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The article highlights the IMF’s recent unscheduled discussions with Pakistani authorities on the ongoing $7 billion loan program, which concluded without the usual end-of-mission statement, leaving the public uncertain about the outcomes. The IMF expressed significant concerns over delays in securing $2.5 billion in foreign loans, including a $1.2 billion Saudi oil facility, and a revenue shortfall of Rs190 billion in tax collection for the July-October period. Additionally, the slow progress on the National Fiscal Pact and delays in privatizing state-owned enterprises (SOEs) have raised alarms, as provinces have yet to align their farm and property tax rates with federal standards. These lapses indicate that the government is struggling to meet several structural benchmarks crucial for economic stability. Despite having time before the formal review in February or March, these failures threaten Pakistan’s access to the next $1 billion tranche and erode market confidence. The IMF’s insistence on strict compliance, exemplified by its decision to send an early mission, underscores its skepticism about Pakistan’s » Read More…
As the world prepares for COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, the focus will be on enhancing Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and establishing the New Collective Quantified Goal to tackle climate change. COP29, termed the “COP of action and ambition,” is expected to align enhanced NDCs with the Global Stocktake (GST) outcomes from COP28. A significant shift is needed from fossil fuels to renewable energy, with member states urged to transition in an equitable and orderly manner. Countries are required to triple global energy capacity and improve energy efficiency by 2030. Eliminating inefficient fossil fuel subsidies is also crucial. However, the challenges remain immense, as 90% of global emissions come from fossil fuels, and governments plan to produce far more fossil fuels than the climate goals allow. By 2050, planned fossil fuel production will be 150% to 350% above safe levels. The COP Troika holds a critical role in ensuring transparency, credibility, and robust monitoring to achieve net zero by 2040 for developed countries and by 2050 for developing ones. It is essential to integrate voluntary climate pledges like the Global Methane Pledge and Forest Declaration into NDCs and ensure alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. The key to COP29’s success will be accurately tracking and avoiding double-counting in climate commitments. At the same time, the world faces dire crises: food insecurity is rising, especially in Pakistan where it may affect 60% of the population by 2050. Water demand is exceeding supply globally, and Pakistan’s water scarcity is severe, with per capita » Read More…
Who is the author of the book “War”?
Richard Nixon
Bob Woodward
Barack Obama
Joe Biden
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Correct Answer: Bob Woodward
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The article discusses Bob Woodward’s latest book, War, which offers insights into the decision-making processes during Joe Biden’s presidency, particularly focusing on foreign policy crises like the wars in Ukraine and Gaza. Woodward, renowned for his insider accounts, contrasts Biden’s handling of these crises with former president Donald Trump’s. Woodward paints Trump as reckless and impulsive, unfit for another term, similar to his portrayal in previous books. The article highlights Biden’s challenges in ending the US military presence in Afghanistan, a mission he considered to have lost its purpose. Biden faced harsh criticism for the chaotic withdrawal, but he stood by his decision, blaming Trump for the initial deal with the Taliban. The intelligence failure leading to the swift fall of Afghanistan to the Taliban damaged the US’s global credibility, evoking parallels with the Vietnam War. In the Gaza conflict, Biden’s relationship with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu is depicted as tense and distrustful. Despite repeated disagreements, including Netanyahu’s refusal to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza, Biden maintained strong support for Israel. Woodward suggests that this failure to prevent escalation reflected America’s waning leverage in the region. The role of Arab states like Jordan, UAE, and Saudi Arabia in supporting Israel’s fight against Hamas is also discussed. In contrast, the war in Ukraine exposed concerns over Russia’s potential use of tactical nuclear weapons, with US intelligence and diplomatic » Read More…
The article critically examines Pakistan’s recently proposed tax enforcement mechanism, labeling it as ineffective and misaligned with the goal of broadening the tax base. The editorial argues that the new tax policy disproportionately burdens compliant taxpayers, particularly the middle class, while allowing tax evaders to remain unscathed. The scheme, approved by the prime minister, seeks to prevent non-taxpayers from purchasing assets such as cars, real estate, and financial instruments and restricts their ability to open bank accounts. However, it fails to abolish the non-filer category unique to Pakistan, allowing tax evaders to continue their avoidance strategies. The mechanism divides taxpayers into two groups: those declaring an income below Rs10 million and those above. The article points out the unfair assumption that those earning less than Rs10 million are underreporting their income, thus treating them as potential tax evaders, while individuals above this threshold escape scrutiny. Moreover, the system amplifies the discretionary powers of tax officials, increasing the likelihood of corruption. The article stresses that instead of introducing convoluted enforcement mechanisms, the government should focus on plugging legal loopholes, enhancing accountability, and implementing a fair tax system supported by political will and efficient bureaucracy to genuinely expand the tax net and » Read More…
The Pakistani authorities are preparing for the second phase of their efforts to repatriate Afghan refugees, with around half a million already sent back since November of the previous year. The Interior Minister, Mohsin Naqvi, urged the UN and the international community to assist in rehabilitating those displaced. The minister also highlighted concerns over the Afghan regime’s failure to prevent the TTP (Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan) from using Afghan territory to launch attacks on Pakistan, indicating that the repatriation drive may be more about responding to Kabul’s policies than purely addressing illegal immigration. The article notes a rise in xenophobia in Pakistan, not only against Afghans but also against indigenous ethnic communities, fueled by narratives questioning their loyalties. Unfortunately, instead of countering these dangerous trends, policymakers seem to endorse them, particularly regarding Afghan refugees. While Pakistan is dealing with economic constraints and security challenges, and it is indeed challenging for the country to continue supporting nearly two million Afghan refugees, the article argues that the international community, especially nations involved in the Afghan war, should share this burden. These countries should expedite the relocation of refugees they promised to take in. Simultaneously, Pakistan should approach the situation with greater patience and empathy. Many Afghan refugees have lived in Pakistan for years and know little about their homeland. Hastily deporting them would be culturally » Read More…
The article “Child Rights Crisis” by Jamil Ahmad emphasizes the profound impact of the climate crisis on children, particularly in the world’s poorest regions, where the effects are most severe. As the planet endures its hottest summer, the escalating climate crisis is infringing on children’s basic human rights and diminishing their chances for a decent future. Children are disproportionately affected by extreme weather events, which jeopardize their health and overall well-being. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) predicts that children born in 2020 will face a significant increase in extreme weather events as the planet warms, a burden not shared equally with older generations. In response, children globally are mobilizing to demand climate justice, seeking to influence policies that will secure a sustainable future. The UN Committee on the Rights of the Child has recognized the climate crisis as a form of structural violence against children, urging states to collaborate on mitigating its effects. The situation is particularly dire in middle- and low-income countries, where children face compounded risks from food and water scarcity, health threats, and educational disruptions due to climate-related events like heatwaves, floods, and wildfires. In regions like South Asia, children are already suffering from severe water scarcity and air pollution, leading to physical and mental » Read More…
