SUMMARY of the Article “South Asia’s Smog” by Jamil Ahmad, Dawn [Published on December 20th, 2023]


Air pollution has emerged as a severe environmental threat, significantly affecting well-being and posing health risks, particularly in South Asia, which houses a quarter of the global population and exhibits the world’s worst urban air pollution. The region experiences dangerously elevated air pollution levels, surpassing WHO guidelines and exposing inhabitants to unhealthy air throughout the year, leading to a reduction in life expectancy. Winter exacerbates the problem, trapping a toxic mix of smoke and dust in layers of smog due to cold and heavy air. Cities like Lahore, Peshawar, Gujranwala, New Delhi, and Kolkata rank among the most polluted globally. The impact is particularly calamitous for children, the elderly, and those with respiratory and cardiac conditions. In Pakistan, life expectancy has decreased by four years due to air pollution, with residents in highly affected urban areas expected to lose up to five years of their lives. Major sources of pollution include toxic emissions from industry, transport, waste burning, and seasonal crop residue burning. While short-term measures like issuing health » Read More…


SUMMARY of the Article “Cautious hope?” by Editorial, Dawn [Published on December 20th, 2023]


The reported $9 million current account ‘surplus’ in November is attributed to government and State Bank actions, including import restrictions and tight monetary and fiscal policies, shrinking the trade deficit and reducing the current account deficit for the first five months of the fiscal year to $1.16 billion, down by almost 64% from $3.264 billion a year ago. The government anticipates maintaining the deficit in the range of $4 billion to $4.5 billion for the entire fiscal year, with the State Bank even suggesting the possibility of closing the deficit at 1% to 1.5% of GDP, relieving pressure on foreign exchange reserves amid drying capital inflows. However, the current economic situation is characterized by import compression and demand suppression, leading to a stagnant or zero growth rate. Despite last month’s small uptick in imports due to easing IMF restrictions, and a more than 10% decline in remittances over the last five months due to economic and political uncertainty, external stability achieved through import demand compression remains fragile. Short to medium-term economic recovery depends on » Read More…


Everyday Important Idioms for CSS, PMS & ESL Students with their Meanings


Welcome to everyday important and most repeated common Idioms for (Central Superior Services) and PMS (Provincial Management Services) and ESL (English as a Second Language) aspirants, this article is designed to enhance your linguistic prowess. In the competitive landscape of these examinations, a nuanced understanding of language is paramount. This article will unravel everyday important Everyday Important Idioms for CSS, PMS & ESL Students with their Meanings, providing their meanings and insights into how they can be effectively utilized in written and verbal communication. As you embark on this linguistic journey, prepare to equip yourself with the idiomatic arsenal crucial for success in CSS and PMS examinations.

The idioms and expressions below are some of the most common in English and equally important for CSS, PMS and all Competitive Exams. Here,  some common and important idioms with meaning and examples are given. The example sentences show how idioms are used in context are also given here.

» Read More…


SUMMARY of the Article “Ambitious Outcome” by Aisha Khan, Dawn [Published on December 19th, 2023]


The recently concluded Conference of Parties, COP28, in Dubai has yielded historic outcomes, shaping the future of global climate action. Under the UAE COP presidency, the Global Stock-Take (GST) produced significant agreements, marking the first call for action to transition away from fossil fuels. The operationalization and initial capitalization of the Loss and Damage Fund progressed, and record-breaking pledges of $85 billion in climate action were made. COP28 reflects the climate regime’s struggle to address the urgency of climate action and transition into an era of implementation. Despite consensus and incremental gains, COPs signify ongoing negotiations with wins, disappointments, and carried-over loopholes. The success of COP28 will be measured by the delivery of emissions cuts, adaptation action, and finance through the Dubai-Baku-Belem roadmap. The GST sets the stage for accelerated action until 2025, leading to COP29’s central focus on finance. The call for mobilizing financial flows aligns with the Paris Agreement’s Article 2.1c, emphasizing the need to address debt burdens and strengthen resilience. The decision’s seriousness is evident in its follow-up plans, including a two-year dialogue starting at COP29 and a ‘Roadmap to Mission 1.5’ under the guidance of COP28, COP29, and COP30 presidencies. Although lacking detail on transitioning from fossil fuels, the text language raises hopes for significant emissions reductions » Read More…


SUMMARY of the Article “Giant leap(COP28 in Dubai),” Editorial, Dawn [Published on December 18th, 2023]


The recently concluded COP28 in Dubai witnessed a historic agreement as over 100 countries committed to transitioning away from fossil fuels, signaling a monumental shift towards cleaner energy sources. This resolution, a notable departure from past climate talks, aims to phase out oil, gas, and coal use, reflecting the global acknowledgment of the necessity to reduce emissions. Despite this optimistic step, challenges persist, particularly in the face of powerful oil producers like OPEC advocating for emission reductions without forsaking specific fuels. The agreement’s success, applauded by environmentalists for addressing the longstanding issue, is a significant but incomplete stride. While it endorses recommendations such as tripling renewable energy capacity by 2030, the COP28 agreement lacks concrete measures for financing clean energy transitions in developing nations, as noted by the International Energy Agency. Furthermore, the commitment to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 faces obstacles, with unaddressed challenges in emissions from agriculture and waste, emphasized by » Read More…


SUMMARY of the Article “Vetoing Peace” by Maleeha Lodhi, Dawn [Published on December 18th, 2023]


The UN General Assembly’s recent session witnessed the aftermath of Israel’s war on Gaza, causing a humanitarian catastrophe. The GA, with over three-quarters of member states, adopted a resolution for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, isolating the US and Israel after the US exercised a veto in the Security Council to block a similar resolution. This marked the second instance of the US vetoing a ceasefire, obstructing efforts to end the Gaza hostilities. The article underscores the impact of the veto on international peace, highlighting its controversial nature and its role in the UN’s paralysis during conflicts. The historical context of the Security Council’s structure and veto power is explored, originating from arrangements made over 75 years ago after World War II. The privileged position of the P5 (permanent members) is questioned, and calls for reform, especially regarding the veto, have intensified. The article delves into the ongoing negotiations for SC reform, with a focus on the disagreement over the veto, primarily between the G4 and the Uniting for Consensus (UFC) countries. The UFC argues that adding more » Read More…


SUMMARY of the Article “Pak-US relations” by Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry [Published on December 17th, 2023]


Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry highlights the evolving dynamics of Pakistan-US relations against the backdrop of the US strategic partnership with India. Emphasizing India’s role in US national security objectives, particularly in strategic competition with China, the author acknowledges Pakistan’s perceived hindrance due to its friendship with China and strained ties with India. The aftermath of the US-led ‘war on terror’ has left deep wounds in the perceptions of both nations. Many Pakistanis feel dragged into a conflict that caused significant human and financial losses, while the US accuses Pakistan of hindering its military victory in Afghanistan. Despite these challenges, the US aims to engage with Pakistan, partly to prevent complete alignment with China and due to India’s strategic autonomy. The author suggests that the engagement will be gradual, with no immediate high-level structured involvement, and no major initiatives are expected from either side. People-to-people relations between the countries, however, remain robust, providing avenues for potential cooperation in areas such as IT, higher education, » Read More…