While attempting to gauge the strategic impact of the Iran nuclear deal, one is haunted by the dilemma about American as well as Iranian intent behind evolving the agreement in the form as it stand now. Is it a part of prior greater strategic understanding reached between Iran and the US, ultimately leading to gradually…
As the Afghan peace process is learning the ropes, attendant issues keep surfacing time and again. However, despite fragility, the process is poised to move forward, albeit in inches. Those who have stakes in keeping the country unstable are working overtime to impede the peace process and as a starting point, effort is on to…
China has effectively checkmated American “Pivot to Asia” rhetoric by mobilizing the support of 57 countries for its economic venture, Asia Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB). We in Pakistan welcome the setting up of AIIB and view it as an instrument of regional development. At the same time caution is due for AIIB, it should watch…
Last year’s economic performance was marginal; most of the macro-economic targets were missed, some widely others narrowly. Unless requisite structural reforms are implemented, this trend is likely to continue. The budget envisages 5.5% GDP growth target for the next financial year, which seems to be substantially higher than 4.24% that the country could achieve during…
It would be naïve to take Pakistan-Afghanistan relations for granted. Complexity demands continuous steering and frequent course corrections. Home to this reality, the leadership of the two counties is maintaining frequent contacts at various tiers. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif during his visit to Kabul on May 12, outlined three principles in the context of Pakistan-Afghanistan…
A flurry of activities about Afghanistan during the month of May, capped by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s visit, have, once again, brought this country under international focus. Former President Asif Zardari led his party delegation to Kabul, Commander United States Forces in Afghanistan General John F Campbell called on the Army Chief, General Raheel Sharif,…
Recently, President Xi Jinping made two high-profile visits to Asian countries—Pakistan and Indonesia—which is indicative of China’s push for regional outreach, from East Asia to West Asia. While in Islamabad, Xi unveiled China’s biggest aid and investment package for a single country. And while in Jakarta he had a detailed meeting with Myanmar President U…
Since Prime Minister Narendra Modi came to power, analyst were watching as to who would call the shots in Indian foreign policy—parliament or the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Now with BJP’s adoption of resolution on foreign policy the situation has become clear; it is the hardliners in BJP who would remote control India’s policy, and…
Along Karachi’s coast the construction of two additional 1,100 MW generation III AP 1000 nuclear power plants (KANUPP II & III) is under way. Earlier this month, experts form International Atomic Energy (IAEA) completed the key Generic Reactor Safety Review (GRSR) of these nuclear reactors. These Pressurized Water Reactors (PWR) are capable of generating 1100…
During the recent Pakistan-Turkey summit both sides explored options to assist Afghanistan in reaching a peace agreement with the Taliban. Turkish premier Ahmet Davutoglu had an extensive agenda, including looking beyond bilateral cooperation and playing a role in stabilising Afghanistan. Due to Turkic demographic belt running from West Asia to East Asia through Afghanistan, Turkey…
