Search

Begin New Search Topic International Affairs Political Geography Global Focus

41. The US War on Terror in Afghanistan and its Impact on FATA in Pakistan

Author:
Fazal Wahid
Publication Date:
01-2019
Content Type:
Working Paper
Abstract:
The US counterattack on Afghanistan in October 2001 changed in the overall security structure of the region. The Taliban and Al Qaeda fighters escaped the US bombing of the Tora Bora in Afghanistan and crossed into the FATA region of Pakistan. Pakistan’s military operations against these militants in the FATA provided a boost to the latter’s cause and almost the entire FATA experienced a sort of Talibanization. The US war in Afghanistan had its spillover effect in FATA. Terrorist activities unleashed in the entire Pakistan and turmoil in Afghanistan added fuel to this situation. FATA’s special constitutional status hwas addeding to the woes of Pakistan and subsequently FATA was merged with the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). This paper analyzes the impact of the US war in Afghanistan on the FATA region of Pakistan.
Topic:
International Affairs
Political Geography:
Global Focus

42. Hamlet and Pluralism: A Postmodernist Metaphor

Author:
Ayub Muhammad Jajja
Publication Date:
02-2019
Content Type:
Special Report
Abstract:
The present study means to investigate Hamlet in the light of a postmodernist-deconstructive theoretical framework. The play seems to reinforce the overarching dominant patriarchal meta-narrative, with supposed unitary voice and unified identities. The current reading means to show that the play is a metaphor of postmodernism with pluralistic subjectivities, and multiple alternative micronarrative voices. It manifests the postmodernist notion of subjective, personal and local truth, against the idea of universal truth and reality. Its major features are self-difference, undecidability, and uncertainty. The regimes of truth in the form of dominant ideology are challenged, deconstructed and undermined, creating a zone of the postmodern condition of reality and truth as the effect of power and rhetoric. The postmodern condition does not push for the replacement of one totality with another. It creates a third space of pluralism, where all the voices are disjoined in a zone of the difference without hierarchy.
Topic:
International Affairs
Political Geography:
Global Focus

43. Bureaucratic Efficiency as Determinant of Trade Openness in SAARC Countries

Author:
Rabia Saghir
Publication Date:
01-2019
Content Type:
Working Paper
Abstract:
The study explores how bureaucratic efficiency aeffects international trade in Bangladesh, Pakistan, India, and Sri Llanka. A composite indicator of government effectiveness is used to measure bureaucratic efficiency and the model is estimated by using the SYS-GMM. It is well recognized that bureaucratic efficiency is vital to the enhancement of trade, whereas the result shows that a negative relationship exists between bureaucratic efficiency and trade openness. Similarly, encouraging links exists between government size and international trade as the government provides different services to enhance the trade inat the international market
Topic:
International Affairs
Political Geography:
Global Focus

44. A Comparative and Narrative Analysis: Executive Leader as Team Builder at the University Level

Author:
Uzma Syeda Gilani
Publication Date:
01-2019
Content Type:
Working Paper
Abstract:
This study aims to compare and narrate the difference in the role of team building, through self-assessed inventory by VC (Executive Leader), observation sheet filled in by co-workers as well as the narrated view of executive leaders regarding team-building of the newly established University of the region. A concurrent triangulation mixed-method design was followed. Vice-Chancellors of all Public universities of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan constitute the population of the study. According to the design, the same sampling technique was used. Four ViceChancellors of newly established Universities and five observers among their co-workers of each VC were taken as respondents of the study. There were significant differences among the self-assessed views of VCs regarding team building and views of their coworkers and narrative views of executive leaders at newly established universities. For team leadership, egalitarian style, knowledge of emotional intelligence and target-oriented communication are recommended.
Topic:
International Affairs
Political Geography:
Global Focus

45. Antecedents of Careerism: A Mediated- Moderated Model

Author:
Shaheen Akhtar and Muhammad Faisal Malik
Publication Date:
01-2019
Content Type:
Special Report
Abstract:
The present investigation was conducted aimed to investigate the relationship of proactive personality and careerism. The said relationship was not tested in isolation: rather it has been tested with the inclusion of career self-efficacy as a mediator and two moderators (openness to experience, extroversion). It was basically an attempt to build/ analyze the relationship of proactive personality with careerism which was not fully captured in the previous literature. In addition, the current study conducted a comparative analysis for male and female to identify the proactive behaviors in handling their careers. The population for the current study was selected from different private FMCG related firms. The analysis revealed that proactive personality has a significant relationship with careerism. Female respondents report lower proactive behavior than male. Overall the results supported three hypotheses and the one related to moderation was rejected.
Topic:
International Affairs
Political Geography:
Global Focus

46. Direction Metaphors in Political Discourse: Imran Khan and the Rhetoric of Change

Author:
Lubna Umar and Umaima Kamran
Publication Date:
01-2019
Content Type:
Special Report
Abstract:
Journey Metaphors are among the most pervasive source domains used both in daily life and in political discourse as they follow a clearcut source-path-goal schema where the direction is a fundamental element. The crossdomain mapping between source and target domains is a means of gaining insight into the cognitive activity of the speaker. Metaphors of the journey are widely used in the political discourse generated by Imran Khan with special emphasis upon direction. Metaphorical expressions identified from speeches of Imran in both English and Urdu language have been analyzed using the Critical Metaphor Analysis approach given by Charteris-Black (2005) where linguistic metaphors have been interpreted semantically, pragmatically and in cognition to generate conceptual metaphors. Khan’s obsession with direction activates the PAKISTAN IS OFF TRACK conceptual metaphor necessitating a journey of change under his leadership. He highlights the failures of others to evoke images of a destructive past from which freedom becomes essential
Topic:
International Affairs
Political Geography:
Global Focus

47. Growth and Productivity Analysis of Micro Finance Sector: A Case Study of Pakistan

Author:
Adnan Ahmad
Publication Date:
01-2019
Content Type:
Special Report
Abstract:
This study reviews growth strategies and their effect on the efficiency and productivity of the microfinance sector of Pakistan. The sector needs to have an adopted intensive growth strategy instead of extensive strategies of wide expansion in terms of physical infrastructure and human resources, which have increased the financial sustainability risks for the credit constrain institutions. The six-dimensional model of outreach used in this study also shows that the sector does not achieve the targets set forth for these micro finance institutes with respect to its active borrowers’ outreach. The sector has mainly focused on the big cities and urban areas whereas the poverty levels are higher in rural areas. The government has also shown its interest by launching two different types of loan schemes. Among the three different types of institution, the microfinance banks dominate the sector
Topic:
International Affairs
Political Geography:
Global Focus

48. Are NGOs Bridging the Gaps? Analyzing Opportunities for Gender and Political Empowerment in Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Author:
Dur E Shawar
Publication Date:
01-2019
Content Type:
Special Report
Abstract:
Gender and development approaches gained attention during the 1990s; since then government and nongovernmental organizations have adopted these approaches for gender and political empowerment in Pakistan. This paper analyzes the contribution of NGOs towards gender and political empowerment in Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. This study explored how NGO interventions created opportunities for gender and political empowerment. This study presents an analysis of NGO policies and practices for gender and political empowerment in the research area. Qualitative research methods including semi-structured interviews and participant observations were used to conduct this study. The study revealed that NGOs created spaces for political awareness and participation of men and women community members, councilors and policymakers. This study argues that NGO interventions can create opportunities and effectively contribute to gender and political empowerment goals if contextually planned and implemented in the research area
Topic:
International Affairs
Political Geography:
Global Focus

49. Containing the Border Fallout of Colombia’s New Guerrilla Schism

Author:
International Crisis Group
Publication Date:
01-2019
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
International Crisis Group
Abstract:
Tensions are rising on the Colombia-Venezuela border after a new guerrilla faction opted out of Colombia’s 2016 peace deal. With diplomatic ties between the two countries severed, the risk of escalation is high. Bogotá and Caracas should open channels of communication to avoid inter-state clashes
Topic:
International Affairs
Political Geography:
Global Focus

50. Intra-Gulf Competition in Africa’s Horn: Lessening the Impact

Author:
International Crisis Group
Publication Date:
01-2019
Content Type:
Special Report
Institution:
International Crisis Group
Abstract:
Middle Eastern states are accelerating their competition for allies, influence and physical presence in the Red Sea corridor, including in the Horn of Africa. Rival Gulf powers in particular are jockeying to set the terms of a new regional power balance and benefit from future economic growth.
Topic:
International Affairs
Political Geography:
Global Focus