Central Asia

Author(s):Mohammad Khan & Shabir Ahmad Khan

Abstract :

The year-2019, marked the 40 years of instability and chaos in Afghanistan, ever since it was invaded by former Soviet Union in December 1979. In the last forty years, the Afghan instability and conflict has been so transmissible that any peace plan, initiated even with sincerity got entombed into viscid domestic ambiguities, undesired regional rivalries and geopolitical interests of great powers. Owing to internal instability and frequent foreign invasions, there could not develop a cohesive national character within Afghanistan. Besides, there has been no institutional buildup and development which could have provided a strong base for the establishment of good governance system. In the absence of domestic peace and a unanimously acceptable leadership, the invaders and regional players have been exploiting Afghan geopolitics and its diverse societal makeup. Above all, the poor economic system, lack of needed resource base and massive unemployment constrained the flexibility, the Kabul regimes could have utilized for the minimum economic management at the domestic level. Furthermore, the post 2014 drawdown of US and NATO forces did not provide conducive environment where Afghans could have taken independent decisions to determine their future course of action for the larger national interest of the state and masses. The paper takes a critical analysis of the above-mentioned factors, which impeded peace process from taking firm roots in Afghanistan. The pap

Author(s):Uzma Siraj & Manzoor Khan Afridi

Abstract :

As modern world run on oil, the unprecedented rise in oil consumption during last century has generated daunting energy security challenges for the oil producing states. It is simultaneously important for energy import dependent nations and exporting nations. However, exporting nations face some captious challenges. In former Soviet Republics, Kazakhstan is one of the richest oil producing state whose over reliance on rent generated by oil exports presents daunting energy security challenges for the states at internal and external levels. On the one hand, Kazakhstan’s economic development owes a great deal to the oil rent. On the other hand, it is also responsible for Kazakhstan’s struggle in establishing a strong democratic political system. In addition, generating rent income face severe security challenges at external level. The involvement of external powers in Kazakh oil sector, pipeline infrastructure and threats posed by non-state actors, make the whole scenario a great challenge for Kazakhstan. The study examines the challenges rentierism has generated for Kazakhstan at internal and external levels

Author(s):Muhammad Shafi & Noor Ul Amin

Abstract :

The research paper describes and analyzes Afghanistan’s third Ulasi Jirga election in light of ‘State’s fragility’ concept, initially theorized in the Western world in 1990s. State’s fragility, is a situation where risks and vulnerabilities overwhelms a state’s or a society’s capacity to overcome these risks. In order to avoid fragility, risks and vulnerabilities are quantified in a number of dimensions, such as, political, economic, justice, security and functioning of core services performed by the State. Election, as a sub part of political dimension of fragility, is assessed and analyzed in this paper to determine how far it add or flout state’s fragility, in terms of addressing level of violence, response of state’s institutions and how far electoral practice contribute to socio-political climate to lessen state fragility as perceived in a liberal model.

Author(s):Saima Parveen & Syed Akhtar Ali Shah

Abstract :

In the changing regional geo-political scenario China, Pakistan and other regional countries are set to play a vital role in the emerging regional economic corridor. China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) as part of “One Belt, One Road” grand strategy connect countries with China through economic collaboration extending from South East Asia to the Europe through maritime and land routes comprised of emerging markets of Africa and Middle East energy resources. This paper has investigated the significance of CPEC in parlance of theoretical framework of complex interdependence because the phenomenon of interdependence has tied state and non-state entities in economic and strategic dimensions. Regional connectivity results from systematic, upgraded and need-based interaction in perspective of CPEC for socioeconomic, industrial, energy and trade development. CPEC is important not only for Pakistan and China but also for the other regional countries such as Afghanistan, Central Asian Republics, Iran and India. As international and regional politics follows interest’s game hence CPEC has also become matter of concerns for both regional and international players which has been amply illustrated by this research. These concerns are followed by arguments that CPEC may be seen in a broader perspective of interdependency with emphasis on strategic and economic dimensions guaranteeing regional connectivity and integration. CPEC can serve as a main trade avenue n

Author(s):Alamgir Khan & Muhammad Hanif

Abstract :

Afghanistan has been under a state of war for the past few decades. Wars and the ensuing destruction in the region have badly affected the socio-economic and security environment of the country. The situation in Afghanistan has been equally alarming to the neighboring states, particularly for Pakistan which shares its longest porous border with this war torn country. Cognizant to this fact Pakistan not only fully supported the NATO forces to stem the looming threat of Al -Qaeda and Taliban but have also taken serious interest in the social reconstruction of Afghanistan. The primary focus of this paper is to highlight the role of Pakistan with respect to the social reconstruction of Afghanistan. Here the term “social” broadly employs to some important social sectors of Afghanistan such as communication, health, education, and the hosting of Afghan refugees as well as the nurturing of Afghan businessmen in Pakistan and their contribution to the Afghan socio-economic development. The paper at hand argues that Pakistan, due to its geographical proximity and ethnic similarity with Afghan Pashtun can play significant role in the social reconstruction of Afghanistan. Pakistan’s performance in this regard can become more effective if her own security concerns regarding the involvement of hostile countries in Afghanistan are properly addressed by the international community.

Author(s):Muhammad Ali Dinakhel

Abstract :

Swat State was formally established in 1915 by the first ruler of Swat State, Syed Abdul Jabar Shah. In the month of September 1917 he was dethroned on account of his alleged attachment with Qadyani/Ahmadi sect. After his removal from rule and subsequent exile, Miangul Abdul Wadud was installed as ruler of Swat in the month of September 1917. Swat State was recognized by the British Government in 1926. The recognition was granted with the condition that the state’s rulers will not act against the British Government. When in 1917 the Bolshevik Movement emerged in Russia, it also influenced Swat and surrounding areas. Some people were found here who had affiliation with Bolshevik Movement. The colonial government’s confidential records also show that some people of Swat were involved in secret activities of Bolshevik Movement. This article analyzes the expansion of Bolshevik Movement from Russia and Central Asia via Afghanistan to the frontier regions including Swat State. This paper also describes the steps taken by the British Government to control the activities of this movement.

Author(s):Muhammad Asim Afridi & Sohail Khan

Abstract :

Total factor productivity growth has played a significant role in uplifting the economic development process of nations in recent years. This paper uses the recently published data of Penn World Table (PWT, 9) for six emerging economies (China, India, South Korea, Malaysia, Thailand and Taiwan) to establish a relationship between the growth of total factor productivity and its various determinants. Panel data econometric techniques are employed and the data utilized were spanning from 1955 to 2012. We found that growth of real GDP and human capital are positively and significantly related with the growth of total factor productivity. Similarly physical capital stock is although positively impacted the growth of total factor productivity but however this relationship is not significant statistically. Lastly, an inverse and significant relationship is observed between employment level and total factor productivity growth for the selected emerging economies. The study concludes that relatively richer and highly educated economies have improved their productivity while employment level has adversely affected the growth of TFP. The results of the study imply that economies should focus on income and human capital increasing policies and further to translate the benefits the focus should be on efficiency of labor rather increasing the employment level.

Author(s):Imran Ali & Bahramand Shah

Abstract :

Although there may be strikingly different cultural explanations, in nearly every society women have had to struggle for equal rights. This study juxtaposes the position of U.S women in the 1910s and contemporary Pashtun women in Afghanistan and Pakistan to present an authentic picture of Pashtun women in an international context. Avoiding generalizations, the author focuses on select issues important to Pashtun women living in Swat, KP, Pakistan, the homeland of Malala Yousafzai. In addition to American scholarship, for the Pashtun part, the study relies on authentic sources: personal interviews with Malala, her father as well as a few notable indigenous professors and authors; literary/social surveys (of Swat); indigenous books. The study also includes a cross-section of native Pashtun men/women living in Swat, and the author's firsthand experiences as a native of Swat. The study reviews the struggle for women's rights in the U.S to ask what from that experience can aid Pashtun women one hundred years later.