UNICEF statement on child refugees

UNICEF statement on child refugees

Al-Bab Report

NEW YORK, 30 January 2017 – “The needs of refugees have never been greater. Worldwide 28 million children have been uprooted by conflict, driven from their homes by violence and terror. They need our help.

“UNICEF is committed to continuing our work with governments and other partners around the world to help some of the most vulnerable children everywhere, from Syria to Yemen to South Sudan.

“The United States has a long and proud tradition of protecting children fleeing war and persecution. We trust that this support will continue and that the recent measures will prove to be temporary. All refugee children need our support.” 

Morocco back to the African Union

Dr. Jassim Taqui

An overwhelming majority of African countries on Monday voted in favor of Morocco's return to the African Union (AU), during the 28th Summit of African Heads of State and Government, which is being held in Addis Ababa.
Thirty-nine African countries expressed their support to the kingdom's return to the pan-African bloc.

The decision for Morocco to rejoin the AU came Monday at the African leader's summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Morocco has been admitted to join the AU with a view that it will become the 55th member of the continental body. This means that the artificial entity of the so-called Western Sahara has to be kicked out of the AU.

Historically, there is no such an entity as “ Western Sahara.” The area was illegally occupied by Spain but Morocco fought hard to regain it. It is called  Moroccan Sahara.

EU and Footwear Industry

EuropeanUnion Supports Footwear Industry

Al-Bab Report

Islamabad, January 29, 2017: The Deputy Ambassador, European Union Delegation to Pakistan Ms. Anne Marshal inaugurated e-learning tool for Footwear pattern making in Urdu. The ceremony was held here at Lahore EXPO center in connection of Pakistan Mega Leather Show 2017. The EU Deputy Ambassador also distributed certificate among the participants of the Shoe Assembly training conducted at GILT by PLCIP.

“Footwear is one important export contributing industry of Pakistan. I am pleased to witness the overwhelming response and participation of all manufacturers and stakeholders in PMLS 2017 and training conducted by PLCIP. The trainers will further train end beneficiaries and this way they will make a positive impact. European Union will continue working with leather and footwear industry in building their capacities and human resources” Deputy Ambassador, European Union Delegation to Pakistan Ms. Anne Marshal remarked on the occasion. She also congratulated the organizers for successfully organizing Pakistan Mega Leather Show 2017.

The Project Director of PLCIP, Mr. Usman H. Malik in his presentation, briefed the audience about the value additions and intervening activities in the leather industry. PLCIP has been involved in supporting the Business Intermediary Organizations (BIOs) i.e. PLGMEA, PTA, PGMEA and PFMA; and Business Development Services and Vocational Education Training Institutes. The main developments and achievements of PLCIP include improving productivity, shop floor management, export diversification and new market access. The assistance of the PLCIP will continue in providing technical training and knowhow to the Pakistani leather exporters to address the challenging needs of the international market.

The event was attended by representatives of the European Union Delegation to Pakistan, Ministry of Commerce, Industry Associations, Representatives of the Pakistan Tanners Association, Pakistan Leather Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association, Pakistan Footwear Association and Pakistan Gloves Manufacturers and Exporters Association, Pakistan Institute of Fashion Design and educational institutes.

Venus making me float

Venus making me float

Gilgamesh

The sleeveless two  black angels turn me on, they are boiling hot,

Their mission is to spread love through food and fashion they set,

She is the queen of all models, the elevating soul, the supreme,

I like her style, her smile, her dresses that are made for Queens,

In a red passion, the couple went wild, deciding to touch each other part,

While kissing and keep a distance; not knowing from where to start,

Like your post, the mother of all poses, the absolute beauty, kind,

The like of which is rare, elevated, touches the soul, serene, never found,

You were angry with me, putting me behind the wall,

You left me alone, thinking I will break, you fall,

We came both for you, smiling  and shine,

You’ve become part of us, her and mine,

I want you, showing my love with a gentle touch,

That sends you a current of me and even much,

No, you are not dreaming, I am moving in the air,

Walking on the water, flying; never felt  despair,

Your absence has filled me with sadness and fear,

Down, worried, smoking, you won’t like to hear,

O Lord how charming, perfect souls your create, white,

Sending warmth, good news, embracing all in delight,

She is the essence of Iraq, the love of God, the soothing  dale,

The silent beauty, bright,  white, people love her without fail,

I am your opposite, easy, joy, I am the time, day and night,

I am a dance and fashion, I am the story of success, bright,

A new trend, a new fame,  the secret of the twin flame, high,

When the sacred self-reunions with Him in the elevated sky,

The brain behind the elevated  soul, showing her charm, woe,

The queen of the blue, the  source of the inspiration too,

Have you heard, what they said about the Queen red?

She is the beauty and the invention of the golden fold,

I watch these angels descending from heaven to earth,

Only to see the disaster of the tyrants since their birth,

She is the beauty of all times, the smiling, kind relief,

Can’t fancy she is no more when she was all, mine is grief,

She is the new find, the vibrating  youth, sailing for all,

Body and soul, relieving people from sorrow no small,

How can you choose between life and the steel?

Comparing nothing with infinity, don’t you feel?

If I ever forget you, dale, I will never forget your shirt,

And that tiny finger, releasing everything for the flirt,

I’ve selected the seductive dress and the place,

Just waiting for you for action, your exalted grace,

I was told that you like me sleeveless in yellow,

I am here hoping my love since teen and follow,

You used to sit close by, groan, whimper and moan,

Wanted me nude in bed, when I did, you’re gone,

Can I tell you, what I am rising up with is red, hot,

The future belongs to me,  while you are on the spot,

Don’t stare, I am the same but with open shirt dress,

Sleeveless, thigh exposed, should you cry and press?

I am sexy, explosive, see me  how I appear and look,

Don’t blame me, for I am blessed  by the holy book,

From the inception, I could not go away, or stand,

 Oh Lord, let your angels free me from his hand,

How long is the night when I am lonely, living in sorrow,

No meaning for the life, body without him, the morrow,

The world of desire drove me to the state of erotic fantasy,

I have become slim but too weak, vision stopped to see,

Putting my favorite dress alone, I am sailing far away,

To the islands of dreams where I find my man’s stay,

I love the sea; for it is loyal, serene, makes me float,

Unlike my love who fights, holding me from my throat, 

Newly Elected Pakistani Alumni Leaders Gather in Islamabad

Al-Bab Report

Islamabad, January 23, 2017 – Newly elected leaders of the Pakistan-U.S. Alumni Network (PUAN) gathered in Islamabad and engaged in a 2-day conference to generate plans for their organization and to elect a new country president.  The 54 leaders, who arrived from across Pakistan, were congratulated by American officials for their volunteer spirit, and for winning leadership positions in PUAN’s hotly contested December 2016 elections.

American Ambassador David Hale congratulated and thanked the new leadership.  “Everyone here today is doing an extraordinary job to advance shared U.S.-Pakistan interests across the country,” he said.  “I appreciate the time, work, and thought that you put into your work for PUAN, and our shared efforts continue to strengthen the relationship between the Pakistani and American people,” he continued.

PUAN, with 22,000 eligible alumni, is the largest network of U.S. exchange alumni in the world.  The five-person leadership team elected by their peers in each of PUAN’s 12 regional chapters takes responsibility for organizing the implementing community service projects during their two-year terms, often using knowledge gained from their previous American exchange program.  The December 2016 elections were contested by a record number of alumni and the voter turnout was more than double that of previous elections.  Forty-two percent of the elected leaders are women.

The U.S. government invests more than $40 million annually on exchange programs for Pakistani citizens.  More than 1,200 Pakistanis participate each year in high school, undergraduate, graduate, and professional U.S.-sponsored exchange programs.  

US Embassy promotes agricultural innovation

American Embassy Leads Trade Mission

to Promote Innovation in Agriculture

Al-Bab Report

Islamabad, January 28, 2017 – U.S. Embassy Economic Counselor Joel Robert Garverick will lead a delegation of senior Pakistani government officials, businessmen, farmers and agriculture experts to Atlanta, Georgia, January 28 – February 4, to promote U.S.-Pakistan bilateral commercial ties and increase trade and investment in agriculture. 

The delegation will attend the 2017 International Production and Processing Expo (IPPE), the United States’ largest annual trade show for the poultry, meat, and feed industries, building on the theme, “innovation in agriculture.”   Agriculture is Pakistan’s leading industry, accounting for more than twenty percent of GDP and two-fifths of employment. Major products include cotton, wheat, rice, sugarcane, fruits, vegetables, dairy, beef, mutton, poultry and eggs.

The United States is Pakistan’s largest trading partner, exporting $447 million in agricultural goods to Pakistan in 2015. These imports help support Pakistani agricultural exports, which were $ 3.7 billion in fiscal year 15/16 (July-June).

Following the expo, the group will meet with U.S. agribusiness executives and researchers, including experts at the Georgia Tech Agriculture Technology Research Group and Innovation Lab, to explore innovations that could benefit Pakistan, expand bilateral trade, and create investment opportunities for U.S. companies.  The group will also visit a peach farm in Georgia, and conduct meetings with Georgia’s Farm Bureau, Cotton Commission, State Department of Agriculture, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Research Service. 

Representatives from all four provinces of Pakistan will take part in the trade mission, as well as officials from the Ministry of Food Security and Research, the Pakistan Agriculture Research Council, and the Muhammad Nawaz Sharif University of Agriculture Multan.

SC opens the money laundering file

SC opens the money laundering file

Dr. Jassim Taqui

As expected, the Supreme Court ordered the reopening of dirty money laundering by the Finance Minister Ishaq Dar on behalf of the Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his family in the famous case of the Hudaibiya Paper Mills.

On April 25, 2000, Ishaq Dar was made Approver and wrote in his own handwriting a 43-page confessional statement regarding money laundering before the magistrate.

Dar also admitted to money laundering of $14.86 million and opening two bank accounts under the names of Sikandar Masood Qazi and Talat Masood Qazi for Nawaz Sharif's brother.

Dar denied his statement completely. He stated that he was compelled to sign a pre-written statement. This goes at variance with the facts and the files of NAB. Furthermore, his statement was hand-written and not “pre-written."

The apex court ordered that the NAB prosecutor general's record in the Hudaibiya Paper Mills reference regarding Dar's statement be submitted in court.

Khosa observed that Dar was not a suspect at the time his statement was recorded, adding that a person who is not guilty fights his case rather than accepting acquittal. This observation should make Dar and his accomplices shiver with fear.

A smell is on the horizon indicating that justice is coming. 

USAID helps boost Nutrition in Pakistan

USAID HELPS BOOST NUTRITION, RELIEF AND LIVELIHOOD ACTIVITIES IN PAKISTAN

Al-Bab Report

27 January 2017, ISLAMABAD - Nutrition programmes throughout Pakistan as well as relief and livelihood activities in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), run by the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), have received a welcome boost from USAID's Office of Food for Peace.

The contribution of US$10 million from USAID will be used to buy much-needed locally- produced goods, such as yellow split peas, iodized salt and nutritional supplements such as Acha Mum and Maamta for WFP nutrition, relief and livelihood programmes.

“Ninety percent of this contribution will be spent on local purchases, providing a welcome injection for local trade and economy,” said WFP Country Director Finbarr Curran, “in addition to boosting the government’s own food security and nutrition activities.”

WFP supports the National and Provincial Fortification Alliance that works to ensure foods such as salt and wheat are fortified with micronutrients to help address nutrition issues. Almost 97% of the population has access to, and is using, iodized salt. WFP uses fortified wheat in all its relief and food assistance for assets (FFA) livelihood programmes across the country.

Community-based Management of Acute Malnutrition (CMAM) activities aim to improve the overall nutritional status, health and well-being of the population. Through this contribution,  children under five, who are at a crucial stage of their development, will benefit, as will malnourished pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers, especially when their condition might adversely affect births or the physical and cognitive growth and development of their children, if not addressed in time.

Acha Mum and Maamta are nutrient supplements developed by WFP Pakistan to help address malnutrition in children, pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers. Funding from USAID will greatly enhance the impact of WFP nutrition activities throughout the country, including 38,000 children aged 6-24 months and 81,200 children aged 24-59 months who will receive Acha Mum. While Maamta will improve the nutritional status of 32,100 pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers.

Relief and FFA livelihood programmes in FATA will support 580,400 people, of whom nearly 52% are women, through food for training or asset creation activities. During the difficult winter months, people are more vulnerable and this contribution enables WFP to provide basic food for those in most need.

USAID and Citrus Exporters

USAID helping Pakistani Citrus Exporters become more Competitive Internationally

  Al-Bab Report

Islamabad, January 26, 2017 – The United States Ambassador to Pakistan David Hale and Mr. Sikandar Hayat Khan Bosan, Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research, inaugurated a Citrus Exposition organized by the United States-Pakistan Partnership for Agricultural Market Development at the Marriott hotel in Islamabad.

“Advances in the citrus sector are among the earliest achievements of the American – Pakistani Partnership, dating back to the 1960s, when the kinnow fruit was first developed by the University of California, Riverside,” Ambassador Hale said.  “Scientists from both our countries established the first kinnow plantation in Pakistan at the Experimental Fruit Garden at Punjab Agricultural College and Research Institute Lyall-pur, now known as University of Agriculture, Faisalabad.  Today we build on those early achievements.  The United States Agency for International Development, the Pakistani Government, and the private sector are working together to expand the kinnow market to boost sales both here in Pakistan and abroad.  This partnership will help to ensure Pakistani citrus exporters become more competitive internationally,” Ambassador Hale added.

Speaking at the expo, the Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research expressed his appreciation for American-Pakistani partnership in the agricultural sector.

USAID launched the U.S.-Pakistan Partnership for Agricultural Market Development in February 2015 to improve the ability of Pakistan's commercial agriculture and livestock sectors to compete in international and national markets in four target product lines: meat, high value and off season vegetables, mangoes, and citrus.  This partnership acts as a catalyst for development and investment in the target product lines, and promotes cooperation among farmers, processers, exporters, and buyers of agricultural products from Pakistan.  The United States is the largest trading partner for Pakistan, with total bilateral trade volumes approximating USD 5 billion annually.  It is also the leading export market where more than 14% of Pakistan’s annual exports now find a market.

UNICEF and media in Punjab

UNICEF and Department of Planning and Development, Punjab organise joint workshop for media on the situation of Stunting in Punjab

Al-Bab Report

Islamabad, 26^th January 2017 – A media workshop on stunting was organized jointly by UNICEF and the Planning and Development Department of the Government of Punjab in Lahore today. The aim of the event was to sensitize journalists and media to one of the most pressing issues of Pakistan that effects more than one out of three children in Punjab alone, and represents a serious obstacle for the development of the country as a whole.

Stunting is the physical manifestation of underlying, persistent and severe nutritional deficiencies, and severely hinders the growth and development of a child. It is associated with suboptimal brain development, which may have long-lasting harmful consequences for cognitive ability, school performance and future productivity.

The technical expert on the issue, Dr. Shehla Zaidi, Associate Professor and Program Director at the Department of Community Health Sciences, Agha Khan University Karachi explained that stunting may begin whilst a child is still in the womb; thus, the nutritional status of the mother is critical for the future health of the child.

The Punjab MICS 2014 survey shows that every third child in Punjab suffers from chronic malnutrition (stunting). While stunting has shown a downward province-wide trend since 2007, this masks serious problems in some districts. In Dera Ghazi Khan, the worst effected district, however, the rate stunting is as high as 50.9 per cent.

“The good news is that we know exactly what causes stunting and how to treat it”, said Angela Kearney, UNICEF Representative in Pakistan, “Stunting can be prevented through very simple actions that are done during pregnancy and the first two years of life such as exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months, as well as the provision of wheat, oil or salt fortified with vitamins and minerals and use of vitamin supplements for pregnant women and children. Another important measure that can easily be taken is handwashing with soap to prevent diarrhoea and other water borne diseases.”

The workshop was attended by journalists from news and entertainment television, radio stations, newspapers and bloggers. Famous media personalities such as, Waseem Badami, Noor ul Hasan, Maria Memon, Rehman Azhar, Irfan Ahmed Urfi and Danish Saeed gave their suggestion on covering the issue and bringing it to the public’s attention.

“The media, needs to be provided with good stories related to stunting and malnutrition, and a good level of coordination needs to be maintained for this,” said Waseem Badami, Analyst and TV Show Host.

Maria Memon, another TV show host said, “This is something I would personally take forward and I look forward that you all point us ahead, that’s when we can really make people understand the issue.”

Noor-ul-Hassan, prominent TV show host, stressed on the importance of ensuring mother’s health. “These things need to be included not only in our syllabus, but also in films as dramas to educate the masses.”

The journalists pledged to do everything in their power to bring the issue up on their respective media outlets and after a fruitful discussion with the development partners agreed on ways how they could work together to this end.

Some of these innovative ideas was the suggestion to use mobile phone communication platforms such as Ureport- PakAvaz or social media for regular exchange on data and facts, as well as the collaboration on producing compelling media content to tell how badly stunting affects the development of children.

Dr. Shabana Haider, Member of Health, Planning and Development Department, Government of Punjab thanked all participants and announced that a full-fledged “stop stunting” campaign will be rolled out shortly to improve the nutrition indicators in the province. She also reiterated that the media will be a critical partner in the campaign.

ILO and Labour Legislation

Provincial Labour Legislation reviewed and actions discussed

Al-Bab Report

Islamabad, Wednesday, 18 January 2017: Pakistan’s tripartite stakeholders including Government, Employers and Workers jointly reviewed progress on Provincial labour legislation after the 18^th Constitutional Amendment. Moreover, constituents discussed actions at Federal and provincial level to complete and adopt first cycle of labour legislation and subsidiary legislation as well as to ensure effective implementation and enforcement of Labour Laws. For this purpose, it was reported that the Provinces of Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), and Sindh have almost completed the present labour legislation process while Baluchistan, Gilgit-Baltistan (GB), Pakistani Administered Kashmir (AJK) and Islamabad Capital Authority (ICT) are at different levels of completing their legislations.  Decision about Labour Laws in Federally Administered Tribal Area (FATA) will depend upon its merger with KP or any other course as decided by the Government. 

The two-day National Consultation was organized on 17^th -18^thJanuary 2017 by the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development (OP&HRD) in collaboration with the International Labour Organization (ILO). Provincial and Regional tripartite stakeholders from the four Provinces and FATA, GB, AJK and ICT along with the Pakistan Workers Federation (PWF), Employers Federation of Pakistan (EFP), - both members of the Federal Tripartite Consultative Committee - participated. This consultation was held under the Project ‘Promoting International Labour and Environmental Standards in Pakistani SMEs (ILES)’ funded by European Union (EU).

After passage of the 18^th Constitutional Amendment in 2010, it was a unique gathering of tripartite stakeholders from all regions of the countries. .  A comprehensive review of the existing situation of the Provincial labour legislation, challenges in the legislative process as well as challenges in the effective implementation and enforcement of labour legislation was undertaken.  

Mr. Sohail Amir, Federal Secretary, Ministry of OP&HRD highlighted the role and responsibilities of national and provincial stakeholders in the formulation of labour laws, the enforcement of those and the reporting. Compliance with international safety standards and improving the OSH conditions, coordination for harmonization of labour laws as well as reporting are important areas to work on. He assured that the Ministry of OP&HRD will support all provincial and regional labour departments in drafting new labour laws, in effective enforcement and smooth reporting on their application.

Addressing the event, Dr Amaury Hoste, Head of Section, EU Delegation in Islamabad, assured EU’s commitment for compliance of international labour, environmental and human rights Conventions and the achievement of the relevant Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). He further noted that provision of opportunities for women is also imperative. Increase in number of unionized workers, improving the OSH, strengthening labour inspection system and capacity building of institutions involved in the oversight mechanisms are other important areas for improvement.  He also highlighted the importance of sustainable initiatives by different partners.

While welcoming the participants, Ms. Ingrid Christensen ILO Country Director, Pakistan, highlighted the importance of International Labour Standards (ILS) as guiding principles while formulating labour laws so as to promote Decent Work. She also emphasized the need for effective implementation of labour laws at workplace level and the role of employers and workers in this process. She assured ILO’s technical assistance to the stakeholders in the development of labour laws and regulations to allow for implementation of the principles enshrined in the Conventions through national legislation, standards and guidelines, providing for the ratification of the Conventions, In post-devolution scenario, it is a unique opportunity to look back in terms of current status, opportunities, challenges, and way forward on this important process.

Mr. Zahoor Awan, General Secretary, Pakistan Workers’ Federation (PWF) emphasized the need for enforcement of labour laws in accordance with the spirit of the law and international labour standards. He opined that the uniformity among provincial laws and speedy legislation process are very important aspects of the labour legislation. Unionization and collective bargaining are imperative for ensuring the decent work environment for the workers.

Mr. Fasih-ul-Karim Siddiqui, General Secretary, Employers’ Federation of Pakistan (EFP) also urged for harmonization among provinces and regions for experience sharing and transfer of technical expertise and uniformity among labour laws devised by the provinces. He found it the need of the time that Governments, Employers and Workers show positive attitude for the labour welfare as that will consequently contribute to the economic development of the country.

The technical experts recommended further capacity development of the labour departments, strengthening of the Federal and Provincial Tripartite Consultative Committees, development of a time-bound action plan, strengthening of the social dialogue at provincial and regional levels, elaboration of a strategy for extending effectively the labour laws to the agriculture and informal sectors as well as to the Economic Processing Zones (EPZ), engagement of political leadership through Provincial Tripartite Committees, the need to revisit the inspection paradigm and last, but not least  sensitization of all stakeholders on compliance of labour laws.

At the end it was agreed to continue the dialogue to ensure that the provincial laws are aligned with international labour standards and with economic and social policies of Pakistan.

The ILES Project is a joint undertaking of the Government of Pakistan with the support of ILO and European Union (EU) to support Enterprises and industries for better compliance with labour & environmental laws and standards.  The World Wildlife Fund will be a key partner as to the environmental aspects. Over the next five years, the project will gradually expand its work to all Provinces. Small and medium-sized enterprises in the textile and leather sectors are specifically targeted for providing technical support and capacity development.

Iran eager to join CPEC

Iran eager to join CPEC

Dr. Jassim Taqui

Iran is keen to strengthen relations with Pakistan in all fields including trade, culture, economic cooperation and regional cooperation. Iran is the first country to recognize Pakistan and to establish diplomatic relations with it. The visit of the President Hassan Rouhani to Islamabad and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to Tehran speak volume of the excellent relations between the two countries. During my meeting with Senate Chairman Raza Rabbani and National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, I discussed with him the outcome of my latest visits to Syria, Iraq, and France whereby we strongly condemned ISIS terrorism.  Iran has noticed similar concern in Germany and the United States. Iran is the victim of terrorism and has lost over 17000 fighting this menace. We are proud of deploying military advisors in Iraq and Syria that helped them in their fight against ISIS. Iran is also keen to combat the drug mafia, which is smuggling heroin to the European Union via Iran. The Iranian anti-narcotics force valiantly fought the heroin mafia and lost over 4000 of valiant soldiers who foiled the drug mafia schemes of smuggling heroin to Iran. Tehran does not believe that the 39-nation Islamic Military  Army is against Iran. However, bombing civilians is at variance with UN Charter. Iran supports CPEC and is willing to implement the IP gas pipelines. Iran is also ready to mediate between both Pakistan and India to peacefully resolve their differences.

The above are the highlight of Chairman of the Iranian Parliament’s Committee for Foreign Policy and National Security Alaeddin Boroujerdi in an Oxbridge Lecture with Dr. Irshad Ullah-Khan in the Chair.

In the second lecture, the Iranian Ambassador to Pakistan Mahdi Honardoost stated that Iran was eager to join CPEC; terming it a peaceful project for regional cooperation that can activate bilateral and regional cooperation. He dismissed the notion that the Iranian Chabahar seaport is competing with; stating that both seaports complement each other. He said that Iran was ready to “ share its best railways and road networks with regional countries to promote trade.”

Speaking of terrorism, Honardoost stated that Iran was the victim of terrorism.

Commenting on the nuclear agreement with P5+1, he stated the  UN and the European Union implemented their commitments on lifting sanctions except for the United States, which continues to be hostile to Iran.

In his concluding remarks, Dr. Irshad Ullah-Khan warned that if India attempted to deprive Pakistan of its share of water, there would be a devastating nuclear war.

He criticized the United States for siding with India against Pakistan- its erstwhile Cold War ally-  and called for a formation of an axis comprising of Pakistan, China, Iran, and Russia. He said the axis should be willing to accept Saudi Arabia if it desired to join it. By far, this is the most powerful statement I have ever witnessed. 

Pakistan and a world in disorder

Pakistan and a world in disorder

Dr. Jassim Taqui

My book “ Pakistan and a world in Disorder: A grand Strategy for the Twenty-First Century” is an appeal to the decision-makers to change the foreign policy from the present trend of ad-hocism to a long-term policy that serves the national interest of the state.”

The above was the concluding remark of Ambassador Javid Husain, the author of the book “ Pakistan and a World in Disorder: A grand Strategy for the Twenty-First Century.”

The book was launched by ISSI by Ambassador Khalid Mahmood. Four elite of foreign office critically reviewed the book including Ambassador Riyaz Khokhar, former foreign secretary, Ambassador Riaz Mohammad Khan, former foreign secretary , Ambassador Akram Zaki, former Secretary General, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ambassador Khalid Mahmood, Chairman ISSI.

The elite of the elite of former and sitting thinkers and scholars of foreign office were in attendance. All the four panelists were candid, frank and scholarly. They pointed out both successes and failure of the foreign office and never hesitated to pinpoint the damage of the military regimes caused to the national interests.

The book delineates the role that Pakistan should play in the largely anarchic world of the twenty-first century in order to best serve the country's long-term national interests. Its main aim is to lay down the parameters within which Pakistan's grand strategy should be formulated, taking into account the evolving global and regional security environment and Pakistan's historical experience. Provided here are an in-depth analysis and critical evaluation of the past record of Pakistan's foreign policy within this context, bringing out its successes and failures, strengths and weaknesses. Based on these analyses, a comprehensive approach is recommended for safeguarding Pakistan's national security and promoting its prosperity utilizing a strategy that is a marked departure from the military-dominated, one-dimensional policies the country has followed thus far. Besides providing guidelines to Pakistan's policy makers and intelligentsia, this book will be of interest to academics, foreign observers, and general readers in understanding the constraints and parameters within which Pakistan - a de facto nuclear-weapon state of 200 million people at the crossroads of South Asia, Central Asia, and the Persian Gulf - must operate to safeguard its national interests in the turbulent times ahead.