Central Asia

Author(s):Shabir Ahmad Khan & Mohammad Khan

Abstract :

Pakistan and Russia are in close collaboration for the last decade or so due to the changed regional and global geo-political scenarios. However understanding and respecting each other’s interests as well as convergence of Pak-Russian interests in Afghanistan and Central Asia is the main driving force behind this development which guarantee a permanent need for each other. Both Pakistan and Russia emphasised on a negotiated settlement for Afghanistan imbroglio addressing concerns of regional states. The Russia-Central Asia-South Asia integration via Afghanistan and Pakistan is in the minds of Russia and Pakistan. Russia controls the northern corridor to the contiguous areas of Afghanistan and Central Asia while Pakistan provides an outlet in the south. The close cooperation between Pakistan and Russia has also encouraged Central Asian Republics for greater interaction with Pakistan. Sino-Russian close cooperation on Central Asia and Pak-China close liaison on Afghanistan also solidifies Pak-Russia collaboration. Thus Russia, China, Pakistan axis will be a symbol of peace and prosperity for Afghanistan and Central Asia. In post US/NATO Afghanistan, maintaining regional peace and stability will be a shared responsibility of regional states.

Author(s):Tatheer Zahra Sherazi & Amna Mahmood

Abstract :

During the last four decades, China has achieved a status of a powerful state with a huge soft power, integration in the international economy, growing middle class along with increasing participation in international institutions and stock exchanges. Not only it has participated into international institutions but has also set new economic regimes like Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and Belt & Road Initiative (BRI). China’s growing thrust for developments, energy and resources, has enabled it for huge claims within South China Sea. Its recent steps of creating artificial islands in South China Sea and future air bases on them along with other developments are quite notable and have been perceived as China’s shift from a soft power to hard power. South China Sea is extremely significant Sea with its geostrategic importance being the second busiest trade routes. Approximately 60 percent of Japanese and Taiwanese energy resources raw material is supplied through the South China Sea. At the same time the Sea is highly rich in energy resources and different analysis have been made to give an estimate of gas and oil reserves in South China Sea. Due to geostrategic significance of the Sea neighboring countries have asserted their claims on its various Islands however; mainly conflict is over islands of Spartly and Paracel. The ongoing territorial conflict and resulting tension is creating troubles for the regional peace by making regional as wel

Author(s):Imrana Begum

Abstract :

China shares shortest but significant border with Afghanistan to the south-western flank of the Chinese autonomous province of Xinjiang. This border has been creating high-security risks for China owing to the Uyghur separatist activities. To secure this edgy border China has to rely on Afghanistan and Pakistan After the withdrawal of combat troops, Afghanistan became liable for its own security. In order to make Afghanistan secure and stable the Afghan government called the non-state actors to initiate peace talks. For the first time China was involved along with the US and Pakistan in the peace process. The Quadrilateral Coordination Group (QCG) became dysfunctional within a year but China did not avert efforts for peace in Afghanistan. It setup a Trilateral Coordination Group (TCG) as Beijing was determined to continue mediation efforts between the Afghan state and nonstate actors by taking Pakistan on board. After initiating huge economic projects i.e CPEC and OBOR, China’s concerns looms high due to militancy which can cause main hurdle in achieving economic and development goals in the region. Since reducing role in Afghanistan the United States also needs to take China on board owing to its acceptability among various segments of Afghan society. China has an image of benign power that pursue towards constructive collaboration rather than competition.

Author(s):Muhammad Amjad Raza & Ghulam Mustafa

Abstract :

Afghanistan is located at the convergence of Central, Middle and South Asian regions, one of the most world prime geographical locations. Its strategic location and abundant mineral resources have always attracted international community including India. Hence Indian objectives to develop relations with Afghanistan are manifold and decades old. Indian foreign policy is devised by many factors like its bitter relations with Pakistan and its desire of access route to Central Asian Republics by limiting Pakistan’s reach that has serious implications for Pakistan. In view of its past experience, Pakistan perceives Indian extended desire to engage in Afghanistan as a deliberate strategy of using the later as a battleground to show its power and use influence against Pakistan. Terrorist incidents in Balochistan provide evidence and links with Indian RAW activities organized in Afghan areas. So, Indian intention to invest in Afghanistan for infrastructure rebuilding is not as simple as it is often claimed. India has covert objectives of troubling Pakistan. In hostile lunacy, India increased, dramatically, its involvement in Afghanistan when the Taliban era came to an end. India’s interference in Afghanistan is a clear reflection of its desire to execute Afghan land against Pakistan. India sees Afghan war an opportunity to encounter Pakistan’s influence in the region. This research paper will analyze Indian involvement in Afghanistan and its implications for

Author(s):Jamal Abdul Nasir & Sohail Akhtar

Abstract :

because it has been under the war conflict and political instability during the past five decades and a limited research is available on different dimensions of population and economic development. Being involved in war conflict situation, Afghanistan age structure is changing. This paper empirically explores the demographic bonus timings and durations for Afghanistan. The study results revealed that Afghanistan demographic bonus may remained for forty five years long starting from year 2000 and seem to be shut between year 2040 and 2045. For the proper encashment of demographic bonus the key challenge for the Government of Afghanistan is to create the policy environment on labour, savings and human capital. Which policies need to be incorporated to extend the demographic bonus is an added dimension to be considered in Afghanistan.

Author(s):Asif Saleem & Parveen Khan

Abstract :

Pakistan’s engagement in the global war on terrorism and its role as a frontline ally of the USA compelled strategic elites of the state to develop strategies to curb the militant groups that migrated to Pakistan and took shelter in the borderland areas after the U.S. military offensive Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) on Afghanistan. The aim of OEF was to hunt down the Al-Qaeda and other affiliated conglomerates enjoying patronage under the Taliban regime in Afghanistan. The real challenge before the law enforcement agencies of Pakistan was to get support from the public for military operations against these Islamist militant groups, which were the constant source of threat to the security of the state. The majority of the people in Pakistan were generally not in favor of full-fledged military operations because they saw the militants as holy warriors fighting against the infidels and believed that if Pakistan launched any brand of operation in erstwhile FATA it would be under the diktat of the Americans. This is the reason why, from 2001 to 2004, Pakistan’s security forces opened the door for negotiations and did not participate in hard-strikes against the militant outfits. But after the formal formation of Threek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in 2007 and its nexus with Tehreek-e-Nafaz-e-Shariat-e-Mohammadi (TNSM) in Swat started a series of brutal suicide and targeted attacks on the population, it was necessary for the military to begin operations. This t

Author(s):Suleman Amin & Zilakat Khan Malik

Abstract :

Approximately two third of the Earth’s surface is covered with the life-sustaining liquid, water. Studies depict that by the middle of the century, more than half of the humanity will reside in water-stressed areas, which also include Pakistan. Pakistan is among the list of those countries, which are confronting chronic water issue. Pakistan is water stressed country and the situation is going to be more critical in future. The degradation and over exploitation of water resources by human is not a new phenomenon. Water as common pool resource is commonly available for people either free or they pay small amount of money which do not attract the attention of the users to use carefully. The behavior of people is the key problem in over exploitation of resources of water. People either use the water resources carelessly, which do not attract their attention to conserve water for the reason of facing water problems in future. The study shows that Behavioral change is an effective way of tackling the water shortage and ensuring the efficient management of water resources. Behaviors of people for conservation of water were highly depend upon education level, age, past history of respondents water shortage problem, awareness, attitude of family, friends and surrounding of respondents.

Author(s):Hamida Bibi & Fakhar-Ul- Islam

Abstract :

This paper aims to explore the causes of meager participation of women in Khyber Pakhtukhwa (KP) assembly. The study was conducted on the obstacle that was faced by these women parliamentarians in the KP assembly during the last three governments (2002-2008, 2008-2013, and 2013-2018) in the light of expert opinion of female political representatives, political activists and experts. Women as a constituent candidate, their role in the parliament and the problems they faced have been discussed. The paper is based on qualitative method. Total 20 MPAs, MNAs, and female rights activists were interviewed for qualitative analysis. The interviews were unstructured, allowing flexibility, liberty of conversation and flow of information. It was found that there are still many difficulties faced by these women parliamentarian in the KP assembly. The study concludes that ideological, economic and patriarchal mind-set are the main factors that hinders women participation in the assembly’s business. The findings of the study can be used effectively to increase women participation by bringing awareness at local level and making appropriate policies at national level.