrative moves that sent clear messages to the public, Gotabaya Rajapaksa took office as President of Sri Lanka signalling a clarity of purpose and a no-nonsense approach to his duties that lay ahead. One of his first directives was to ensure that government institutions used the state emblem …
After The Informal Summit
Nobody expects India and China to go back to the ‘Bhai-Bhai’ (friendly) days. But the two sides can or should strive at gradual easing of tension with a spirit of mutual respect and honest give and take. So far, China has shown very little of ‘give’ while piling up the list of ‘takes’ that it …
After Easter Bombings…..
Colombo urgently needs to correct the intelligence failures that led to the Easter attacks While threats are always easier spotted in hindsight, the Easter attacks nevertheless represented a massive security failure by the Sri Lankan state. Foreign intelligence services had warned their Sri Lankan counterparts of a significant imminent attack on churches weeks before the …
Pak media reactions to ‘Trump’s no deal with Taliban’ decision
Editorials in Pakistan dailies have taken stock of President Trump’s decision to call off talks with the Taliban for peace in Afghanistan. While one view was no deal is better than a bad deal, another view was that the American nightmare may not end without a peace deal with the Taliban. The Express Tribune. …
President Donald Trump called off peace negotiations with Taliban
President Trump said in a Twitter post earlier today “Unbeknownst to almost everyone, the major Taliban leaders and, separately, the President of Afghanistan, were going to secretly meet with me at Camp David on Sunday.” Furthermore, Trump said “They were coming to the United States tonight. Unfortunately, in order to build false leverage, they admitted …
Taliban Attack Kabul as US Nears Peace Deal
The Taliban claimed responsibility for an explosion in Kabul Monday, Sept 2, 2019, just hours after a U.S. negotiator shared with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani “key details” of a deal that would see thousands of American troops leaving Afghanistan. The blast in the Green Village compound, which houses international organizations and guesthouses, killed at least …
Growing China-Pak- Nepal closeness
The Galwan valley stand-off between China and India since early May was not an incident in isolation. Its timing has been significant as around this time there has been spurt in Pakistan sponsored militant activities in Kashmir. Also, in June, Nepal launched a fresh offensive by adopting a new territorial map claiming some Indian areas …
Oli’s Survival Mantra
There is no dull moment in Nepal politics these days. For over three-four days, the ruling, Nepal Communist Party (NCP) held stormy sessions of its Standing Committee even as both houses of Parliament were in session. Prime Minister Oli’s faction is in a minority in the 44-member committee. And he was cornered with demands for …
India- Nepal Trust Deficit
KPS Oli government’s cartographic exercise to check-mate political rivals at home and to please the Marxist patrons across the snowcapped Himalayas has sliced away some parts of Pithoragarh district of India’s Uttarakhand province, and added to Nepal landmass. It has evoked sharp reaction in New Delhi. And the Indian foreign office dubbed the move as …
Sudan’s transitions to civilian rule
Sometime in the next few days, Sudan’s new cabinet will meet for the first time. That will mark the start of a three-year transition that, if all goes well, will end decades of civil war, reform a moribund economy, entrench new-found freedoms, and usher in democratic elections. If that seems a tall order, it’s worth …
45 million hit by drought in Africa
Failed rains across eastern Africa, southern Africa, and the Horn of Africa are seeing another dire season for farmers, increasing food prices and driving up the aid needs of tens of millions of already vulnerable people across the three regions. All told, more than 45 million people will struggle to find enough food across 14 …
Kashmir Untold Story: Review
TITLE: Kashmir’s Untold Story: Declassified Authors: Iqbal Chand Malhotra & Maroof Raza Publisher: Bloomsbury India Pages: 202 Price: Rs. 599 At the very outset the authors, Iqbal Chand Malhotra, who has made a name as a TV documentary producer, and Maroof Raza, who is a familiar name as a soldier turned strategic expert, promise that …
The ‘Other’ Kashmir
The book gives an account of two disputed Kashmir pockets under Pakistan rule, about which there is very little in public domain. Detailing steps taken to ‘stifle nationalist sentiments’, it highlights the struggles of pressure groups, and Pakistan’s dilemma in coming to grips with the dynamics at work. Although India keeps asserting that Jammu & …