The corruption within the World Bank

Dr. Jassim Taqui

DG Al-Bab Institute for Strategic Studies

Islamabad, September 30, 2021: The top Democrat and Republican on the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee have urged President Joe Biden to "ensure full accountability" over a World Bank data-rigging controversy that has embroiled International Monetary Fund chief Kristalina Georgieva.

The panel's chairman, Senator Robert Menendez, a Democrat, and Republican Senator James Risch, said in a letter released on Monday that Biden should direct the U.S. Treasury Department to "do their due diligence with all due haste and, as necessary, ensure full accountability."

Georgieva, who has been the IMF's managing director since April 2019, is pushing back against allegations in a World Bank outside investigation report that when she was the bank's CEO in 2017, she applied "undue pressure" on staff to make data changes that boosted China's rankings in the World Bank's flagship "Doing Business" report on country investment climates.

On Friday, Georgieva called the allegations against her "false and spurious" and accused the office of the World Bank's past president, Jim Yong Kim, of manipulating the data.

European Commission Executive Vice President Valdis Dombrovskis met with Georgieva on Monday in Washington and issued a supportive tweet, saying: "Always good to see IMF’s @KGeorgieva," and that the IMF has shown "real leadership" in the distribution of monetary reserves to member countries.

Thus far, the U.S. Treasury Department -- which controls the dominant U.S. shareholdings in both organizations -- has said little about the matter beyond that it is studying the allegations against Georgieva.

Treasury spokeswoman Alexandra LaManna declined to comment on a Bloomberg report  that Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has declined to take calls from Georgieva since the controversy broke 10 days ago. A personal spokesperson for Georgieva declined to comment on the report.

Evidently, corruption is now prevailing in all monetary institutions and governments. Pakistan is not the only culprit.

The episode requires investigation and wide-ranging reforms of the World Bank and the IMF.

 

 UNHCR and Nansen Refugee Award

Dr. Jassim Taqui

DG Al-Bab Institute for Strategic Studies

Islamabad, September 30, 2021: the UN Refugee Agency is pleased to announce Dr. Saleema Rehman as this year’s regional winner of the Nansen Refugee Award in the Asia region. Dr. Rehman is a 29-year-old Afghan refugee doctor, serving local communities and refugees in Pakistan.

 

UNHCR’s Nansen Refugee Award is given to Dr. Rehman in recognition of her outstanding service and commitment to Pakistanis and refugees in the country. It also acknowledges her contributions as a refugee to Pakistan, particularly the unwavering dedication towards her patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

The Award further highlights the powerful example that Dr. Rehman has set for other Afghan refugee women and girls.

 

“Access to education is very important in our lives. Investing in the education of a woman is an investment in a whole next generation,” Rehman said at a ceremony held in her honor at the Swiss Embassy in Islamabad.

 

The Ambassador of Switzerland, Bénédict de Cerjat, and the Chargée d’affaires of Norway, Elin Kylvåg, in Pakistan presented the Award.

 

The Swiss Ambassador Bénédict de Cerjat termed her as an inspirational young Afghan woman. “She is a bright example of how valuable it is for the international community to support countries hosting refugees with inclusive policies like Pakistan. Investing in refugees also helps Afghanistan, which needs professionals. Women and men, like Dr. Saleema, could contribute to their own country – if it becomes safe to return home. We are committed to helping ensure that the next generation of Afghan girls can also fulfill their dreams,” he said.

 

The Chief Commissioner for Afghan Refugees, Saleem Khan, welcomed Dr. Rehman’s win. “We feel proud of Dr. Rehman. She’s a wonderful example of her community. Pakistan can take pride in producing such a fine doctor – countless young Afghans have benefited from Pakistan’s progressive policies.’’

 

 

The mother of all betrayals

Dr. Jassim Taqui

DG Al-Bab Institute for Strategic Studies

Islamabad, September 29, 2021: In yet another twist, 22 US senators combined to present a bill jointly supported by the Republicans and the Democrats to punish Pakistan for its alleged role in Afghanistan before and after the fall of Kabul and in the Taliban offensive in Panjshir Valley.

The proposed legislation requires the secretary of state, in consultation with the secretary of defense and director of national intelligence, to submit a report on ”entities” providing support to the Taliban to appropriate congressional committees within 180 days.

Evidently, the Joe Biden administration is planning to impose sanctions against Pakistan that would cripple the already highly sanctioned nation. It is also expected that the IMF, the World Bank, and the FATF would play their role in the new sanction regime.

Suddenly the Joe Biden administration realized that it was cheated in the battle of wits and strategic planning. It is shocking to the core by the Chinese decision to accept the Taliban in the CPEC.

For Pakistan, this is the mother of all betrayals since the hybrid ruling regime played a pioneering role in convincing the Taliban to hold talks that produced the Doha peace agreement in 2020.

Ostensibly, the Joe Biden administration is planning to scapegoat Pakistan for its strategic mistakes both in starting the 20-year old offensive on Afghanistan and the exit strategy. The latter was a total mess that created military and security vacuums which were smartly used by the Taliban to control Afghanistan in a short period of three weeks of fighting in which 300,000 Afghan soldiers surrendered to the Taliban without firing a single bullet.

Unfortunately, this adhocism is wasting the good work by the US Embassy in Islamabad including those of Ambassadors David Hale, Paul Jones, and charge d’ affairs a.i. Angela Aggeler in strengthening the bilateral relations.

 

Taliban to join CPEC

Dr. Jassim Taqui

DG Al-Bab Institute for Strategic Studies

Islamabad, September 28, 2021: In an important turn of events, Pakistan’s envoy to Afghanistan Masoor Ahmad Khan disclosed that Islamabad had discussed Afghanistan joining CPEC.

Earlier this month, Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid had disclosed that the group "desires" to be part of projects under CPEC.

 

Ever since the fall of Kabul, there have been concerns in the West that Chinese influence in Afghanistan would grow substantially under a Taliban government. Analysts have pointed to Afghanistan's substantial reserves if copper, lithium, and rare earths,

 which would prove alluring to Chinese companies.

 

In an interview with Reuters, Khan said, "Regional connectivity is an important element of our discussion with Afghan leadership and our way forward for our economic interaction with Afghanistan."

 

Khan went on to say, "This important project—China-Pakistan Economic Corridor—provides good opportunities, good potential for providing infrastructure and energy connectivity between Afghanistan and Pakistan... (and) also connecting South Asia to the Central Asian region. I think there has been a deep interest in terms of developing economic connectivity of Afghanistan with Pakistan through CPEC and with other neighboring countries including Iran, China, Central Asian countries."

Khan revealed "discussions had been held with the Taliban-led administration" on the issue of joining CPEC and “other ways” to develop Afghanistan's economy.

CPEC envisages the construction of major infrastructure in Pakistan such as highways, ports, rail links, and power stations to improve connectivity to China to facilitate investment and trade.

CPEC is an integral part of China's Border-Road Initiative (BRI), particularly through the road and rail links to the ports of Gwadar and Karachi, which would facilitate the movement of goods from Xinjiang and other Chinese provinces.

This port link would give Chinese imports and exports a new access point to the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean, allowing much faster transit time compared with shipments from existing Chinese ports.

By refusing to talk to the Taliban and by insisting on its isolation, the US-led Western nations are in effect pushing the Taliban to fall into the laps of the Chinese, the Russians, and the SCO.  

 

UNDP and media

Dr. Jassim Taqui

DG Al-Bab Institute for Strategic Studies

Islamabad, September 27, 2021: Digital Media Development Programme (DMDP), a flagship initiative of the Government of Pakistan was inaugurated by Digital Media Wing (DMW), Ministry of Information & Broadcasting in partnership with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), yesterday. Prime Minister of Pakistan, Mr. Imran Khan was the chief guest for the ceremony and formally launched this initiative.

 

Pakistan’s digital media community has been growing rapidly, with over 100 million internet users, 185 million mobile subscriptions, and over 50 million people active on social media. Against this backdrop, DMDP is strategically designed to leverage the digital landscape. This will empower the youth of Pakistan in enhancing their digital skills and gain employment opportunities.

The Digital Media Development Programme will bridge the gap between the students, the Government of Pakistan, and the digital media industry by training the youth. In the first batch, 100 capable interns will be selected placed at federal ministries and departments for three months to enhance their skills.

 

The Programme has partnered with the world’s leading social media organizations and digital media industry experts, including YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter to give workshops to young Pakistani interns. With UNDP’s support, the students will also get monthly stipends upon successful completion of tasks.

 

During the internship period, the interns will also be guided to conduct digital media seminars in their respective universities to engage the youth of Pakistan. The interns will also work on a project to address issues such as fake news that Pakistan faces in this particular industry.

 

Speaking at the event, Prime Minister Mr. Imran Khan said, “The Pakistani Youth should never underestimate their abilities and set a very high goal for themselves to achieve. You should never give up in the face of failures, and the hurdles are there only to make you stronger. Choose objectives that are bigger than yourself and serve a higher purpose. Further, he said that he is delighted to see this initiative that will involve the youth of Pakistan in furthering Pakistan’s narrative. He stressed the importance of truth and said that those who remain truthful in their life are respected.”

 

Regarding UNDP’s support to the internship program, the UNDP Resident Representative Knut Ostby quoted, “UNDP is pleased to support the Government of Pakistan in this effort to empower youth by providing very relevant digital skills and on-the-job training to young men and women in government offices. This kind of professional exposure will be an important step to enhance youth’s future career prospects.” 

 

UNDP, through its Youth Empowerment Programme, has already been providing digital skills training, entrepreneurship training, internships, and employment opportunities to the youth in Pakistan through its various interventions since 2018.

 

With DMDP, a more collaborative and agile digital ecosystem will be created, where all stakeholders will be working towards a common goal of transforming Pakistan’s digital landscape for the betterment of the country. 

 

 

 

 

Angela Merkel makes a graceful exit

Dr. Jassim Taqui

DG Al-Bab Institute for Strategic Studies

Islamabad, September 27, 2021: The legacy of Angela Merkel would also be remembered with respect and gratitude. During her 16 years in power, she added grace and aroma to both European and international politics.

During her first term as German chancellor, Angela Merkel had to deal with the economic and financial crisis of 2008, which helped forge her image as a defender of Germany's interests and her fellow citizens' savings. But there would be more challenges to come: the migrant crisis in 2015, and the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020. How will German history remember this scientist by training, who grew up in what was then East Germany, who defied the odds to become Germany's first woman chancellor? As Merkel prepares to bow out after 16 years in power, she ensured that German Social Democrats beat conservatives in a vote to decide Merkel's successor.

Germany's Social Democrats narrowly won Sunday's national election, projected results showed, and claimed a "clear mandate" to lead a government for the first time since 2005 and to end 16 years of conservative-led rule under Angela Merkel.

The center-left Social Democrats (SPD) were on track for 26.0% of the vote, ahead of 24.5% for Merkel's CDU/CSU conservative bloc, projections for broadcaster ZDF showed, but both groups believed they could lead the next government with neither major bloc commanding a majority, and both reluctant to repeat their awkward "grand coalition" of the past four years, the most likely outcome is a three-way alliance led by either the Social Democrats or Merkel's conservatives.

Agreeing on a new coalition could take months, and will likely involve the smaller Greens and liberal Free Democrats (FDP).

 The dangerous game of Quad

Dr. Jassim Taqui

DG Al-Bab Institute for Strategic Studies

Islamabad, September 26, 2021: It has been now crystal clear that the objective of the summit of QUAD hosted by US President Joe Biden is containing the rising star of China. All indicators suggest that China remade itself into a giant economy with huge benefits. Xi Jinping is emerging as a world leader full of confidence, diplomatic clout, and military power.  

The US alone failed to compete with China. Hence four big powers-Australia. India, Japan, and the United States- have formed the dangerous forum0f Quad.

a counterbalance. The first objective of the QUAD is to control Indo-Pacific and extend from there everywhere.

Decision-makers, risk managers, investors, and regular citizens, are aware of rising stakes in a new, global balance of power.

Ostensibly, Joe Biden theorized the new forum of the QUAD with the mission to make the Anglo-Saxons rule the whole world.

Having failed in Afghanistan, Joe Biden is the new cowboy riding on the Quad and threatening world peace and stability by his neo-militarism and the urge to avenge his defeat.

Pakistan faces a grave danger since it is the soft target insisting on siding with China.

 

 

Pakistan and International Trade Center

Dr. Jassim Taqui

DG Al-Bab Institute for Strategic Studies

Islamabad, September 25, 2021: The second round of hybrid consultations focusing on Plan of Action review for the development of the priority sector export strategies was concluded in Karachi.

Hundreds of public and private sector representatives participated in the review and approval process of the priorities for the next five years in each of their sectors.

For Pakistan to achieve its trade growth ambition, the Ministry of Commerce (MoC) and TDAP are developing a coherent and comprehensive Strategic Trade Development Framework (STPF) focusing on 17 priority sectors. As part of the National Priority Sectors Export Strategy (NPSES), the International Trade Centre (ITC) is supporting MoC to develop 10 strategies directly stemming from the STPF priorities. 

The STPF priority sectors’ strategies design process will focus on developing actionable plans to increase their export competitiveness in the global market. The STPF priority sectors covered by the NPSES include engineering goods, leather, processed food and beverages, fruits and vegetables, meat and poultry, pharmaceuticals, software development and services, business process outsourcing, logistics, and institutional coordination.

The development of the priority sector export strategies will aim to reduce barriers to international trade growth which can become a key driver for Pakistan’s economic recovery in a post-pandemic world. The sector strategies will enable the potential for companies in Pakistan to diversify and improve their competitiveness and exports, better participate in global and regional value chains, and move up the quality ladder, by innovating, producing, and exporting higher-value products, and marketing through branding and promotion.

Each sector session invited industry stakeholders to review and validate the Action Plans while agreeing on the responsibilities for each implementing agency. In addition to key national institutions and private sector representatives, development partners were also invited to support the implementation of the sector strategies.

These consultations are conducted by MOC and TDAP and are directly aligned with the ambitions of the Government of Pakistan to develop exports. The newly formed National Export Deve­lopment Board (NEDB) will further steer the implementation of the STPF and the sector strategies through Sector Advisory Councils (SAC).

 “The NPSES comes at a crucial time for Pakistan. As the hon. Prime Minister of Pakistan emphasized the need to boost Pakistani exports, the NPSES will provide a tangible and concrete roadmap for the Government and private sector to work together towards this goal, while creating jobs and new opportunities for Pakistan. The NPSES will reflect the needs of Pakistani exporters and the Ministry is committed to implementing the Plans of Action that will emanate from it” said Sualeh Ahmad Faruqi, the Federal Secretary of Commerce of Pakistan.

The development of the NPSES is supported by the Revenue Mobilisation, Investment and Trade (ReMIT) Programme, implemented by the International Trade Centre (ITC), and funded by the United Kingdom Government through the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). 

 

 

 

 

 

UNSG meets Qureshi

DG Al-Bab Institute for Strategic Studies

Islamabad, September 25, 2021: According to a UN readout, the UN Secretary-General His Excellency Antonio Guterres met with  Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Hussain Qureshi, Foreign Minister of Pakistan.   

 The Secretary-General expressed appreciation for Pakistan’s support for the work of the United Nations, particularly in its successful presidency of ECOSOC and in UN peace operations.   

The Secretary-General and the Foreign Minister exchanged views on developments in the region and on other issues of common concern, in particular Afghanistan.  

New York, 24 September 2021   

 

 

 

Taliban succumbs to world demands

Dr. Jassim Taqui

DG Al-Bab Institute for Strategic Studies

Islamabad, September 25, 2021: Following a rigid first tenure in 1996-2001,  the Taliban is now succumbing to world demand to change and observe UNSC demands about human rights, inclusive government, respect of minorities, and women rights to education and work.

The assurance was given by Acting Afghan Prime Minister Mullah Hassan Akhund in a meeting with the special envoys from Pakistan, China, and Russia in Kabul on Tuesday.

Both the Chinese and Russian envoys were “satisfied” with their interaction with the Taliban leadership. They also visited markets and different ministries and were surprised to find a normal situation on the ground.

 

The Taliban agreed to include members of all ethnicities in the government. However, those who were involved in corruption in the last 20 years would not be invited to join the setup.

 

The special envoys of Pakistan, China, and Russia were also told that there would be no restriction on the girls’ education but that would be done as per “Sharia.”

 

Indeed, these concessions are mammoth and never expected to come from the Taliban. However, the unified international stance emerged as a clear victor. Consequently, the Taliban should be given a chance to reform itself under the watchful eyes of the UNSC.

 

UNIDO and Baluchistan

Dr. Jassim Taqui

DG Al-Bab Institute for Strategic Studies

Islamabad, September 24, 2021: Quetta (23 September 2021), The Minister for Agriculture and Cooperative Department, Government of Balochistan, Engineer Zamarak Khan Achakzai, chaired the first Public-Private Partnership (PPP) platform meeting of The Project for Agri-Food and Agro-Industry Development Assistance (PAFAID) organized by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and Department of Agriculture Government of Balochistan.

Established under PAFAID project, the objective of the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Platform for the Apple Value Chain (AVC) in Balochistan is to enhance the collaboration of public and private sectors stakeholders in piloting applications of the compliance capacities and value addition practices in the apple value chain in Balochistan. The forum also supported the development and validation of required policies, procedures and strategies related to the AVC in Balochistan.

The chief guest, Engineer Zamarak Khan Achakzai, The Minister for Agriculture and Cooperative Department, Government of Balochistan, appreciated JICA and UNIDO’s for supporting the agriculture department for developing the Good Agricultural Practices and Apple Value Chain Development and investment strategy. He said, “Synergies among projects, programs, and organizations, including government department is vital for the improvement of the apple value chain”.

During the PPP meeting, UNIDO presented the Apple Value Chain Development & Investment (AVCD&I) Strategy for Balochistan to the members of the platform for their feedback and inputs. The Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) guideline for apple value chain was also reviewed. The meeting was attended by representatives from P&D, Women Development Department, Finance Department, local government and Rural Development Department, official from agriculture extension directorate, representatives from Chamber of Commerce and Industry Quetta, industry association, farmer association, transporters, cold storage owners, Balochistan Agriculture College, SMEDA and UN agencies.

PAFAID, is a four-year Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) funded project and being implemented by UNIDO in close coordination with the Government of Pakistan, aims at improved pilot applications of the compliance capacities and value addition practices in the cattle meat value chain in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province and apple value chain in Balochistan province.