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Current Affairs Candidates will be expected to display such general knowledge of History,Geography and Politics as is
necessary to interpret current affairs.Post your queries here.
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Taimoor Gondal
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ESTABLISHMENT
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN, was established on 8 August 1967 in Bangkok,
Thailand, with the signing of the ASEAN Declaration (Bangkok Declaration) by the Founding Fathers of
ASEAN, namely Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand.
Brunei Darussalam then joined on 7 January 1984, Viet Nam on 28 July 1995, Lao PDR and Myanmar on
23 July 1997, and Cambodia on 30 April 1999, making up what is today the ten Member States of ASEAN.
ASEAN covers an area of 4.46 million km, 3% of the total land area of Earth, with a population of
approximately 600 million people, 8.8% of the world population. In 2010, its combined nominal GDP had
grown to US$1.8 trillion. If ASEAN was a single entity, it would rank as the ninth largest economy in the
world.
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3. To promote active collaboration and mutual assistance on matters of common interest in the economic,
social, cultural, technical, scientific and administrative fields;
4. To provide assistance to each other in the form of training and research facilities in the educational,
professional, technical and administrative spheres;
5. To collaborate more effectively for the greater utilisation of their agriculture and industries, the
expansion of their trade, including the study of the problems of international commodity trade, the
improvement of their transportation and communications facilities and the raising of the living standards
of their peoples;
6. To promote Southeast Asian studies; and
7. To maintain close and beneficial cooperation with existing international and regional organisations with
similar aims and purposes, and explore all avenues for even closer cooperation among themselves.
FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES
In their relations with one another, the ASEAN Member States have adopted the following fundamental
principles, as contained in the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC) of 1976:
1. Mutual respect for the independence, sovereignty, equality, territorial integrity, and national identity of
all nations;
2. The right of every State to lead its national existence free from external interference, subversion or
coercion;
3. Non-interference in the internal affairs of one another;
4. Settlement of differences or disputes by peaceful manner;
5. Renunciation of the threat or use of force; and
6. Effective cooperation among themselves.
ASEAN COMMUNITY
The ASEAN Vision 2020, adopted by the ASEAN Leaders on the 30th Anniversary of ASEAN, agreed on a
shared vision of ASEAN as a concert of Southeast Asian nations, outward looking, living in peace, stability
and prosperity, bonded together in partnership in dynamic development and in a community of caring
societies.
At the 9th ASEAN Summit in 2003, the ASEAN Leaders resolved that an ASEAN Community shall be
established.
At the 12th ASEAN Summit in January 2007, the Leaders affirmed their strong commitment to accelerate
the establishment of an ASEAN Community by 2015 and signed the Cebu Declaration on the Acceleration
of the Establishment of an ASEAN Community by 2015.
The ASEAN Community is comprised of three pillars, namely the ASEAN Political-Security Community,
ASEAN Economic Community and ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community. Each pillar has its own Blueprint,
and, together with the Initiative for ASEAN Integration (IAI) Strategic Framework and IAI Work Plan
Phase II (2009-2015), they form the Roadmap for and ASEAN Community 2009-2015.
ASEAN CHARTER
The ASEAN Charter serves as a firm foundation in achieving the ASEAN Community by providing legal
status and institutional framework for ASEAN. It also codifies ASEAN norms, rules and values; sets clear
targets for ASEAN; and presents accountability and compliance.
The ASEAN Charter entered into force on 15 December 2008. A gathering of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers
was held at the ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta to mark this very historic occasion for ASEAN.
With the entry into force of the ASEAN Charter, ASEAN will henceforth operate under a new legal
framework and establish a number of new organs to boost its community-building process.
In effect, the ASEAN Charter has become a legally binding agreement among the 10 ASEAN Member
States.
Enlargement of ASEAN:During the 1990s, the bloc experienced an increase in both membership and drive for further integration.
In 1990, Malaysia proposed the creation of an East Asia Economic Caucus comprising the then members of
ASEAN as well as the People's Republic of China, Japan, and South Korea, with the intention of
counterbalancing the growing influence of the United States in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation
(APEC) and in the Asian region as a whole. This proposal failed, however, because of heavy opposition
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from the United States and Japan. Despite this failure, member states continued to work for further
integration and ASEAN Plus Three was created in 1997.
In 1992, the Common Effective Preferential Tariff (CEPT) scheme was signed as a schedule for phasing
tariffs and as a goal to increase the regions competitive advantage as a production base geared for the
world market. This law would act as the framework for the ASEAN Free Trade Area. After the East Asian
Financial Crisis of 1997, a revival of the Malaysian proposal was established in Chiang Mai, known as the
Chiang Mai Initiative, which calls for better integration between the economies of ASEAN as well as the
ASEAN Plus Three countries (China, Japan, and South Korea).
Aside from improving each member state's economies, the bloc also focused on peace and stability in the
region. On 15 December 1995, the Southeast Asian Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone Treaty was signed with
the intention of turning Southeast Asia into a Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone. The treaty took effect on 28
March 1997 after all but one of the member states have ratified it. It became fully effective on 21 June
2001, after the Philippines ratified it, effectively banning all nuclear weapons in the region.
Early 2011, East Timor plans to submit a letter of application to the ASEAN Secretariat in Indonesia to be
the eleventh member of ASEAN at the summit in Jakarta. Indonesia has shown a warm welcome to East
Timor.
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Taimoor Gondal
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Baluchistan conflict
The Government of Pakistan over Baluchistan, the country's largest province. Recently,
separatists have also clashed with Islamic Republic of Iran over its respective Baloch
region, which borders Pakistan. Shortly after Pakistan's creation in 1947, the Army of the
Islamic Republic had to subdue insurgents based in Kalat who rejected the King of Kalat
decision to accede to Pakistan, reminiscent of the Indian Army's operation in the
Principality state of Hyderabad. The movement gained momentum during the 1960s, and
amid consistent political disorder, the government ordered a military operation into the
region in 1973, assisted by Iran, and inflicted heavy casualties on the separatists. The
movement was largely quelled after the imposition of martial law in 1977, after which
Baluchistan witnessed significant development. After insurgency groups again
mushroomed in the 1990s and 2000s, the 2001 invasion of Afghanistan and the war in
North-West Pakistan exacerbated the conflict, most recently manifested in the killings of
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5. Fifth conflict 2004 to date (led by Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti and Mir Balach
Marri)
In 2005, the Baluch political leaders Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti and Mir Balach Marri
presented a 15-point agenda to the Pakistan government. Their stated demands included
greater control of the province's resources and a Moratorium on the construction of
military bases. On 15 December 2005, Inspector-General of Frontier Corps Maj Gen
Shujaat Zamir Dar and his deputy Brig Salim Nawaz (the current IGFC) were wounded
after shots were fired at their helicopter in Baluchistan province. The provincial interior
secretary later said that "both of them were wounded in the leg but both are in stable
condition." The two men had been visiting Kohlu, about 220 km (135 miles) south-east of
Quetta, when their aircraft came under fire. The helicopter landed safely.
In August 2006, Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti, 79 years old, was killed in fighting with the
Pakistan Army in which at least 60 Pakistani soldiers and 7 officers were killed. He was
charged by Pakistan's government of a series of bomb blasts, killings of the people he
professed to protect and the rocket attack on the President Pervez Musharraf.
In April 2009, Baloch National Movement president Ghulam Mohammed Baloch and two
other nationalist leaders (Lala Munir and Sher Muhammad), were seized from a small legal
office and were allegedly "handcuffed, blindfolded and hustled into a waiting pickup truck
which is in still use of intelligence forces in front of their lawyer and neighboring
shopkeepers."The gunmen were allegedly speaking in Persian (a national language of
neighboring Afghanistan and Iran) Five days later on April 8 their bodies, "riddled with
bullets" were found in a commercial area.The BLA claims Pakistani forces were behind the
killings, though international experts have deemed it odd that the Pakistani forces would
be careless enough to allow the bodies to be found so easily and 'light Baluchistan on fire'
(Herald) if they were truly responsible. The discovery of the bodies sparked rioting and
weeks of strikes, demonstrations and civil resistance" in cities and towns around
Baluchistan.
On August 12, 2009, Khan of Kalat Mir Suleiman Dawood declared himself ruler of
Baluchistan and formally made announcement of a Council for Independent Baluchistan.
The Council's claimed domain includes "Baloch of Iran", as well as Pakistani Baluchistan,
but does not include Afghani Baloch regions,and the Council contains "all separatist
leaders including Nawabzada Bramdagh Bugti." He claims that "the UK had a moral
responsibility to raise the issue of Baluchistans illegal occupation at international level."
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uprising against Iran. Pakistan has also accused India of giving citizenship to senior
Balouch SeparatistSelig S. Harrison of the George Soros funded Center for International
Policy has been calling for dividing Pakistan and supporting an independent Baluch
province as a means to thwart growing relations between Islamabad and Beijing, as
Pakistan has given China a base at Gwadar. These views have been separately promoted
by Ralph Peters, an zionist strategic affairs analyst and former U.S. Army officer, and an
expert on the Middle East and the Islamic world.
Reko Diq Copper Gold Project:Reko Diq is a small town in Chagai District, Baluchistan, Pakistan, in a desert area, 70
kilometres north-west of Naukundi, close to Pakistan's border with Iran and Afghanistan.
The area is located in Tethyan belt that stretches all the way from Turkey and Armenia
into Pakistan.
Reko Diq has proven gold and copper reserves worth US $125 billion. It is estimated that
area has 12.3 million tons of world class copper and 20.9 million ounces of gold.
However, later it has been claimed by several Pakistani scholars that the gold and copper
reserves worth is far more than estimated earlier, that is 1000 billion dollars.
The Reko Diq Mining Project is a US$ 3.3 billion capital investment project that promises
to build and operate a world class copper-gold open-pit mine at Reko Diq. TCC (Tethyan
Copper Company), which is actually Canadian-Chilian based company, is responsible for
minning at Reko Diq.
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Background:On 8 September 1958, Pakistan purchased the Gwadar enclave from Oman for $3 million.
Gwadar officially became part of Pakistan on 8 December 1958. At the time, Gwadar was
a small and underdeveloped fishing village with a population of a few thousand.
The Pakistani government integrated Gwadar into Baluchistan province on 1 July 1977 as
the district headquarters of the newly formed Gwadar District.
In the 1993, the Government of Pakistan formally conceived the plan to develop Gwadar
into a major port city with a deep-sea port and connect it with Pakistan's highway and rail
networks. On 22 March 2002, the Government of Pakistan began construction of Gwadar
Port, a modern deep-sea port, the first phase of which was completed in December 2005.
Gwadar Port became operational in December 2009.
The city underwent major construction from 2002-07. In 2002, Pakistan's National
Highway Authority (NHA) began construction of the 653 km-long Makran Coastal Highway
linking Gwadar with Karachi via Pasni and Ormara and onwards with the rest of the
National Highways of Pakistan, which was completed in 2004. In 2003, the Gwadar
Development Authority was established to oversee the planning and development of
Gwadar. In 2004, Pakistan's NHA began construction of the 820-km long M8 motorway
linking Gwadar with Ratodero in Sindh province via Turbat, Hoshab, Awaran and Khuzdar
and onwards with the rest of the Motorways of Pakistan. In 2006, the Gwadar
Development Authority conceived, developed and adopted a 50-year Master Plan for
Gwadar. In 2007, the Civil Aviation Authority of Pakistan acquired 4,300 acres to
construct a new greenfield airport, the New Gwadar International Airport, on 6,000 acres,
at an estimated cost of Rs. 7.5 billion. China has funded 80% of the initial $248 million
construction of the city.However China has not announced being requested to operate the
port by Pakistan.
Importance of Gawadar Port for China:Gwadar Port is being constructed in two phases with heavy investment from China.
Technical and financial feasibility studies were commenced by the Government of Pakistan
in 1993 but construction did not commence until 2002. The Gwadar Port was built on a
turnkey basis by China. It was inaugurated in the spring of 2007 by then Pakistani
President General Pervez Musharraf. Upon completion of the first phase, the Port of
Singapore Authority was hired for the management of the Port. Gwadar Port is now being
expanded into a deep sea port and naval base with Chinese technical and financial
assistance. Gwadar Port became operational in 2008 with the first ship to dock bringing
52.000 tonnes of wheat from Canada. Pakistan's Minister of Ports and Shipping Sardar
Nabil Ahmed Khan Gabol officially inaugurated the Port on 21 December 2008.
China has acknowledged that Gwadars strategic value is no less than that of the
Karakoram Highway, which helped cement the China-Pakistan relationship. Beijing is also
interested in turning it into an energy-transport hub by building an oil pipeline from
Gwadar into China's Xinjiang region. The planned pipeline will carry crude oil sourced from
Arab and African states. Such transport by pipeline will cut freight costs and also help
insulate the Chinese imports from interdiction by hostile naval forces in case of any major
war.
Commercially, it is hoped that the Gwadar Port would generate billions of dollars in
revenues and create at least two million jobs. In 2007, the government of Pakistan
handed over port operations to PSA Singapore for 25 years, and gave it the status of a
Tax Free Port for the following 40 years.
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The most pressing and hurtful issue right now, though, is that of the missing people.
Human rights groups and Baloch political parties claim as many as 13,000 people are
missing in the province, while the provincial government acknowledges fewer than 1,000
people have been picked up. Even if the true number lies somewhere in between, these
statistics need to be reconciled. After that, a promise needs to be given that no citizen of
Baluchistan need ever fear for his life just for exercising his right to political dissent.
Target Killing in Baluchistan:According to Baluchistan police records, there were 256 incidents of targeting in
Baluchistan in 2009 that killed 200 people and injured 387. In 2010, 231 incidents were
reported that killed 255 and injured 498. In the first three months of 2011, at least 39
incidents have occurred, which killed 38 and injured 66. Baluchistan Constabulary
Commandant Ghulam Shabbir Shah, speaking in Karachi recently, said that target killings
are set to break all previous records in the province.
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sophisticated arms and equipment, he said. On the other hand, FC and army units even
get food rations for troops.
3. Sectarian
Sectarian killings have been mostly targeted against Hazara Shias, who came to
Baluchistan decades ago from Afghanistan and Iran. Police and counter-terrorism officials
say that anti-Shia militant groups such as Sipah-i-Sahaba Pakistan (SSP) and Lashkare-Jhangvi (LeJ) are active in Baluchistan.
But Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazls (JUI-F) Secretary-General Maulana Abdul Ghafoor
Haideri, who hails from Kalat, says he doesnt know if the SSP or LeJ are involved.
Experience shows that the state and intelligence agencies are the ones behind groups
that instigate sectarian violence and ethnic strife, he said.
4. Political
Political party workers allege that they are being targeted not only by the state but by
rebels as well.
Bizenjo, whose party has lost three senior leaders, says the heavily-armed rebels are
against nationalists because they say that you talk about federation when we are here up
in the mountains waging a battle against the state.
Baluchistan National Party-Mengals (BNP-M) Dr Jehanzaib Jamaldini says the party lost
one of their best leaders Habib Jalib last year in a target killing. All evidence points to
state elements being behind the murder, he said.
Hundreds of Baloch men, including political workers, have gone missing in the province.
Bizenjo believes Baluchistans security situation is interconnected with Fata and
Afghanistan and violence is bound to continue unless things improve there. Until it is
decided that nowhere in the country will anyone be allowed to hold a gun, the state will
not be able to establish its writ and target killings will continue, he said.
Haideri says the government should either accept failure and step down or admit that it is
involved in target killings in the province.
Analysis:It has long been an open secret that paramilitary forces and intelligence agencies have
been holding sway in Baluchistan. This was finally acknowledged by the provinces
advocate general, Salahuddin Mengal, in front of the Supreme Court, when he revealed
that the Frontier Constabulary (FC) was picking up and even killing people. Although not a
surprise, this revelation is important because the Supreme Court is the only institution in
the country that has shown the courage to take on the army. The court must now haul up
senior officers of the FC to explain the role it is playing in Baluchistan.
However, the Supreme Court alone cannot solve Baluchistans problems. The utter lack of
confidence the Baloch have in the army and the federal government requires much
greater action. Separatist sentiment is now running deep in the province and the
provincial government lacks legitimacy because most political figures have boycotted
mainstream politics. Bringing them back into the fold should be an immediate priority.
This would require the army to recede and take a low profile, and an accounting of all
those who went missing in the province. Following that, a far greater share in the spoils of
Baluchistans economic development needs to be given to locals. From the development
of a deep-sea port in Gwadar to royalties in mining projects, the Baloch feel they have
been deliberately cheated out of profits from their resources. Only after this is rectified,
will the separatist parties begin to tone down their rhetoric.
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Clash of Civilizations
World Politics is entering in a new phase which will be end of history,the return of
traditional rivalries between nation states and the decline of nation state from conflicting
pulls of tribalism and globalism. Fundamental conflicts would not be ideological or
economic but cultural conflicts. Nation states would remain the most dominant and
powerful actors.Clash of civilization will dominate the global politics. With the peace of
Westphalia conflict of western world were among princes, emperors, absolute or
constitutional monarchs to expand their armies, bureaucracies, mercantilist economic
strength. In this process they created nation states beginning with French revolution. The
principle lines of conflict were between the nations rather princes.
ANALYSIS
After the collapse of the Soviet Union, many scholars predicted that the future of world
and where nations would advance. Huntingtons idea in the clash of civilization is a
representative case among the various views on the new world and it caused lots of
debates about the pros and cons of his thought. In the clash of civilization, Huntington
argues that conflicts of contemporary world (after the end of Cold War) are not ideological
nor economical but cultural and phenomenon such as confrontations and antagonisms
among nations which are caused by clashes of different civilizations would rise
remarkably. However, Said criticized that the clash of civilization is a creature of the
imperative conception that the West should hold the hegemony of new world order. This
essay, therefore, explores the theory of the clash of civilization and criticizes several
points which are mentioned in it.
A civilization is the highest cultural grouping of people and the broadest level of cultural
identity people have short that which distinguishes human from other species. It is
defined both by common objective elements, such as language, history,and religion. In
short, while Huntington is
right to see religion as a factor in the coming era of world politics, the role of religion will
go well beyond serving as a touchstone for culture. Religion is more than culture. It
transcends civilizations. In the end, to listen to the believers among us, it will transcend
history itself.
Harvard Professor Samuel P. Huntington caused intellectual explosion by publishing his
article clash of civilizations in the American journal Foreign Affairs in 1993. He asserts
Civilizations are the largest aggregates that command human loyalties and account for
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much of the bloodshed in the recorded human history. Cold war marked a brief departure
from it but now old enemies could go to the past time, waging wars against each other.
The biggest threat to the west at present comes from China and Islam. He argues that
now the cold war had ended, future conflicts in the world politics would be less between
states and more between civilizations or coalitions of culture.
He asserts his point of view,
In this emerging era of cultural conflict the United States must forge alliances with similar
cultures and spread its values wherever possible. With alien civilizations the West must be
accommodating if possible, but confrontational if necessary. In the final analysis,
however, all civilizations will have to learn to tolerate each other.
There is now a danger of hot war of religion to succeed the cold war of ideologies, the
new trend between America and allies, on the one hand, and Muslim countries such as
Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, Libya, Sudan, and Somalia, on the other hand. Both American
capitalism and Russian Commission were born out of European culture.
US hegmony:
American Gulliver of the globe.
Economic globalization under American influence.
Information globalization under American influence.
Comprehensive globalization under American influence.
One super power and security system for the globe.
First among unequal: US is so far ahead of its nearest military rival, Russia; its nearest
economic rival, Japan/china its technological rival Germany.
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UN
The world body UN should fear the dreadful end of League of Nations, so it needs vitality
and firmness to implement its fair decisions, irrespective US influence which has divided
the world.
Media power
Media power can be used for bridging the gulf among biased nations and cultures.
Education system
Education system is a basic tool in polishing individuals with qualities of compassion and
Humanism.
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Introduction
The use of Unmanned Air Vehicles (UAVs), commonly known as drones, is a new
technology used in modern warfare. An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), also known as a
Unmanned aircraft System (UAS) or a remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) or unmanned
aircraft functions either by the remote control of a navigator or pilot (called a Combat
Systems Officer on UCAVs) or autonomously, that is, as a self-directing entity. Their
largest use is within military applications.
In the current so-called War on Terror, the same has been frequently used by the United
States in Pakistan and Afghanistan. A lot has been said against American drone attacks as
a violation of sovereignty of Pakistan but the issue is getting more intense by each
passing day. When the US drones attack Pakistans tribal areas, it is not just the ten,
twenty or fifty innocent civilians they kill but it creates the anti-US sentiments in masses
and a global feeling of disgust against US. Few stay mum and numb but there is large
number of victims who vent their hatred very violently against US and its ally Pakistan. US
is insensitive to the fact that civilian killings in these drone attacks provides reason to the
youngsters for joining terrorist groups waging war against US and of course Pakistan, for
being its closest ally in war on terror.
The drone strikes have pushed militants deeper into Pakistan and gave them an excuse to
strike the heart of the country, further destabilizing it. No doubt drone attacks did kill
some militants but at what cost???
To further probe into this aspect, this presentation will look into functioning of drones,
negative and positive aspects in pertinent to our country vis--vis drawing some
conclusions.
Definition
To distinguish UAVs from missiles, a UAV is defined as a "powered, aerial vehicle that
does not carry a human operator, uses aerodynamic forces to provide vehicle lift, can fly
autonomously or be piloted remotely, can be expendable or recoverable, and can carry a
lethal or nonlethal payload". Therefore, cruise missiles are not considered UAVs, because,
like many other guided missiles, the vehicle itself is a weapon that is not reused, even
though it is also unmanned and in some cases remotely guided.
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e. Opposition within US
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The Pakistani government considers Nazir, the Haqqanis, Bahadar, and Hekmatyar to be
'good Taliban' as they do not carry out attacks against the Pakistani state. All of these
Taliban factions shelter al Qaeda and various other terror groups.
2. Tactical advantage
The drones program is effective in terms of getting terrorist operatives in places where
there's limited reach or no accessibility.
Negative Fallouts
1. Sovereignty and Integrity
Compromising sovereignty and integrity as no international law permits aggression and
use of force against another sovereign nation.
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Recommendations
1. Operation within our territory is the responsibility of state therefore drone technology
be transferred to Pakistan for carrying out operation even in the airspace by LEAs
themselves instead of US.
2. Sharing of Information between ISI & CIA to minimize collateral damage and avoid
incidents of targeting own check posts/Border Outposts and a previous incident of
innocent killings during a jirga.
3. Sending strong Message by Pakistani representatives at all international forums
highlighting the issues.
4. Constitution of commissions to inquire extra judicial killings and document the decree
for presentation at UNHRC and all forums for its pursuance.
5. US be asked to avoid delivery of toxic/chemical munitions through hellfire missiles as it
bears negative externalities by causing severe skin diseases to the nearby populace.
6. Elimination of all acts which gives US a reason to carryout drones
Haqqani Network:The Haqqani Network is an independent insurgent group originating in Afghanistan that is
closely allied with the Taliban. Maulvi Jalaluddin Haqqani along with his son Sirajuddin
Haqqani lead the Haqqani network, which is based in the AfghanistanPakistan border
areas. According to US military commanders it is "the most resilient enemy network" and
one of the biggest threats to NATO and United States forces in Afghanistan. Some notable
US officials have alleged that Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) service has been
enabling the network. Rehman Malik, Pakistan's Interior Minister, refuted the allegations
and said that Pakistan had no relations with the network and that the Central Intelligence
Agency (CIA) had "trained and produced" the Haqqani network and other mujahideen
during the Soviet war in Afghanistan. Malik's statements were contradicted by the
network's warnings against any US military incursions into North Waziristan and by the
Pakistan Army's public acknowledgement of contacts with the Haqqanis.The Haqqanis hail
from the Zadran qaum (tribe), who are mostly based in Paktia and Khost provinces in the
east of Afghanistan.The group has been active mainly in the east of Afghanistanin
Paktia, Paktika, Khost, Ghazni Wardak and even Kabul provinces.
Critical Analysis:The New York Times reported in September 2008 that Pakistan regards the Haqqani's as
an important force for protecting its interests in Afghanistan in the event of American
withdrawal from there and therefore have been unwilling to move against them. Pakistan
presumably feels pressured that India, Russia, and Iran are gaining a foothold in
Afghanistan. Since it lacks the financial clout of these other countries, Pakistan hopes that
by being a sanctuary for the Haqqani network, it can assert some influence over its
turbulent neighbour. In the words of a retired senior Pakistani official: "[We] have no
money.
All we have are the crazies. So the crazies it is." The New York Times and Al Jazeera later
reported in June 2010 that Pakistan's Army chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani and chief
of the ISI General Ahmad Shuja Pasha were in talks with Afghan president Hamid Karzai
to broker a power-sharing agreement between the Haqqani network and the Afghan
government. Reacting to this report both President Barack Obama and CIA director Leon
Panetta responded with skepticism that such an effort could succeed. The effort to
mediate between the Haqqanis and the Afghan government was launched by Pakistan
after intense pressure by the US to take military action against the group in North
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Waziristan. Hamid Karzai later denied meeting anyone from the Haqqani network.
Subsequently Kayani also denied that he took part in these talks.
According to a July 2011 report published by West Point's Combating Terrorism Center,
the network acts as a key facilitator of negotiations between the Pakistani government
and the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan and as the "primary conduit" of many Pakistani Taliban
fighters into Afghanistan.
In September 2011, Sirajuddin Haqqani claimed during a telephonic interview to Reuters
that the Haqqani network no longer maintained sanctuaries in northwest Pakistan and the
robust presence that it once had there and instead now felt more safer in Afghanistan:
"Gone are the days when we were hiding in the mountains along the Pakistan-Afghanistan
border. Now we consider ourselves more secure in Afghanistan besides the Afghan
people." According to Haqqani, there were "senior military and police officials" who are
aligned with the group and there are even sympathetic and "sincere people in the Afghan
government who are loyal to the Taliban" who support the group's aim of liberating
Afghanistan "from the clutches of occupying forces." In response to questions from the
BBC's Pashto service, Siraj denied any links to the ISI and stated that Mullah Omar is "our
leader and we totally obey him."
The group's links to Pakistan have been a sour point in Pakistan United States relations.
In September 2011 the Obama administration warned Pakistan that it must do more to
cut ties with the Haqqani network and help eliminate its leaders, adding that "the United
States will act unilaterally if Pakistan does not comply." In testimony before a US Senate
panel, Admiral Mike Mullen stated that the network "acts as a veritable arm of Pakistan's
Inter-Services Intelligence Agency." Pakistan in return rejected the notion that it
maintained ties with the Haqqani network or used it in a policy of waging a proxy war in
neighboring Afghanistan; the Pakistani interior minister also warned that any incursion on
Pakistani territory by U.S. forces will not be tolerated. A Pakistani intelligence official
insisted that the American allegations are part of "pressure tactics" used by the United
States as a strategy "to shift the war theatre." An unnamed Pakistani official was reported
to have said after a meeting of the nation's top military officials that We have already
conveyed to the US that Pakistan cannot go beyond what it has already done".
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Introduction
In 1987, the Government of Pakistan (GOP) with the assistance of the World Bank formulated its long term
strategy for development of the power sector in reliable power would spur economic growth. With energy
demand growing at 12 percent and supply at 7 percent per annum. Load shedding was rampant with
consequential output losses for industry and agriculture. It was estimated that the annual gap of 2000 MW of
electricity cost the country approximately $1 billion per year in lost GDP. Electricity was available to only 40
percent of the population and per capita consumption of 404 kWh was only 4 percent of that in the United
States and 24 percent of consumption in Malaysia.
IPPs
Pakistan had to catch up fast and the development of new capacity became the top priority, but the Government
of Pakistan (GOP) lacked the funds for infrastructure development. Consequently, the private sector was invited
to develop new generating capacity. It was rationalised that the private sector would not only supplement public
sector generation, it would also mobilise additional equity and debt resources and improve the efficiency in the
energy sector.
The new energy policy was implemented in a period of high political volatility in the early 1990s. The first
Benazir Bhutto government (elected in 1988) was dismissed by President Ghulam Ishaq Khan in 1992. She was
succeeded by Nawaz Sharif who initiated a number of free market reforms and also signed Pakistans first IPP
contract for the largest power sector project with the Hub Power Company in
1992. Disagreements with the President led to the dismissal of this government also, and an interim government
was installed which held fresh elections in which the second Bhutto government was elected in November 1993.
During its tenure, the Bhutto government signed a number of IPP contracts under the 1994 Power Policy and in
June 1996, Pakistans first private sector power plant, the Hub Power Company (Hubco) came into operation.
Current Situation
Currently the situation Installed capacity is as following .
a. Total installed capacity 20681 MW
b. WAPDA hydel 6,555 MW (31%)
c. WAPDA thermal power, 4829 MW
d. RPPs 365 MW
e. PAEC 665 MW
f. IPPs 7644 MW
Currently Production is 11500 MW and Demand is 15500 MWAdditional quantity is not being produced due to
lack fundsand circular debt problem.IPPs and Wapda owned plants also have lost efficiency now only producing
50% of full capacity and even less.Production of additional quantity will cause Govt to increase rates due to
increase in thermal factor(variable costs of electricity produced by thermal varies between Rs 12 to 19,while by
Hydel variable cost is less than Rs1).So the result is rampant load shedding, blow to agriculture and industry and
high Social cost.
Impacts of IPPs
Impacts of IPPs are both positive as well as negative, positive impacts include:
a. Enhanced the capacity of power sector
b. Supported the economic activity from 2000 to 2007
c. Provided a cushion time to built long term power projects
d. Provided vital support in short span of time
Negative impacts include:
a. Bulk tariff ceiling instead of competitive bidding resulted in high tariffs
b. Increase in Thermal component also contributed toward price hike ,i.e. 60%
c. Lack of transparency in contracts as discussed earlier
d. Since 2001 though it has supported eco activity but due to oil price hike and increase in thermal factor it has
caused following problems :
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c. World Average = 5.8% by oil, 16% by Hydro, 20.1% by Gas, 41% by coal, 14.8% by nuclear, 3% by
others.
5. CONSUMER MIX & CONSUMPTION PATTERN (excludes KESC) JUL 09-DEC 09
a. 7% commercial, 24% Industrial, 15% Agriculture, 48% Domestic, 6% others.
b. World Average Industrial Consumption is 42%
c. Customers PEPCO: 19.1 million and KESC: 2.0 million
6. Oil Handling Infrastructure
Present oil requirements is 30,000 ton per day, whereas on the average 24,000 ton oil had been supplied
With new rentals and other thermal plants, this is going to increase further.
Additional infrastructure and arrangements are required to be made by Ministry of Petroleum and Natural
Resources.
PSO to expedite acceptance of TPS Muzaffargarh Oil Farm (263,000 MTN) as mid-country strategic reserves
7. Uncertainty of Oil Prices
Volatility in the oil prices directly affecting the viability and affordability of the sector.
8. Investment Required for Development of Indigenous Resources
Heavy Capital requirement for development of Indigenous resources of Hydro, Coal and Renewable
9. Legal Issues
The Electricity Act nor supports the Sector legally to force recovery nor helps curb illegal abstraction of
energy.
Draft Energy Conservation Act of 2009 is devoid of any penalties for non compliance
Both Need change Drafts ready with PEPCO
10. Corporate Governance
Non Professional Management for over 10 years
Human Resource depletion forced by non professional management
Capacity Issues in every sub sector and activity
Lack of political support in non-performing DISCOs
Capacity building of all stakeholders, specially NEPRA required
11. Security Issues
Security situation negatively affecting Foreign Investment in the Sector
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7) Policies
Strategy to overcome the power crisis should be supported by the set of policy measures
Joint Session of Parliament be summoned to discuss energy crisis and how get out of it.
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Geo strategic means the importance of a country or region as by virtue of its geographical
location. Geo political is defined as, stressing the influence of geographic factors on the
state power, international conduct and advantages it derives from its location.
Stephen Cohn describes this importance While history has been unkind to Pakistan, its
geography has been its greatest benefit. It has resource rich area in the north-west,
people rich in the north-east. Pakistan is a junction of South Asia, West Asia and Central
Asia, a way from resource efficient countries to resource deficient countries.
The world is facing energy crisis and terrorism. Pakistan is a role for transportation, and a
front line state against terrorism.
Geographical Importance:
Bridge between South Asia and South West Asia, Iran and Afghanistan are energy abundant while India
and China are lacking of. China finds way to Indian ocean and Arabian Sea through Korakaram. China
with its fastest economic growth rate of 9%, is developing its southern provinces because its own port is
4500 km away from Sinkian but Gawadar is 2500 km away.
Pakistan offers to CARs the shortest route of 2600 km as compared to Iran (4500 km) or Turkey (5000
km) land locked Afghanistan now at the phase of Reconstruction, finds its ways through Pakistan.
Gawadar port with its deep waters attracts the trade ships of China, CARs and South East Asian Countries.
ASEAN.
Economic significance:
SAARC, ECO. Iran is struggling to export its surplus gas and oil to eastern countries: Qatar Pakistan and
Turkmenistan Pipeline projects highlights the position. Pakistan would get 400 million dollar annually if
IPT gets success. Mountain Ranges: Himalayas, Hindu Kush in the North are plentiful in providing water
and natural resources.
Political importance:
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US interests in the regions to contain the Growing China, nuclear Iran, terrorist Afghanistan, and to
benefit from the market of India. Security and Business are two main US interests in the region while
Pakistan is playing a front line role against terrorism. Today the political scenario of the region is tinged
with pre emption policy and US invasion of Iraq and Afghanistan. Irans nuclear program, Indias
geopolitical muscles (new strategic deal with US) to gain the hegemony and to counter the The Rise of
China which has earned all the qualities to change unipolar world into Bipolar world.
In all these issues, Pakistan is directly or indirectly involved, especially after Al-Qaeda operations. The
American think tanks have repeatedly accepted that war against terror could never be worn without the
help of Pakistan. Pakistan has rigorously fought, and ongoing military operation in Wazirstan is also
targeting the suspected Taliban in the bordering area.
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Global Warming
The warnings about global warming have been extremely clear for a long time.
We are facing a global climate crisis. It is deepening. We are entering a period
of consequences.
(Al Gore)
Global warming is when the earth heats up (the temperature rises). It happens when greenhouse gases
(carbon dioxide, water vapor, nitrous oxide, and methane) trap heat and light from the sun in the earths
atmosphere, which increases the temperature. This hurts many people, animals, and plants. Many cannot
take the change, so they die.
Explaination:-
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Global warming refers to the rising average temperature of Earth's atmosphere and
oceans and its related effects. In the last 100 years, Earth's average surface temperature
increased by about 0.8 C (1.4 F) with about two thirds of the increase occurring over
just the last three decades. Warming of theclimate system is unequivocal, and scientists
are more than 90% certain most of it is caused by increasing concentrations of
greenhouse gases produced by human activities such as deforestation and burning fossil
fuel. These findings are recognized by the national science academies of all the major
industrialized countries.
Climate model projections are summarized in the 2007 Fourth Assessment Report (AR4)
by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). They indicate that during the
21st century the global surface temperature is likely to rise a further 1.5 to 1.9 C (2.7 to
3.4 F) for their lowest emissions scenarioand 3.4 to 6.1 C (6.1 to 11 F) for their
highest. The ranges of these estimates arise from the use of models with differing
sensitivity to greenhouse gas concentrations.
An increase in global temperature will cause sea levels to rise and will change the amount
and pattern of precipitation, and a probable expansion ofsubtropical deserts. Warming is
expected to be strongest in the Arctic and would be associated with continuing retreat of
glaciers, permafrost and sea ice. Other likely effects of the warming include more frequent
occurrence of extreme weather events including heatwaves, droughts and heavy rainfall
events,species extinctions due to shifting temperature regimes, and changes in
agricultural yields. Warming and related changes will vary from region to region around
the globe, though the nature of these regional changes is uncertain. In a 4 C world, the
limits for human adaptation are likely to be exceeded in many parts of the world, while the
limits for adaptation for natural systems would largely be exceeded throughout the world.
Hence, the ecosystem services upon which human livelihoods depend would not be
preserved.
Proposed responses to global warming include mitigation to reduce emissions, adaptation
to the effects of global warming, and geoengineering to remove greenhouse gases from
the atmosphere or reflect incoming solar radiation back to space. The main international
mitigation effort is the Kyoto Protocol, which seeks to stabilize greenhouse gas
concentration to prevent a "dangerous anthropogenic interference". As of May 2010, 192
states had ratified the protocol. The only members of the UNFCCC that were asked to sign
the treaty but have not yet ratified it are the USA and Afghanistan.
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1. The snow covers in the northern hemisphere and floating ice in the Arctic Ocean have
been decreased significantly.
2. Globally sea level has risen 4-8 inches over the past century.
3. Worldwide precipitation over land has increased by about one percent.
4. Scientists expect that the average global surface temperature could raise 1-4.50C in
the next 50 years and 2.2-100F in the next century with significant regional climatic
changes.
5. Evaporation will increase as climate will warm up, which will increase average global
precipitation.
6. Soil moisture is likely to decline in many regions and intense rainstorms are likely to
become more frequent.
7. Sea levels are likely to rise in most parts of the world.
8. Year 2008 was the hottest year on record.
9. Due to adverse climatic conditions wild life is becoming extinct.
Impact on Pakistan:
1. Pakistan produces less than 0.4% of the green house gasses which are the major
contributors of global warming.
2. Yet, it is the 12th country most at risk from the effects of global warming.
3. Karachi and twelve other mega-cities of Asia has been declared as Atmospheric Brown
Cloud (ABC) hotspots by the UN environment agency as soot levels in these cities
comprise ten per cent of the total mass of all man-made particles.
A three-kilometer-thick brown cloud of man-made pollution, which stretches from the
Arabian Peninsula to China to the western Pacific Ocean, is making Asian cities darker,
speeding up the melting of Himalayan glaciers and impacting human health, says the UN
Environment Programme (UNEP) in a regional assessment report with focus on Asia. In
addition to Karachi, the UNEPs new publication points out Bangkok, Beijing, Cairo,
Dhaka, Kolkata, Lagos, Mumbai, New Delhi, Seoul, Shanghai, Shenzhen and Tehran as
being ABC hotspots.
Politics
Most countries are Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate
Change (UNFCCC). The ultimate objective of the Convention is to prevent "dangerous"
human interference of the climate system. As is stated in the Convention, this requires
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that GHG concentrations are stabilized in the atmosphere at a level where ecosystems can
adapt naturally to climate change, food production is not threatened, and economic
development can proceed in a sustainable fashion.
The Framework Convention was agreed in 1992, but since then, global emissions have
risen. During negotiations, the G77 (a lobbying group in the United Nations representing
133
developing nations) pushed for a mandate requiring developed countries to "[take] the
lead" in reducing their emissions. This was justified on the basis that: the developed
world's emissions had contributed most to the stock of GHGs in the atmosphere;
per-capita emissions (i.e., emissions per head of population) were still relatively low in
developing countries; and the emissions of developing countries would grow to meet their
development needs. This mandate was sustained in the Kyoto Protocol to the Framework
Convention, which entered into legal effect in 2005.
In ratifying the Kyoto Protocol, most developed countries accepted legally binding
commitments to limit their emissions. These first-round commitments expire in 2012. US
President George W. Bush rejected the treaty on the basis that "it exempts 80% of the
world, including major population centers such as China and India, from compliance, and
would cause serious harm to the US economy."
At the 15th UNFCCC Conference of the Parties, held in 2009 at Copenhagen, several
UNFCCC Parties produced the Copenhagen Accord. Parties associated with the Accord
(140 countries, as of November 2010) aim to limit the future increase in global mean
temperature to below 2 C. A preliminary assessment published in November 2010 by the
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) suggests a possible "emissions gap"
between the voluntary pledges made in the Accord and the emissions cuts necessary to
have a "likely" (greater than 66% probability) chance of meeting the 2 C objective. The
UNEP assessment takes the 2 C objective as being measured against the pre-industrial
global mean temperature level. To having a likely chance of meeting the 2 C objective,
assessed studies generally indicated the need for global emissions to peak before 2020,
with substantial declines in emissions thereafter.
The 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16) was held at Cancn in 2010. It produced an
agreement, not a binding treaty, that the Parties should take urgent action to reduce
greenhouse gas emissions to meet a goal of limiting global warming to 2 C above
pre-industrial temperatures. It also recognized the need to consider strengthening the
goal to a global average rise of 1.5 C.
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Conclusion:
Political and public debate continues regarding climate change, and what actions (if any)
to take in response. The available options are mitigation to reduce further emissions;
adaptation to reduce the damage caused by warming; and, more speculatively,
geoengineering to reverse global warming. Most national governments have signed and
ratified the Kyoto Protocol aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
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National Unity
National Purpose (shared values and beliefs) envisages: (1) a prosperous and peaceful
country where all citizens have right to worship, life, property and speech. (2) Equality of
opportunity, with merit as the final standard for all jobs/slots and not the disqualifier it is
today. (3) Liberal/Tolerant Modern State with an Islamic Ideology. (4) Welfare State with
both the State and private sector working in cooperation with each other with a strong
institutional framework encouraging individuals and businesses to support less affluent
classes. (5) Strengthening democratic traditions by creating a real grassroots democracy.
National integration is a process of achieving national cohesion, stability, prosperity,
strength, and feelings of being united as a nation. Pakistan has faced varying degrees of
religious, ethnic, linguistic, and political problems that are often in conflict with our
national interest. To guard against all external as well as internal challenges to the
solidarity and security of Pakistan, a well knitted and integrated nation is a must. Lack of
confidence and faith in the future of Pakistan speaks volume of our failings. All the turmoil
and unrest in the country cannot be entirely placed on the external forces and our
enemies. The brute and the savage force in an individual, which is basically harnessed by
positive aspects of education, tends to get unleashed in different directions and causes
serious disruptions within society.
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Hamza Amir in his book Pakistan-an overdeveloped state has revealed the fact that after
independence, the governing class was highly educated, on the pattern of the British mind
set, while on the contrary the masses were miserable illiterate. This huge gap created
management crisis. Uniform development across the country over the past sixty years
would have solidly integrated the Pakistani nation but that did not happen due to absolute
incompetence, poor leadership and corruption at all levels. The price Pakistan is paying for
its neglect is in the shape of an internally disjointed nation forced to suffer the
present-day indignities in the shape of terrorism and insurgency.
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The Colonial Masters integration of the society was detrimental to the vested interested.
Since the independence, the ruling elite with the same colonial mind set segregated the
Pakistani society on ethnic, linguistic, sectarian issues and kept them in the abeyance of
poverty and illiteracy.
Inequitable Distribution of wealth fueled by the feudal, profit oriented industrialists, biased
policy makers aggravated the situation. The concentration of wealth, contrary to the
Islamic code, by 22 families in 1960s and 500 groups at present, has alienated the
majority from assuming positive role in nation building process.
Unsatisfied Federating Units:
Strong Center, first operated under the provisions of the British made 1935 Act alienated
the small provinces, generated sentiments of separatism, violence, distrust. Frequent
failure of Counsel of Common Interest, National Finance Commission, disputed water
distribution and energy resources, the right of royalty, inequitable job distribution, have
endangered the security and prosperity of the country. Attempts to keep unity under
bayonet bring short relief but unending unrest and brutalities. Insurgency in Wazirstan
and Balochistan, Foreign Elements, are alarming indicators to the national Army.
Controlled Media in Pakistan has been projecting flowery image of the state while the
demon of corruption, hatred, injustice, in violence, and deprivation kept on infecting its
foundations.
Effects of disunity:
The crisis of management has created an air of uncertainty, disloyalty, frustration, and
insurgency. The Pakistan Army is at war with its own people in Balochistan and FATA. The
fragmented Pakistan with internal weakness and external threats is unable to refuse the
Americans Orders, to get its legitimate right of Kashmir, to secure its borders with
Afghanistan.
Foreign investors, especially the overseas Pakistanis are examining the fear factors in
opening new ventures due to corrupt financial institutions and violent groups.
Consequently the vicious circle of poverty expands aggravating the already inflamed
situation. The secret agencies of enemy countries find local terrorists to disrupt the
system. Under the thick air of jealousy, non construction of Big dams is pushing he
country into dark ages.
A common citizen suffers worst type of corruption and thus is uninterested in paying
taxes. Social values, crime rate, and national patriotism, religious satisfaction are fast
disappearing with growing poverty. Disengage of citizen in election process is a clear
indication of general masses hatred against the political, religious and military leadership.
Individuals are becoming if oriented, preferring their self interest to the national interest.
Pragmatic Steps:
Many steps can be taken at Government, Society, and Individual level to fight the menace
of disintegration and harness the much needed national unity. To create physical asset by
educating the masses, proper allocating the land, credit, Zakat and Usher, ensuring cost
effective provisions of basic --------- Improved efficiency in the public and Corporate
sectors to provide rule of Law.
Independence of Judiciary will strengthen democracy, restore trust between Center and
Provinces, and facilitate quick dispensation of justice. Depoliticizing of Public departments
to avoid political pressures. Peace inside and outside the borders will provide sufficient
resource, skills and opportunities to focus on the national prosperity. Media with its
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magical power can unite the warring factions by minimizing the differences through open
debates. Stable democratic system to work for welfare state. Patriot intellectuals writing
to bring harmony. Accountability at all levels. Autonomy to the Provinces. Awakening of
Islamic ideology.
The political and military establishment must now understand that the military potential of
any country is multiplied manifolds when it is backed by a nation that is well-integrated.
An integrated nation can cover up for military shortfalls but military strength cannot cover
up for the shortfalls of a nation that lacks integration and cohesion. The Soviet Unions
break-up in 1991 is an example that amply illustrates this aspect. Pakistan must,
therefore, accord top priority to uniform development throughout the country in order to
have a nation that can back its enviable military potential in a solid manner; if not, then all
will be lost.
Following the example of the armed forces it is necessary that Pakistanis learn to work
with each other in all sectors of national life. Army units are formed on the basis of
amalgamating soldiers from different areas. For example a battalion of the Frontier Force
Regiment (FFR) does not consist of Pakhtuns alone but has a component of soldiers from
other parts of Pakistan amalgamated with the Pakhtuns. Thus they become one solidly
integrated entity the Pakistan army. Pakhtun, Punjabi, Baloch, Sindhi and Kashmiri
fellow soldiers posted anywhere in the country then willingly die for each other and for
Pakistan; such is the level of integration. Sadly, one cannot say the same about the rest
of Pakistan.
In the light of the military experience it just might be a good idea if all businesses,
factories, corporate entities, service providers etc located in any province are made to
follow a regulated system that absorbs people of other provinces so that a bonding
interaction is brought about in the workplace.
Lastly, it is time to understand that Pakistan can no longer be ruled from Islamabad by an
ever-weakening, but imposingly dominant, centre. To continue doing this will be a step in
the wrong direction. There is now no alternative to allowing complete, undiluted and
effective autonomy to the provinces
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matters that have so far been in the Federal List. The Amendment also envisages a most
welcome increase in the powers of the provincial assemblies.
In his recent trip to Balochistan in October, 2011, Prime Minister ensured the Baloch
people that implementation on the Aghaz-e-Haqooq package is underway, and every
obstacle in the path will be removed.
In a nutshell, sincerity of approach will emerge as the main factor. We need to
strengthen our political system and institutions, develop a dynamic and sustainable
growth, eradicate corruption, provide timely justice, enhance employment, undertake
steps for population control, seek consensus based political solutions, and resolve ethnic,
sectarian and religious fault lines. With time running out, the failure to resolve the crises
mean that there will be no escape from the eventual dark reality of disintegration. Verily
will never Allah change the condition of a people until they change what is in themselves.
__________________
Success is never achieved by the size of our brain but it is always achieved by the quality of our thoughts.
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Monday, April 16, 2012
Taimoor Gondal
Diplomat
#9
Join Date: Jul 2010
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One year ago, Pakistan suffered the worst flooding in its history, a slow-moving disaster
that left some 2,000 dead and another 11 million homeless. Nearly one million are still
without permanent shelter, and meanwhile, the flooding has returned. Though it's not on
the same scale as last year's flood, this summer's damage is still significant. High water
from monsoon rains has killed more than 200 people since early August 2011, damaging
or destroying some 670,000 homes and affecting more than 5 million people, according to
the government and the United Nations. The disaster has once again overwhelmed the
capacity of the government to assist, and the UN has asked for $357 million in
international aid.
2010 Floods in Pakistan:The 2010 Pakistan floods began in late July 2010, resulting from heavy monsoon rains in
the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh, Punjab andBalochistan regions of Pakistan and affected
the Indus River basin. Approximately one-fifth of Pakistan's total land area was
underwater, approximately 796,095 square kilometres (307,374 sq mi). According to
Pakistani government data the floods directly affected about 20 million people, mostly by
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destruction of property, livelihood and infrastructure, with a death toll of close to 2,000.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon had initially asked for US$460 million (420 million)
for emergency relief, noting that the flood was the worst disaster he had ever seen. Only
20% of the relief funds requested had been received as of 15 August 2010. The U.N. had
been concerned that aid was not arriving fast enough, and the World Health Organization
reported that ten million people were forced to drink unsafe water. ThePakistani economy
was harmed by extensive damage to infrastructure and crops. Damage to structures was
estimated to exceed US$4 billion (2.5 billion), and wheat crop damages were estimated
to be over US$500 million (425 million). Total economic impact may have been as much
as US$43 billion (35 billion).
Causes:
The floods were driven by unprecedented monsoon rain. The rainfall anomaly map
published by NASA showed unusually intense monsoon rains attributed to La Nia. On 21
June, the Pakistan Meteorological Department cautioned that urban and flash flooding
could occur from July to September in the north parts of the country. The same
department recorded above-average rainfall in the months of July and August 2010 and
monitored the flood wave progression. Discharge levels were comparable to those of the
floods of 1988, 1995, and 1997. The monsoon rainfall of 2010, over whole country, was
excess of 87 per cent and was highest since 1994 and ranked second highest during last
50 years of period.
In response to previous Indus River floods in 1973 and 1976, Pakistan created the Federal
Flood Commission (FFC) in 1977. The FFC operates under Pakistan's Ministry of Water
and Power. It is charged with executing flood control projects and protecting lives and
property of Pakistanis from the impact of floods. Since its inception the FFC has received
Rs 87.8 billion (about 900 million USD). FFC documents show that numerous projects
were initiated, funded and completed, but reports indicate that little work has actually
been done due to ineffective leadership and corruption
Effects:1. Food
Floods submerged 17 million acres (69,000 km2) of Pakistan's most fertile crop land,
killed 200,000 livestock and washed away massive amounts of grain. A major concern
was that farmers would be unable to meet the fall deadline for planting new seeds in
2010, which implied a loss of food production in 2011, and potential long term food
shortages. The agricultural damage reached more than 2.9 billion dollars, and included
over 700,000 acres (2,800 km2) of lost cotton crops, 200,000 acres (810 km2) of sugar
cane and 200,000 acres (810 km2) of rice, in addition to the loss of over 500,000 tonnes
of stocked wheat, 300,000 acres (1,200 km2) of animal fodder and the stored grain
losses.
Agricultural crops such as cotton, rice, and sugarcane and to some extent mangoes were
badly affected in Punjab, according to a Harvest Tradings-Pakistan spokesman. He called
for the international community to fully participate in the rehabilitation process, as well as
for the revival of agricultural crops in order to get better GDP growth in the future.
In affected Multan Division in South Punjab, some people were seen to be engaging in
price-gouging in this disaster, raising prices up to Rs 130/kg. Some called for Zarai
Taraqiati Bank Limited to write off all agricultural loans in the affected areas in Punjab,
Sindh and Khyber Pukhtunkhwa especially for small farmers.
On 24 September the World Food Programme announced that about 70% of Pakistan's
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population, mostly in rural areas, did not have adequate access to proper nutrition.
Already resurgent in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa
province, agricultural devastation brought on by the floods left Pakistan more susceptible
to an increase in poppycultivation, given the crop's resiliency and relatively few inputs.
2. Infrastructure
Floods damaged an estimated 2,433 miles (3,916 km) of highway and 3,508 miles (5,646
km) of railway and repairs are expected to cost at least 158 million USD and 131 million
USD, respectively.Public building damage is estimated at 1 billion USD. Aid donors
estimate that 5,000 schools were destroyed.
The power infrastructure of Pakistan also took a severe blow from the floods, which
damaged 10,000 transmission lines and transformers, feeders and power houses in
different flood-hit areas. Flood water inundated Jinnah Hydro power and 150 power
houses in Gilgit. The damage caused a power shortfall of 3.135 gigawatts.
3. Taliban insurgency
It was reported that the flood would divert Pakistani military forces from fighting the
Pakistani Taliban insurgents (TTP) in the northwest to help in the relief effort, giving
Taliban fighters a reprieve to regroup. Helping flood victims gave the US an opportunity to
improve its image.
Pakistani Taliban also engaged in relief efforts, making inroads where the government was
absent or seen as corrupt. As the flood dislodged many property markers, it was feared
that governmental delay and corruption would give the Taliban the opportunity to settle
these disputes swiftly. In August a Taliban spokesperson asked the Pakistani government
to reject Western help from "Christians and Jews" and claimed that the Taliban could raise
$20 million to replace that aid.
According to a US official, the TTP issued a threat saying that it would launch attacks
against foreigners participating in flood relief operations. In response, the United Nations
said it was reviewing security arrangements for its workers. The World Health
Organization stated that work in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province was already suffering
because of security concerns.
An self-proclaimed Taliban spokesperson based in Orakzai told The Express Tribune: We
have not issued any such threat; and we dont have any plans to attack relief workers."
Nevertheless three American Christians were reported killed by the Taliban on 25 August
in the Swat Valley.
4. Political effects
The floods' aftermath was thought likely contribute to public perception of inefficiency and
to political unrest. These political effects of the floods were compared with that of the
1970 Bhola cyclone. The skepticism within the country extended to outside donors. Less
than 20% of the pledged aid was scheduled to go through the government, according to
Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, with the remainder flowing through non-governmental
organizations. The government's response was complicated by insurgencies (in
Balochistan and Waziristan), growing urban sectarian discord, increasing suicide
bombings against core institutions and relations with India.
5. Economic effects
On 7 September 2010, the International Labour Organization reported that the floods had
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cost more than 5.3 million jobs, stating that "productive and labor intensive job creation
programmes are urgently needed to lift millions of people out of poverty that has been
aggravated by flood damage". Forecasts estimated that the GDP growth rate of 4% prior
to the floods would turn to -2% to -5% followed by several additional years of
below-trend growth. As a result, Pakistan was unlikely to meet the International Monetary
Fund's target budget deficit cap of 5.1% of GDP, and the existing $55 billion of external
debt was set to grow. Crop losses were expected to impact textile manufacturing,
Pakistan's largest export sector. The loss of over 10 million head of livestock along with
the loss of other crops would reduce agricultural production by more than 15%. Toyota
and Unilever Pakistan said that the floods would sap growth, necessitating production cuts
as people coped with the destruction. Parvez Ghias, the chief executive of Pakistan's
largest automotor manufacturer Toyota, described the economy's state as "fragile".
Nationwide car sales were predicted to fall as much as 25%, forcing automakers to reduce
production in October2010 from the prior level of 200 cars per day. Milk supplies fell by
15%, which caused the retail price of milk to increase by Pk Rs 4 (5 US cents) per liter.
DAMAGES
Causes
In the month of July Pakistan received below normal monsoon rains; however in August
and September the country received above normal monsoon rains. A strong weather
pattern entered the areas of Sindh from the Indian states of Rajasthan and Gujarat in
August and gained strength with the passage of time and caused heavy downpours. The
four weeks of continuous rain have created an unprecedented flood situation in Sindh.
The District Badin in Sindh province received record breaking rainfall of 615.3 millimeters
(24.22 in) during the monsoon spell breaking earlier recorded 121 millimeters (4.8 in) in
Badin in 1936. The area of Mithi also received record rainfall of 1,290 millimeters (51 in)
during the spell, where maximum rainfall was recorded 114 millimeters (4.5 in) in Mithi in
2004. The heavy cloudburst during last 4872 hours displaced many people besides
destroying crops in the area. The Met Office had informed all district coordination officers,
Provincial Disaster Management Authority, chief secretaries and chief ministers about the
heavy monsoon rain-spell two days earlier to take precautionary measures.
Qamar uz Zaman Chaudhry, Director General Pakistan Meteorological Department said:
"the rains in Sindh are the highest ever recorded monsoon rains during the four weeks
period of August and September, 2011. Before the start of these rains in the second week
of August, Sindh was under severe drought conditions and it had not received any rainfall
for the last 12 months. The last severe rainfall flooding in Sindh occurred in July 2003," he
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said and added, "but this time the devastating rains of Mithi, Mirpurkhas, Diplo, Parker,
Nawabshah, Badin, Chhor, Padidan, and Hyderabad etc during the four weeks period have
created unprecedented flood situation in Sindh." According to Dr. Qamar, the total volume
of water fallen over Sindh during the four weeks is estimated to be above 37 million acre
feet, which is unimaginable. The August monsoon rainfall, over province of Sindh (271 %
above normal) is the heaviest recorded during the period 19612011.
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financial support of the Pakistan government does not meet the needs of the people so
far. The government has issued so called Watan Cards with a balance of 20.000 Rupees
(approx. 180 EUR) to affected families. This amount is, however, not sufficient for the
reconstruction of houses. Thus, main problems are the rehabilitation and reconstruction
of houses and livelihoods, as well as the resettlement of homeless people. If such
processes are not initiated in the upcoming months, a crisis after the crisis will emerge
and aggravate the security situation in the region. In this regard, Pakistan needs
assistance by the international donor community, also because the government lacks
functioning institutions to handle such issues.
3. Civil-Military Relations
Currently, military and civil government institutions are struggling on issues of distribution
of relief aid. The question of dividing the government resources is central. Different
stakeholders battle for the greatest share of resources which in turn undermines the
efficiency of the state and its ability to address problems.
Pakistans image on the outside, but also inside the country, is rather negative. Both
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media and the establishment created an extremely negative image of the governments
crisis management and portrayed the military as saviour of the people. However, in the
case of Punjab, it was initially the local government, not the military, that came to the
peoples assistance. Despite many problems, the government is not as incompetent as it
is always portrayed.
Nevertheless, the military is the only entity, which is prepared and equipped for such an
immense crisis. Regarding government expenditure on the military (approx. 35-40% of
government expenditures), it would be logical for the government to use the military for
emergency aid. Moreover, there are just no alternative institutions, which could cater in
case of floods, earthquakes or other national emergencies. In case of civil-military
relations, it should be considered along the cost for deploying the military or the cost of
not having alternative institutions in such situations. However, Pakistan and the
international community need to esteem the value of the civilian structure of the state
which is, despite all inefficiency, committed to the creation of a peaceful Pakistan. Thus,
the key is to enable Pakistan to help itself by building and strengthening its civil
institutions.
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responsibility of supplier states, which are at the same time donors of aid, to prevent
Pakistan to spend millions of dollars for military equipment.
9. Exchange of regional experiences (India, Bangladesh or Sri Lanka) towards the
establishment of institutional and social structures and how to meet natural disasters
10. Transparency in regard to the implementation of studies such as the post-disaster
survey Damage and Needs Assessment of the World Bank and Asian Development Bank
(e.g. objections in terms of validity of data)
Government response
Government of Pakistan and Punjab, Pakistan are working on the preventive measures to
reduce the spread of the epidemic. The Government of Punjab has opened a hotline called
Punjab Health Line Project For Dengue which can be reached at 0800-99000. This is to
facilitate the circulation on the signs and symptoms of dengue, reach for help for
suspected cases and ultimately help identify areas where the epidemic may have reached.
Spraying teams have been organized for the purpose of fumigating, spraying and fogging
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areas where the Aedes mosquitoes have known to infect people with the virus. Directions
are in place for spraying especially in educational institutes. The government threatened
to take action against any private school that did not observe to take these measures.
Mobile teams operate around the clock to treat affectees on the spot in rural areas. A
Special Tribunal for dengue directly reports to the provincial government. Chairman
Dengue Emergency Response Committee Khwaja Saad Rafique has also advised private
schools to spray twice a week. In early September 2011, the Government of Punjab
ordered the schools, colleges and universities in thePakistan to close down for 10 days for
intensive spraying. Article 144 has been implemented in Lahore for the prevention of
dengue. After an appeal by the Punjab, Pakistan, private hospitals have agreed to provide
free treatment to dengue patients.
__________________
Success is never achieved by the size of our brain but it is always achieved by the quality of our thoughts.
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Friday, April 20, 2012
Taimoor Gondal
Diplomat
#10
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Mandi Bahauddin
Posts: 1,757
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Thanked 2,062 Times in 1,053 Posts
People's Republic of ChinaPakistan relations began in 1950 when Pakistan was among
the first countries to break relations with the Republic of China on Taiwan and recognize
the PRC. Following the 1962 Sino-Indian War, both countries has placed considerable
importance on the maintenance of a extremely close and supportive relationship. Since
then, the two countries have regularly exchanged high-level visits resulting in a variety of
agreements. The PRC has provided economic, military and technical assistance to
Pakistan and each considers the other a close strategic ally.
Bilateral relations have evolved from an initial Chinese policy of neutrality to a partnership
that links a smaller but militarily powerful Pakistan, partially dependent on China for its
economic and military strength, with China attempting to balance competing interests in
the region. Diplomatic relations were established in 1950, military assistance began in
1966, a strategic alliance was formed in 1972 and economic co-operation began in 1979.
China has become Pakistans largest supplier of arms and its third-largest trading partner.
Recently, both nations have decided to cooperate in improving Pakistan's civilian nuclear
program.
Favorable relations with China is a pillar of Pakistan's foreign policy. China supported
Pakistan's opposition to the Soviet Union's intervention in Afghanistan and is perceived by
Pakistan as a regional counterweight to India and the United States. China and Pakistan
also share close military relations, with China supplying a range of modern armaments to
the Pakistani defense forces. China supports Pakistan's stance on Kashmir while Pakistan
supports China on the issues of Xinjiang, Tibet, and Taiwan. Lately, military cooperation
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has deepened with joint projects producing armaments ranging from fighter jets to guided
missile frigates.
Chinese cooperation with Pakistan has reached economic high points, with substantial
Chinese investment in Pakistani infrastructural expansion including the Pakistani deep
water port at Gwadar. Both countries have an ongoing free trade agreement. Pakistan has
served as China's main bridge between Muslim countries. Pakistan also played an
important role in bridging the communication gap between China and the West by
facilitating the 1972 Nixon visit to China.
Important events:1950 - Pakistan becomes the third non-communist country, and first Muslim one, to
recognize the People's Republic of China.
1951 - Beijing and Karachi establish diplomatic relations.
1963 - Pakistan cedes the Trans-Karakoram Tract to China, ending border disputes.
1970 - Pakistan helps the U.S. arrange the 1972 Nixon visit to China.
1978 - The Karakoram Highway linking the mountainous Northern Pakistan with Western
China officially opens.
1980 - China and the U.S. provide support through Pakistan to the Afghan guerrillas
fighting Soviet occupational forces.
1986 - China and Pakistan reach a comprehensive nuclear co-operation agreement.
1996 - Chinese President Jiang Zemin pays a state visit to Pakistan.
1999 - A 300-megawatt nuclear power plant, built with Chinese help in Punjab province,
is completed.
2001 - A joint-ventured Chinese-Pakistani tank, the MBT-2000 (Al-Khalid) MBT is
completed.
2002 - The building of the Gwadar deep sea port begins, with China as the primary
investor.
2003 - Pakistan and China signed a $110 million contract for the construction of a
housing project on Multan Road in Lahore.
2007 - The Sino-Pakistani joint-ventured multirole fighter aircraft - the JF-17 Thunder
(FC-1 Fierce Dragon) is formally rolled out.
2008 - Pakistan welcomes the Chinese Olympic Torch in an Islamabad sports stadium,
under heavy guard amidst security concerns.
2008 - China and Pakistan sign an free trade agreement.
2008 - Pakistan and China to build a railway through the Karakoram Highway, in order to
link China's rail network to Gwadar Port.
2008 - The F-22P frigate, comes into service with the Pakistani Navy.
2009 - The ISI arrest several suspected Uyghur terrorists seeking refuge in Pakistan.
2010 - Pakistan and China conduct a joint anti-terrorism drill.
2010 - China donates $260 million in dollars to flood hit Pakistan and sends 4 military
rescue helicopters to assist in rescue operations.
2010 - Wen Jiabao visits Pakistan. More than 30 billion dollars worth of deals were
signed.
2011 - Pakistan is expected to buy air to air SD 10 missiles from China for its 250 JF 17
thunder fighter fleet
Background:While admitting the expansionist tendencies of Communist China in South East Asia-hence
Pakistan's membership in SEATO - Pakistan had shown little concern over China as a
threat to Pakistan itself. Pakistan was not only the first country to recognise China but it
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always supported China's claim to the Chinese seat in United Nations. Trading between
the two countries began in 1950 and each year Pakistan turned to increase its export of
cotton and jute to China. Apprehension over Great Britain's possible entry into the
European common market had caused Pakistani salesmen to search for new market
everywhere, particularly in Asia. In 1963, Pakistan and china signed a new trade
agreement.
India attacked China but was beaten back. Chineese troops entered deep into indian
territory in the fall of 1962 and Indian troops retreated. The brightening of Pakistan China relations actually began when China and India started quarelling over defined
Himalayas borders. In 1961, Pakistan approached China requesting negotiations over the
borders of Azad Kashmir and China. Before long, Pakistan took other steps to strengthen
its relations with China. In June, 1963, the head of Pakistan international Airlines visited
China to work out details of air service from Karachi and Dhaka to cities of China.
At the same time, Chineese trade officials began arriving in Pakistan for new talks. In
february 1964, Chineese Premier Late Chou Enlai visited Pakistan and declared that
Communist China supported Pakistan's demand for a plebicite in Kashmir.
In the serious business of international relations, the old Machiavellian principle of "my
enemy's enemy is my friend" Frequently guides a nation's policy for communist China,
friendship with Pakistan was not only valuable but it fits the principle. In Chineese,
Pakistan found a best and most reliable friend. China always helped Pakistan economically
and military when there was no hope for external help. China also assisted Pakistan
setting up a number of factories in Pakistan including Larkana Sugar Mills, Taxila Heavy
Industries Complex. The relations between the two countries improved gradually.
Pakistans Nuclear Program and Chinese Role:China helped Pakistan in developing its Nuclear program. though Pakistans program is
Uranium baseddifferent that that of China. Pakistan already has a nuclear deal. China
already has setup two nuclear power plants Chasnupp 1 (300 MW) and Chasnupp 2 (300
MW). The Chashma Nuclear Power Plant is located at Chashma, Punjab, Pakistan. It
consists of Chashma Nuclear Power Plant I (CHASNUPP-1) and Chashma Nuclear Power
Plant II (CHASNUPP-2). CHASNUPP-3 (600MW under construction) and CHASNUPP-4
(2000 MW planned to be completed before 2030) are in the planning stages. China does
not make any 1000 MW plants, so the Chasnupp 4 and Chasnupp 5 etc will be much
larger plants beginning in 2010. A series of these will be constructed within the next five
years. However this will not be done under floodlights and hoopla. Pakistans Nuclear deal
with the China is like the American Nuclear deal with Israel. The Chinese help to the
Pakistanis is like the assistance the US provided to Britain and then to France to help their
Nuclear programs. Pakistan is not the proliferator of Nuclear weapons, it takes the brunt
of the blame for nonsensical and vindictive blame game.
Military Relations:The People's Republic of China enjoys strong defense ties with Pakistan. This relationship
between two adjoining Asian countries is important in the world's geo-strategic alliances.
The strong defense ties are primarily to counter regional Indian and American influence,
and was also to repel Soviet influence in the area. In recent years this relationship has
strengthened through ongoing defence projects and agreements between Pakistan and
China.
Since 1962, China has been a steady source of military equipment to the Pakistani Army,
helping establish munition factories, providing technological assistance and modernizing
existing facilities. The countries are involved in the joint venture of several projects to
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enhance military and weaponry systems, which include collaborating in the development
of JF-17 Thunder fighter aircraft, K-8 Karakorum advance training aircraft, space
technology, AWACS systems, Al-Khalid tanks and the Babur cruise missile. The armies
have a schedule for organising joint military exercises.
China is the largest investor in the Gwadar Deep Sea Port, which is strategically located at
the mouth of the Strait of Hormuz. It is viewed warily by both America and India as a
possible launchpad for Chinese naval operations in the Indian Ocean. However the
Gwadar Port is currently delayed due to a multilateral diplomatic standoff between the
project leaders and the Singapore government.
China has offered Pakistan military aid in order to fight against terrorism in Pakistan.
Pakistan has purchased military equipment from China in order to bolster their efforts
against Islamic militants.
In the past, China has played a major role in the development of Pakistan's nuclear
infrastructure, especially when increasingly stringent export controls in Western countries
made it difficult for Pakistan to acquire materials and uranium enriching equipment from
elsewhere. China has supplied Pakistan with equipment to advance their nuclear weapons
program, such as the Chinese help in building the Khushab reactor, which plays a key role
in Pakistan's production of plutonium. A subsidiary of the China National Nuclear
Corporation contributed in Pakistan's efforts to expand its uranium enrichment capabilities
by providing 5,000 custom made ring magnets, which are a key component of the
bearings that facilitate the high-speed rotation of centrifuges. China has also provided
technical and material support in the completion of the Chashma Nuclear Power Complex
and plutonium reprocessing facility, which was built in the mid 1990s. China may also
have supplied nuclear technology to the Pakistanis, enabling Pakistan to become a nuclear
state with an estimated 100 warheads as of 2011.
Issues: East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM) (also known as the Turkistan Islamic Movement
(TIM) is a Waziri based mujihadeen organization that is said to be allied with the Taliban,
which has received funding from rogue elements in the ISI. As these militants are labeled
as terrorists from the Chinese province of Xinjiang, Pakistan's inability to prevent this is a
potential source of conflict.
The U.S. War On Terror has the Chinese wary of U.S. influence in the region, and as
Pakistan is a US ally and major recipient of US military and economic aid, China is
obligated to step up its support in order to maintain its influence in the region. As political
alliances shift, Pakistan may have allies in the United States and China that may begin to
see each other as rivals.
Similarly, the warming of Sino-Indian relations puts Pakistan's traditional alliance with
China against India at risk. While the level of cooperation between Pakistan and China is
far closer than that of India, it poses a future problem for Pakistan-China relations.
2011 Hotan Attack:The 2011 Hotan Attack was a series of coordinated bomb and knife attacks that occurred
in Hotan, Xinjiang, People's Republic of China on July 18, 2011. While many had always
suspected Pakistani involvement in terrorism in Xinjiang, the 2011 Hotan attack marked
the first incident of acknowledgement of this by authorities in China.
Analysis of Pak-US vs Pak-China relations:Decision makers in Pakistan are often torn between opting for strategic relations with the
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US or China: ties with either of the two should be mutually exclusive. However, as
Pakistanis wonder whether Pakistan is a US ally or target, China with its quiet
unobtrusive help continues to win the hearts and minds of the people of Pakistan. The
question here is, why is it that the US continues to pump money, train Pakistani security
forces and provide technical support, yet it continues to draw flak? It is worth examining
the reason for this dichotomy.
The Pak-US military relations have been like a rollercoaster ride. Historically, no US ally
has faced as many sanctions from it as Pakistan. A brief history of the Pak-US military
relations indicates that they commenced in 1954/55, with the signing of the
SEATO/CENTO pact, after which Pakistan started receiving weapons and training from
America. In July 1957, Pakistan permitted the US to establish a secret intelligence facility
in the country and for the U-2 spy plane to operate from Badaber, near Peshawar. But
when the plane was shot down by the Soviet army and its pilot captured alive on May 1,
1960, it embarrassed the US and brought Soviet ire on Pakistan. Since the Pakistani
government was kept in the dark regarding the clandestine US operations, it asked the US
to wind up its activities in Pakistan.
During the Indo-China war in 1962, the US supply of defence equipment to India, despite
Pakistans objections, soured the Pak-US relations. On the contrary, the US did not come
to Pakistans aid either in the 1965 or the 1971 Indo-Pak wars, despite a pact for mutual
defence, forcing Pakistan to denounce its SEATO and CENTO membership. In addition, the
Pak-US relations underwent a severe blow with Pakistans nuclear tests on May 28, 1998,
and the ensuing sanctions. The ouster of then premier Nawaz Sharif in 1999 in a military
coup led by General Musharraf gave the US government another reason to invoke fresh
sanctions under Section 508 of the Foreign Appropriations Act, which included restrictions
on foreign military financing and economic assistance.
Now let us examine Pak-China relations briefly. The relationship between the two
countries began in 1950s when Pakistan was among the first countries, and the only
Muslim nation, to recognise the Peoples Republic of China and tried to build good
relations with the newly independent country. Pakistan also helped China become a
member of the United Nations and has been instrumental in helping it to maintain
relations with the Muslim world. It has also played a leading role in bridging the
communication gap between China and the West, through Henry Kissingers secret visit in
1971, which became the forerunner of President Nixons historic Beijing tour, establishing
to the world that China was a lawful entity.
Today, China has come a long way from those turbulent times. It is a factor of stability in
the region; is the worlds most populous and industrious nation; the worlds third largest
economy and trading nation; has become a global innovator in science and technology;
and is building a world class university system. It has an increasingly modern military and
commands diplomatic respect. In this period of global economic meltdown, China not only
has a stable economy, but it also holds roughly $1.5 trillion in US assets, which is at least
65 percent of Chinas total foreign assets, and it is the second biggest foreign holder of US
debt after Japan.
Pakistan and Chinas joint ventures to produce JF-17 Thunder fighter aircraft, K-8 Trainer
aircraft, Al-Khalid Tank and F-22 Naval Frigates have given a new dimension to the
cooperation between the two countries in the field of defence. Heavy Rebuild Factory
(HRF) at Taxila, Pakistan Aeronautical Complex at Kamra was also established with
Chinese assistance. The Karakoram Highway, the strategic port of Gawadar and the
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