In the complex web of human existence, two fundamental aspects seem to be locked in a seemingly never-ending conflict: our planetary system and our economic model. While the planetary system represents the delicate balance of ecosystems and finite resources that sustain life on Earth, the economic model is primarily driven by growth, consumption, and profit.
Dry and Dangerous: Pakistan’s Water Scarcity as a National Security Risk
Malaika Sarwar states that in modern times the security of individuals takes precedence over the traditional concept of state security. Water Security is one of the major national security challenges facing Pakistan at the moment that needs to addressed on emergency basis.
Review | Islam and Sectarian Violence in Pakistan by Eamon Murphy
The book provides a brief overview of the specific role of sectarian terrorism within Muslims in Pakistan. These different sects in Islam emerged after the death of the Prophet (SAW). The basic theme of this book is to explain in terms of various examples that how sectarian differences among Muslims in Pakistan have led to injuring and killing of thousands of citizens whose only crime has been to belong to a member of a rival sect. The Karachi terrorist attack is one such example of sectarian violence where the Sunni extremists attacked the minority Shia sect in Pakistan. The sectarian violence in Pakistan is not purely Sunni versus Shia phenomena. The first sectarian violence which took place in Pakistan in 1953 was on the small Ahmadiyya sect by both Sunni and Shia. The sectarian violence in Pakistan has become complicated after intra-Sunni violence between Deobandi and Barelvi grew.
When AI Goes Rogue: Exploring the Existential Risks of Artificial Intelligence
Malaika Sarwar argues that mitigating the risk of extinction from AI should be a global priority alongside other societal-scale risks such as pandemics and nuclear war
Digital Crossroads: The Dark Side of Social Media in Pakistan and Beyond
Despite being the connection tool and a partner in accessing greater awareness and large chunks of information at once, social media has its darker side that is far beyond the consciousness of people. It was created for the betterment and advancement, and a lot has been achieved but the inventors were naïve of the flip side of the coin that uses one's psychology against self. These platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc. are manipulating human behaviors and exploiting personal data which has major repercussions for the masses that have been accepted even by the developers of these platforms themselves. Social media contributes to declining the overall mental health of individuals leaving them clueless about the actual causes. The race of likes, and followers, along with the beauty standard set, has increased the cases of depression and anxiety among people. People now try to meet these standards which are not true and the filtration has caused people’s lives. Moreover, teenagers are affected by interaction with random strangers and their opinions which may or may not be based on facts.
Why Governments Fail? Crises in Pakistan’s Economic Development and Panacea for Failure
Development or success and failure of any country in the modern world is attributed to the sine qua non-elements of the rule of law, operational principles of government, institutions of governance, equitable economic distribution, the effectiveness of government to curb inflation and stagflation, freedom from hindrances in trade, opportunities for investment of capital, lack of corruption, foreign reserves, educational opportunities, healthcare, protection of minorities, freedom of expression, gender parity and status of women, pluralism, and modernity in worldview.
Russia-Pakistan Oil Deal: Economic Recovery or Diplomatic Risk?
Pakistan recently received its first oil shipment from Russia, marking a significant turning point in the growth of trade ties between the two countries. This event has both positive and potentially negative repercussions. Positively, adding Russia as a significant supplier to Pakistan's oil supply can increase the country's energy security and reduce its reliance on a single source. It also strengthens diplomatic ties between Pakistan and Russia and opens up new opportunities for economic cooperation. If Russian oil becomes available, consumers and the economy as a whole stand to benefit from more competitive pricing on the Pakistani market.
The Devastating Effects of Unemployment on Pakistan’s Economy and Society
Unemployment has become an alarming issue in Pakistan nowadays. Not only an individual, but the society and the whole economy are severely affected by the repercussions of unemployment. When a person is jobless but actively looking for work, such a person is considered to be unemployed. Since Pakistan's establishment in 1947, unemployment has been a significant issue because its economy has been shaky since the beginning. 6.65 million individuals in Pakistan are unemployed. Comparing degree holders to the rest of the unemployed, the unemployment rate is three times greater. It is the despair of every university student and recent graduate. Every year, a staggering number of people graduate from institutions. On the other side, there are fewer jobs available in their respective industries. The number of unemployed individuals in the country as a whole would increase by more than 2 to 8 million by the end of 2023, predicts Hafiz Pasha, a well-known economist. Gender disparity exists similarly. In Pakistan, there are more women without jobs than men.
Geopolitics and Economic Vulnerability: Pakistan’s Burdened Economy
Pakistan's economy has long been burdened by heavy debts and reliance on international financial institutions such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF). With 22 loan programs from the IMF alone, Pakistan has become one of the largest recipients of IMF loans. This article explores the reasons behind Pakistan's economic vulnerability and the factors that have contributed to its debt burden.
The Grim Reality of Child Sexual Abuse in Pakistan
Wali Ejaz Nekokara, a QAU graduate discusses the unavoidable challenge of Child Abuse in the light of recent studies conducted by researchers and NGOs.
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