Author: sammilogger

Similarity between death of Sri Devi and that of Michael Jackson. Both were overdoing for health and beauty. So they paid the price. Stat simple and natural.

Spaces from the birth of a human start expanding and then start shrinking beyond certain point in time. Life starts from immobility and ends at the same. As a child is born, he is master of his infinite space within a cot. As he grows his space expands to a room, then to a house, then to a mohallah, then to a city, then to a country and finally he travels around the world and in case of selected few to the space too. This expanse of the space is at the peak once he has abundance of health and resources. However, at a point in time, his health starts waning and space starts shrinking. He is compelled to confine himself to his country, then to his city, then to mohallah, then to house, then to room, then to a bed and finally back to immobility in the grave.

Societies like individuals follow Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. Our society was still at the lower rung of needs that we had a super power in back yard and second one in our front yard. As if that wasn’t enough, again a super power came to fight GWOT. These duels cost us financially, materially, humanly and most important morally. We lost our societal character and weak society got into further decay. Gradually, we lost both guilt as well as shame which are drivers of any society. Quality of society can be gauged by two parameters. Firstly, how many rules are required to run that society? UK is on one extreme where conventions are good enough to run that society in the absence of a written constitution. Pakistan is on other extreme where legislation is needed for every mundane issue due to lacking of self realisation. Secondly, what are the pursuits of a society? 6 nuclear powers are busy exploring space and sending missions to other planets. 7th nuclear power is busy deciding whether polio drops are halaal or haraam. Uprooting of corruption and rule of law in short term and education in long term may panacea.

It is surprising how Robert D Kaplan was prophetic in predicting that Indian Ocean will be centre stage of rivalry in 21st Century. Things are unfolding exactly as he had predicted. China’s perceived Strategy of String of Pearls was countered by Indian Strategy of Necklace of Diamonds. US laid Strategy of Pivot to Asia and China countered it with Strategy of BRI. Nowadays we daily witness developments related to this rivalry. Each move is being countered with another move. In Sri Lanka, China got hold of Hambantota port while India got hold of Jafana Port. China got hold of Djiboti while India went for Duqm Port of Oman. In Mauritius China is focusing on Port Louis where as India is going for Agalega. In Seychelles too battle for ports in on. India has gone for Assumption Island and China has bid for Victoria Port. Gawadar is being countered by Chahbahar. India also attempted to create political crisis in Maldives. Game is on and Pakistan will face implications of this rivalry.

The US led West, enjoyed ascendancy over rest of the world owing to predominant edge in technology. Technology and knowledge remained monopolized by the key players and for decades no other country challenged the might of the West. However, advent of IT and computer technology drastically altered the equations. IT and internet became the tools for free flow of knowledge and accessibility to knowledge/ technology improved exponentially. Monopoly over knowledge and technology was busted. Free flow of knowledge, facilitated in bridging the insurmountable gap between have and have not. I really wonder was this the intended consequence by creators of IT or they themselves busted their monopoly.

Pakistan and Turkey are emerging as two strongest pillars of Muslim world. Next 5-6 years are going to propel these two countries towards growth and progress and they are bound to gain further strength. In 2023, Turkey is to see off 100 years accord with Europe inhibiting her progress (as reported in social media) where by same year Pakistan would have gained solid foundations of CPEC (In-Sha-Allah). Turkey is already assuming leadership of Muslim World whereas Pakistan is squabbling with internal issues. Future for sure has great promises for these two countries. IA.

Depleting natural resources, increasing consumers, chaotic weather patterns and ability to alter weather has placed mother planet under stress and also probability of disasters has increased. Pakistan is least prepared for bracing the change. Putatively a resilient nation, may face a challenge whereby resilience may become irrelevant. Water security is the most serious concern. Pakistan being lower riparian is highly vulnerable to Indian machinations. Abysmally low storage capacity increases such vulnerability. Notwithstanding, enemy actions, Pakistan needs to improve water management or else we shall face droughts. Situation in Cape Town these days is eye opening. Please work to enhance awareness.

Civility, morality and dignity warrants that a dead person should not be criticised. The person has been silenced by the providence. The person has already surrendered to accountability hereafter. The on going abomition, hatred and criticism of Asima Jahangir in my view is not in order. Best thing to do is to give graceful send off full of good wishes and prayers to the deceased.

Just concluded a seminar at Muzaffarbad titled, “Kashmir at Present: Quest for Empowerment and Growth”. In view of current opportunities of growth and CPEC, AJK lends itself as Beacon of growth for IOK which lacks conducive environment due Indian oppression. Better development is AJK will generate positive ramifications for IOK. Proud of AJK Chapter of Association of Alumni of National Securtiy Workshop(AAN)

Buzkashi (goat pulling) is a Central Asian sport in which horse-mounted players fight for a goat or calf carcass and pull it apart. Since 1979, Pakistan is facing Buzkashi like a calf. During Cold War the Bison(US) and Bear(USSR) were pulling her apart. During War on Terror, the forces of order(US) and forces of disorder(Al-Qaeda and affiliates) pulled her apart. In the ongoing rivalry in Indian Ocean, it is feared, the US and China are likely to pull her apart. Thanks to our importance which brings along risks further compounded due lack of our seriousness and institutional approach.