Weekly Dawn Deconstruction April 27 to May 04__by M.Usman.pdf

(ICEP Dawn Deconstruction)
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Best Reading Experience
WEEKLY DAWN EDITORIALS &
OPINIONS DECONSTRUCTION
ICEP POLICY
We don’t own any of the articles included in this volume, every piece of writing is attributed to
the respective writer.
Knowing the current issues of Pakistan_ internal and external is imperative for Civil service
aspirants. Unlike India, in Pakistan no such digital platform or academic work is available for
aspirants' ease of preparation. Here you are given detailed deconstruction of important news and
articles. Read these editorials and Opinions carefully and keenly. These are important for
widening your knowledge base, improving language skills, understanding key issues, etc. This
section (Editorial/ Opinions) is very useful for English Essay, Current Affairs, Pakistan Affairs
– and sometimes Islamiat papers as the Exam emphasize more on analysis than giving facts.
💬 To the Point
✍️ Deconstructed By: M.Usman
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▪ Current Affairs
▪ Pakistan Affairs
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▪ International Relations
▪ Foreign Policy
Dated: April 27 to May 04

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Tobacco tax 10
Quiet diplomacy 11
And now a new PIA 13
Misplaced euphoria 18
Kissan Card scheme 21
Tourism under threat 22
Regrouping of militants 24
Asean summit 25
Commercial courts 26
Apartheid in Israel 27
Gwadar’s connectivity 30
European Union (EU) dangerous resolution 31
Softened Suadi tone 32
Vocabulary 33-39
The path to a ‘normal’ country 43
Workers’ welfare 45
Education: Reforms and Challenges 47
Neo-liberal world order and its discontents 50
Pakistan’s evolving strategic paradigm 52
Withdrawal from Afghanistan Threatens Human Rights 55
Ad hoc policymaking 58
Fully digitised bureaucracy needed 60
EU resolution and the way forward 63
A case for Population control 66
Pak-India Peace talks: reality or Illusion 69
The issue of Islamophobia 73
A real education debate 75
Adopting Export-Led Strategy for Sustainable Growth 78
FATF: a failed institution 81
Climate change crisis: What should Pakistan do to save itself? 83
5G warfare in Pakistan 86
Pakistan’s top diplomacy in the region 88
Islamic Economics And Finance System 90
Prophet (SAW)’s Last Sermon: First Ever Human Rights Declaration 94
Genesis of Islamophobia 97
Maintaining peace in Nuclear Era 99
Choosing US over China is strategic madness for Pakistan 101
6 documentaries CSS aspirants can not survive without watching 103
Digital Governance: A Public Policy Perspective 105
Emerging power of social Media: Problems and prospects 110
Tax administration reforms in Pakistan: Way forward 113
China’s rise in the Changing World Order 115
Faez Isa case: A landmark precedent exposing justice system in Pakistan 117
QUAD: Important strategic alliance 119
Path towards Nuclear Proliferation in South Asia 121
NATO expansion: A historical error that led to many crisis in the world 126

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This Week at a glance:_______________Major Developments
▪ Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar on May 1, 2021 announced an increase
in minimum wage of workers, fixing it at Rs20,000 per month.Punjab had
become the only province to raise the minimum wage to Rs20,000 from the
existing Rs18,000. Over the past three years, government had gradually
increased the minimum wage by Rs5,000 and would continue to do so in the
future as well.
▪ Establishment of special courts to conduct fast-track trials in rape cases as
provided in the Anti-Rape (Investigation and Trial) Ordinance 2020 has been
delayed. The Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf government in December last year
introduced the anti-rape law. Prime Minister Imran Khan and his cabinet
approved the legal measure in Nov 2020 and President Arif Alvi signed it into
law on Dec 15.Special fast-track courts were proposed to hear rape cases and
were supposed to pronounce a verdict within four months.
▪ High-ranking diplomats from China, Germany, France, Russia and Britain
made progress at talks on Saturday focused on bringing the United States back
into their landmark nuclear deal with Iran, but said they need more work and
time to bring about a future agreement.After the meeting, Russia`s top
representative, Mikhail Ulyanov, tweeted that members of the Joint
Comprehensive Plan of Action, or JCPOA, noted today the indisputable
progress made at the Vienna talks on restoration of the nuclear deal.
▪ The United States formally began withdrawing its last troops from Afghanistan
on May 1, 2021, bringing its longest war nearer to an end but also heralding an
uncertain future for a country in the tightening grip of emboldened Taliban.
US officials on the ground say the withdrawal is already a work in progress and
May 1 is just a continuation but Washington has made an issue of the date
because itis a deadline agreed with the Taliban in 2020 to complete the
pullout.
▪ The European Parliament this week adopted a resolution calling for a review
of trade relations with Pakistan and ending its eligibility for the Generalised
Scheme of Preferences (GSP) status.The resolution linked the review to
Pakistan`s blasphemy laws, in particular the case of Shagufta Kausar and
Shafqat Emmanuel, who have been on death row since 2014 for sending
`blasphemous` text messages a charge they deny. It was overwhelmingly
passed 662 to 3 with 26 not voting. The text called on the European
Commission and the European External Action Service (EEAS) to
`immediately review Pakistan`s eligibility for GSP+ status in light of current
events`.
▪ The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has approved a Rs2.18 billion worth of
project to develop and revitalise economic infrastructure of South Waziristan
tribal district over a period of three years.The Special Integrated Area
Development Package for South Waziristan district was approved by the
Provincial Development Working Party (PDWP) in its meeting.

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▪ The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) surpassed its revenue collection target by
Rs34 billion to Rs384bn in April, the second highest collection in the second
half of current fiscal year (FY21), provisional data collected by the tax
authorities on April 30, 2021 showed. April has emerged as the second
consecutive month when the FBR revenue collection surpassed the projected
monthly target despite Covid-19 impact on all segments of economy.
▪ The US State Department has approved the potential sale of six Boeing-made
P-8I patrol aircraft and related equipment to India for an estimated cost of
$2.42 billion. India`s potential purchase of P-8 aircraft would help expand its
maritime surveillance capabilities. The package would include tactical radio,
missile warning sensors, GPS systems, support equipment, spares and
technical support, the Pentagon said.
▪ Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday announced a five-year development
package worth Rs370 billion for Gilgit-Baltistan during his visit to the area.
Addressing the topic of industrialisation in the region, he said small and
medium-scale industries would be successful such as food processing for fruits
like apricots."The expansion of your infrastructure and expanding your
airports," the prime minister said, would also be a part of the package,
specifically pointing to Skardu Airport which would cater to international
flights now as well.The prime minister also stressed the importance of
developing facilities for tourism in the region. He said the "real potential" of
the region lay in tourism.
▪ ISLAMABAD: Despite repeated tariff increases, buying out several old
independent power plants (IPPs), fuel conversions, tax rationalisations and
timely subsidy payments over the next two years, the power sector circular
debt would stay above Rs1.1 trillion by end of fiscal year 2023 against about
Rs2.55tr estimated at present.But not doing these ‘surgical actions’ is not an
option. Without these measures, the circular debt is projected to reach Rs4.7tr
by end of FY2023. With some efficiency improvements in terms of five per
cent increase in recovery and less than one per cent in technical losses, the
circular debt is projected at Rs4.4tr by 2023, but it would be the “tariff
rebasings and quarterly adjustments” that will move the needle down to about
Rs3.5tr — almost Rs1.1tr in two years.
▪ With no let-up in Covid-19 casualties and cases, the National Command and
Operation Centre (NCOC) on Saturday decided to ban all processions in
connection with Yaum-i-Ali. However, majalis have been allowed under strict
standard operating procedures (SOPs).
▪ Adviser to the Prime Minister on Commerce and Investment Abdul Razak
Dawood has claimed that Pakistan’s monthly exports have crossed the two
billion dollars mark for seven consecutive months for the first time over a
decade.
▪ Pakistan’s export for April 2021 stood at USD 2.191 billion. This is the first
time since 2011 that our monthly exports have crossed the 2-billion mark for
seven consecutive months,” says Mr Dawood.He said exports for July-April
2021 grew by 13 per cent to $20.879 billion as compared to $18.408 billion
during the same period last year.

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STATISTICS AT A GLANCE
Statistics offer essential insights in determining which data and conclusions
are trustworthy. An assertion that is made without having valid statistics is
not acceptable anywhere in this age of over-information. In exam, the
importance of presenting statistics in attempting any question can’t be
stressed enough.
▪ In the following pages, primarily statistics are taken out of reliable
newspapers, due to shortage of space I can’t specifically point the
surveys details, but can be provided on demand.

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Education: Alarming statistics
Education minister Shafqat Mahmood informed the cabinet recently that
▪ there were 18.7 million out-of-school children in Pakistan.
▪ Balochistan had the lowest participation rate and highest out-of-school
children.
▪ Pakistan had 63.3 million school-aged children.
▪ Between the age groups of 5-9, 5 million children are not enrolled in school or
receiving any formal education.
▪ The learning poverty rate (percentage of children that by age of 10 cannot read
an age-appropriate paragraph) is 75pc.
▪ In addition, 55pc of working adults have not been educated for the jobs they
hold.
(Dawn March ,2021)
▪ Pakistan has an estimated 22.8 million children from five to 16 outside school.
At present, Pakistan stands second across the globe in terms of highest out-of-
school children. They are representing 44 per cent of the population in this age
group, according to the latest statistics of the United Nations International
Children’s Emergency Fund.
▪ The first country in the world having highest out-of-school children is Nigeria.
(Dawn+UNICEF, November 2020)
▪ Currently, Pakistan has a 58% literacy rate.
▪ Female illiteracy is worse than that of men, while neighbouring countries are
following: China 80%, India 74%, Iran 85%.
(The Nation, August 2020)
Total population in 05 – 16 years cohort – approx___44 million
– Children enrolled in public and private schools____25.7 million
– Children enrolled in madaris ____1.7 million
– Children out of schools _______ 22.8 million
• Pakistan ranks second in global ranking on out-of-school children.
• 26 countries poorer than Pakistan send more children to schools
• 2/3rd rural women never attend a school
(Taken from Govt Education policy available on internet)
▪ The 18th Amendment enshrined education as a fundamental human right in
the constitution under Article 25A of the constitution of Pakistan 1973.
According to the Constitution of Pakistan (1973), the Federal Government was
entrusted with the responsibility for policy, planning, and promotion of
educational facilities in the federating units. (Constitution of Pakistan 1973)
Note: We haven’t presented statistics of Higher Education. What are its problems
and solutions, is left for another time as it is relatively broad area to cover.

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Education: From the Past papers of CSS:
1. Higher education in Pakistan: Ills and Remedies_____2018 Essay Paper.
2. Classrooms decide the future of the nation._________2019 Essay Paper.
3. Woman universities as agents of change.___________2020 Essay Paper.
Education: Past papers of PMS
▪ Education is not preparation of life, education is life itself.____ 2015 Essay.
▪ A person who won’t read has no advantage over a person who can’t read.
_____2017 Essay paper.
▪ The higher education should be given to only those, of course, on merit, who
are intellectually superior.____2019 Essay paper.
▪ Our education system is perpetuating socio economic inequality in society.
Anlyse and give Recommendations for improvement.____2020 Essay paper.

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DAWN+ EDITORIALS SECTION

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Tobacco tax | Dawn Editorial
EASY access to and the low prices of cigarettes and other tobacco products is a key
reason why their use is so widespread in the country.
▪ There are reportedly at least 30m tobacco consumers in Pakistan, across all
ages and social backgrounds;
▪ they end up costing the national exchequer at least Rs615bn every year, or
1.6pc of GDP, in terms of the overall toll on the economy and health
infrastructure.
▪ The habit of smoking alone comprises a massive 8.3pc of the country’s overall
health expenditure that is already critically stretched.
Imposition of Tax | Details
It is for this very reason that the WHO rightly recommends imposing a tax that is at
least 70pc of the retail price of the cigarette packet. However, the lax tax structure in
Pakistan enables tobacco companies to sell cigarettes and other products at cheaper
rates while still earning huge profits. It is ironic that the tobacco industry only
contributes around Rs120bn to the national economy in terms of taxes but extracts a
huge toll economically. However, instead of considering options for reducing the
health and economic burden of tobacco use and taking steps to launch an aggressive
campaign to discourage smoking and the use of other tobacco products, the
government appears to be going in the opposite direction.
Recently, the federal health ministry dissolved the Tobacco Control Cell and
terminated the services of its staff. The cell had been set up in 2007 to take steps for
discouraging the use of tobacco products in the country. Even more surprising is the
fact that the decision to disband the TCC was taken ahead of World Tobacco Day,
observed every year in May. Whatever the reason for this strange decision, it will
surely appear to observers that Pakistani policymakers are more sympathetic to the
concerns of the tobacco giants than about the health of the population.
Way ahead |
The authorities may want to revise their decision in line with international
guidelines regarding tobacco use and industries in the interest of public health.

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Quiet diplomacy | Dawn Editorial
IT has now been confirmed that officials from the Pakistani and
Indian governments are engaged in quiet talks aimed at
reducing tension in the region and resolving outstanding
conflicts, including the core issue of Jammu and Kashmir.
According to a report in this newspaper, officials have
confirmed that the two adversaries have been holding a
backchannel dialogue since 2017.
Details|
However, in December last year, the talks went into higher gear when the Indian
side approached the Pakistani government for a deeper engagement. The Pakistani
leadership responded favourably, and as a result, a number of confidence-building
measures have come to the fore, including a ceasefire agreement at the Line of
Control. Pakistani officials say there is a genuine desire to move towards a peaceful
resolution of disputes in order for Pakistan to achieve internal and external stability.
So far the talks are being held between senior intelligence officials from both sides.
It is said that relevant experts may join these talks once the agenda moves on to
specific items. For now, these are talks about talks.
But they should be welcomed. Pakistan and India cannot afford to go to war and the
lesson of 2019 is that both are closer to a conflict than they might want to admit.
The only way to ensure a conflagration does not break out is to make a genuine and
sincere attempt at resolving disputes that can potentially trigger a conflict. However,
both Islamabad and New Delhi have been down this path numerous times before,
with very little to show for it. The lessons learnt, if any, are that the two sides should
move gradually and not rush into solutions. There are strong and influential lobbies
on both sides that can act as spoilers. It is therefore reasonable for these talks to
remain quiet and discreet till there is enough confluence of positions that can be
brought into the glare of the public. In Pakistan, past attempts have floundered
because of differences of approach between the civil and military leaderships. If the
current talks have to be meaningful, it might be important to ensure not just that
Rawalpindi and Islamabad are in lockstep, but also that other political parties are
brought into the loop. There should be a broad consensus across the political
spectrum on this strategic initiative so that it does not fall victim to petty politicking.
Way forward |
In addition, past lessons also tell us that such major policies should not be confined
to individual decision-makers but should have a buy-in from all relevant institutions
so that they do not remain dependent on personal priorities. The present leadership
that is piloting this new, bold and timely move to give peace a chance should invest
time and effort in forging a broad consensus around this policy. South Asia deserves
a better future.

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Vocabulary in Context
come to the fore (phrase) — to become important and noticed by people;
She came very much to the fore when she was nominated for Oscar award.
Conflagration (to prevent it from breaking out) (noun ) — a very large fire
that destroys everything. Metaphorically, conflagration can be used for
“violent situation” and war, and probably in the above editorial it is used in
the second sense.
Dozens of shops turned to ashes as
a conflagration broke out overnight in
Saddar, Karachi last year.
Difference bt Fire and Conflagration:
Both are used synonymously but
Conflagration is a fire that is uncontrollable
and extends to many objects. Don’t you think
that Dawn has used extreme rhetorical word here.?
(In Pakistan, past attempts have) floundered (verb/adjective) — be in
confusion where progress couldn’t be made, and things don’t go smoothly.
Loosely you can say to be failed.
In Pakistan, past attempts have floundered because of differences of approach
between the civil and military leaderships.
This attempt floundered in bad weather and the following year Aslam once again
set out from Lahore with renewed determination.
(ensure that Rawalpindi and Islamabad are) in lockstep (phrase) — to move
in the same direction simultaneously, means to be on the same page.
(The peace process shouldn’t fall victim to) petty politicking. (verb) — If you
describe someone's political activity as politicking, you think that they are
engaged in it to gain votes or personal advantage for themselves.
buy-in (noun) —acceptance of policy or idea.
•If you want to make major changes you need buy-in from everyone in the
organization.

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And now a new PIA | Daily Times
Surely the federal cabinet knew that the plan to split Pakistan
International Airlines (PIA) into new companies in a bid to
revive its fortunes has been tried, and found wanting, before.
And the fact that employees and opposition parties revolted was
just one of the core reasons for the plan’s failure.
Analysis|
Nawaz Sharif gave a similar green light as prime minister in 2015, but then found
that not only was it impossible to sell the plan to trade unions, employees and the
opposition in the assembly, but it would also require the government to take the
losses on its own books, which would have raised red flags all the way from
Islamabad to the IMF and some others among our many donors.
A better way to check losses and turn the airline around would have been to work on
areas that really matter like
▪ trimming the employee-to-aircraft ratio,
▪ undertaking image,
▪ brand and capacity building exercises, and eliminating corruption from the
organisation.
The management clearly needs a very urgent overhaul. PIA still has a number of its
white body aircraft grounded in Lahore and Karachi and it hasn’t done much about
it, or given issues like the embarrassment caused by the recent seizure of one of its
planes in Kuala Lumpur, and being banned from European airspace, the attention
they deserve. The controversial decision to cut some of the dead wood, as 2,000
people were laid off under the Voluntary Separation Scheme (VSS), should have
been followed by hiring aviation professionals and improving things on the ground
like service delivery, passenger safety, etc. Unless things that really matter for
airlines begin to change, and are seen to be changing, the airline will not begin to cut
losses and never return to profitability. Yet not only did authorities very badly
mishandle VSS, holding up payments forever in blatant disregard of the
government’s own promises, but they didn’t follow it up with any management
changes either.
At such a time, instead of going back to the drawing board and taking stock of the
situation, the government seems to have reached the lowest hanging fruit that one
could lay its eyes on. The only thing is that in this case this particular fruit turned
rotten a long time ago. It is unfortunate that such randomness has typified
successive governments’ approach to the problem of State Owned Enterprises
(SOEs), which continue to hemorrhage hundreds of billions of rupees every year.
First this government played around with the idea of a new Pakistan for all these
years, now it’s making headlines with its new PIA idea; which, as stated earlier, is
not even a novelty, it’s an idea already ruled out by the government of Pakistan
itself. Hopefully the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC), which has been
tasked with fine-tuning this idea, will remind the cabinet of its folly in going down
this road.

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in a bid to (phrase) — in an attempt to, in order to,
raised red flags (idiom ) — something that provokes an angry or hostile
reaction, or call for critical attention.
The talk about raising taxes was a red flag to many voters.
which would have raised red flags all the way from Islamabad to the IMF
and some others among our many donors.
to cut some of the dead wood, (idiom) — to dismiss/sack employees who do
not work very well or efficiently, or who are no longer needed.
The PIA is cutting the dead wood out from
company to make it more efficient.
We need to cut the dead wood out of
our Whtsapp group to make space for
only active and willing members.
going back to the drawing board (adjective) — to start planning something
again because the first plan failed, to think from the start again.
My experiment was a failure, so I'm back to the
drawing board.
Sometimes the best way to proceed after a mistake
is to start over and go back to the drawing board.
I think we should go back to the drawing board
with our design, and try to make it better this time.

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taking stock (of the situation, event), (idiom) — If you take stock, you pause
to think about all the aspects of a situation or event before deciding what to
do next.
It was time to take stock of the situation.
I was forty, the age when people take stock
and change their lives.
lowest hanging fruit (phrase) — the most easy job to do and the easiest goal
to achieve. A fruit on tree that is easy to pick up because it is lowest hanging.
Example Sentences:
There are a lot of things that need to be completed for our project. I would
suggest that we start with the low hanging fruit.
For the new weight loss drug, the university girls in town were low hanging
fruit. They are always looking for ways to lose weight.

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Hemorrhage (literal sense) (verb) — to lose a large amount of blood in a
short time:
The car accident caused him to hemorrhage internally.
Hemorrhage money or resources from something (figuratively)
fig. The company was allowed to hemorrhage money (= lose a lot of money)
for more than two years before the government closed it down.
to lay eyes on (something). (phrase) — To see or look at someone or
something, especially for the first time. A possessive adjective can be used
between "lay" and "eyes."
Synonyms:
To set eyes on, to clap eyes on (something)
Example Sentences:
Find a girl who sets eyes on you like Ivanka on JT.
I'll never forget the first time I laid eyes on my son.
That sunset may be the most beautiful thing I've ever laid my eyes on.
He knew he had to buy the watch from the minute he laid his eyes on it.

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Note: Before reading the coming editorial, go through this
paragraph to know the subject matter, clearly.
The current account deficit from negative $4.147bn jumped to surplus
account of $959m in one year(20-21)
New report shows that the current account deficit in first nine months of FY21
remained in surplus territory, raising hopes the fiscal year would not end with an
overall deficit.
The data issued by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) on Friday showed;
▪ a current account deficit for March (2021) of $47m, which was slightly higher
than that of February, of $31m.
▪ In January 2021, the deficit stood at $229m while the deficit in December
2020 was $625m.
▪ In the same period during last fiscal year the deficit was $4.147bn 😮
However, during July-March FY21 the current account posted a surplus with
$959m, reported the SBP. The data has thus revealed that the deficit has generally
been declining and the current account at the end of third quarter of the current
fiscal remained positive.
The IMF has predicted a growth rate of 1.5 per cent for FY21, while the World Bank
has forecast a rate of only 1.3pc. The SBP, on the other hand, has stuck to its earlier
stance that growth rate will be 3pc.

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Misplaced euphoria | Dawn Editorial
THE government is in a state of euphoria and is citing the
current account surplus as a successful attempt at stabilising the
economy and plugging the erosion of forex reserves. Certainly,
the surplus of $959m in the first three quarters of the present
fiscal year is a significant improvement over the deficit of
$4.147bn a year ago.
Critical Analysis |
Let’s consider the factors that have contributed majorly to the current account
surplus and analyse the recent emerging trends that may reverse the situation going
forward.
▪ The surplus achieved so far can largely be credited to the increased inflow of
dollars in the shape of remittances and exports of IT services through formal
banking channels in recent months, mainly because of international travel
restrictions related to Covid-19 and improved compliance with FATF
conditions. Likewise, the restrictions are also attributed to decreased dollar
outflows with fewer Pakistanis travelling abroad for leisure, business or
pilgrimage.
The question is whether these inflows will be sustained once the world returns to
normal.
We also need to take into account the returning trend of the current account deficit
since December. Even though the cumulative deficit during the last two months has
shrunk to just $78m from $854m in December and January — again because of
rising remittances and IT exports — it depicts an emerging trend on the back of
augmented imports of oil, machinery, steel products and raw material as the
economy picks up. Moreover, the food import bill is also spiking owing to domestic
wheat and sugar shortages. On the other hand, the country’s exports are slow to
grow and unlikely to cover the rise in the import bill anytime soon. That is not all.
The financial account of the balance of payments, which had been in surplus since
July, has again turned into a deficit of more than $1.4bn in the last three months as
foreign direct investment plummets by 35pc, equity investors pull out their money
from stocks, foreign debt payments jack up and outflows of amortisation and other
transactions grow. Thus the overall balance-of-payments position, though
improved, remains delicate.
Way forward |
The government needs to look at the whole picture rather than focusing on just one
aspect. A stable external sector demands that the government take urgent action to
fix agriculture, loosen the noose around the economy to help growth, and develop
industrial infrastructure to attract foreign investors and boost exports.

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(FDI investment) plummets (verb) — to decrease suddenly, to fall.
Examples:
•Share prices plummeted to an all-time low.
•Her spirits plummeted at the thought of meeting him again.
•The jet plummeted into a row of houses.
There is another synonym of plummet “ plunge”. Let’s discuss.
plunge (verb) — (of prices, temperatures, etc.) to decrease suddenly and
quickly.
Examples:
•Stock markets plunged at the news of the coup.
•This year profits plunged (decreased) by 40 per cent.
amortization (noun) — it is a way of paying back a loan, it is the practice of
paying back a debt by making small regular payments over a period of time.
Like you go to a bank and take a loan, bank sign a contract with you and
defines installments and interest rate, so, this process of paying back money
is called amortization.
There is another term mortgage, let’s discuss.
mortgage (noun) — pronounced like Morgage as “r” is silent.
Mortgage is a type of loan taken by Bank, it goes like this, you go to a bank
and you need 5 lakhs loan to start your business as you don’t have a penny
in your pocket. Bank would demand some property of you to take it as a
security so they won’t risk their money, and you have a house of 10 lakhs, so
you give original documents to bank and sign a contract. Until you pay back
the full loan the house will be in their possession. This is called Mortgage.
‫ہے۔‬ ‫کہالتا‬ ‫مورٹگیج‬ ‫لینا‬ ‫قرضہ‬ ‫سے‬ ‫بینک‬ ‫کر‬ ‫رکھ‬ ‫گروی‬ ‫پراپرٹی‬ ‫کچھ‬ ‫یعنی‬
loosen the noose (verb) — to make laws or something less strict, to soften
something more.
A stable external sector demands that the government take urgent action to fix
agriculture, loosen the noose around the economy to help growth.

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NOTES: What is Balance of Payments,
its two components Deficit account vs. Surplus account
______________________________________
The balance of payments is the record of all international trade and financial
transactions made by a country's residents. The balance of payments has three
components—the current account, the financial account, and the capital account.
Current accounts measure international trade, net income on investments, and
direct payments. The financial account describes the change in international
ownership of assets. The capital account includes any other financial transactions
that don't affect the nation's economic output.
Explanation:
A country's balance of payments tells you whether it saves enough to pay for its
imports. It also reveals whether the country produces enough economic output to
pay for its growth. The BOP is reported for a quarter or a year.
A balance of payments deficit means the country imports more goods, services,
and capital than they export. It must borrow from other countries to pay for its
imports. It’s like taking out a school loan to pay for education. Your expected higher
future salary is worth the investment. In the long-term, the country becomes a net
consumer, not a producer, of the world's economic output. It will have to go into
debt to pay for consumption instead of investing in future growth. If the deficit
continues long enough, the country may have to sell its assets to pay its
creditors. These assets include natural resources, land, and commodities.
A balance of payments surplus means the country exports more than it
imports. It provides enough capital to pay for all domestic production. The country
might even lend outside its borders.

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Kissan Card scheme | The Nation
The prime minister recently kicked off the distribution of Kissan
Cards, one of the government’s most significant efforts to
digitise the economy.
What the scheme holds for Kissans: An unprecedented initiative
▪ The Kissan Card scheme aims to streamline the administration of various
government programmes that support farmers while also making them more
transparent.
▪ The cards consolidate recipients’ information on a digital platform accessible
by all district administrations.
▪ The platform contains information such as demographics, contact details,
crops and landholding patterns, livestock, details on the local irrigation
system, and levels of mechanisation. This helps with the appropriate allocation
of schemes — the right scheme for the right farmers — and also helps quickly
and reliably send information such as weather reports or emergency warnings
to farmers.
Critical Evaluation |
The PM says the card is an ‘amazing concept’ that could ‘transform’ agriculture in
the country. Indeed, as we noted, if coordination between the Centre and district
administrations is as efficient as we have been promised, the cards could bring our
archaic agriculture sector forward many generations in a matter of months. Apart
from helping farmers by allowing them easier and quicker access to financing and
important information, the cards would also help reduce graft by making it harder
to pay or ask for bribes as subsidy payments would be based on data that is already
in the government’s network, thus reducing the role of local administration officials
in approving or denying access to assistance.
The card will also eventually be used as the basis for affordable loans, which are a
necessity for subsistence farmers and lack of which is a major reason for rural
poverty — farmers lacking access to loans will often end up borrowing at
astronomical rates. Incidentally, loans are also often taken when farmers are at the
most vulnerable — immediately after disasters or bad crops. In some cases, this is
because they can’t even afford to pay bribes to get access to government support
programmes. The cards will, hopefully, eliminate this entirely by making aid
administration also work through the cards. As a knock-on effect, improved farming
efficiency and reduced production costs through cheaper financing may also help
lower open market prices for many food items, which would be hugely beneficial for
the rest of the population.

22
Tourism under threat | Dawn Editorial
A recent World Bank study has warned that tourism in
Pakistan’s ecologically-fragile areas has significantly increased
the stress on the environment. As these areas become more and
more polluted, the surreal and enchanting glory of nature is
slowly being diminished and destroyed. As a result, the natural
habitat of the diverse species of animals, birds and marine life
present in the county may become endangered, or even worse,
be driven to the brink of extinction.
What sets Pakistan apart from other tourist countries is the “spellbinding grandeur
and sheer simplicity” that nature presents, almost elevating it to a spiritual level.
However, the rich mountain landscape, the scintillating glaciers and the exquisite
valleys are being marred with filth. The mountain areas in particular have witnessed
sudden spikes in the quantity and quantity of waste generated during tourist season
— which is mostly plastic or solid waste. This glaring revelation points to the lack of
recycling and disposal system in these areas. It is astounding that the concerned
authorities have overlooked the most important factor that helps sustain the
tourism industry.
While a simple and efficient waste disposal system can help fix half of the problem,
the other half of lies in trying to figure out the most sustainable method of disposal.
In this regard, solid waste can either be used as fertilisers in the agriculture sector or
brunt to produce electricity in these areas. Plastic waste, on the other hand, will
pose a huge problem as most of it isn’t biodegradable and cannot be simply dumped
in landfills — since it takes anywhere between 20 to 500 years for it to decompose.
For this, the government needs to restrict the use of plastic and provide other
suitable alternatives.
Such solutions have multifarious benefits. They will not only help in developing
local industries, protect tourism, and generate foreign exchange, but also aid in the
fight against the all-encompassing problem of climate change and global warming.

23
( The natural habitants are driven) to the brink of extinction. (phrase) —
when something is on the brink/verge of extinction, it is nearly to lost at all.
To become unavailable, to stop existing. Like they will go the way of
dinosaurs.
spellbinding (adjective ) — enthralling, heart-catching,
scintillating (adjective) — beautifully exciting
exquisite valleys (adjective ) — extremely beautiful or carefully made
•exquisite craftsmanship
•Her wedding dress was absolutely exquisite.
2:(formal) (of a feeling) strongly felt
•exquisite pain/pleasure
3:(formal) very sensitive
•The room was decorated in exquisite taste.
•an exquisite sense of timing
multifarious benefits. (adjective) — different kinds/sorts of benefits.

24
Regrouping of militants | Dawn Editorial
Gen Kenneth F. McKenzie Jr. Commander US Central
Command (Centcom) has warned that regrouping of terrorists
like militant Islamic State group and Al Qaeda would be a
biggest concern for Pakistan, as the Pentagon started pulling
out its troops from Afghanistan.
Details |
According to a transcript the Pentagon released this weekend, Gen McKenzie also
said that his command and American diplomats were working with nations
surrounding Afghanistan on agreements to base troops and aircraft for countering
terrorists after the US pullout.
There is, indeed, possibility of regrouping of terrorist outfits but not in Pakistan as
has been predicted by the US General as the country has demonstrated capability of
effectively tackling the challenge.The United States must bear in mind that Pakistan
succeeded in its mission of combating the menace of terrorism while Washington is
leaving Afghanistan not in a better condition.Despite presence of the US and NATO
troops as well as ‘trained and equipped Afghan army, some terrorist groups are
freely operating from safe havens in Afghanistan and launching attacks on this side
of the Durand Line.
The Pakistan Army must be appreciated for its visionary project of border
management that will enable it to keep an eye on illegal cross-border movements or
regrouping of militants in border areas.
Caution ahead |
The US is exaggerating the threat of regrouping to squeeze concessions for
establishment of its military bases in regional countries and the leadership of these
countries must not fall into this kind of trap as besides an affront to nationalistic
sentiments of the people, presence of such bases also has foreign policy
implications.

25
Asean summit | Dawn Editorial
At the end of the Asean summit held on April 24 in Jakarta, the leaders of the
Association of Southeast Asean Nations (Asean) developed a five-point consensus
on Myanmar.
▪ They have called for immediate cessation of violence in Myanmar and have
urged all parties to exercise utmost restraint so that a constructive dialogue
can take place for a peaceful solution of the crisis.
▪ They have also decided that a special envoy of the Asean Chair shall facilitate
mediation of the dialogue and Asean will provide all humanitarian assistance
possible.
▪ Finally, the special envoy shall visit Myanmar to meet with all parties
concerned.
The leaders of the 10-member association have taken a positive step by discussing
the Myanmar situation with the military leader who staged a coup in February. The
coup has sparked a crisis in Myanmar and elicited strong condemnation from across
the world. The purpose of the summit meeting was to find a peaceful solution to the
crisis. Normally such meetings do not produce an immediate result but at least they
demonstrate a commitment from the regional countries to persuade the military
junta to restore democracy in the country.
As the crisis has worsened during the past couple of months and isolated Myanmar
on the world stage, the summit provided an opportunity for the military leader to
make an attempt to end his isolation. It remains to be seen if the summit meeting is
able to exert enough pressure on the junta (militry) to yield to popular demands for
civilian rule, but at least some steps have been taken. In the 21st century, no junta-
led country can expect to gain respect internationally even by countries such as the
UK and US who were at the forefront of supporting military dictatorships around
the world if they agreed to play an anti-communist role in the cold-war era.
Myanmar’s military chief while attending the meeting of Asean tried to explain
under what circumstances the military ousted the civilian government led by Aung
San Suu Kyi in the Feb-1 coup. So far, the country’s security forces have killed nearly
750 people in a bloody campaign to crush protests staged by pro-democracy
activists.
Indonesia deserves special praise for its role in calling this meeting and showing the
world that even if the rest of the world is reluctant about putting the Myanmar
regime in the dock (into trial), Asean leaders have physically met to express their
concerns on the situation in one of the member countries. There is no doubt that the
military coup in Myanmar has led the country into a dead end from where it needs
help to get out of the crisis. The protesters in Myanmar have expressed strong
objections against the junta leader’s attendance at the summit as it gives the
impression that Asean members accept him as the rightful representative of his
nation. Even now, things can go either way: towards or further away from
democracy, in a country that has already seen people willing to stand up against
authoritarian forces.

26
Commercial courts | Express Tribune
The Punjab government plans to set up special commercial
courts across the province to help expedite hearings and
decisions in such cases.
Details |
The courts have already been notified in five districts, with more expected to come
soon. Various courts have already begun transferring related cases to these courts,
which are mandated to decide cases within 180 days.
▪ E-filing and restrictions on adjournments are among the many features of the
new courts set up through the promulgation of the Punjab Commercial Courts
Ordinance. That would be a welcome change from the way many commercial
cases linger on in the regular court system, where it can take years for
decisions to come.
The new ordinance was reportedly drafted after getting input from the World Bank
and the Lahore High Court to improve 'ease of doing business', an area where
Pakistan continues to have several problems.
The ordinance includes support for alternative dispute resolution, which allows for
certain types of cases to be decided outside of the formal legal system if both parties
agree, thus helping avoid clogging up the courts while ensuring quick justice. This is
also expected to have a knock-on effect on foreign investment in Pakistan which is
placed at 156 among the 190 countries in the World Bank's ranking of contract
enforcement. Why would anyone risk investing in a 'lawless' country? Indeed, a
glance at the rankings shows that almost all of the top-ranked countries are
considered 'developed' or are almost there. It is no surprise that Rwanda, which
comes in at 32 — ahead of the UK — is the highest-ranked developing country, given
that it is considered one of the best-managed and high-potential economies in the
world.
While some aspects of the new ordinance could certainly use polishing, such as the
lack of specifics on how decisions regarding the award of court costs would be taken,
the law, in general, is a welcome initiative. Apart from the investment potential that
could be realised through legal reforms, millions of Pakistani businesses and
individuals will also benefit from more efficient courts.
Knock-on effect (Phrase ) — causing other events to happen one after
another in a series, like a domino effect. Unintended consequences.
•The increase in the price of oil had a knock-on effect on the cost of many
other goods.

27
Apartheid in Israel | Dawn Editorial
It is well known that the Arabs living in their own lands under
Israeli occupation have long been facing tyranny, and this has
been taking different forms with the passage of time.
Details |
Now Human Rights Watch in its report says the state of Israel is practising
‘apartheid’ against its Arab population. The HRW findings, based on
administrative policies and practices in vogue in Israel, have brought to the fore
another bitter reality that the indigenous people are being subjected to persecution
and apartheid, which is near-institutionalized.
▪ Non-Arabs and Arabs go to different educational institutions,
▪ to different wards in hospitals,
▪ Arabs are not allowed to enter non-Arab settlements without permit.
▪ A particular race is allowed to settle in large numbers in occupied territories
while those from the other group are denied permission to build houses.
Apartheid is prevalent in all spheres of life. It is the same kind of discrimination and
racial segregation that had been practised in South Africa. As expected, the Israeli
government has rejected the HRW report. It has always dismissed international
censure and impartial criticism with scorn and contempt. Throughout its existence,
Israel has displayed utmost arrogance and self-love. During its aggression against
Gaza, this egotism was witnessed on TV screens. The entire world watched Gazans’
slaughter by the Israeli armed forces and how some cruel Israelis sitting in sofas and
beach chairs with drinks in their hands enjoyed the modern ‘gladiatorial games.’
Israel and Hamas are facing probe into alleged war crimes by the ICJ. Israel says it
will not cooperate with the investigations into the alleged war crimes during the
2014 war.
It was through international pressure that the abominable system of apartheid had
been dismantled in South Africa. HRW has called upon the world community to
impose sanctions on the Israeli state institutions and officials promoting
persecution and apartheid. This is the only way to knock some sense into the heads
of the arrogant ruling classes of Israel.

28
apartheid (adjective ) — apartheid simply means “ discriminatory Policy”
Apartheid was political system in South Africa in which only white people
had full political rights and other people, especially black people, were
forced to live away from white people, go to separate schools, etc.
The word “ apartheid” is not English but African word, which literally in
African language means “ separateness”.
in vogue (in Israel) (phrase) — when something is generally accepted and
practiced in public, then it is said to be “ in vogue”. Like the discriminatory
Policy currently is in vogue in Israel.
near-institutionalized (adjective ) — near to be completely Institutionalized
or legalized and you know when something gets Institutionalized, it
becomes widespread accepted norm and is brazenly practised in society. So
is apartheid system in Israel which is commonly Institutionalized and
embedded in public sense through false political propagandas.
Sometimes it is said, that Institutionalization is bad in Politics,
Why?
In political science, Institutionalization is the process by which
organizations and procedures acquire value and stability in public.
(Huntington definition)
Political institutions have moral as well as structural dimensions. A society
with weak political institutions lacks the ability to define public interest.
Without strong political institutions, society lacks the means to define and
to realize its common interests. The capacity to create political institutions is
the capacity to create public interests, because otherwise politics is a
Hobbesian world of unrelenting competition among social forces between
man and man, family and family, clan and clan, region and region. Such
disturbing people won’t surrender without strong political Institutions.
The problem arises when the interests come to clash with one another.
1. There is public interest,
2. Then there is interest of particular Institution (i.e Army or judiciary),
3. Then there is interest of an powerful individual who hijack both
Institutional interest and public interest for himself.
The remedy lies in strict accountability and superior public intellect.

29
gladiatorial games (adjective phrase) — (in ancient Rome) a person, often a
slave or captive, who was armed with a sword or other weapon and
compelled to fight to the death in a public arena against another person for
the entertainment of the spectators, was referred to as “ gladiator game”.
abominable system (adjective ) — extremely unpleasant system
SYNONYM appalling, disgusting
•The judge described the attack as an abominable crime.
•We were served the most abominable coffee.
to knock some sense into the head (idiom ) — to forcefully teach someone
not to be silly or behave foolishly. To strike someone with sense and
intellect.
I tried to knock some sense into the
boy's head, but he just wouldn't see
reason.
Finally the dad knocked some sense
into son’s head and stopped him from
committing suicide.

30
Gwadar’s connectivity | Pak Observer
THE strategically located Gwadar port is all set to become
regional hub of trade and tourism.To achieve this objective, it is
heartening to see that government is giving special emphasis to
improve connectivity with the port city.
Details |
Chairman CPEC Authority Lt Gen Asim Saleem Bajwa (Retd) in a tweet on Tuesday
said about 60 percent construction work of Basima-Khuzdar road had been
completed while construction of Hoshab Awaran road has also started.
The 146kms Hoshab-Awaran Project is an integral part of China Pakistan Economic
Corridor (CPEC) central alignment that connects Gwadar Port with Sindh.
The project is expected to be completed in three years at an estimated cost of Rs20
billion.Other road infrastructure projects that have improved connectivity in the
area include Quetta-Hoshab, Surab-Quetta, Gwadar Hoshab and Ratodero-Khuzdar
roads.Chairman CPEC Authority deserves appreciation for accelerating pace of work
on CPEC related projects.
He also keeps updating about progress on the CPEC projects and that indicates how
much importance the country gives to these corridor project.Indeed future of
Pakistan is linked with this mega project that will ultimately take the country
towards rapid industralisation.
There should be no compromise on implementation of Gwadar master plan, which
envisages holistic development of the port city.Provision of all facilities there will
really attract investments in high tech industries and take their products to the
Middle East and other destinations.
Strategic importance of Gawadar |
We understand both Pakistan and China have ambitious plans for Gwadar, which
will definitely be turned into reality to achieve the cherished dream of making this
deep-sea port into a centre of trade.Similarly Gwadar is an ideal place to emerge as
an attractive tourist destination due to its beautiful beaches, sea life, large open
spaces and its proximity to the Gulf.The beaches in Gwadar are finest in the world,
offering sunshine round the year.These beaches can be developed and exploited by
hotel, recreational (relaxing activity) and tourist industry to their high prospects.

31
EU Dangerous Resolution | Nation Editorial
The European Parliament’s adoption of a resolution calling for a
review of the GSP+ status granted to Pakistan in view of an
“alarming” increase in the use of blasphemy accusations is a
major setback, which should trouble the government. Pakistan’s
economy is a major beneficiary of the trading opportunities
offered by the Generalised Scheme of Preferences (GSP+)
Status.
Details |
The scheme includes generous tariff preferences, with the most significant benefit
being zero duties on two-thirds of all product categories. The loss of GSP+ status
can have a devastating impact on Pakistan’s trade. The unpleasant truth is that
Pakistan’s economy is more dependent on the EU, than the other way around. The
EU is Pakistan’s most important trading partner, accounting for 12.8 percent of
Pakistan’s total trade in 2015 and absorbing 23.7 percent of Pakistan’s total exports.
The discussion in the European Parliament with regards to Pakistan was not fair—
the issue of blasphemy laws was brought up by Member of European Parliament
(MEP) Charlie Weimers of Sweden, who has been linked to Islamophobic and racist
organisations in the past.
The concern for false allegations of blasphemy and the singular focus on Pakistan’s
human rights issues hardly appear to be in good faith. However, the fact that the
resolution passed overwhelmingly in the European Parliament reflects a failure in
Pakistan’s diplomatic outreach. It indicates a lack of communication and lobbying
on part of Pakistan in Europe.
While embarrassing, the situation is not as bad as it seems. The EU is mandated to
review Pakistan’s human rights progress every two years under GSP+ anyway.
Way ahead |
Now is the time for the government to reach out and build better communication
pathways and influence in Europe to persuade them of our viewpoint. At the same
time, Pakistan’s Human Rights Ministry would also do well by looking into the
human rights issues raised by the EU Parliament—while bad faith, their concern
about false blasphemy allegations and the recent incidents of victimisation of
minorities are not untrue. More so for justice, those cases should be investigated
and review over the misuse of sensitive laws must be conducted.

32
Softened Saudi tone | Dawn Editorial
THE surprising change in tone of Saudi Crown Prince
Mohammed bin Salman towards Iran is indeed a welcome
development in a region torn apart by war and geopolitical
rivalries. In a recent TV interview, the kingdom’s de facto ruler
said he aspired to have a “good and special relationship” with
Iran, though also chiding Tehran for its “negative behaviour”.
This conciliatory tone is far from the warlike statements the
prince was issuing not too long ago, threatening to take the
battle to Iran.
Critical Evaluation |
Over the last few years, Saudi-Iranian relations — hardly cordial in the post-1979
period — reached their nadir when Riyadh executed Saudi Shia cleric Sheikh Baqir
Al Nimr, in retaliation to which a mob ransacked the kingdom’s embassy in Tehran.
Moreover, across the Middle East, both powers have been on the opposite ends of
the geopolitical spectrum. Saudi Arabia remains part of the American geostrategic
alliance in the region, whereas Tehran has been the biggest adversary of this bloc in
the aftermath of the Islamic Revolution. Also, both countries have supported
opposing parties in the Syrian civil war and the Lebanese political arena, while
Riyadh and Tehran are fighting a brutal proxy war in Yemen. Given these realities, a
Saudi-Iranian detente is a welcome development.
The major question is: what has prompted the crown prince to change course? Some
say the change of guard in Washington may be the trigger. While the Trump
administration gave a practical carte blanche to the Saudis, Team Biden does not
appear to be as accommodating. Perhaps the realisation has dawned in Riyadh that
instead of depending on outsiders to settle regional issues, the countries of the
Middle East need to sort out their own problems.
The Saudi prince’s interview came after reports had emerged that Saudi and Iranian
officials had met in Iraq to discuss a host of issues. Some observers have said senior
intelligence and military officials from both sides were involved, while other key
Arab states, including the UAE and Egypt, were also reportedly talking to Iran. This
process must be carried forward in the interest of regional peace.
Future implications |
Primarily, it is hoped some accord can be reached to end the destructive war in
Yemen, and to start rebuilding a shattered Syria. Any Saudi-Iranian rapprochement
will also have a positive impact on Shia-Sunni relations across the Islamic world,
and both Riyadh and Tehran need to put in their best efforts to make the effort
succeed.

33
DAWN VOCABULARY SECTION

34
Important and Repeated Dawn Vocabulary
Unravel (verb) ‫سلجھانا‬ ،‫کرنا‬ ‫حل‬ ‫عقدہ‬
investigate and solve or explain (something complicated or puzzling).
Example: “they were attempting to unravel the cause of death”
Synonyms: solve, resolve, work out, clear up, puzzle out, find an answer to,
get to the bottom of.
Antonyms: complicate
Erstwhile (adjective) ‫سابقہ‬ ،‫پہلے‬ ‫سے‬ ‫اس‬ ،‫پرانا‬
former.
Example: “the erstwhile president of the company”
Synonyms: former, old, past, one-time, sometime, as was, ex-, late, then,
previous.
Antonyms: present, future
Pristine (adjective) ،‫پرانا‬ ،‫اصلی‬ ،‫قدیم‬
in its original condition; unspoilt.
Example: “pristine copies of an early magazine”
Synonyms: immaculate, in perfect condition, perfect, in mint condition, as
new, unspoiled, spotless.
Antonyms: dirty, sullied
Insidious (adjective) ‫وال‬ ‫دینے‬ ‫دھوکہ‬ ،‫عیار‬ ،‫دہ‬ ‫نقصان‬ ‫لیکن‬ ‫پرکشش‬
proceeding in a gradual, subtle way, but with very harmful effects.
Example: “sexual harassment is a serious and insidious problem”
Synonyms: stealthy, subtle, surreptitious, sneaking, cunning, crafty,
Machiavellian, artful
Antonyms: straightforward
Brazen (adjective) ‫حیا‬ ‫بے‬ ،‫ڈھٹائی‬ ،‫کرنا‬ ‫سامنا‬ ‫کر‬ ‫ڈٹ‬
bold and without shame.
Example: “he went about his illegal business with a brazen assurance”
Synonyms: bold, shameless, as bold as brass, brazen-faced, forward,
presumptuous, brash.
Antonyms: timid, shy
Contingent (adjective) ‫دستہ‬ ‫جنگی‬ ،‫عارضی‬ ،‫ٹکڑی‬
subject to chance.
Example: “the contingent nature of the job”
Synonyms: chance, accidental, fortuitous, possible, unforeseen, unforeseeable,
unexpected
Antonyms: predictable

35
Equivocation (noun) ‫کرنا‬ ‫بات‬ ‫مول‬ ‫گول‬ ،‫مٹول‬ ‫ٹال‬
the use of ambiguous language to conceal the truth or to avoid committing
oneself; prevarication.
Example: “I say this without equivocation”
Synonyms: prevarication, vagueness, qualification, ambiguity, uncertainty,
ambivalence, indecision
Antonyms: directness
Succumb (verb) ‫کرنا‬ ‫تسلیم‬ ‫ہار‬ ً‫ا‬‫مجبور‬ ،‫ماننا‬ ‫ہار‬ ، ‫ہونا‬ ‫شکار‬
fail to resist pressure, temptation, or some other negative force.
Example: “we cannot merely give up and succumb to despair”
Synonyms: yield, give in, give way, submit, surrender, capitulate, cave in, be
overcome by
Antonyms: resist, conquer
Grim (adjective) ‫ڈراﺅنا‬ ،‫سنگین‬ ،‫شدید‬ ،‫سخت‬
very serious or gloomy.
Example: “his grim expression”
Synonyms: stern, forbidding, uninviting, unapproachable, aloof, distant,
formidable, strict, dour
Antonyms: amiable, pleasant
Ghastly (adjective) ‫خوفناک‬ ،‫ناک‬ ‫وحشت‬ ،‫بھیانک‬
causing great horror or fear.
Example: “one of the most ghastly crimes ever committed”
Synonyms: terrible, frightful, horrible, grim, awful, dire, frightening,
terrifying, horrifying
Antonyms: pleasant, trivial, excusable
Enact (verb) ‫کرنا‬ ‫وضع‬ ‫قانون‬ ،‫کرنا‬ ‫جاری‬ ‫فرمان‬
make (a bill or other proposal) law.
Example: “legislation was enacted to attract international companies”
Synonyms: make law, pass, approve, ratify, validate, sanction, authorize,
accept
Antonyms: repeal
Suppression (noun) ‫دینا‬ ‫دبا‬ ،‫پابندی‬ ،‫روک‬
the action of suppressing something such as an activity or publication.
Example: “the heavy-handed suppression of political dissent”
Synonyms: subduing, defeat, conquering, vanquishing, repression, crushing,
quelling, quashing
Antonyms: incitement, encouragement, publication, disclosure

36
Mull (verb) ‫کرنا‬ ‫تدبر‬ ،‫کرنا‬ ‫غور‬
think about (a fact, proposal, or request) deeply and at length.
Example: “she began to mull over the various possibilities”
Synonyms: ponder, consider, think over/about, reflect on, contemplate,
deliberate, turn over in one’s mind.
Antonyms: forget, ignore, neglect, advance
Sheer (adjective) ‫سراسر‬ ،‫بالکل‬
nothing other than; unmitigated (used for emphasis).
Example: “she giggled with sheer delight”
Synonyms: utter, complete, absolute, total, pure, perfect, downright, out-and-
out, thorough.
Antonyms: gradual
Yield (verb) ‫دینا‬ ‫فصل‬ ،‫پیداوار‬ ،‫منافع‬
produce or provide (a natural, agricultural, or industrial product).
Example: `”the land yields grapes and tobacco”
Synonyms: surrender, capitulate, submit, relent, admit defeat, accept defeat,
concede defeat.
Antonyms: resist, defy
Eschew (verb) ‫کرنا‬ ‫ترک‬ ،‫رہنا‬ ‫باز‬
deliberately avoid using; abstain from.
Example: “he appealed to the crowd to eschew violence”
Synonyms: abstain from, refrain from, give up, forgo, forswear, shun,
renounce, swear off.
Antonyms: indulge in
Buoy (verb) ‫تیرنا‬ ،‫بڑھانا‬ ‫ہمت‬ ،‫کرنا‬ ‫مدد‬ ،‫چھالنا‬
make (someone) cheerful and confident.
Example: “she was buoyed up by his praise”
Synonyms: cheer, cheer up, brighten up, ginger up, hearten, rally, animate,
invigorate.
Antonyms: depress
Divisive (adjective) ‫تقسیم‬ ‫باعث‬ ،‫رائے‬ ‫اختالف‬
tending to cause disagreement or hostility between people.
Example: “the highly divisive issue of abortion”
Synonyms: alienating, estranging, isolating, schismatic, discordant,
disharmonious, inharmonious.
Antonyms: unifying

37
Scourge (noun) ‫دینا‬ ‫سزا‬ ،‫مارنا‬ ‫کوڑے‬
Example: a whip used as an instrument of punishment
Synonyms: whip, horsewhip, lash, strap, birch, switch, flail, bullwhip,
rawhide.
Antonyms: blessing, godsend
Acrimony (noun) ‫تیزی‬ ،‫مزاجی‬ ‫تیز‬
bitterness or ill feeling.
Example: “the AGM dissolved into acrimony”
Synonyms: bitterness, rancour, resentment, ill feeling, ill will, bad blood,
animosity, hostility.
Antonyms: goodwill
Abysmal (adjective) ‫ناگوار‬ ،‫برا‬ ‫بہت‬ ،‫خراب‬ ،‫پست‬ ‫انتہائی‬ ،‫گہرا‬
extremely bad; appalling.
Example: “the quality of her work is abysmal”
Synonyms: very bad, dreadful, awful, terrible, frightful, atrocious, disgraceful,
deplorable.
Antonyms: superb
Stark (adjective) ‫مضبوط‬ ،‫محض‬، ‫سخت‬ ،‫واضح‬ ،‫کھال‬
severe or bare in appearance or outline.
Example: “the ridge formed a stark silhouette against the sky”
Synonyms: sharply delineated, sharp, sharply defined, well focused, crisp,
distinct, obvious, evident.
Antonyms: fuzzy, indistinct, pleasant, comfortable
Scathing (adjective) ‫دہ‬ ‫نقصان‬ ،‫بنانا‬ ‫نشانہ‬ ‫کا‬ ‫تنقید‬ ‫سخت‬
witheringly scornful; severely critical.
Example: “she launched a scathing attack on the Prime Minister”
Synonyms: devastating, withering, blistering, extremely critical, coruscating,
searing, scorching.
Antonyms: mild, gentle, complimentary
Dampen (verb) ‫کرنا‬ ‫مبہم‬ ،‫کرنا‬ ‫گیال‬ ، ‫کرنا‬ ‫قابو‬
make slightly wet.
Example: “the fine rain dampened her face”
Synonyms: moisten, damp, wet, dew, water, irrigate, humidify, bedew, sparge
Antonyms: dry, drench

38
Hidebound (adjective) ‫کھال‬ ‫ہوئی‬ ‫چپٹی‬ ،‫نظر‬ ‫تنگ‬ ،‫پسند‬ ‫روایت‬
unwilling or unable to change because of tradition or convention.
Example: “they are working to change hidebound corporate cultures”
Synonyms: conservative, reactionary, conventional, orthodox, fundamentalist,
diehard, hard-line, dyed-in-the-wool
Antonyms: liberal, broad-minded
Myriad (noun) ‫ہو‬ ‫مشکل‬ ‫گننا‬ ‫جو‬ ‫زیادہ‬ ‫بہت‬ ،‫شمار‬ ‫بے‬
a countless or extremely great number of people or things.
Example: “myriads of insects danced around the light above my head”
Synonyms: multitude, a large/great number/quantity, a lot, scores, quantities,
mass, crowd.
Antonyms: calculable. countless, infinite, innumerable
Enshrine (verb) ‫کرنا‬ ‫احاطہ‬ ،‫کرنا‬ ‫محفوظ‬ ‫کر‬ ‫سمجھ‬ ‫متبرک‬
place (a revered or precious object) in an appropriate receptacle.
Example: “relics are enshrined under altars”
Synonyms: set down, set out, spell out, express, lay down, set in stone,
embody, realize
Antonyms: expose, desecrate, forget
Obstacle (noun) ‫رکاوٹ‬
a thing that blocks one’s way or prevents or hinders progress.
Example: “the major obstacle to achieving that goal is money”
Synonyms: barrier, hurdle, stumbling block, bar, block, impediment,
hindrance, snag.
Antonyms: advantage, asset, aid
Oppression (noun) ‫ستم‬ ‫و‬ ‫ظلم‬ ،‫جبر‬
prolonged cruel or unjust treatment or exercise of authority.
Example: “a region shattered by oppression and killing”
Synonyms: persecution, abuse, maltreatment, ill treatment, tyranny,
despotism, repression,
Antonyms: freedom, democracy
Disarray (noun) ‫برہنگی‬،‫تذبذب‬ ،‫الجھاﺅ‬ ‫ذہنی‬
a state of disorganization or untidiness.
Example: “her grey hair was in disarray”
Synonyms: disorder, confusion, chaos, untidiness, dishevelment, mess,
muddle, clutter, jumble
Antonyms: tidiness, orderliness

39
Proscription (noun) ‫ممنوعہ‬ ،‫حرام‬ ،‫ممنوع‬
the action of forbidding something; banning.
Example: “the proscription of the party after the 1715 Rebellion”
Synonyms: prohibition, prohibiting, forbidding, banning, ban, barring, bar,
disallowing, ruling out
Antonyms: allowing
Disproportionate (adjective) ‫اعتدال‬ ‫بے‬ ،‫متناسب‬ ‫غیر‬ ،‫ناموافق‬
too large or too small in comparison with something else.
Example: “people on lower incomes spend a disproportionate amount of their
income on fuel”
Synonyms: out of proportion to, not in proportion to, not appropriate to, not
commensurate with,
Antonyms: proportional
Exacerbate (verb) ‫کرنا‬ ‫پیدا‬ ‫شدت‬ ‫میں‬ ‫مرض‬،‫کرنا‬ ‫تر‬ ‫شدید‬ ،‫بگاڑنا‬
make (a problem, bad situation, or negative feeling) worse.
Example: “the exorbitant cost of land in urban areas only exacerbated the
problem”
Synonyms: aggravate, make worse, worsen, inflame, compound, intensify,
increase, heighten,
Antonyms: calm, reduce

40
DAWN+ OPINIONS SECTION

41
NOTE:
Deconstruction doesn’t mean that I should divide every paragraph in headings and
subheadings. It will look like spoon-feeding or dictation that I will do subjectively
and you might not share my stance. So I am leaving opinions open to any
interpretation.
I am doing this work not for beginners, they should learn basics first and then come
to this work. This is specifically made for advanced, and intellectual Aspirants who
need a little hint to get ideas. Every aspirant should be able to understand important
points which could help them develop their own take on issues. This file will save
your time of searching relevant material, as all articles in this file are meticulously
evaluated based on syllabus recommendations. Wish you good reading.

42
The path to a ‘normal’ country | Dawn Opinion
Abbas Nasir
The writer is a former editor of Dawn.
AT a briefing with the leading lights of the TV channels, a ‘high
official’ has given details of the contacts with Delhi in order to
de-escalate tensions and the baby steps being taken towards a
peace settlement in the India-Pakistan subcontinent where
nearly a billion and half people’s lives are blighted by poverty
as a major chunk of resources goes into propping up the militaries.
Nobody in their right mind would oppose such an initiative whether it is rooted in
India’s rethinking of its two-front security paradigm after its recent stand-off with
China in the north and Pakistan in the west, or a realisation in Islamabad that after
the West redefined its regional interests and turned off the multibillion-dollar
pipeline, sustaining defence expenditure at current levels would spell doom for the
country’s faltering economy.
As the high official’s talk and the following discussion seemed aimed at enlisting the
media’s backing for the peace initiative, it would be well worth a mention that
perhaps the only reticence in supporting such a move would emerge if it was
adjudged (acknowledged) that the rights of the Kashmiri people were in jeopardy (in
danger). The official seemed mindful of the fact.
Unlike the PTI ministers who have linked any move forward in ties with Delhi to a
restoration of the Article 370 of its Constitution (protecting the status of Kashmir)
that was revoked unilaterally by India last year, the official emphasised that Article
370 was never an important issue to him but Article 35A that protects the
demographics of India-held Kashmir was far more significant.
Starting over iftar on April 23, the briefing is said to have continued till after
sandwiches were served after the date change at one in the morning. Participants
were informed that Pakistan was expecting some positive Indian move on Article
35A. When and what specifically that move would be was not made clear at this
point.
Any verdict on the direction of a possible resolution will have to wait till India
reveals its hand on Article 35A. If any such proposal is reminiscent of the deal that
Gen Pervez Musharraf and Atal Bihari Vajpayee came to within a whisker of inking
at Agra in July 2001 which was aimed at the grant of some autonomy and relief for
the Kashmiris including free travel for them either side of the LoC, it would be
welcome.
What would be equally or even more welcome would be the realisation of what the
official is reported to have said was his desire to see a ‘normal’ Pakistan. That is if
‘normal’ stands for an open, transparent, democratic Pakistan that shuns terrorism,
extremism and intolerance and embraces free speech and media freedoms. And
most of all constitutional rule.

43
Our ‘abnormality’ at least in the comity of democratic nations comes from our
deviations from rule of law and constitutional provisions where often institutional
and personal interests, even egos, trump national interest, even though such
transgressions are justified paradoxically in the name of supreme national interest
or security.
The first step towards normality could be our own truth and reconciliation
commission modelled after South Africa’s where there is open discussion of acts of
omission and commission; of transgressions and grave mistakes, of rights violations
and how brutal we have been with dissent. And such an exercise would need to be
preceded by a grant of amnesty to all willing to come clean.
If personnel of security institutions fear action under Article 6 for example, if judges
fear similar consequences of opening up and if politicians suspect they will be
derided (ridiculed) for years for telling the truth, any such attempt will be stillborn.
There is a crying need for being open with each other, for a national reconciliation.
It was clear from the cabinet’s reaction to the proposed import of sugar and cotton
from India that the prime minister and key members including the foreign minister
were either not briefed well enough or did not understand the significance of
backchannel diplomacy and its demands or were just simply on a different page
altogether from the initiators of the dialogue.
Despite the government’s now-legendary competency deficit, it could not be blamed
as this issue seemed a poor reflection on the state and quality of communication
between various pillars of the state. And this when the bonhomie (friendliness)
among them is unprecedented, with one often being credited with ushering in the
other to power.
In view of this, it is pointless to examine how, if at all any that is, attempts to bring
the opposition on board have fared (planned). Any such contact will have to follow
an explanation why the civilian, elected leaders’ patriotism is questioned and they
face utterly spurious charges of furthering their own business interests at the cost of
the national interest when they make peace moves.
Nobody will deny that backchannel diplomacy by its very definition has to be
conducted away from the glare of prying eyes so the interlocutors have time and
space to explore solutions to the most vexing issues without the extra burden of
public expectation. Also, when private citizens or ‘anonymous officials’ are used as
interlocutors it enables both sides to enjoy the luxury of deniability.
So the need for secrecy is understandable but when elements of agreements during
the clandestine contacts are ready to be made public, surely a proper roll-out of the
information needs to be planned so that all stakeholders in government, opposition
and parliament are informed first rather than read about developments in the
morning papers or TV news bulletins.
Way forward |
The road to peace with India is as tricky and demanding as the road to a ‘normal’
Pakistan. It will take more, much more, than mere desire. Do the stakeholders have
the vision, the political will and the generosity of spirit needed to realise this desire?
Truly wish I could readily answer in the affirmative.

44
blighted by poverty (adjective phrase ) — devastated by poverty
propping up the militaries (verb ) — supporting (militaries)
faltering economy (adjective ) — weak and unsteady economy
(any such attempt will be) stillborn (adjective ) — (of an infant) born dead.
figurative (of a proposal or plan) having failed to develop or succeed;
unrealized:
the proposed wealth tax was stillborn.
reticence (noun ) — to be silent, to hold one’s tongue.

45
Workers’ welfare | Dawn Opinion
Parvez Rahim
The writer is a consultant in employee relations at AKUH and teaches labour welfare laws at
IBA.
EVERY year May 1 is observed as International Labour Day in several countries
including Pakistan to commemorate the labour movement which ushered in various
reforms such as capping (limiting) work hours at eight and paid leave.
In Pakistan, seminars and get-togethers are organised on the day by the federal and
the provincial governments as well as labour federations that highlight the
miserable and distressful conditions of our workers. They also point out the flagrant
(offensive) violation of workers’ welfare laws regarding medical and old-age pension
benefits by employers, facilitated by government functionaries.
As no action is taken by the government on the genuine and persistent complaints of
the highest bodies that represent the country’s workforce, the situation is becoming
worse with every passing year. The celebration of May Day in Pakistan has become a
mere ritual without any commitment from the government to improve the living
standards of workers and their families.
Dismal conditions of workers |
The existing minimum wage of Rs 17,500 per month was last fixed on July 1, 2019.
Since then, there has been no increase in the amount. Labour leaders want this
amount to be doubled as it is difficult to believe how a worker can meet even the
minimum expenses of a family within this paltry amount.
On the other hand, workers employed through contractors, especially janitors, are
paid Rs4,000 to Rs5,000 less than this amount. A lot of dust is raised when the
janitors sweep the roads but their employers do not bother to provide them with
dust masks. It appears that the concept of providing protective equipment to
unskilled workers simply does not exist.
What legislation should be reconsidered and improved |
Management of the following labour welfare legislations must to go back to the
federal government with the consensus of the provinces, especially Sindh, without
further loss of time:
▪ Employees Old-Age Benefits Act, 1976,
▪ Companies Profits (Workers’ Participation) Act, 1968,

46
▪ and the Workers’ Welfare Fund Ordinance, 1971.
Their smooth and progressive implementation has been seriously hampered after
the 18th Amendment.
Besides, the power to make amendments in the Provincial Employees Social
Security Ordinance, 1965, should also rest with the federal government, as was the
status prior to the 18th Amendment.
Flaws in the current labour-related legislations |
the federal government has not parted with (shared with) the administration of the
pension scheme despite the 18th Amendment and the promulgation of the Sindh
Employees Old-Age Benefits Act, 2014. As the federal government has not
transferred the funds to the Sindh government, the latter has not constituted the
institution to run the scheme.
Since the federal government cannot make any amendments to the Act of 1976,
there are serious disputes relating to the rate of monthly contribution paid by
employers to the Employees’ Old-Age Benefits Institution. The employers’ pay them
rates which vary from six per cent of Rs8,000 to 6pc of Rs13,000 per month for
every insured employee. Increases in the amount of monthly pension allowed by the
federal government after the 18th Amendment are also unlawful. However, being
beneficial to poor pensioners, no one wishes to challenge them in court.
While Sindh has enforced its own Sindh Companies’ Profits (Workers’ Participation)
Act, 2015, the other three provinces continue to follow the federal law of 1968,
which has not been changed after the 18th Amendment was passed in April 2010.
Consequently, the share in companies’ profits, which the workers get under the Act
of 1968, is much less than that of workers of companies located only in Sindh.
The Punjab government does not want to annoy the federal government by having
its own law for share in the companies’ profit. Balochistan and KP do not want to
promulgate their laws due to fewer industries in their jurisdiction as compared to
Punjab and Sindh.
The bulk amount of profit contributed by companies under the 1968 Act goes to the
fund constituted under the Workers’ Welfare Fund Ordinance, 1971. This fund is
supposed to be used for providing items and housing for the welfare of workers.
Over the last 10 years, the amount of this fund has substantially decreased.
Pursuant to an order passed by the Supreme Court in March 2021, the Sindh
Employees’ Social Security Institution will be required to refund employers the
difference in the amount of contributions paid by them in excess over the last 10
years or so. It is hoped that SESSI maintains its standard of medical services
provided to secured workers.
Way forward |
The deteriorating situation of workers’ benefits can be reversed if the federal and
provincial governments come to a mutual understanding. It will also free up the
superior courts’ time spent on litigation relating to these acts and ordinances.

47
Education: Reforms and Challenges | Dawn
Opinion
Faisal Bari
The writer is a senior research fellow at the Institute of Development and Economic
Alternatives, and an associate professor of economics at Lums.
THE PTI government will be completing its third year in about three months.
Election talk may start by the end of next year unless the opposition has its way.
With two years to go, and large policy initiatives taking a long time to come into
effect, we can safely assume that the government is likely to go into the next election
with the results of policy initiatives it has introduced since it came to power in 2018.
1. Economic performance will be important. The government would be
hoping, and working, for stability of the economy and some movement
towards growth. If there is output and export growth and sufficient job
creation, and if the economy appears more robust, the government will have a
lot to celebrate. This is probably the most crucial aspect of the PTI’s
performance as it moves forward. The changes in the finance team, looking for
the right combination for delivering on this goal, should be seen in this
perspective.
Given the weak fundamentals of our economy, recovery is unlikely to be large or
very robust. But as we move away from the impact of Covid-19, some recovery will
take place. If the finance team can boost the economy, the PTI might be able to go
into the election season with something to celebrate.
2. On the human development and social welfare side, it is not likely that
the government will come up with large new initiatives now. It will be hoping
that the Sehat Sahulat programme in the health sector (health insurance), the
various initiatives under the Ehsaas initiative and some delivery on housing
projects will carry the day for them.
Large-scale welfare programmes take a long time to think through, implement,
scale up and deliver on. Given that the government only has a maximum of
two years left, it is not likely that any new large initiatives can or will be taken.

48
Primary Education reform:
The PTI government came in making a lot of promises about human development in
general and education in particular. The prime minister often says that education is
a top priority. But three years into its tenure, the PTI government does not have
much to celebrate. In the provinces where the PTI is in power, no major new
initiatives have been undertaken in education to address issues such as out-of-
school children and the poor quality of education, or even equity and inequality. At
the federal level, the major initiative has been the drive for a Single National
Curriculum (SNC) at the school level.
Higher Education controversial reforms |
At the higher education level, there is even less to look at. Higher education funding
has been cut over the last three years. Most recently, the government introduced
very contested and controversial changes in the governance structure of the Higher
Education Commission (HEC) through a presidential ordinance which has been
challenged in court. Even if the government’s proposed changes go through, it is
unlikely that they will give it anything to showcase over the next two years or so.
The government moved injudiciously and hastily to remove the HEC chairperson
through an ordinance — it will end up hurting the HEC’s autonomy and institutional
integrity. Even if the government succeeds in doing all that it wants and instals a
new chairperson of its choice, the new head will have only a couple of years to
deliver results in an area where rapid change is not really possible. So, even in the
best-case scenario, there will be nothing to take to the public by the time the next
general election comes round.
Implementing SNC: A greater challenge
The SNC was introduced ostensibly to reduce inequity in the education system and
to move towards equality of opportunity for all children. However, the objectives of
the SNC are quite large and it is unlikely we will see any impact of the policy in two
years even if is implemented effectively from the coming academic year. But there
are many issues with the SNC itself that will challenge its efficacy and effective
implementation.
Given education was made a provincial subject through the 18th Amendment to the
Constitution, the introduction of the SNC is being seen as a clawback by the federal
government and has been contested in some provinces on this count. So far Sindh
has not agreed to introduce the SNC. This takes away the ‘national’ aspect.
A number of significant criticisms have been made and continue to be made against
the initiative. The Minority Commission has argued that the SNC has introduced
religious content in non-religious subjects as well. This issue has been raised in the
Supreme Court and is being looked at. Others have argued that the increase of
religious content through Islamiat is also of concern as it overburdens students and
encourages rote learning.
Some critics have argued that the SNC discourages the use of local languages in the
provision of education and encourages the use of Urdu and/or English. Others have
argued that forcing schools to use a single curriculum without looking at household
and school-based differences will not only make the SNC ineffective, it can also turn
it into a policy that ends up decreasing educational diversity and forcing schools at

49
the top to reduce quality rather than allowing those lower down to improve. The
implementation challenges, as they are being faced by schools in Punjab right now,
also show that the fears expressed are not unfounded.
The major wins, if any, will have to come from economic performance: growth,
income and employment numbers. There seems to be awareness of this in the
government. On the human development and social welfare side, existing initiatives
in health, housing and Ehsaas will have to provide the main wins. Though the PTI
had promised to give high priority to access, quality and equity in education, the sad
part is that it does not seem the government will have anything to show in the area
of education in time for the 2023 polls.

50
Neo-liberal world order and its discontents|
Dawn Opinion
Aasim Sajjad Akhtar
The writer teaches at Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad.
Run roughshod over (idiom):
It means to treat someone carelessly and brutally
without considering thier wants and needs. “
roughshod refers to the nails that were put on
horses feet to make it rough so that it will hurt
enemies in the battlefield”. This idiom is in
trend nowdays in Dawn, so learn it.
THERE was a time when May Day was one of the most important dates on the
calendar. When the workers movement exercised significant influence over politics
as well as intellectual debate. When governments, the media and corporations could
not run roughshod over the working masses. When progressives all over the world
had an internationalist agenda, unabashedly supporting oppressed nations like the
Palestinians and pushing back against capitalism more generally.
Over the past 16 months, Covid-19 has made clear how much we miss a powerful
and internationalist workers movement. After 30 years of tales about the greatness
of neoliberal globalisation, the pandemic has hastened the intellectual and political
retreat towards economic nationalism. Western governments’ hoardings of Covid-19
vaccines is sheer cynicism(selfishness).
India’s Covid devastation exposed Capitalism-Crisis |
The scenes from India are the latest reminder that capitalism’s crisis is worsening. It
was also in India that millions of casual workers were effectively evicted from cities
at the outset of the pandemic when the Modi regime enforced a lockdown of
unprecedented proportions.
This is the same Modi regime whose BJP contests electoral campaigns around
slogans like ‘Shining India’ and ‘Vikaas’ (development). India is described as one of
the success stories of neoliberal globalisation, its mythical globalised ‘middle class’
said to have spearheaded its ‘economic miracle’.
This ‘miracle’ is now subjecting virus-stricken masses to suffocation without oxygen.
India is one of the world’s biggest production sites for pharmaceuticals, but has
proven incapable of administering the Covid vaccine to more than 1.7 per cent of its
population.
What is happening is a consequence of a domestic and international order that is
rigged in favour of corporations, state establishments and the rich more generally.

51
The need of left-politics |
And while India can still boast a left politics and labour movement far more vibrant
than anything on this side of the border, it has not been able to stop the tide of right-
wing hate under Modi or the devastations the ‘free market’ continues to wreak.
Our predicament will not be addressed by wishing for a return to the 20th-century
and trade unions, peasant organisations and mass left parties that espoused an
emancipatory politics for the world’s people. In the form of Chavez and Morales in
Latin America, Sanders in the US and Corbyn in the UK, Syriza in Greece and
Podemos in Spain, today we have experiences of left politics that propagate new
ideas about the ‘workers’ to lead progressive movements, alongside evolving notions
of the horizon of an alternative politics for the world.
Way forward for bringing progressive revolution in the world |
So, here are two building blocks of progressive revolution for our times, that need to
be recognised and altered.
Class: The global right-wing political upsurge cannot be defeated without a political
left that centres class in its political lexicon. Most working people live in South Asia
and Sub-Saharan Africa, regions with youth bulges. The tens of millions of casual
workers who have lost their livelihoods during the pandemic are just the tip of the
iceberg.
A combination of demographic pressures, deepening of casual/flexible employment
arrangements, automation, and dispossession by private entities like Bahria Town
as well as the state will force more and more into what Marx called the “vast reserve
army of labour”, and contemporary theorists call ‘surplus populations’. The latter
include the majority of women and girls who perform unrecognised labour inside
the home (housework and caring for children).
There can be no revitalisation of the left without reaching out to all types of working
people. Further, progressives must close ranks around short-term proposals like
Unconditional Basic Income and indiscriminate wealth/property taxes.
Internationalism: It is widely acknowledged that we now face a world-historical
predicament of unprecedented proportions, namely the planetary crisis. As the
political mainstream becomes increasingly insular, resorting to narrow nationalism
in the face of neoliberal globalisation’s ongoing implosion, universal thinking and
action will be the left’s distinguishing characteristic, as it was when revolutionary
internationalism was at its peak in the 1960s. Progressives in more developed
regions must join hands with all peripheries.
For us in Pakistan this means a politics across ethnic-national and religious divides,
but it also means making common cause beyond nation-state borders, not least with
the Indian and Afghan people. Also important is the recognition that we need a
system that meets human needs and eschews conspicuous consumption so as to
rehabilitate Nature, lest there be no politics or world to fight over for generations to
come.
As the pandemic, militarism and hate continue, a May Day manifesto can unite
progressives — if we want to displace the militancy of the right, and the cynicism of
mainstream electoral parties, and thereby make another world possible.

52
Pakistan’s evolving strategic paradigm | Tribune
Opinion
Shahzad Chaudhry
The writer is a retired air vice marshal and a former ambassador.
So what the recent strategic paradigm shift revolves around?
It essentially revolves around what may become of Afghanistan and what may befall
(happen to) Pakistan as its western neighbour takes another turn in events. And
what may become of yet another India-Pakistan attempt at a rapprochement
(restoration of friendliness) and what may it portend for Pakistan.
True, there are other dynamics as China’s hand and how it may continue to protect
its interests here and in the region, and in how the US might just keep its finger in
the pie of this ever-evolving dynamic — sometime as a spoiler to Chinese intents and
at another to pursue its own interests. Keep in mind the larger ongoing play of
China-US-India-Russia which may impact even if insignificantly the many minor
turns in play in the region. The flux thankfully has its own set of stabilisers but even
those might be in for a change over the long run in how the nations of the world,
especially developing, plug into the changing construct of the modern economy.
This largely will determine the stability or otherwise of the new paradigm as it seeks
a new balance.
Afghanistan and its impact on Pakistan |
Rather than waste time over if the US will leave or really means to leave — because if
it doesn’t, things will stay the way they are, and we have lived this for too long now
— it is saner to assume she will and that will turn things around quite wholesomely.
A vicious dynamic is likely to unleash forcing the region into another whirl. The
local stabilisers being attempted include an agreement of sorts through an intra-
Afghan dialogue where competing factions may find some concurrence but for the
sake of argument, and in assuming the worst, say it fails in implementation if not in
enunciation. That means that regular US forces have left and Afghanistan is now
largely to itself.
In the absence of a central authority a large-scale strife will ensue. Factions will
struggle to carve their respective fiefs and enlarge them till a status quo gets

53
established. Who will go and who will remain will be irrelevant but for the larger
sense the Taliban, a skeleton ANSF — withered by another civil war in trying to
exercise a central authority, and numerous warlords — as have emerged and existed
over decades in the Afghan milieu will remain the noted forces. Afghanistan will be
back to square one minus an effective central government; perhaps as was in the
times of Zahir Shah minus his stabilising presence. Possibly, that is when a true
Loya Jirga will occur and a solution of sorts with accommodations resolve the
instability not without its own whimpers. A coalition of sorts created of the Afghans’
own will, rather than the one imposed, will manage the strife helping Afghanistan
find its new normal. We should be ready for this more likely scenario and prepare to
deal with its fallout as it plays itself out.
What will surely come our way given the probability of such unfortunate
deterioration of the Afghan political and security state will be augmented by the
various militant groups and malicious actors who have mushroomed in this milieu
on both sides of the Pak-Afghan border in the last four decades. Most prominently,
breakaway factions of the Taliban, the TTP or those identifying themselves as
Khorasan-titled groups such as the ISIS. Because the last four decades have
rendered the Afghan economy into a war economy such groups have thrived on
perpetuating war. Such efforts to perpetuate war will not only increase but in a sad
repetition of time will cast their shadow deep into Pakistan. Our tribal regions and
the ongoing tensions in Balochistan will enable them a fertile land to exercise their
malice. Pakistan may thus find itself engulfed into another inferno finding renewed
instability. Taliban at the helm or not in Afghanistan will not matter. Only the
duration of the instability might be of a lower order if Afghanistan is in some degree
of control. The turmoil across and its projection inside will still need to be fought
out by Pakistan.
Thus, preparing for it and minimising the avenues for such malignant seepage
should be our first order of concern. A better way is to begin eliminating forthwith
all known footholds that are likely to provide either succor or hideouts to such
elements as disorder spawns. And complete the fence and man the pickets, posts
and the forts in strength, early enough. Our final frontier should be the clearing
phase of this war than be embroiled in another. It might entail offensive-defence; we
needn’t shy off it especially when all breaks loose in Kabul. One hopes not but
Afghanistan has all the makings of another Libya. We need to know how to contain
its malign outflow than become a part; more a la Egypt than Turkey.
India-Pakistan relationship |
The other more promising turn of events is becoming possible on our eastern
borders with India. For a whole lot of strategic compulsions on both sides of the
border there is a shift in how both sides want to do things differently. Since the
earlier currency was war only and everything else stood down — the two sides
haven’t yet resumed full diplomatic relations since August 2019 — there is an effort
now to return to normalcy with slight tweaking of the narrative on the issues. For
example, India will desist from demographic changes in Kashmir even if it holds
onto its stance on Article 370 which Pakistan never endorsed and wouldn’t much
bother with its further definition while Pakistan will stand by its commitment to the
UNSC resolutions on Kashmir. Once this beast is tamed to acceptable domains
other issues can be worked towards resolution over time.

Weekly Dawn Deconstruction April 27 to May 04__by M.Usman.pdf

Weekly Dawn Deconstruction April 27 to May 04__by M.Usman.pdf

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