Mengal’s Six Points

Ostensibly there seems nothing wrong with the six points raised by Sardar Akhtar Mengal, that are: 1. an immediate end to all military operations; 2. missing persons to be presented before the court; 3. abolition of agency death squads; 4. free rein to Baloch political parties to function; 5. punishment to those found guilty for…

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Russia-Pakistan-America

Reaction to ‘postponement’ of President Putin’s visit to Pakistan is quite interesting. Conspiracy theorist blame American and Indian pressure, some also talk about American pressure via Saudi Arabia. Over the last two years or so, there has been a quantum jump in high level Pakistan-Russia interactions. Hence, expectations have been snowballing in the context of…

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The Dis-United Nations

Theme for debate in the 67th session of the UN General Assembly is fascinating as well as elusive: “Adjustment or settlement of international disputes or situations by peaceful means”. General Assembly is the main deliberative, policymaking and representative organ of the United Nations, comprising 193 members. It is a unique forum for multilateral discussion on…

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InternationalSecurity Issues – II

International Security Issues increasingly involve non-traditional factors, parameters of which “symbolize security from the threat of disease, hunger, unemployment, crime, social conflict, political repression and environmental hazards” (Ginwala, 2002), human security being defined as “protecting the vital core of all human lives in ways enhancing human freedoms, human fulfillment, and fundamental freedoms constituting the essence…

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