Monthly Archives: November 2023

SUMMARY of the article “Increasing Margins” by Arooj Waheed Dar, published on November 15, 2023

The economic challenges in Pakistan can be traced to factors such as exclusive institutions, limited equal opportunities, and a lack of entrepreneurship, particularly for women, leading to low productivity and economic growth. Gender disparity and financial exclusion persist, hindering women’s entrepreneurial potential. Statistics from the Labour Force Survey for 2020-21 reveal that only 2% of employers in Pakistan are women, and a substantial 60% of working women are contributing family workers. Limited education and vocational training options, coupled with cultural constraints affecting women’s mobility, contribute to the scarcity of decent work opportunities for women. The article emphasizes the need for policymakers to address gender disparities by focusing on digital and financial inclusion. Digitalization, by expanding women’s access to devices, internet, and digital literacy, can enable them to participate in economic activities from the safety of » Read More…

 SUMMARY of the article “OIC inaction,” Editorial by Dawn, November 13th, 2023

The recent joint OIC/Arab League summit in Riyadh aimed at addressing the Gaza tragedy fell short of expectations. The conference, brimming with Muslim world leaders, resulted in no concrete action plan to halt the ongoing massacre in Gaza. While the summit included calls for a ceasefire and condemnation of Israeli violence, it lacked substantial steps to address the crisis. Amid the summit’s luxury, the people of Gaza, reeling from burying their loved ones daily, remained at the mercy of Israeli strikes. Various suggestions, such as calls to sever ties with Israel or designate the Israeli military as a terrorist group, found little support. Despite the alarming death toll, the Muslim world’s influential figures failed to unify in communicating a clear message that the massacre of Palestinians must cease. The helplessness of grand political gestures » Read More…

SUMMARY of the article “Climate Adaptation” by Huma Yusuf, published on November 13, 2023

Amid the prevailing turmoil and crises in the world, such as the Israel-Gaza conflict, the importance of addressing climate change should not be overlooked. The upcoming annual UN climate change conference, COP28, should remind us of this urgency. The World Meteorological Society predicts that by 2027, the world will exceed the 1.5 degrees Celsius climate threshold set at the 2015 Paris climate summit. This signifies an alarming rise in global temperatures. The focus has largely been on mitigating greenhouse gas emissions, but due to our continued dependence on fossil fuels, there is an increasing emphasis on climate adaptation – the need to adjust our societies, economies, and ecosystems to cope with the consequences of » Read More…