Opinion Articles

India

Fighter – Another Addition to the Indian Propaganda Machine

Anti-Pakistan propaganda remains a recurrent theme in numerous Bollywood movies. In fact, through the cinematic lens, movies such as Border, LoC Kargil, Raazi, and Uri, etc., have kept an anti-Pakistan perspective as a central theme to the plot. Such movies with nationalist themes, culminating with a unilateral Indian victory over Pakistan, resonate finely with the Indian audience with corresponding commercial benefits for the producers.

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May 6, 2024
Middle East

Israel-Iran Standoff and Global Oil Prices

The war on Gaza since early October last year has had a limited impact on global oil prices, unlike the spike in oil prices that followed the war in Ukraine, as neither Israel nor the besieged Gaza Strip are significant oil producers. 

For context, global Brent crude oil prices increased briefly after the initial violence in early October

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April 25, 2024
Emerging technologies

Swarm Drone Technology: Military Advantage or Ethical Dilemma?

Nature is reflective of the fact that the deficiencies of a single individual are often compensated for by coordinated group efforts, as seen in a pack of wolves, colony of bees, and flock of birds, etc. Rapid advancements in military technologies have materialised this natural phenomenon through the development of swarm drone technology.

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April 22, 2024
Emerging technologies

Humans in the Age of Generative AI

As the fourth Industrial Revolution unfolds, Artificial Intelligence – devouring computational power and big data – is fuelling an ‘AI Spring.’ This article outlines the trends in Generative AI and explores the need to invest in human capital through upskilling/reskilling programmes amid fears of AI replacing humans. It attempts to reframe the conversation and larger vision in a positive light such that primacy remains with humans.
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April 19, 2024
Afghanistan

The Conundrum of TTP in Pak-Afghan Relations

Over several decades, Pak-Afghan relations have been characterised by phases of turbulence and stability. The current phase of bilateral relations is also marked by relative friction between the two neighbours. The primary reason for the strained relationship is Pakistan’s concern about either the inability or lack of will by the interim Afghan government to rein in Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
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April 18, 2024
Emerging technologies

Work-from-Home to Vote-from-Home

The COVID-19 pandemic left behind many enduring legacies, with remote work, commonly known as Work-From-Home (WFH) being one of its more enduring ones. Back then, workplaces witnessed a remarkable revamp in routines, schedules and practices. Weekly office meetings shifted from conference rooms to living rooms via virtual meeting apps. Home desks assumed the role of office cabins, complete with the added benefit of flexible working hours in many instances.

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April 18, 2024
India

India’s Agni-V Test and Its Ramifications for Region

On 11 March 2024, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the first successful test launch of the Agni-V Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM). It featured Multiple Independently Targetable Re-Entry Vehicle (MIRV) technology. The launch was named ‘Mission Divyastra,’ – a reference to the Hindu mythological weapons of ultimate destruction. The test bears testimony to India’s continued endeavours to enhance the reach, precision, and assuredness of its delivery system even at the cost of impacting regional strategic stability. The test also signifies a subtle shift from India’s nuclear doctrine.

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April 17, 2024
Economic Affairs & National Development

بلاکچین: پاکستان کے جمہوری نظام کی جدت، شفافیت، اور سہولت کا مستقبل

جمہوریت کی بنیادوں پر استوار قومیں اپنے مضبوط جمہوری روایت کے ذریعے امن، خوشحالی، اور عدل کی بہترین مثال بنتی ہیں۔ ووٹ کا حق اس جمہوریت کا جوہر ہے، جو عوام کی آواز کو اقتدار تک پہنچاتا ہے اور ایک زندہ جمہوریت کی پہچان ہوتا ہے۔ پاکستان میں انتخابی نظام مہنگا، غیر موثر، اور پرانی ٹیکنالوجی پر مبنی ہے، جو ووٹ کی رازداری اور شفافیت کو برقرار رکھنے میں مشکلات پیدا کرتا ہے۔ اس کے برعکس، بلاکچین ٹیکنالوجی پر مبنی ووٹنگ سسٹم شفافیت، تحفظ، اور کارکردگی کو بہتر بنا سکتا ہے۔ بلاکچین کی مضبوطی ڈیٹا میں تبدیلی یا مداخلت سے تحفظ فراہم کرتی ہے، جو اسے ووٹنگ کے لیے ایک مثالی ٹیکنالوجی بناتی ہے۔ اس سسٹم کی تعمیر اور دیکھ بھال آسان

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April 15, 2024
Economic Affairs & National Development

Pakistan’s Unrealised Remittance Potential

The tide of outward migration from Pakistan surged considerably over the past two years (2022 and 2023), with several millions opting to emigrate with the aim of securing better prospects overseas. For instance, the number of skilled, highly skilled, and highly qualified worker migrants from Pakistan alone increased to 0.77 million, compared to 0.26 million in 2020 and 2021 and 0.48 million during 2018 and 2019, the two years before the pandemic.
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April 8, 2024
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