International Issues

Q# Emerging geopolitical game in South Asia?

Answer:
- India-Pakistan rivalry and growing nuclear arms race
- Sino-Pak all weather friendship
- Emerging CHN-PAK-RUS triple nexus
- Rising Indo-US bond
- Afghanistan problem

Q# Afghan Peace Process

Answer: The Afghan peace process (Afghan-led, Afghan-owned) in on two levels. Firstly, on
the national level through Afghanistan Peace and Reintegration Programme (APRP) led by
High Peace Council. The second one is on the international level on bilateral, trilateral, and
multilateral platforms.
1. Moscow Initiative:
- Moscow has again initiated the Afghan multilateral peace process including Pakistan,
India, Iran, China, and USA.
- Ashraf Ghani has also accepted to send a delegation to the meeting on November 9.
Previously, Ashraf rejected the Russian offer as he was provoked by the India and
the USA.
- Delegation representing Afghan Taliban under Hazbiullah will also be present.
2. Trump’s push:
- Zalmay Khalilzad met with Taliban delegation in Qatar
- USA set free 5 of the Afghan Talibans to supplement the meeting.
- Zabiullah Mujahid met from the Taliban side.
- Conditions included of NATO troop’s removal, and removing Taliban leaders from
the sanctions list.
Q# Why would USA stay in Afghanistan?
Answer: There are 4 reasons for the USA to stay in Afghanistan:
1. As per the Central Asian Policy by Trump Administration, it needs to amass
‘Glorious Victory’ in Afghanistan and needs to address the new growing radical
outfit’s presence in Afghanistan, the ISIS. Simply put, the USA cannot absorb the tag
of lost war on its hegemon head. Thus, it needs to stay in Afghanistan.
 2. As per a Pentagon report in 2010, the authorities claimed that Afghanistan holds
mineral deposits worth of $1Trillion. Now Trump being a businessman, wants to
excavate the opportunity. The minerals include aluminum, lithium, gold, iron-ore,
and even gold.
3. With the expansionist China in the South-Asia, the USA needs its presence in the
Afghanistan to counter-balance the growth of China, aka balance of power. By
remaining in Afghanistan, USA could strategically align with India to counter the
PAK-China growing nexus as well.
4. USA’s global policing morals compel it to stay in South-Asia to retain a check on the
two nuclear neighbors of South-Asia; Pakistan and India. Already the relations are
tensed. Thus, by remaining in Afghanistan, it could do this.
Q# Should the USA leave Afghanistan?
Answer: In the interest of regional stability, NO, the USA must not leave Afghanistan at this
point, however, it should leave once it has stabilized the security situation in Afghanistan.
- In 1989, after the defeat of the USSR, the USA also left Afghanistan, and the results of
that departure was devastating for both Pakistan and the USA. For the USA, it led to
the 9/11 attacks as a result of Al-Qaeda gaining power, and for Pakistan, the
aftermath of Afghan war in terms of refugees, drug, and arms culture deteriorated
the social fabric.
- The Foreign Office spokesman of Pakistan also cautioned that the USA should not
leave Afghanistan until or unless complete peace is achieved in the Afghanistan. The
similar stance was also adopted by the DG ISPR, Major Gen Asif Ghafoor that the USA
must stay in Afghanistan till complete peace is achieved in the war-torn country.
- USA’s departure would also effect the China, for example, the exit would create a
vacuum which would be filled by radical militant outfits, and this would hamper the
geo-economic ambitions of the China in Pakistan, especially through the Baluchistan.
The solution to be followed by the USA is to craft or work on a political reconciliation
process which should include the stakeholders such as China, India, Iran, and Russia.
The aim should be at a softer approach via negotiations. However, the USA does not
have smooth relations with all of the stakeholders:
- With Pakistan, the relations are down in the valley, given the accusations of
providing safe-havens, and cutting off foreign funding.
- With Russia, according to the NSS report, the USA declared it as a ‘strategic
competitor.’ Following the recent pullout of the INF treaty + imposing various
sanctions on Russian entities.
- With China, the ongoing trade-war on the economic protectionism ground of the
trump. The White house has also declared China as a ‘revisionist power.’
- With Iran, the pulling out from the P5+1 deal has further deteriorated the relations
between the two, with surging economic sanctions.
Q# Difference between USA and PAK on the AFG question?
Answer:
- Pakistan had always advocated negotiations as the prime option to achieve stability
in Afghanistan. But the USA, took more than a decade to come up to the options of
talks after several failed geo-strategic policies.
- Pakistan always had a reservation on USA that it was soft on TTP.
- Pakistan want less influence of India in the Afghanistan under the banner of USA.
- CAS or NSS, USA always portrayed Pakistan as the part of the problem not the
solution.
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Q# What should be the Pakistani approach towards Afghanistan?

Answer:
- The reinitiating of talks by Zalmay Kahlilzad, especially with the recent meeting with
the Taliban delegation in the Qatar, the Pakistan should play a mediating role in the
talks. Talks is the only viable option now.
- It is time to reach out for the regional actors now! China and Russia. Afghanistan’s
strategic location in the south-Asia is the perfect option for China to enhance and
promote its BRI initiative. Thus, with good relationships with China, Pakistan must
mediate an economic joint collaboration between Afghanistan and the China.
- Pakistan should play a leading role diplomatically by clearly stating that its
territories are not used for the terrorist safe-havens, rather it has been the front
state in fighting terrorism. It must project its successful portfolio of winning against
fighting terrorism to propagate its significance in Afghan peace process.
- Considering the growing nexus of India and Afghanistan, and the Indian perception
that ‘enemy of my enemy is my friend,’ must be countered by Pakistan by designing
a joint mechanism to defeat the common enemy, terrorism, backwardness, and
poverty.

Q# What are the Indian strategic aims in Afghanistan?

Answer: India has several aim in Afghanistan:
- To contain Taliban so as to neutralize Pakistan’s help to Kashmir Jihad.
- To support democratization and pro-India government in Afghanistan which will
contain resurgence of Taliban and other religious and extremist movements.
- To achieve leading position in Afghanistan and Central Asian republics by
countering Pakistan’s sway in the region.
 - India is playing a major role in Afghanistan’s reconstruction and is the sixth major
donor to Afghanistan. It presented buses and airplanes to Afghanistan, sponsoring
lunch programs in schools, undertook the construction of the parliament building in
Kabul as well as strategically important new roads.
- The Indian reconstruction activities, educational-cultural contribution to Afghan
society, training and weaponry to the Northern Alliance, clandestine activities of
consulates and marginalizing Pashtuns have exacerbated mistrust between Pakistan
and Afghanistan.
Q# How can Pakistan reduce the Indian factor in Afghanistan?
Answer: Cutting the diamond with the diamond.
- India is projecting soft power in Afghanistan by revamping its socio-economic
sphere of life. Similarly, Pakistan could do the same by investing in infrastructural,
educational, health, and other important aspects. Afghanistan need these
developments, it would always welcome such support.
- Pakistan should enhance its engagement with Kabul, e.g., in 2014, Kabul had a tilt
towards Islamabad. It refused to accept weapons from Delhi. Thus, government to
government engagement must be increased.
- Pakistan should come soft upon the Afghan refugees, the move by the new PM must
be welcomed of giving those refugees born in Pakistan to have nationality. They
must not be criminalized out rightly, etc.
Q# What are Chinese interest in Afghanistan?
Answer: In a nutshell, Chinese interests in Afghanistan are geo-strategic and geo-economic.
- China want BRI to be successful. For that it needs peace in Afghanistan.
- There is an increasing nexus building between the ISIS (Afghanistan) + ETIM
(Western China) + IMU (CARs). China wants to neutralize this as well.
- China wants hydrocarbons and other economic advantages (copper mining).
Q# Fluctuations of USA military aid to Pakistan also denotes the Relations?
Answer:
- 1950-1955: With SEATO(’54) and CENTO(’55), military and economic aids.
- 1965: Indo-Pak war, military aid suspended.
- 1979-1989: Afghan-Soviet war, the US aid increased.
- 1990s: Pressler-Agreements cuts-off much aid to Pakistan because of it’s Nuclear
question.
- 1998: Aid further curtailed after nuclear tests.
- 2000-2010: Aid increased because of 9/11 WOT + Kerry-Lugar Bill passes( $3billion
non-military assistance).
 - Under Trump Administration: Cutting off CSF and Military Fund, equaling upto
roughly $2billion.
Q# USA and India’s growing strategic partnership?
Answer: Following agreements have been made between the USA and the India:
- 2002, General Security and Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA).
- Indo-US civil nuclear deal 2005.
- 2012, Defense Technology and Trade Agreements (DTTI), growing defense
partnership.
- 2016, Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LMEOA).
- 2018, COMCASA, for India to use highly state of the art drone and communication
technology.
- Basic Exchange and Corporation Agreement (BECA), yet to be signed. Just like
COMCASA.
Q# Why USA needs India?
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Answer:
- India is the growing economy of South-Asia, which needs investment and
technology to upgrade its infrastructure, it is the best market for USA’s economic
growth.
- The concept of Balance of Power against China. It could effectively exploit China
through the Indian Ocean , as India is the littoral state of Indian Ocean, and China’s
major exports to Middle-East, Africa, and Europe and energy imports from Middle-
East and Africa travel through the Indian-Ocean
Q# What are the key-principles in India FP?
Answer:
- Strong defense: Westernization of its defense, developing indigenous defense
industry, acquiring asymmetric warfare technology, strengthen the Navy, expanding
the Navy towards African region and South China Sea.
- Projection of its softer image: As largest, biggest democracy of the world, attracting
tourism, cultural promotion programs, projecting itself as a victim of terrorism
(Sushma Swaraj in UNGA), allowing IAEA experts to monitor 8 of its nuclear
reactors, major market for investment, being a part of BRICS and SCO.
- Going towards the west while keeping balance in the region, logistical dealings with
the USA (LEMOA, COMCASA, DTTI, JSOMIA).
- Containment of China: USA only relies on India to contain China given the fact that
only India next to the China is the second largest in economy, naval strength, and
military power.
 - Projecting Pakistan as a hard country: India has continuously used the platform of
UNGA to bash Pakistan as the safe havens for militant groups such as LeJ and Al-
Qaeda.
Q# India on Kashmir violations and Pakistan’s stance?
Answer:
India has out rightly violated the human rights in Kashmir by using people as human
shields, using pellets guns, sexual abuse, detention and killings of peaceful protestors and
much more inhumane acts.
Pakistan’s stance towards Indian atrocities has been very clear. On the diplomatic front, the
top diplomatic figures such as Maliha Lodhi has brought up the issue on the floor of the
UNGA. Furthermore, nationally, the ISPR has used media as a source to disseminate the
violent acts of the Indians on the Kashmiris.
Q# What is the Indian settlement in the Kashmir?
Answer: The policy of settlement by India is vague, but it is clear on certain points:
- Settling back of the Hindu pundits who belong to the Kashmir as of their origins.
- Settlement of ex-military men in the Kashmir, especially in the newly and old
developed cantonment areas in the Kashmiri demographics.
- Modi also wants to resettle the Punjabi Kashmiris who fled to India during the
Dogra rule.
The aim is to change the demographics of Kashmir, and make it more Hindu majority
and pro-Delhi.

Q# Is Pakistan supporting the Kashmir infiltration?

Answer:
In the past we had! As per the Musharraf, he admitted that he supported the armed groups
to suppress the Indian Army in the Kashmir.
BUT, since 2004, Islamabad has had a very stern and a straight forward stance that
whatever is happening in the Kashmir is indigenous in nature, the culture of Jihad has
emerged within the Kashmiri masses, and Pakistan is not the part of it. Pakistan only
provides diplomatic support. Additionally, India has been accusing Pakistan of the radical
activities, especially relating to Hafiz Saeed, but India has not provided a concrete proof of
such activities.
Q# How can the Kashmir Issue be solved?
Answer:
Solution-1
For the first time a report has been published by the Office of the United Nations High
Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) which highlight the human rights violations by
the Indian forces in Kashmir. The detailed report consists of:
1. Excessive use of force.
2. Use of pellet-firing shotgun
3. Arbitrary arrest (based on random choice) and detentions, especially children
4. Torture
5. Enforced disappearance.
6. Restriction on freedom of speech and education
7. Sexual violence.
The solution lies in proactive diplomacy to follow the report and make it basis of argument.
For example:
1. The report by the OHCHR recommends the Human Rights Council to establish a
commission of inquiry to investigate the violations of the human rights in IHK.
2. By keeping the report as the main base, propagate the attention on all international
forums, and present the violations of India as a breach of Geneva Convention 1949.
Solution-2
Follow the conflict resolution model of “The Good Friday’s agreement,” which resolved
the Northern Ireland conflict. The model has direct relevance to the Kashmir issue in
two ways:
1. It recognizes “the legitimacy of whatever choice is freely exercised by a majority of
the people of Northern Ireland with regard to its status, whether they prefer to
continue to support the Union with Great Britain or a sovereign united Ireland.
There is also a provision for a periodic holding (every seven years) of a referendum
in case the people of Northern Ireland appear to change their minds
2. Two, that deweaponisation will follow the implementation of the settlement.
This is the only one that is premised on the principle of the right of self-determination
and not merely territorial control.

Q# The question of Surgical Strike? Yes or no?

Answer:
India claims that it carried a surgical strike, but Pakistan denies any such thing (surgical
strike aims at targeting a specific military target without causing a collateral damage to the
nearby infrastructure or public)
- Pakistan states that India does not has the technology to carry out a surgical strike
because it requires three things : Drone technology, laser guided artillery, and
stealth helicopters. India has none of there back in the 2016, when the attack took
place.
- China, Russia, UN, all claim that no surgical strike occurred. There was no proof.
- ISPR also denied the statement.

Q# How the USA views China? FB Page: @CSSExamPoint

Answer: As per Trump:
- China is a ‘revisionist power’ seeking to displace USA in the Indo-pacific region.
- ‘Strategic competitor’ that is using ‘predatory economics.’
- China is growing its military capabilities to intimidate its neighbors.
Q# Failed USA containment policy of China?
Answer:
- The containment policy of China by the USA can be tracked back to the Bush era. He
bolstered the military presence in the Asia-Pacific and strengthened defense ties
with allied nations.
- Then came the Obama administration, he too, with the Asia-Pivot aimed at the
continuation of his predecessor policies. But the 9/11 incident redirected a lot of
money, intelligence operations, and organizational energy towards WOT than
waging a long-term military competition with the China. Furthermore, 2008
financial crisis also exacerbated the situation. Additionally, the Middle-East crisis
also diverted the energy of the Obama administration.
Q# What has been the strategy of China in its evolvement?
Answer: It is three-folded:
- Geopolitics: China seeks to reshape the international environment, starting with its
immediate neighborhood, in ways that better reflect its strength and serve its
interests.
- History: China is not just any rising power; it is a nation with a long and proud
history as the leading center of East Asian civilization. China’s leaders see their
country as not merely rising, but rather returning to a position of regional pre-
eminence that it once held and which they (and many of their people) regard as
natural and appropriate.
 - Regime: China is ruled by a one-party authoritarian regime that is determined at all
costs to retain its exclusive grip on political power. The CCP has worked on popular
nationalism, and thus managed the national economy in ways intended to sustain
growth and employment. CCP also worked on popular-sentiments over increased
tensions with other countries, including Japan, the Philippines, Vietnam and,
indirectly, the United States, to stir nationalist sentiments, mobilize public support
and bolster popular backing for the regime.
Q# The rise of China under Xi?
Answer:
- Domestically:
1. First, Xi strengthen China from within. He initiated a series of domestic
programs which dealt with anti-corruptions and stepped-up patriotic –education
campaigns, and issuance of new ideological guidelines calling for increased
vigilance against corrupting Western ideas.
- Internationally:
1. Focusing on Eurasia over the maritime disputes in the South and East China Sea.
Construction of artificial islands, and declaring of air defense identification zone
(ADIZ) over the East China Sea, and much more.
2. The initiation of a geo-economic venture, the BRI. A set of investments and
proposals for infrastructural development designed to stretch, over land, across
Central Asia to Europe and the Middle East and, by sea, down through the South
China Sea and the Indian Ocean all the way to the Persian Gulf and the
Mediterranean.
Q# Contemporary Regional Security Dynamics and the Middle East?
- Status of Middle East: failed states, conflicted geographies, nationalist movements,
crippled economies, traumatized and humiliated people, growing inequalities,
increased poverty, plundered resources, devastated environment, violent radicalism,
foreign intrusions and persistent strategic and ideological rivalries.
- Apart from countries facing political upheavals, the region is passing through an
inescapable security quagmire, a situation caused by the chaos, instability and
disruption in Syria, Iraq and Yemen.
- The current security complex in the Middle East can be analyzed in three ways:
i. Domestic: At the domestic level, major issues faced by states other than
sectarian civil wars include economic stagnation, sub-national conflicts,
political chaos, weak central governments, corruption, devastated society,
ethno-religious quagmire, terrorism and religious extremism war which have
induced infrastructural and human loss and refugee crisis
ii. Regional level: At regional level, the power tussle, ideological rivalries
alongside bloc politics, the far-reaching impact of the Arab Spring (which
started off from one state i.e., Tunisia and then pushed various other states
 such as Egypt and Libya into endless chaos and ranks of failed states), and
the subsequent involvement of regional powers are leading factors in
regional instability.
iii. International Level: At international level, it is the formation of the alliance
system to tackle the issues of the Middle East primarily terrorism and
extremism, concerns related to the emergence of Daesh, chaotic Syrian
conflict, Iranian nuclear programme and thrust for rich hydrocarbon
resources which has dragged Cold War rivals directly to interfere in the
domestic and regional affairs of the Middle East.
Suffice to say that the primary reasons behind such circumstances, almost all of the
violence is contained within the region, which primarily consists of friction between
the governments and the people, foreign intrusion and the threat of terrorism and
extremism.

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Q# The Syrian conflict?

Answer: The conflict can be seen as a proxy-play of various regional and extra-regional
powers.
- The Syrian Civil war is the result of the Arab-spring which took place in 2011. The
civilian uprising in Syria, against the government of Bashar al-Assad took serious
turns when he initiated a brutal crackdown on the mass uprisings. The tensed and
fragile conditions promoted the emergence of militant option movements and
massive defections from the Syrian Army, which gradually transformed the conflict
from a civil uprising to an armed rebellion, and later a civil war.
- Syrian War can be divided into 4 sides, which each side backed up by foreign
backers:
1. The Assad’s side Iran, Russian, and Hezbollah.
2. ISISAlone.
3. KurdsSupported by USA (Obama)
4. Rebels USA (Trump), Jordan, Gulf-States, and Turkey.
- Chain of Events:
1. 2011, peaceful protestors are shot by the Bashar’s personal police force, public
retaliated with same measures and armed conflict arises with the help of Rebels
joining the public protestors.
2. 2012, the global jihadists start travelling from the world to join the Rebels for
the cause.
 On the parallel, the Syrian-Kurdish groups who had long sought autonomy,
separate themselves by taking up arms in the North. This is where the Syria
becomes a zone of proxy-war.
3. Iran starts backing up the Assad regimes. Involvement of Iran has been of acute
importance, through its IRCG forces, and providing logistic and military training
to the Syrian army, the Iran has shown its involvement in the conflict zone by
providing Syrian Gvt. And Shia militias with light arms and advanced strategic
weapons such as rockets, anti-tank missiles and etc.
4. In retaliation, the Gulf-states start sending support to the Rebels, to counter the
Iran’s influence.
5. Lebanese’s based militia, the Hezbollah, backed up by Iran, now stands with the
Assad as well.
6. Now to counter the jacked up support of Iran, the gulf-states join hands with
Turkey and Jordan and further supplement the Rebels.
7. The most important entry was of the USA, after the alleged usage of Chemical
weapons by the Assad’s regime, and as per the National Security interest of the
USA, the hegemon initiated a targeted military operation in Syria.
8. Russia has also aligned with the pro-Bashar bloc. Since the cold war, it’s the first
time that Russia has involved itself outside of its border in an international
conflict. Russia used it advanced weaponry to enter the battle ground, firing
ground to air ballistic missiles via the Caspian Sea and conducting air to ground
operations thought its SU-aircraft models.
9. The adevant of ISIS, the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, joins the battle ground,
and fights the Rebels, Assad, and the Kurds. Now, the USA is also bombing ISIS!
Overall, Syria is in ruins because of a multi-dimensional proxy and civil war.
Q# Who is winning the Syrian proxy war?
Answer:
On the grounds of Syria it is Russia. There are several reasons:
1. Bashar al Assad’s regime is still in contact.
2. With the calling back of US troops, the vacuum is effectively filled by the Russia.
3. Russia has effectively perused the eradication of IS by creating de-escalation
zones and ceasefires. Furthermore, perused the issue on Astana and Sochi
summit.
4. Russia has still control over its naval base in Syria by the name of ‘Tartus’ and its
military airbase at ‘Latakia’
Q# Why is Syria important?
Answer:
1. Geostrategically: From an offensive-realist perspective, ‘always seek
opportunities to acquire more power in order to feel more secure.’ Now, Syria is
in the cross-roads of CARs and the ME. Syria is a transit hub for hydrocarbons.
Thus, states having political hold over the hydrocarbons would have a greater
control in the region.
2. Economically : Proven massive reserves in Oil reserves (2.5 billion barrels),
Natural Gas (284 billion cubic meters), and Shale Gas (50 billion tonnes). The
international market has been, and can benefit from the immense natural
reserves.
Q# The Yemen Crisis?
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Answer:
Yemen crisis can be traced back to the Arab-Spring in 2011. Starting from Tunisia
and spreading over to Egypt, Libya, and other states, it also ended up in Yemen. The
massive popular uprising in the Yemen was ought to overthrow the then leader
Muhammad Saleh. In the opposition, alongside the masses, the Shia-Houthi rebels
were also against the regime of Muhammad Saleh. Accelerating the national cause,
Muhammad Saleh was stripped-off his leadership. In his replacement came Mansur
Hadi, a pro-Sunni leader.
But this was not it for the Yemen. Radical militant organizations such as Al-Qaeda
and ISIS started to take advantage of the deteriorating conditions of Yemen, and
eventually made their presence known in the area as well. Now this is where the
political dynamics shaped in a very peculiar way. The sworn enemy of Houthi rebels,
the Muhammad Saleh joined hands with the Houthi rebels to gain territory against
the growing radical outfit presence in Yemen. For Saleh, it was a chance to regain his
lost glory. As a result, both collaborated and started gaining grounds in Yemen,
eventually raising alarms for Mansur Hadi. Conditions favored the new dual-group,
and forced Hadi to escape Yemen and take refuge in Saudi-Arab.
Saudi Arab got concerned of the growing power of Houthi-rebels, mainly because
the rebels were supported by the counter-part of KSA, the Iran. KSA got worried
about the dissemination of Iranian influence in their state through the radical outfit
because KSA and the Yemen share 1100km+ border. Coupling this concern with the
aim of restoring Hadi’s regime in Yemen, the KSA fortified the borders and
eventually started air-based strikes on Yemen targeting the Houthis. 33-percent of
the attacks were on non-militant targets: schools, health facilities, and even funerals.
Resulting in countless loss of innocent lives, reaching up to 10,000, and a
devastating famine.
Alongside KSA, others joined the coalition, which included: Egypt, UAE, Sudan, and
even the USA. The USA is not only supporting the coalition but also funding the war.
This could be supplemented with a fact that “kc-135 Stratotanker” of the USA took
 more than 1600 refueling missions over the skies of Yemen, refueling KSA’s f-15 jets
which were bombarding the Houthis.
Currently in Yemen, 22.2 million people need assistance, 8.4millio people are facing
food insecurity, and 1.1 million cases of acute diarrhea have surfaced up.

Q# KSA-PAK-IRAN equation?
Answer:
- The main challenge for the Foreign policy of Pakistan is to maintain a balance
between the immediate neighbor,Iran (the factor of regional proximity, cannot
antagonize Iran to have a 3rd tensed neighbor) and the traditional ally, KSA (having
strategic relations, who has helped us in Afghan war 1979, and supported us in our
pursuit of Nuclear weapons in the 90’s).
- The sectarian factors that emanates from the Saudi-Iran equations also prohibits the
Pakistan from taking sides (80% Sunnis and 20% Shias in Pakistan). Already
Pakistan is marred with sectarian conflict within, which are fueled by the Middle-
East repercussions.
- Economic motivations of Pakistan also provokes it to maintain a balance between
the two. For example, it is KSA that has long provided Pakistan with crude oil +
largest remittances are from Saudia. In parallel, Iran contributes to 13% of natural
gas to Pakistan (Qatar, 40%).

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Miscellaneous:
The Question of Brexit?
Answer: There are 3 possibilities of BREXIT:
1. Hard-Brexit: Which means pulling out EU single market and the Custom Unions.
This would yield harder borders between the UK and the EU leading to more
tariffs on goods which would travel between the two, and more strict border
managing policies. Furthermore, the immigration policies would also be made
strict, EU members residing in UK, and vice-versa would be compelled to move
back to their respective countries
2. Soft-Brexit: It is the opposite of the above policies. The UK would remain in the
EU single market and the Customs Union as well, but it would lose its seats in the
EU (MEPs and Commissioner). There would be frictionless trading and soft
borders.
 3. Chequers Deal: Theresa May wants to mediate between the two before 29 March
2019. The conservative party is divided between hard and soft Brexit. Thus, May
came up with a deal that would:
a. Have a Common Rulebook: UK-EU free trade area will be created with a
common rule book on agricultural and industrial goods.
b. Facilitated customs arrangements: The UK would imply domestic tariffs and
trade policies on the goods which would be intended for the UK, but charge
EU tariffs and their equivalent for goods which will end up heading into the
EU
c. Freedom of movement: This will come to an end. A new framework will be
established.
d. Joint jurisdiction: Ending the role of ECJ in UK affairs.
The question of Northern Ireland is halting the Brexit process:
- History:
1. The border between the Republic of Ireland and the Northern Ireland was
drawn by the British when they left the entire Ireland in the 1920. However, the
British made the Northern Ireland a part of it as “overland border”. Republic of
Ireland (Nationalists) and the Northern Ireland (Unionist). The conflict between
the two had been present for 30 years, even the UK intervened on the behalf of
the Unionist and made hard borders. The conflict was settled in the 1998 ‘Good
Fridays Agreement’ which ended the hard borders and allowed the Unionist to
gain nationality of both the UK and the Republic of Ireland. Furthermore,
Unionist had the option to merge with the Republic in future as well.
- Issue:
1. By Brexit we are looking at hard borders, with such borders the Unionist would
be segregated from the UK. Second solution is to have hard borders between the
Unionists and the Nationalist, but then again, it would violate the 1998
agreement. Third, remaining in the Custom Union to facilitate the above two
options would completely violate the basic tenets of the Brexit. It’s funny, that
May had out rightly highlighted the above 3 options in the Parliament and
declared all the options not be considered!
2. The ultimate solution? Well, Reunification! Merging the Unionist and the
Nationalists (victory for the nationalist) but then again, opinions have changes
and Unionist are willing for such an option.
- Recent development:
The EU and UK have reached an initial agreement on Ireland, citizenship rights and
a divorce bill. The draft has been accepted. It now awaits to be accepted in the UK
parliament.

Citizenship rights
 - The rights of EU citizens working and living in the UK, and UK citizens in the
European Union would be respected.
Ireland
- There would be "no hard border" between EU member Ireland and Northern Ireland,
including "physical infrastructure or related checks and controls."
- All sides agreed on guaranteeing full implementation of the 1998 Good Friday
Agreement [the peace deal that ended three decades of conflict and created the present-day
political institutions].
Divorce bill
- The UK would meet its previous EU budget commitments under "a methodology for the
financial settlement" agreed to by both sides.
- While no concrete figure was given, previous estimates have put UK financial
obligations at 45-55 billion euros ($53-65 billion).
- The divorce bill would not be paid in one big chunk, but in installments as if Britain
were (still) an EU member.

Q# Globalization and Trump, 180 degree turn?

Answer: Trump’s economic nationalism is a threat to globalization.
The USA was the creator of the Liberal International Order (ILO), which promoted
globalization:
- The Washington Consensus (free economic market ideas supported by IMF, WB, and
EU) promoted economic rationalism of privatization, and liberalization.
- USA was a staunch advocate of WTO’s creation, and evolved it as well. WTO sparked
the era of globalization.
Trump’s retreat (America First!):
- Rejected the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP)
- Speaks of reversing the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)
- Criticism of free trade agreement with the Korea (KORUS)
- Recent trade war with the China.
Reasons for Trump’s retreat:
- The protection of America’s indigenous economy. In context, the trade deficit with
the China around $350billion.
 - Trump advocates the formula of ‘Cost-benefit Bilateralism,’ it deals with nations on
individual basis with cost-benefit calculation as to how each relations would benefit
America economically and politically.

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Q# Would the pulling out of INF trigger an arms race?
Answer:
Introduction:
- Not specifically, but it has created an environment which might put at risk other
nuclear deals (START, which is to be renewed), and they would initiate a domino
effect which might trigger an arms race. The INF treaty was signed in 1987 between
the USA and the USSR. It also provided s sense of security to the European nations,
which were directly threatened by the Russia.
Triggering of an arms race:
- The Europe will get affected the most. Due to close proximity with the Russia, the
European allies of the USA would be under threat from the Russia. As a result, they
might aspire for the development of their own nuclear forces as a deterrent against
Russia. Triggering arms races in Europe.
- Now the treaty is made void, the USA is not restrained to create and install ground
based missiles (the treaty did not emphasized on air or sea based missiles). As per
John Bolton, the national security advisor to Trump, it is imperative for the USA to
have a land based nuclear deterrent against the China, apart from the geo-economic
competition as well. To do this, the USA might install missiles in the ally nations
such as Philippines or Japan. This would raise the alarms for the China, and as a
result, China would jack up its military muscles as well. This would further provoke
India, and this would further provoke Pakistan as well.

S-400 purchase of India from Russia and Pakistan’s response:

As per Lt General Khalid, the advisor to the National Command Authority (NCA), Pakistan
won’t involve itself in the strategy arms race which is triggered by the India acquiring S-
400 anti-ballistic missile technology from the Russia. Pakistan won’t peruse the same
approach as it has other means to retain such balance. Pakistan will play a role which
would mitigate the imbalance caused by the India. In response, Pakistan already has the
option of MIRV (A multiple independently targetable reentry vehicle is a missile payload
containing several warheads, each capable of being aimed to hit a different target).
Q# Why should Pakistan have ties with the Israel?
Answer: If we don’t recognize Israel, it’s not like that it would vanish from the map. Our
antagonism with Israel is because we share solidarity with the Palestine and the Arab
countries. Even the countries like Egypt, Jordon, Azerbaijan, and Turkey have diplomatic
ties with the Israel.
We have been indulged in multiple stereotype views which have strained our relations:
1. Firstly, we need to realize that it is not about Jews vs Muslims. It is more Israel vs
Palestine, mainly over land disputes. There are nearly 400,000 Palestinian
Christians among the sufferers in disputed lands.
2. Secondly, we can no longer blame the US, India and Israel for anything and
everything that happens in our country.
Reasons to bolster relations:
- To boost the economy by building trade relations, importing foodstuffs, cotton, etc.,
since Israel offers a huge market, and benefiting with the Israeli export of military
and agricultural technology.
- Allowing Muslim and Christian Pakistanis to visit their holy places in Israel.
- To promote regional peace, foster inter-ethnic and interfaith harmony with
understanding.
Q# Growing relations between India and Israel?
Answer: After 1992, the relation between the two have grown on all front; diplomatic (the
visit of Modi to Israel and Netanyahu visit to India), economic, and military.
- On the military front:
1. Israel is the 3rd largest arms exporter after Russia and USA
2. Heron and Harop UAVs to India
3. Airborne Warning and Control System, or AWACS.
4. Green Pine radars
5. Space programme to enhance surveillance
6. Barak air defense systems
7. Naval weapons
8. Joint military exercise
- On the Economic front:
1. Agriculture, water management, science and technology, tourism
2. Diamond and Defense: Around 50% of the imports are related to diamond
polishing and processing.
Overall, the substantial part of the bilateral relation is based upon military basis. The Israel
is jacking up India’s muscles on both conventional and strategic military basis.
Q# Security implications for Pakistan because of IND-ISR nexus?
Answer: Already, the ratio of India to Pakistan on military is 2:1, and on air force and naval
it is 1.9:1.
The growth of Indian military muscles is a concern for Pakistan. It has increased the Indian
capability to launch a limited war strike (not engaging with all capabilities) on Pakistan.
India is now getting more capable to conduct a surgical strike with its growing state of the
art weaponry, e.g. UAVs and satellite based surveillance programs.

Q# The USA mid-term elections?

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Answer:
What are these elections?
- General elections are held every November every four years, during the mid-term of
the President’s tenure in the office.
- The contenders are the House of Representative with all 435 seats (218 seats are
needed for the control of the House), and the Senate with only 35/100 seats.
- In addition, 36/50 states elect their governors for the 4-year terms during these
mid-terms elections (State Governors)
- Only 40% of the voters turn out for these elections.
- Elections are mostly between the Democrats and the Republicans (Trump) who will
compete to take hold of the congress.

Democrat Republican

Philosop Liberal, left-leaning. Conservative, right-

hy leaning.

Economi Minimum wages and Believe taxes shouldn't be

c Ideas progressive taxation, i.e., higher increased for anyone
tax rates for higher income (including the wealthy)
brackets. Born out of anti- and that wages should be
federalist ideals but evolved over set by the free market.
time to favor more government
regulation.

Social Based on community and social Based on individual rights

and responsibility and justice
human
ideas
 Democrat Republican

Stance Decreased spending Increased spending

on
Military
issues

Impact on Trump’s future Presidency:

- If the Democrats win, some of the enacted laws by the Republicans could be
reversed, e.g. Obamacare.
- Perhaps most importantly, if the Democrats were to take control of the House it
would allow them to launch impeachment proceedings against Mr. Trump -
something the president is very keen to avoid.
- Republicans would have a hard time in passing legislations if the Democrats win
majority in the lower house (HOR)
Results:
- The Democrats have won the lower house of the Congress (HOR) by securing 220
seats, and the Republicans secured 194 seats.
- As for the upper house of the Congress (Senate) the Republicans secured 51 seats
and 45 seats by the Democrats.
- For the first time, two Muslim women were elected to the House of Representatives.
Democrat Rashida Tlaib won a seat in Michigan, while Somali-American Ilhan
Oman earned a seat for the Democrats in Minnesota.
- Implications for the Republicans:
a. Democrats with majority in the lower house (HOR) will now chair several
powerful committees including the lower chambers intelligence, Ways and
Means, Foreign Affairs and Judiciary committees.
b. Republicans will no longer be able to pass legislation without help from the
Democrats. This will hamper Republicans attempts for additional immigration
restrictions. Furthermore, the Democrats will also probe into the Russian 2016
elections meddling.
c. The possibility of impeachment is there, but it won’t happen. Previously, two
presidents, Bill Clinton and Andrew Johnson were impeached. According to the
American constitution, the impeachment process starts from the HOR, with
simple majority the President is tried for impeachment, but then it has to pass to
the Senate, where they also need to pass the impeachment process with majority.
 Senate is now with the Republicans, so the chances of Trump’s impeachment are
very minimal

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Q# Constitutional crisis in Siri-Lanka?

Answer:
1. President Sirisena of the Siri-Lanka.
2. Sirisena appointed the former President Mahinda as the new PM. At that time, PM
Ranil had not assumed the PM office through one of the constitutionally stipulated
means.
3. Questions surrounding the constitutionality and legality of the decision to remove
Ranil and appoint Mahinda have plunged Sri Lanka into an unprecedented
constitutional crisis.
4. Ranil asserts that he is the country’s PM, and has refused to vacate the office. The
Sirisena has also deferred the parliamentary session in the meanwhile.
5. As for Ranil, the constitutional articles 46(2),48 state that the PM could only cease
to hold the office in the conditions of:
a. Death, resignation.
b. ceasing to be a member of parliament
c. Government as a whole loses the confidence of parliament through a no
confidence vote.
None of these apply to the case of Ranil.
6. The clearest way out of the present crisis is to demonstrate that either Mahinda
or Ranil has a parliamentary majority, which requires the support of 113 MPs.
Conduct early elections.

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Q# USA’s sanction on Iran?
Answer:
Unilateral withdraw from the JCPOA deal, the USA will now impose strict sanctions on the
Iranian regime.
Effects:
1. According to the IMF report, Iran’s 65.3% of government budget is based on oil and
gas exports revenue. This would further lead to inflation, unemployment, and unrest
in the country.
2. 6million barrels of oil per day are pumped by the Iran, it could exponentially bring
this number down. The USA aims at 0 barrels per day.
3. European oil companies who have made deals in the light of JCPOA agreement
would also be subjected to loss. French Oil Company has signed $5Billion deal with
Iran.
4. However, the USA has given waivers to China, India, Greece, Italy, Taiwan, Japan,
Turkey and South Korea.
Q# Protests in France?
Answer: As of November, a series of protests started in France relating to price hikes in
diesel by Macron. He aimed at curbing C02 emissions and thus increased prices of the fuel.
The protests are maneuvered by ‘The Green Vests’ who are mainly drivers, students, and
shop vendors from different parts of the society. For them, “Macron should focus on daily
to daily and monthly end of his people than the world’s end.”
The protests have now diverged into other aspects as well:
- Stagnant mid-class salaries
- Increasing taxes
- Growing ant sentiments against Macron

Q# Ukraine Russia sea clash?

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Answer:
The Russian Navy, captured and fired upon 3 of the boats from Ukraine. It was alleged by
Russia that the boats were violating the territorial waters of the Russia. On the other hand,
it was claimed by the Ukrainian authorities that they did not breach any international law
as the Black sea was free for shipping. Furthermore, they also added that a treaty of 2003
also allowed them to access strait of Kerch.
It is one the main issues after the Crimean annexation. President Poroshenko imposed a
30-day martial law in about 15/23 provinces. The most tensed relations are in the Eastern-
Ukraine, where the pro-Russian separatists have the heavy Russian weapons, and the
Ukraine has asked the NATO to send help.
The international response:
- Angela Markel has out rightly criticized the Russian authorities
- President Trump has canceled the talks with Putin in the upcoming G20 summit in
Bueno Aires.
- NATO has condemned the action.
Reason for Martial Law:
- Security Oriented: With the eastern-Ukraine separatist rising, the President aims at
curbing any further escalation of security situation. It would ban any public
gathering, hate speech, blockade of important government institution, etc.
- Political Oriented: As per Putin, and as the facts describe, the President Poroshenko
wants to boost his electoral rating in the upcoming Presidential elections. His full
command through a martial law would delineate him as a sole figure aiming to curb
Russian aggression.
Q# Current Brexit conditions?
Answer:
The Brexit draft deal has been accepted by the EU and the UK. Now, May has to pass it
through the UK Parliament, where she would need a simple majority of 320 MPEs, with her
conservative party standing at (318).
The draft deal includes:
1. Citizenship rights of both EU and UK nationals would be protected.
2. Transition period ending in 31st December 2020.
3. Financial settlement to stand around 35-39 billion pounds.
4. Until or unless an agreement is reached on the Northern Ireland issue, a joint single
customs territory would be made.
Possible solution of “Norway Plus Deal”:
Norway deal:
1. Norway is as close to the EU without being an actual member.
2. Norway is a part of EEZ (European Economic Zone) alongside Switzerland, Iceland,
and EFTA (European Free Trade Agreement), which means Norway is in the Single-
Market, which enables it to have reduced trade barriers in trade with the EU.
3. There are four-freedoms as well.
4. Norway is not in the CAP (Common Agricultural Policy) not in the CFP (Common
Fishery Policy). So it can set its own policy in these areas.
5. Norway is not even in the Customs Union. This is where the Brexit would fall in. All
above things, but with Customs Union tag as well.
6. Cons: Regulations under EEA and EFTA.

Q# COP24?
Answer: Held in Poland, with reference to Paris Climate agreement 2015.
UNSG reiterated on the following points in the COP24:
1. To bring the emissions from 45% to 0% by 2030
2. More focus on green-economy than grey-economy by focusing on 5 key economic
areas: energy, cities, land-use, water and industry.
 3. Consequences of failing to address the Paris Climate agreement.

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Q# USA-China Trade war?

Answer:

Trade War history:

1. Boston Tea Party (American colonist vs British Parliament): Tools: Tea.
Sons of liberty throwing tea worth of $1million in response to Stamp Acts. The
British retaliated by enacting coercive acts, closing Boston Harbor + stopped free
elections in Massachusetts.
2. Smoot-Hawley Act of 1930 (USA, Canada, Europe): Tools: Thousands of imported
goods. To protect the agricultural crisis in USA, senators, Smoot and Hawley
imposed industrial tariffs. The nations also responded with similar tariffs.
3. Trade war with Japan: Tools: Cars, electronics, motorcycles.
4. Banana war( USA + Latin America vs Europe)
Breakthrough in the War:
1. G20 Summit called for a 90-day truce (delay of any new tariffs)
2. China purchased 1.5million tons of Soybeans.
 National Issues
Q# PTI’s 5-million House project in 5-years?
Answer:
The move by the PTI is welcomed as it highlights the plight of millions of people who are
homeless. Bu the economic nature, and the financing structure of the massive project is too
idealistic.
1. The government says that the cheapest house would cost around Rs1.5million, for
which the homeowner will be expected to pay around Rs150,000 as down payment,
and rest will come from a bank loan. With 10% interest rate and 20-years of
payback, the monthly mortgage payment would come around Rs13000. Additionally,
as per the forms, the minimum income required to own the house would be
Rs20,000/month. Following this statistic, the lowest earning homeowner would be
paying 65% of his monthly income in mortgage. In the contrast the minimum
amount of mortgage would be Rs6000, this too is unrealistic, because if the
government decides to bring the mortgage down to Rs6000, it would mean that the
government would charge 0.65% interest per year, meaning, the government would
give the home owners 20-years loan interest free!
2. The government aims at financing the $180billion project through commercial bank
financing, and the private sector would step in. the chances of commercial banks
financing $180bn of housing construction seem improbable in a country where the
total loan portfolio of the private sector does not exceed Rs4.4 trillion ($33bn)
Q# Climate change and Pakistan?
Answer:
- Pakistan is in the 10 most likely countries to be effected by Climate Change.
- Pakistan is an agrarian economy. Already the fragile economy with looming trade
deficit is causing harm to the socio-economic fabric of Pakistan. Future economic
policies of Pakistan are tightly knitted with agrarian reforms. Thus, Pakistan needs
to pay close attention to Climate change as it is, and in the near future would affect
the agricultural sector.
- Precipitation has increased in Pakistan on the average of 25%. This has produced
massive variability in Monsoon rains increasing the intensity of floods in Punjab and
Sindh.
- The melting of Karakorum and Hindukush glaciers would cause less water in the
Indus river system in the next 3-4 decades. Which would impact 95% of irrigation in
Pakistan.
 - High temperatures would alter the growth patterns of fisheries and plants. For
plants, high temperature would strip the soil of moisture and it would slow down
the growth of plants.
- Coastal areas like Karachi is at risk of typhoons and cyclones with the rising sea
level.
- Impacts on Agriculture:
1. Increasing temperature in arable lands + changing rainfall patterns ( irregular
and severe) + increased variability of Monsoon + changes in the availability of
irrigational water + severe water stressed conditions in arid and semi-arid areas
== small land owners which are 80% agricultural land owners would get
effected.
- Impacts on Forest:
1. Excessive heat will cause forest fires.
2. Loss of biodiversity and the shift of forest towards the Northern areas of
Pakistan.
- Impacts on Livestock:
1. Affect in reproduction with increasing heat.
2. Advent of new diseases with increasing heat.
Q# Kalabagh Dam?
Answer:
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Objection by KPK:
- Nowshera will get flooded: According to the simulations, it’s not possible because
the lowest point elevation in Nowhsera is 935ft. While KBD peak water level is
designed to be kept at 915ft.
- Swabi (1000ft lowest elevation), Mardan (970ft lowest elevation), and Pibi will be
water logged.
- Many people of KPK will be displaced: 34,500 people will be affected.
Objection by Sindh:
- KBD will convert Sindh into a desert because of non-availability of water: During
summers, 82% of water runs in the rivers (winters 18%), KBD will store access
water and run it down in October to July, giving Sindh an excess of 6.1 MAF.
- The land will be affected by the intrusion of salt from the sea.

Q# Diamer-Basha Dam?
Answer:
 - It was a part of the WAPDA Water Vision 2025.
- The project is estimated at $13.683billion.
- Expected to contribute 4500MW, with annual revenue of $2.216billion.
- Covering 110km^2.
Reservations:
- Territorial dispute between GB and KPK over 7km stretch of territory connecting
Basha village (KPK )and Chilas (GB). Whoever gets the area will be given royalties of
the project. Thus, conflict over land.
- Project will cost population displacement, and resettlement. 32 villages with 4228
houses, and submerge 2660 acres of agricultural land.
Q# IWT and its features?
Answers:
- Signed in 1960 between Pakistan (Ayub Khan) and India (Nehru), under the
mediation of World Bank in Karachi.
- Western rivers including Indus, Jehlum, and Chenab were given to Pakistan.
- Eastern rivers including Ravi, Sutlej, and Bias were given to India.
- Either side is not allowed to disrupt the flow of designated rivers of the other party.
- Pak and Ind will share information of drainage and release of water every month.
- Pakistan has went twice in the court of arbitration on the projects Kishanganga (on
the tributary of Indus; Neelum) and Baglihar (on the tributary of Chenab).
Q# Breakthtough in IWT by PAK and IND?
Answer:
- As of August, 2018, in the 115th meeting of Pak-India Permanent Indus Commison,
both sides agreed to conduct inspections of Hydro-electric power plants.
- Indian inspection team was given permission to inspect the Kotri-Barrage of
Pakistan
- Pakistani inspection team was given the permission to inspect two of Indian
projects, namely; Pakal Dul (1000MW) and lower Kalnai (48MW).
- Pakistan had reservation against the height of the Pakul Dul dam, and required the
reduction of the height by 5 meters.
Q# Local Government in Pakistan?
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Answer:
- Local government is the lowest tier of administration in the given state.
National GovernmentProvincial GovernmentLocal government.
A sub-national tier of a government whose jurisdiction extends to a specific locality
and is elected by a local population.
- Legal basis for Local Government:
1. Article-32Promotion of Local Government.
2. Article 140-A (18th Amendment)Each province by law shall establish local
government system.
- Structure of a Local Government:
1. District (Zilla)  Two parts:
a. Administrative Function: Implementation of laws, price control, qusai judicial
function (when executive authority plays a role of a judge)
b. Municiple Fucntions: Basic services; sewage, registration of births and deaths
etc.
2. Tehsil  Municipal infrastructure services.
3. Union-Council Community based services.
- History of Local governance in Pakistan:
1. Ayub Period:
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1958 martial law, disbanded the provincial and national assembly, and enacted
the local government system under Basic Democracies Ordinance (1959,
governed the rural areas), and Municipal Administration Ordinance (1960,
governed the Urban areas).
4 tiers of Local Government:
a. Union council: Chairman and vice chairman. Provide basic municipal services.
b. Tehsil Council: Basic municipal services.
c. District Council: No direct elections. The DC was the chairman and he
nominated VC.
d. Divisional Council: No direct elections. Commissioner was official chairman.
The system was basically designed to meet Ayub’s political needs. Power
predominantly rested with the bureaucracy/DC.
2. Zia Period:
Local governments were revived by the Local government ordinances (LGOs,
1979) and local governments were installed in all four provinces during 1979
and 1980.
Tiers of the government:
a. Union Council for rural areas
b. Town committees for urban areas
c. District Council for rural areas
d. Municipal Committees and Municipal Corporation (for Karachi and Lahore)
Under this model, 3 elections were held 1980, 1985, 1997.
There was a clear divide in rural and urban administration. The DC had all the
administrative powers and the municipal powers were given to the above tiers.
3. General Pervez Musharraf:
 Devolution of power-plan introduced by Musharraf in 2000. Local Governance
Ordinance 2001.
It revolutionized the concept of local government.
a. Administration and municipal functions were placed under Nazim. Areas
such as health, community, development, agriculture were devolved at
district level.
b. Union council, Tehsil, and District.
c. All the members were elected directly.
d. Complete financial autonomy
e. Uniform across the country.
Under this model two times elections were held 2002,2005

4. Punjab Local Government Act (PLGO, 2013):

PMLN was the first democratic government to introduce the system of local
government. Basically, the 18th amendment on 2010 incorporated the article
140-A which states that provinces shall have the system of local government. So
the CJP, Iftikhar took a Suo-moto action against it and compelled to introduce
this system.

5. PTI to implement the KPK LG model based on LGO 2001 in Punjab.

In Punjab, Sindh, Baluchistan the model is of 1979 LGO.

- Challenges faced by L.G:

1. Capacity and Revenue generation issue: In terms of financing, the P.Gs
overshadow the L.Gs. Provincial Finance Commissions (PFCs) must be
strengthened for better dissemination of funds within the province. P.Gs also
influence the authorities of L.Gs over Parks, Food, Development, transport
authorities, which also effects their financial capabilities (encroachment of
authority).
2. Service Delivery: No comprehensive assessment on social delivery under L.G
systems. The L.Gs are still in transitory phase, which is hampering their
performances, especially in municipal services.
- Way forward for Power-Devolution:
1. Create a federal-level institution to oversee the devolution process: The National
Reconstruction Bureau—established by the Musharraf government as an
independent federal institution to formulate the LGO 2001 and oversee its
implementation—was dissolved in 2011. Similar entity is required.
2. Ensure that reserved seats are occupied by the marginalized groups they are
intended to benefit.
 3. Ensure that local governments have the financial resources they need to serve
their constituents: Provincial Finance Commissions is a step in the right
direction + Local governments also need the authority to generate their own
sources of revenue. One possibility is to encourage provincial governments to
give more taxation powers to local governments in a wide range of sectors, such
as agriculture, irrigation, and property.
4. Local government involvement in provincial government-led programs. Example,
Punjab Mass Transit Authority (PMTA) has enabled local governments to
become integrated into provincial government-led programs.

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Q# Poverty in Pakistan?
Answer:
- Poverty, defined as the inability to attain bare minimal living standards.
- It is a multi-dimensional phenomenon which includes: low-income, lack of access to
resources, few opportunities for participation in the economic activities or political
process, high vulnerability to risks and shocks, etc.
- According to the latest survey around 30% of the people are living below poverty
line.
- Poverty eradication is the main agenda of SDGs and Pakistan Vision 2025.
- Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) is used to capture severe deprivations that
each person experiences with respect to education, health, and standard of living.
- Steps to elevate poverty:
1. Provision of productive assets: Only 5% of the agricultural households own 64
per cent of farmland. On the other side, over 80% of farmers own less than five
acres of land and women’s share of ownership of land is less than 2%.
Government to provide state land to landless peasants, or funds to purchase land.
2. Microfinance: The microfinance helps the poor to engage in productive activities
or start their small businesses. Microcredit linked with entrepreneurial skills
training.
3. Human resource development:
a. Education: Dissemination of wide-ranging education, skills upgradation and
training of the workforce to enhance its employability, productivity and
competitiveness.
b. Health: Strengthening primary healthcare, especially the in rural areas at the
BHU level. Focus on mobile health units for enhancing access to the remotest
areas. Provide basic health services to rural areas and urban slums on priority.
c. Gender mainstreaming: The Plan will take steps to resolve gender-related
issues and enable women to become more productive members of the society.
 The Plan includes strategies for building capacity, impart skills and create
opportunities to make women more productive.
d. Skill development: An initiative to prepare national workforce for a large scale
district-based national skills development, which will produce technically-
trained and employable manpower.
- Financing poverty reduction: Poverty reduction efforts are financed through both
current and development expenditures.

Q# Civil-Military relations?
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Answer:
- 30/70 years rule of Military in Pakistan:
a. 1958: chief of Army staff Ayub Khan, he promoted himself to Field Marshal.
b. 1969: Yahya Khan assumed the presidency from Ayub Khan.
c. 1977: Bhutto rigged parliamentary elections in order to suppress opposition
protests, attempted to have the military impose martial law but Zia-ul-Haq and
the Army sized power.
d. 1999: Chief of Army Staff General Pervez Musharraf, after seizing the power of
civilian government under Nawaz Sharif, brought Pakistan‘s fourth military
regime) all coups without a justified motive, and not one PM has ever completed
a 5-year tenure.
- Military has involved itself on the claim that the politicians and the elected
governments are lethargic in their policy making for the state, and for the national
interest. Military needs to recognize that the civilian government is the final arbiter
on national interest, and the people of Pakistan have mandated them to do so.
a. Article-243The Federal Government shall have control and command of the
Armed Forces. Example, appointing Chiefs of Army, Navy, Airforce
b. Article-245  Functions of the Army under the Federal Government. The armed
forces on the request of the Civilian government must come for aid.
- The civilian and military leadership in Pakistan are on the same page when it comes
to foreign and security policies. Disagreements are only over the right methods for
achieving these foreign policy goals. When it comes to Pakistan’s current foreign
policy posture, there appears to be no rupture in civil–military relations. Both
civilian and military leaders support deep ties with China, opening up to Russia,
balancing the Middle East, defying the United States and finding a sustainable peace
with India and Afghanistan.
Information minister Fawad also told that both are on the same page. As well as the
PM said that both are on the same page at Defense and Martyrs day at the GHQ.
- There has been a vacuum created by the executive that was filled by the military,
example in the natural disaster management.
Q# CPEC progress update?
Answer:
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- Energy Completed Projects:
1. Coal fired Projects:
a. 1320MW Port Qasim, Karachi
b. 1320MW Sahiwal, Punjab
2. Wind Projects:
a. 50MW Gharo, Thatta
b. 50MW Jhimpir, Thatta
c. 100MW Jhimpir, Thatta
d. 100MW Three Gorges.
- As for the SEZs, feasibility reports have been submitted:
1. Rashkai Economic Zone
2. Bohstan Economic Zone
3. Allama Iqbal Industrial City
4. China Special Economic Zone.

Q# CPEC and Climate Change?

Answer:
The carbon footprint of a country in terms of contributing to the global warming is directly
related to it’s the industrial growth. By 2030, total inventory of GHG emissions of Pakistan
will be 1603 MT CO2-equivalent; out of this total, around 370.72 MT CO2-equivalent will be
the contribution of CPEC portfolio. This is not a massive contribution by the CPEC, but still
it needs to be brought down to at least 320 MT-CO2-equivalent.
Following are the recommendation:
1. As for the thermal powered power stations, Pakistan must adopt global best
practices to reduce the GHGs via advanced combustion and related technologies to
capture and store carbon. Furthermore, China has established power-plants which
are based on ‘Ultra Supercritical Technology’ which help reduce the emission,
Pakistan can borrow the same technology.
2. The carbon footprint would exponentially increase once the CPEC is fully
materialized and functioning. This is because the economic corridor would trigger
the transport sector, including trains and automobiles. Thus, trains and cargo trucks
must be made environment friendly. This would mean adapting hybrid-engine
technology in the future.
3. Financial mechanism such as Green Climate Fund (GCF, under UNFCC) must be
explored for the CPEC. This comprehensive nature of the fund would help Pakistan
 to reduce its emissions. It seeks to promote a paradigm shift to low-emission and
climate-resilient development, taking into account the needs of nations that are
particularly vulnerable to climate change impacts.

Q# Religious intolerance evolved in Pakistan?

Answer:
Pakistan’s religious minorities have often been the target of religiously-motivated attacks
and persecution – these have risen in tandem with religious extremism in the country.
Discrimination, harassment and violence have been directed against all religious minorities,
including Ahmadis, Christians, Shia Muslims, Sikhs, Hindus, Parsis and Jains. Pakistan’s
small Christian community has particularly faced discrimination under the blasphemy law,
with incidents on almost a weekly basis where Christians are attacked, lynched and killed
under false accusations of blasphemy. Anyone trying to seek a change in the blasphemy law
or standing up for Pakistan’s non-Muslim minorities, like former Governor of Punjab
Salmaan Taseer and former Federal Minister Shahbaz Bhatti, has been assassinated.
Lawyers defending those accused of blasphemy have also been killed, like prominent
human rights activist Rashed Rehman.

Pakistan’s national discourse, aided by its school curriculum, generates religious prejudice
against minorities. Although the country’s founder, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, envisioned a
secular Pakistan, over the years respect for the diversity of beliefs has eroded. Islamist
groups have sought to purify Pakistan, which they deem to be the land of the pure. But
history shows that these efforts at purification have only made Pakistan vulnerable to
conflict, terrorism and lawlessness.

Solution:

1. Interfaith Harmony: Curricula and educational system should be made more

inclusive such that it promotes peace and harmony between and within religions. It
suggests that religious education should be equal for all at all educational
institutions and the federal government especially the Interior Ministry should
monitor the religious courses of different religions and through a proper plan
remove the material that promotes religious hatred.

2. Life-Skill based Education (LSBE): Life skills are abilities for adaptive and
positive behaviour that enable individuals to deal effectively with the demands
and challenges of everyday life. In particular, the skills are a group of psychological
competencies and interpersonal skills that help people make informed
decisions, solve problems, think critically and creatively, communicate
 effectively, build healthy relationships, empathise with others, and cope with and
manage their lives in a healthy and productive manner.
a. Adaptive and positive behavior: It means that we should find an appropriate
format and language to give an orientation to our children about what it entails
to be adaptive, compatible, flexible, and positive. Adopting to declarations such
as UNDHR “fundamental rights of the people aren’t violated irrespective of their
caste, creed, colour, ethnicity, language, location, or qualifications.”
b. Psychological competencies and interpersonal skills: It is a combination of
psychological and social attitudes and behaviours
c. Informed decisions: Life-skills also enable us to ‘make informed decisions’. As
we see, many of our decisions and reactions are ill-informed. We tend to jump to
conclusions that stem from poorly-investigated versions of an event or opinion.
Somebody propagates a lie, blames someone, or maligns an entirely respectable
individual; and most of us get infuriated.
d. Critically and creatively: The ability to think creatively and critically is next in
line. Creativity here doesn’t mean that every one of us becomes a creative genius.
It enables us to draw creative alternatives or options to tackle a difficult
situation. When we get fixated on a single idea, refuse to budge an inch, and
insist on a single solution, we aren’t being creative. Thinking critically means we
should be able to critically examine and question the credibility and veracity of
claims in the face of different alternatives and opinions.

3. Avoid religious outsourcing: The state needs to invest in religious scholarship.

Q# Federal and Provincial governments?

Answer: Main functions of the government are: internal and external security, collect taxes,
manage public finances, conduct foreign affairs, maintaining stable macroeconomic
conditions, health and care conditions etc.
Federal Government has 27 ministries and 35 divisions.
Reforms in the Federal government structure:
1. Security of tenure for all government officers must be observed in letter and spirit.
The reason for the removal must be given in the written form, and that could be
challenged by the person in court. The transfers have demotivated, demoralized,
and promoted corrupted practices in the government structure.
2. Decision making powers mostly lies with the PM and the President. It should lie
with the cabinet with is the real body for making collective decision. Rebalancing of
powers must be done between PM, CM, and Ministers.
3. Appoint senior most bureaucrat as the Cabinet secretary.
State Owned Enterprises:
Up to 2% of the GDP, the SOEs are incurring losses. PIA, Pak steel mills, Pak Railway, and
DISCOS are one of them. The reasons are; Overmanning, favoritism, nepotism in
appointments and awards of contracts. There have been some enterprises which were
privatized and they performed well, e.g. PTCL, HBL, and UBL.
Privatization aim at profit-maximization, and public ownership aims at public welfare. First
of all, the SOEs must be strengthened for better performance. For example, appointing
board of directors and Independent non-executive directors who bring expertise and
knowledge in me areas of finance, accounting, law, strategy, marketing, and sectoral
expertise should be invited to serve on these boards. Secondly, appointing Chief of the
corporation for a fixed tenure, the chief executive of the corporation would be responsible
for recruitment of regular staff; hiring and firing of contract employees; training;
promotion; performance evaluation; compensation and benefit packages; and disciplinary
actions within the budgetary ceilings and the HR policies approved by the board. This
separation of policy and financial/operational control would clarify responsibilities,
authority, and accountability and introduce a system of checks and balances.

Q# Civil Services?
FB Page: @CSSExamPoint
Answer:
Efficient civil services is characterized by good governance:
- Sound policymaking
- Efficient service delivery
- Accountability and responsibility in public resource utilization.
Reforms:
- Promotions of all cadres must be based on the following:
1. Training and skill acquisition
2. Rotation of assignments
3. Diversity of experience
4. Complexity of job
5. Performance Evaluation Report (PER)
- Curb the corruption by not moral standards, but with compensations packages. In
comparison to the private sector, their compatriots are payed more. The packages
must be reevaluated and upgraded.
Q# Judicial Activism?
Answer:
There are various definitions as to what Judicial Activism is. For example, in the Western
part of the world, in the UK and the USA, judicial activism can mean the philosophy through
which the judges make their personal views about public policy the basis for their decisions,
but, in developing countries like Pakistan and India, people expect the courts to bring about
a socio economic change for the benefit of the poor. The reason for this expectation is that,
in these developing countries, the executive and legislature have totally failed in providing
socio-economic justice to the poor people (failure of good governance). As a result, a
society expects the Judiciary to act as their trustee for bringing about a socioeconomic
change for the benefit of the common people.
Supreme Court in Pakistan has taken suo-moto actions where the fundamental rights of the
people have been neglected. In our constitution, article-184(3) empowers the Judiciary to
take suo-moto action if the fundamental human rights under Part-II, chapter-1 are ignored
or neglected. Secondly, matters pertaining to public interests can also provoke the Apex
Court to take Suo-moto action. Furthermore, article 199, also empowers the HCs to take
cuo-moto actions.
Positive side:
1. Suo-moto actions taken by the CJP Saqib Nisar are more than hundred in numbers.
They include; contaminated drinking water, sub-standard milk, extra judicial
killings, rape-cum murder, illegal constructions, security barriers in public streets,
Axact fake degree case, high fee charged by private institutes, etc. In the light of
above cases, it can be observed that the cases by the CJP are in the public interest.
They question the plight of fundamental human rights as per the constitution.
Whether it be inefficiency or the incompetency of the executive, the judiciary
withheld the trusteeship of providing the socio-economic rights to the people of
Pakistan.

Negative side:
1. Judicial activism is the breach of the separation of power, which is based upon the
principle of ‘Trias Politica’ the doctrine of separation of power. Each organ of the
democracy is supposed to maneuver within its constitutional domain. As for the
interference of Judiciary in the executive’s domain, the constitution of Pakistan in its
article 175(3) ensures the separation of the executive from the judiciary
“The Judiciary shall be separated progressively from the Executive ”
2. Judiciary has been intervening into the economic affairs of the state. The economic
decision making must lie with the agents of the Economy, not with the
administrators or the judiciary (there aim is just to maintain the rule of law to
provide an environment for safer investments). For example:
a. Case-1: Chagai Hills Exploration Joint Venture Agreement (CHEJVA) was made
void by the SC in 2013. It scared away a $3Billion investment by the world’s
leading gold and copper mining companies. In addition, it gave Pakistan a bad
name amongst the international investors.
b. Case-2: Cancellation of the privatization of Pakistan Steel Mills. Since then, the
SOE is still in debt and has caused Rs. 1billion loss to Pakistan’s GDP till now.
In conclusion, the Judicial Activism in Pakistan is aimed at the socio-economic fabric of
society, which is respected because it is also allowed by the constitution (Article 184-
2).Thus as long as the Judicial activism is aimed the safeguard of the society’s right, it is
welcomed. But living in the state of democracy, the principle of trias politica must be
respected in parallel with the constitution (article-175-3). The activism must not be on the
expanse of parliamentary sovereignty and supremacy. Too much of judicial activism would
generate the issue as per Case-1 and Case-2 of the negative points.

FB Page: @CSSExamPoint

Q# Khan’s trips?
Answer:
1. Malaysia: Khan visited the state, and addressing to the local community, he laid out
4-point agenda.

a. Increasing Exports
The first area is increasing exports of Pakistan in order to ensure trade balance, he
said, adding that all stakeholders have been taken on board for joint efforts.
The prime minister said Malaysian developed owing to better governance despite
having limited resources. The country enjoys today $220 billion of exports with 30
million population, he said, but lamented that Pakistan’s exports stand at $25 billion
with a population of 221 million.

b. Use of Legal Channels for Remittance

Secondly, he said, the government is also urging the overseas Pakistanis to use the
legal channels for sending their remittances to relatives.
He said 10 to 15 billion dollars additionally could be achieved if the formal channels
are utilized.
 c. Foreign Investment
He said the third priority is to attract foreign investment into Pakistan as it is the
main source for job creation and boost the economic activity in the country.
He asked the overseas Pakistanis to invest in the home country as part of their
national obligation.
The Prime Minister assured them the hat government will provide them all out
facilities, and also improve ease of doing business by reducing the bureaucratic
hurdles, Radion Pakistan reported.
He said the government will facilitate them in creating wealth so that in return they
create jobs and economic prosperity in the country.

d. Curbing Money Laundering

PM Imran said eliminating the money laundering is a key concern of the government
as every year billions dollar flies abroad.
He said the government will not spare the elements involved in corruption and
money laundering. He said the miscreant will face trial and jails.

2. Trip to KSA: financial help was acquired with the visit

a. $3Billion for the deferred oil payment
b. $3Billion for the balance of payment.
c. Investment by the KSA into Pakistani projects (CPEC).

3. Trip to China:
Khan signed 16 agreements (MoU) covering range of economic and social issues
between the two countries.
a. Improving or enhancing SEZs to accelerate CPEC.
b. Financial package for the economy.
c. Bridging the trade gap between the two countries (+$10billion)

4. Trip to UAE:
Talked about long term strategic and economic partnership. To improve corporation
in the areas of trade, investment, economic development, energy, infrastructure and
agriculture.
Economic assistance package.

FB Page: @CSSExamPoint
Q# PTI 100 day agenda?
Answer: The entire agenda hovered over 6 main points with 34 deliverables.
6-points:
1. Transforming Governance (CSS reforms, total accountability, depoliticizing police)
2. Strengthening the Federation (Spearheading Southern Punjab province, accelerating
FATA merger, reconciliation process in Baluchistan)
 3. Revitalize economic growth (housing project, jobs for youth, boost tourism industry,
energy challenge)
4. Uplift Agriculture and conserve water
5. Revolutionize Social Services (health and education)
6. Pakistan’s national security (FO enhancing, internal security)
34-deliverables: 18 were achieved and 16 are pending:
Achieved:
1. Housing scheme program (Housing task force made)
2. Economic support package for revival of Manufacturing sector (subsidies in
electricity for industrial sector)
3. Reforming FBR (Tax policy under finance division)
4. Transformation of Karachi (Inaugurate express train, announcement of desalination
plants in Karachi)
5. Citizens portal network
6. Actions against encroachments.
7. Launch 100 billion tree Tsunami FB Page: @CSSExamPoint
Not-Achieved:
1. NAB reforms
2. FATA merger (not all laws are extended to FATA)
3. Civil Services Reform
4. Police reforms
5. Local government system in Punjab