Recently a handful of incidents have indicated the insecure nature of the world and the reaction of the world has been to respond with an ideology of rushed nationalism. In February 2017 a suicide bomber created havoc in Pakistan when he detonated himself in an open space at a religious shrine in Sindh causing 80…
Terrorist Activities In Pakistan Suicide Bombings/Attacks At least 13 persons were killed and 85 Injured when a suicide bomber struck February 13-evening around 6pm outside the Punjab Assembly on Mall Road of Lahore during a protest, reports Dawn. Inspector General of Police (IGP) Punjab Mushtaq Ahmad Sukhera confirmed that six Police officials were among the…
A bomb blast in May 2002 targetting the French naval technicians in a bus outside the Sheraton and Pearl Continental Hotels in Karachi where New Zealand’s cricket team was staying caused the Kiwis to terminate their tour. Five years later Benazir Bhutto’s tragic assassination led to Australia cancelling their tour of March 2008, the Champions…
Chairing a high-level security meeting in Lahore on Wednesday attended by all the Corps Commanders in the Punjab, the COAS Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa announced the launching of “Raadul-Fasaad” (elimination of violence). Focussed in the Punjab this offensive by the Pakistan Army constitutes the decisive phase of countering militants of the terrorist-kind. Aimed at “indiscriminately”…
Introduction “Terrorism is (largely) a psychological warfare. Terrorists try to manipulate us and change our behavior by creating fear, uncertainty, and division in society.”—Patrick J. Kennedy The specter of resurgent terrorism has become the most threatening challenge of the twenty-first century. The monster of terrorism coupled with militancy has continued to wreak havoc in most…
“The rebels (khawarij) are the dogs of the Hell.” [Ibn Majah 173]; “There will be division and sectarianism in my nation and a people (the Kharijites) will come with beautiful words and evil deeds. They will recite the Quran but it will not pass beyond their throats. They will leave the religion as an arrow…
Another Afghan peace process has caught international attention, albeit belatedly. Russia, China and Pakistan got together in Moscow on December 27 for the third round of secretary level talks. Though earlier two rounds went almost unnoticed, the recent one invoked an overreaction from Kabul, while Washington also radiated a feeling of unease. Nonetheless, the outcome…
Dear Reader, South Asia presents a dismal picture for regional integration. It accounts for only 3 percent of the world’s gross domestic product (GDP) with almost 40% of its inhabitants falling below the international poverty line of $1.25 per day. Daunting challenges from climate change, environmental degradation, increasing inequalities, etc. pose serious threats to growth…
“We always take criticism from our friends. If we are wrong, we need to hear that we are wrong. But if we are not wrong, we need to hear support from our friends. What I request is that the thing you actually believe, to say it”. Saudi Defence Minister and Deputy Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman.1…
The Central Commission for Election and Referenda of Turkmenistan has announced the results of recently held Presidential Election 2017. According to the CEC, incumbent President H.E. Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov won the election by clear majority. Voter turnout was 97.27 percent which reflected the high civic engagement and the conscious desire of the people to directly participate…
