The Diplomatic Insight Magazine

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2 T H E D I P L O M A T I C I N S I G H TT H E D I P L O M A T I C I N S I G H TT H E D I P L O M A T I C I N S I G H T

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8 Are Palestinians not Human Enough??

9 Sino-Vietnamese Conflict in South China Sea

11 Is Japan seeking for Military Adventurism?

13 The GCC’s political branch – no more than a gentlemen’s club?

15 Erdogan-Great Leader of Great Nation

17 Presidential Elections 2014 and Indonesian Foreign Policy

20 Indonesia: A Bird Eye View

22 Pakistan’s Foreign Policy: Internal Challenges in New Millennium

26 My Large House is the Roof of the World

29 Provincial Budget Allocations 2014-15 in Higher Education Sector

31 Diplomacy: A Success Story between Pakistan-Turkmenistan Relations

33 Switzerland – World’s Leading Innovation HubWhat the World Can Learn from Switzerland?

35 Afghanistan: the Success of its Democratic Transition

37 Interaction with H.E Nedim Makarevic, Ambassador of Bosnia & Herzegovina


Editor’s NoteEDITOR IN CHIEF Muhammad Asif Noor

EDITOR Farhat Asif

ASSOCIATE EDITORS Mian Noor Ahmed Laiba Yousafzai

ADVISORY BOARD Prof. Dr. Victoria L Fontan Prof. Dr. Ikram Azam Prof. Dr. Munawar A. Anees Prof. Dr. John M. Nomikos Prof. Dr. Murray Hunter Prof. Dr. Dietrich Fischer Prof. Dr. Moonis Ahmar Prof. Dr. Abdul Basit Prof. Dr. Gulden Ayman Dr. Ali Abu Turab Dr. Ghulam Sarwar Dr. Ahmad Rashid Malik Prof. Dr. Shahnaz Zaheer

SPECIAL ASSIGNMENT EDITOR Sara Flatto (USA) Ximena Holguin (Mexico) Talyn Rahman-Figueroa (UK) Ayshan Guliyeva (Azerbaijan) Tatiana Karchenkova (Russia) Shakti Prasad (India) Sumaira Khan (Denmark) Bakhtawar Malik (France) Jan-Frederik Kremer (Germany) Dr. Shamas Yasir (Afghanistan) Hammad Ahmad Malik (Spain) Eric Ehrmann (Brazil) Tanja Miscevic (Serbia)

BUREAU CHIEFS Rizwan Malik (Islamabad) Mohammad Hanif (Vehari)

DESIGN & LAYOUT Shahzad Ahmed: 0301-5538710

LEGAL ADVISORS Muhammad Akram Mughal Advocate Supreme Court (AJK) Ch. Abdul Khaliq Thind Advocate High Court (IBD)

House # 533, Street # 33, I-8/2 P.O Box # 1239, Islamabad Ph: +92 51 4864370 Fax: +92 51 4440104 [email protected] www.thediplomaticinsight.com

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A temporary ceasefire that was halted for a while to end the brutal attacks of Israeli forces to an open-air prison as know as Gaza, Benjamin N e t a n y a h u , Israel’s hawkish prime minister,

ordered again to begin fierce bombardment to stop Hammas rocket attacks. The truce fails so as the humanity. The conflict that broke out on July 8 between Hammas and Israel after “Operation Protective Edge” was launched by Israel against the innocent citizens of Gaza Strip for stopping rocket attacks, 2,016 Gazans have been killed and 10,196 have been wounded, most of them are children and women. This unsettled and explosive conflict in Middle East reflects that how failed is world community showing little but no resilience and strength against Israel, committing serious war crimes by breaching all international laws in recent Gaza offensive. Since beginning of the conflict and deaths of innocent children, UN and other international organizations were remained silent as if allowing the aggressor to continue its lethality at its best. UN only issued statement of condemnation when a UN school was bombed killing those took shelter. What to speak of West and its hypocrisy towards the Gaza crisis and the eagerness of the US to launch airstrikes in Iraq, it will remain as it is. Bizarrely enough organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) also became a useless organisation which has no power what so ever to utilizes its energies that once it had, to play a constructive role to end violence in Middle East. But it has also lost its significance since the differences of Muslim countries has brought more weakness to the Muslim Ummah. Even the current Gaza war has become a proxy for the entire Middle East where Muslim countries are openly supporting Israel against the Palestinians and Hammas and they are not even shy on that. The conflict has laid new divides and opens the wounds of Muslims as this time it’s not Jews against Muslims but its the Muslim Brotherhood, Hamas, Hezbollah, and their backers Iran, Qatar and Turkey -- against Israel and the more moderate Muslims including Jordan, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia. Now this divide amongst Muslims world is clear and empty rhetoric of condemnations are dismissed as insignificant and there is not a single leader from entire Islamic World who has what it takes to be the one to stand firm on support for people of Gaza.

Pakistan, on the eve of 68th Independence Day , yet again, is facing chaos and uncertainty that looms large over the political, social and economic scene of the country. This time the

threats are not from the terrorists but from those chanting slogans and having the sit in protests at the heart of the capital. The protest by the two main stream political parties i.e. Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) led by Imran Khan and Pakistan Awami Tehreek(PAT) led by Canadian returned cleric Mr.Tahir-ul-Qadri is meant to outset the incumbent government for fraud mandate and over all changing the whole system. Mass street movements are an integral part of democratic politics in Pakistan, often used by opposition politicians to press their demands. But Mr. Khan’s crusade has been met with sharp criticism in the news media in recent weeks from Pakistanis who say his demands are exaggerated, especially at a time of pressing security challenges. Mr.Khan who says his mentor is Quaid-I-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah has simply forgot about political ideology of Jinnah. Once during a public meeting in Dacca, Jinnah said, “ It is in your hands to put the Government in power or remove the Government from power, but you must not do it by mob methods. You have the power; you must learn the art to use it; you must try and understand the machinery. Constitutionally, it is in your hands to upset one Government and put another Government in power if you are dissatisfied to such an extent.” Our politicians have a trenched themselves so much into their own lust for power that they have overlooked of what is expected from true statesman and politician. Pakistan is currently at the state of war as we are fighting an operation for survival “Zarb-e-Azb” aiming to root out all the foreign or local terrorist groups from the soil of Pakistan. Our country cannot afford anarchy within the country at such a sensitive time. In this whole melodrama calling this “ Azadi March” and “Revolution” as that has began on the eve of independence day and till writing of these lines, government and state is in confusion of what to do. This street madness has also resulted in a recent historic stock exchange crash and devaluation of the country’s currency. Day to day governance, work, businesses including small and large, came to standstill with these unnecessary demonstrations. Recent reports also reflects that fruits, vegetables and other perishable items are being rotten and shipments of edibles and fuel into cities and towns across Pakistan are disrupted thus creating further blow to already crippling economy. It is the people who have to deal with hardship, hunger, unemployment, pathetic law and order, water scarcity, load shedding, favoritism and nepotism and all sorts of mafias no matter who rules. This political crisis needs to be resolve on urgent basis as it has distracted itself from the real issues confronting us today.



Ours is a world of smoke-screens and facades wherein the only

genuine and constant phenomenon, quite unfortunately though, is incessant deception of all denizens of this apparently ‘civilized’ and ‘developed’ world brought about mainly through deliberate distortion of facts so much so that the reality seems to be a myth and what actually is a myth appears to be an irrefutable reality. Nothing substantiates this rather stark visage of this dazzlingly vibrant world as does the case of Palestinians constituting one of the most heartrending living tragedies of our sophisticated world which otherwise seems obsessed with the idea of protection of human rights. It is this dangerous mix of hypocrisy and apathy which has set the whole world practically on fire a few ongoing manifestations of which are Gaza, Syria, Iraq, Libya, and Ukraine.

The plight of the stateless Palestinians is neither new enough to be incomprehensible as yet nor old enough to be forgotten: this is a persistent one ever since the rogue state of Israel was cunningly and forcibly installed in Palestine ripping it apart into two. What was so clearly and indubitably a case of illegal and ethically unjustifiable grabbing of a land from its native people and subsequent unleashing of terror on the occupied ones by the occupier has, by dint of the money-devouring, narrative-brewing, discourse-setting and propaganda-mongering media franchises, been made to seem nothing more than a

duel between a state ( the darling state of Israel) and non-state actors ( the world community practically regards and treats Palestinians as if they are but non-state actors) jeopardizing the beloved state of the Us-UK duo and all of the duo’s franchises.

Gaza strip of Palestine long been reduced into an open-air prison with Israel blocking out access of even the subsistence commodities like food and water seems to have become a testing ground of lethal weapons of the latter. The current bout of Israel’s no-holds-barred terror campaign, titled Operation Protective Edge, the third major offensive on the Gaza strip in six years began in July 2014 and continues devouring lives of innocent Palestinians to date with death toll of Palestinians reaching up to 2000. What makes this ongoing Israeli brutality all the more abominable and the heartrending plight of the Palestinians all the more poignant is the continued and shockingly inhumane nonchalance, or to leave euphemism for the moment: criminal silence, of the big powers sitting in United Nations Security Council which otherwise pose to be the foremost torchbearers of human rights and seem to bear on their “tender” shoulders the burden of all that is plaguing the peace of this world. Not even a single solid step, going beyond mere lip- service, has so far been taken by UN, the institution whose foremost duty is to protect breach of human rights no matter in which part of the world it occurs and also, ideally, regardless of who the perpetrators are, to put to halt the Israeli march of terror against the occupied stifled Palestinians. This time the brutal IDF has unleashed new vistas of sheer brutality not sparing anybody anywhere with people of Gaza being killed not only in their own houses but also in hospitals and

schools and everywhere wherever they hope to seek refuge in. Human beings, whoever still have a human heart, all across the world are, irrespective of their nationalities, political or religious affinities, staging massive protests against the ongoing Israeli assault on the Gaza strip and pressing on the need to immediately stop this terror game and find some sustainable solution to this crisis which has already devoured and destroyed countless lives. But the criminal “silence” , of those who are greatly unsettled by the crash of MH-17 Airplane allegedly shot down by rebels in the Eastern Ukraine, and the “inertia”, of those who are shocked into action by the humanitarian crisis faced by the Yazidis of Iraq, prevails.

As these lines are being written, news of negotiations between Israel and Palestine are being carried out in Cairo Egypt. This would most probably turn out to be yet another cosmetic re-enactment of negotiations meant only to buy more time for Israel and to push the conflict a bit more further from its only honest, just, legal and ought-to-be solution: trial of the rogue state of Israel in the International Criminal Court for all the war crimes it continues to commit with sheer impunity, and materialization of the two-state solution. Unless that is done Palestinians would continue to be at the mercy of its ruthless occupiers who clearly seem to be blinded by their megalomaniac designs so much so that to them Palestinians look not human enough to be entitled to the foremost of human rights : the right to life.

Dear World, are Palestinians really not human enough to be able to live, survive and thrive the way all human beings are inalienably entitled to?

The writer holds a Masters degree in English Literature from University of the Punjab, Lahore.

Are Palestinians not Human Enough??

Mehreen Baloch


China and Vietnam are close neighbors having a shared border.

Both the states have seen ups and downs in their bilateral relationship since their inception. They are considered as difficult neighbors for some of differences. Although both the states have cooperated in various fields and various times but still have their mutual suspicions. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is a regional organization of whose these two states are member. Vietnam is a permanent member and China has a special kind of relationship….that is ASEAN+3. In ASEAN+3, beside Japan and South Korea, China is included. Through ASEAN, China and Vietnam do cooperation with one another and also there is a mechanism for bilateral cooperation between the two countries. If it was the ancient China-centric world in East Asia or the Vietnamese independence struggle against the French colonial rule…if it was the Vietnam’s war with the United States, or Vietnam’s war with Cambodia and then with China, in all cases, there has been a positive or negative interaction between China and Vietnam. The tensions between the two countries belie a shared ideological and cultural past. For centuries, parts of Vietnam existed under the suzerainty of Chinese dynasties. By the mid 20th

century, as the Vietnamese struggled to overthrow French colonial rule, Vietnam’s revolutionaries received aid and support from Chairman Mao Zedong’s People’s Republic of China. But things turned after the conclusion of the U.S.-Vietnam War, when the Vietnamese moved solidly into the Soviet camp, antagonizing Beijing, which had warned to the United States and also helped prop up Pol Pot’s murderous Khmer Rouge regime in neighboring Cambodia. Vietnam stepped in at the end of 1978, overthrew the Khmer Rouge and effectively ended the hideous Cambodian genocide. If the Vietnam’s friendship with the Soviet Union in the Cold War era was a hurdle in normalization of relations with China, it was also the South China Sea dispute which has hindered the smooth way of communication between Beijing and Hanoi. It was the end of Cold War and start of a unipolar world which leveled the ground for the two states to foster their bilateral cooperation. But still there are some issues which are the causes of tensions. The Spratlys Islands and Water control in East of China is one of the basic issues.

Territorial disputes in the South China Sea involve both island and maritime claims among seven states

within the region, namely Brunei, the People’s Republic of China, Taiwan, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Vietnam. There are disputes concerning the Spratly and the Paracel islands, as well as maritime boundaries in the Gulf of Tonkin and elsewhere. There is a further dispute in the waters near the Indonesian Natuna Islands. The interests of different nations include acquiring fishing areas around the two archipelagos; the potential exploitation of suspected crude oil and natural gas under the waters of various parts of the South China Sea; and the strategic control of important shipping lanes.

There are five following areas where China and Vietnam are claimants in South China Sea.

1. Maritime boundary along the Vietnamese coast between Vietnam, China, and Taiwan

2. Maritime boundary north of Borneo between Vietnam, China, Taiwan, Malaysia, Philippines, and Brunei

3. Islands in the southern reaches of the South China Sea, including the Spratly Islands between Vietnam, Malaysia, The Philippines, Brunei, Taiwan, and China

4. Islands in the northern reaches of the South China Sea, including the Paracel Islands between Vietnam, China, and Taiwan

5. The nine-dash line area claimed by China which covers most of the South China sea and overlaps Exclusive Economic Zone claims of Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam.

As of 1996, Vietnam, the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia and other countries asserted claims within the Chinese nine-dotted line. The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which came into effect on November 16, 1994, resulted in more intense territorial disputes between the parties. As of 2012, all of the Paracel Islands are under Chinese control. Eight of

Sino-Vietnamese Conflict in

South China Sea

Dr. Manzoor Khan Afridi

10 T H E D I P L O M A T I C I N S I G H T

the Spratly Islands are under Chinese control; Vietnamese troops control the greatest number of Spratly islands that is 29.

To resolve the issue, Vietnam and China signed two agreements in December 2000 about long-standing territorial dispute over the resource rich Gulf of Tonkin. The agreements demarcate territorial waters and exclusive economic zones, as well as outlining regulations for fisheries. However the bilateral relationship deteriorated once again in May 2003 when the Vietnamese Foreign Ministry issues a “sovereignty” declaration on the Chinese ban on fishing in the South China Sea, claiming that Vietnam had undisputed “sovereignty” rights over the Paracel and Spratly islands. Retaliation came from the Chinese side in the same month. A Vietnamese ship has its cables cut by Chinese patrol boats while conducting a underwater survey of the South China Sea. So in next month, the Vietnam’s foreign ministry says a Chinese fishing boat supported by two Chinese naval patrol craft cut a cable being used by a seismic survey craft operated by state-run energy company PetroVietnam. Then Vietnam held live-fire drills in the South China Sea amid high tensions with China over disputed waters.

The Economist observes that Vietnam was taken aback in early May when China parked an oil rig on its doorstep. The behemoth, which cost $1 billion, lies 17 nautical miles (32 km) from the Paracel islands, which China seized from the American-backed South Vietnamese regime in 1974, and about 150 nautical miles from the Vietnamese coast. Vietnam’s leaders say the rig is inside their 200-mile exclusive economic zone as defined by international law. They wanted to settle the dispute quickly through negotiations. But China is said to have rebuffed requests for a summit and talks between lower-ranking officials went nowhere.

Now, the prospect of a quiet resolution looks increasingly remote. As the two countries’ boats circle each other near the rig, diplomats from both sides are circulating complaints to the UN. It is an unusual move for China, which normally eschews international bodies in its disputes with other countries. The South China Morning Post, a newspaper based in Hong Kong, reported on June 9th that China had temporarily banned its state-owned firms from bidding on new contracts in Vietnam. That followed two days of anti-Chinese riots in mid-May, in which four Chinese workers were killed, and the sinking, in late May, of a wooden Vietnamese fishing boat that collided with a Chinese adversary.

Recently China said talks with Vietnam over a disputed oil rig in the South China Sea were “constructive,” that Vietnam is hyping up the spat that has roiled relations between the countries. Vietnam and China held their first high-level meeting in June 2014 on the issue since a Chinese state-owned company placed an oil rig in waters claimed by each nation on May 2, heightening territorial tensions across the South China Sea. China, which claims a large part of the area under a 1940s-era map, is increasing its claims to both the Paracel Islands off Vietnam’s coast and the more southerly Spratly Islands. “What is pressing now is that the Vietnamese side should stop their disturbances against China’s operation, stop hyping up relevant issues, pulling up disputes and stop creating new tensions,” China’s Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying has expressed.

According to Chinese Govt, the meeting in Hanoi was candid and constructive and both sides agreed “to find a proper resolution through political and diplomatic means. The talks took place after weeks of skirmishes between boats from the two countries that have been facing off in the area of the rig. On May 26 a

Vietnamese fishing boat sank, with the sides blaming each other.

On the other hand, Vietnam Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh said after his talks with China’s State Councilor Yang Jiechi that Vietnam was seeking a “healthy” relationship with China. Vietnam wished to have dialogue to resolve the current complicated situation in the East Sea. Pham also demanded China withdraw the rig and its vessels from “the Vietnamese waters. Yang, in the talks with the Vietnamese officials, stressed that the islands are “China’s inherent territory” and its drilling operations in the area are legal. China may be preparing to step up the pressure, with a second rig being prepared for deployment in the area, Vietnamese news agency TuoiTrenews reported. “As far as I’ve learned, it is located in the coastal waters off China’s Hainan Island, Chinese Representative Hua said. China has 136 vessels, including five military ships, near the original oil rig off Vietnam’s coast; an area Vietnam says is its territorial waters. China has denied sending military ships to the area.

For the better future of the two countries and the region, it is highly fruitful to avoid conflict. For the peaceful rise of China and a booming market of Vietnam, conflict is in interest of no one. Constructive dialogue and a continued diplomatic communication may resolve the issue. Patience is needed on both sides, as their bilateral relations have witnessed an upward move since 1991.

The write is Head of the Department of Politics and International Relations, International Islamic University Islamabad.


In history of war crimes, Nanking massacre, which is also known as

‘Rape of Nanking’ in 1939, in which mass murder and rape committed by the Japanese forces in China, is always remembered as a Japanese legacy of brutal human rights crimes.

The idea of the ‘Greater East Asian Co-Prosperity Sphere’ emerged in Japan between 1932 and 1936 was behind this unforgettable human catastrophe. The idea called for Asian unification against western imperialism under Japanese leadership, leading to Asian self-sufficiency and prosperity. In reality, that was an agenda of Japanese imperial domination in the Far East.

Following the aggressive policy, in 1937, Japanese soldiers at the Marco Polo Bridge on the Manchuria border used explosions to invade China. The offensive developed into a full-scale war. Due to military superiority over China, the Japanese army advanced quickly and occupied Peking. They defeated Chinese forces at Shanghai and seized Nanking. There, they committed the greatest atrocity and mass rape in the history, in which an estimated 300,000 civilians were slaughtered.

At present, Japanese officials’ visits to the Yasukuni shrine is viewed the most contentious for Chinese and Koreans. The shrine is the house of the spirits of more than two million Japanese soldiers who served in the imperial forces and were responsible for Rape of Nanking episode. However, the Japanese Prime Minster made it clear that his visit in December last year was simply to honour those who died during Japan’s modern conflicts, though ‘had no intention whatsoever

to hurt the feelings of people in China and Korea’.

Nevertheless, Japan’s proactive measures to upgrade its military strength in the region are being sounded suspiciously and giving birth of many questions, such as: Is Japan seeking for another military adventurism? Does the US intend to launch military assault in Asia Pacific? Is Japan enjoying US’s support for any likely military aggression? The following measures, occurred in the recent past, will help to evaluate Japan’s intention. They will also help in determining degree of aggression.

Territorial disputes

In September 2012, tension between Japan and China took a new height, and triggered Sino-Japan standoff, when Japan purchased three islands of Senkaku from a private owner. China also raised its claim over them. China calls the islands ‘Diaoyu.’ To determine the status of the islands, the historical facts can not be overlooked. The Chinese sources first mentioned the Senkaku/Diaoyu islands in a 15th-century document now held at the Bodleian Library in Oxford. In the 17th century, Chinese sources clearly named the maritime boundary between the Senkaku/Diaoyu islands and the Ryukyus as the Heishuigou (‘Black Water Trench’).

In contrast, ignoring Chinese historical accounts, Japan claimed that the islands were ‘discovered’ in 1884 by Fukuoka merchant Koga Tatsushiro. Japan annexed the islands shortly after defeating China in Sino-Japanese war in 1895. Then the islands were licensed to Japanese merchant Koga

to develop them. The Koga family’s last employees left during the Second World War. Upon Japan’s defeat in 1945, the US got control on the islands and used them for bombing practice till 1972.

The inclusion of islands in Japan’s territories took place in 1952 under the San Francisco Peace Treaty, at which China and Taiwan were not present. The decision of enclosure of islands was taken on the basis of Japanese cabinet decision, which had ruled in 1895 that the islands should become part of Japan.

In August 1970, the Okinawa Legislative Assembly, still under US control at the time, passed a resolution, which declared the islands to be part of Japan. In the meantime, Taiwan and China issued official protests. Whereas, according to Japan, China raised no objections to the San Francisco deal, however, Chinese and Taiwanese authorities began pressing their claims since the 1970s, when the oil resources in the area were discovered.

There may be another reason behind Chinese assertive claim over the islands. The islands served as navigational way points for tributary missions between the great cosmopolitan Chinese port of Quanzhou and Naha, capital of the Ryukyu island kingdom, China’s most loyal vassal. Naha is now the main town on the main island of Japan’s archipelago of Okinawa. Some Chinese nationalists call not only for the Senkakus’ return, but for Okinawa too.

China views the developments as a provocation tactic and it sent vessels and aircraft to challenge Japan’s control of the Senkakus. It’s announcement in November of an East China Sea ‘air defence identification zone,’ which covers the Senkakus is further evidence of its attempt. The dispute over the islands is a time bomb, given the enormity of the stakes involved.

Deployment of radar station

In April, to respond China’s claims

Is Japan seeking for Military Adventurism?

Noor-ul-Ain Khawaja


of ownership of the islands, Japan has decided to install a military radar station on a tropical island, Yonaguni, located less than 100 miles off the coast of Taiwan. The decision is a part of a longstanding plan to improve defence and surveillance nearby Senkaku islands. This is the first military expansion of Japan in more than 40 years.

The move may increase security risks for the region, especially for China. Moreover, the Japanese Defence Minister, Itsunori Onodera, suggested the military presence could be enlarged to other islands in the seas south-west of Japan’s main islands.

Seeking for amending military clause in constitution

Another development of the Japanese government was to intend to adopt a new amendment in the constitution that would permit an expanded role for its military, the self-defense forces. The forces have been strictly limited to protecting Japan’s own territory and people since after World War II.

Expressing his views in this regard, the Japanese Prime Minister said that the changes are necessary to enable Japan to respond to an increasingly assertive China and a nuclear-med North Korea by building closer security ties with the US and forming military alliances with democratic nations like Australia and India. He also rejected criticism that the changes would drag Japan into conflict. Calling his doctrine of reviving role of militarism as proactive pacifism, said it would contribute to regional peace and stability.

The reinterpretation would allow Japanese armed forces to act in limited cases even when Japan is not at risk, such as by shooting down a North Korean missile headed toward the United States, something it cannot legally do now. The proposed change would also allow Japanese forces to play a larger role in United Nations peacekeeping operations. Though Japan has sent troops to peacekeeping operations since 1992, they act under severe constraints.

US factor

US’s interest in the regional issues cannot be neglected, which is the real factor that has boosted Japan’s confidence to take such aforesaid measures. For instance, the US’s open support and assurance to Japan of its commitment to the US-Japan Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security, particularly with regard to islands’ issue.

In an interview, US President Barack Obama said that the US regards the Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands as falling under the purview of the US-Japan security treaty and that the US would oppose any attempt to undermine Japan’s control of the islands. ‘The policy of the US is clear—the Senkaku Islands are administered by Japan and therefore fall within the scope of Article 5 of the US-Japan Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security. And we oppose any unilateral attempts to undermine Japan’s administration of these islands.’ Obama’s statement is worth noticing as it is the first time that any incumbent US president has overtly stated that the Islands fall within the purview of the US-Japan security treaty.

The statement received high-profile criticism from China. It warned that the US should respect facts and remain committed to not taking sides on territory and sovereignty issues. Further, the US should cautiously play a constructive role in regional peace and stability.

US’s interest in South China Sea issue is another feature to enhance Japan’s position in the region. During Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)’s foreign ministers’ meeting held this month, US Secretary of State John Kerry, supporting Philippines proposal for solving the issue, called on the countries concerned to put a voluntary freeze on provocative actions in the Sea. Afterwards, US State Department official statement with regard to monitor the South China Sea to observe ‘de-escalatory steps’ added fuel to China’s concerns. In reaction, China not only rejected

the Philippines’ proposed freeze, but also rebuffed US’s support for the proposal and termed the US’s support as ‘stoking the flames.’

In addition, US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel’s views that the US firmly committed to its policy of a strategic rebalance to the Asia-Pacific, and his statement: ‘We have an interest here, we will continue to have an interest here, we are a Pacific power.’ Further, station of 1,150 Marines in Darwin in Australia’s tropical north under a 2011 agreement, present a clear picture of US interventionist design in the region.

Therefore, Japan needs to act sensibly and tries to resolve regional issues without involving extra-regional players. Its own military strength or military support from the US cannot help in establishing durable stability. It needs to win confidence of regional player first. Aggressive and proactive policy can never be helpful for regional peace and stability. It should realize that US’s interest in the region and enmity with China are obvious. It’s pro-US policy against own regional players may not only weaken it, but also make it isolate among major regional players. Even though, if it pursued military option, it would be extremely devastated. This time US military strength will be behind Japan’s that will engulf the region and envelope the whole world as well.

This is evident that the US uses regional actors of different regions for pursuing its objectives to sustain its hegemony there and never shares its domination with any other power.

Nonetheless, this is not a hidden fact that the US has left too many places in chaos after it stepped in, as what people are witnessing now in Iraq, Libya and Syria. Asia-Pacific could be the next ground and for it, Japan’s security concerns over South China Sea and Senkakus could be made the reasons for any military adventurism.

The writer is pursuing an MS degree in the Department of International Relations, University of Karachi, Pakistan.


The rise of violence in the Middle East and Iran’s attempts to ascend

to a nuclear power raise the question about the capacity of states in the region to act upon direct or indirect threats. Unlike in Europe, the poster-boy of political co-operation with its supranational EU institution, the Gulf States are hardly pooling powers and influence with neighboring countries in an effective manner. All too often the involved parties themselves doubt these partnerships, the real intentions of the other side and the effectiveness of their joint efforts. This is especially the case with the members of the Gulf Cooperation Council(GCC). Compared to other regional institutions the GCC is the best functioning, but it is merely based on identical political systems. The power imbalance of influencers within the organization however has a great hindering impact. Like in the European Union, the domination by a single member is

viewed increasingly critically by the smaller states, who despite their size have their own geopolitical agendas and strategic interest they do not want to see overwritten by a big bully. In the case of the GCC Saudi-Arabia is perceived as dominating force, because of its aspirations of regional and religious leadership as well as its sheer size of territory and population. Economically the GCC is a success as its leaders arranged to set up a common market and standardized regulations, but on a political and military level the GCC is a failure.

An organization such as the GCC has to be based on democratic values to assure its functionality. If the impression arises that the organization is used to drive other members into dependence and forced collaboration they will quickly disengage. However, none of the member states are known for their democratic legitimation. The

council’s negotiations and meetings are held in private with limited information released to the outside world. The secret and arbitrary nature of the organization on political matters depicts the style of leadership in its member states. Personal interests weigh heavier than compromise, which makes a united front against terrorism and a coherent foreign policy towards Iran virtually impossible. The council also lacks the structural backbone to work independently and bring in ideas for discussion. Instead of being an integral part of Gulf politics the council serves as a mouthpiece for the disunity in political questions amongst the members. The absolutist monarchies fear an independent and free thinking institution that might uncover strategic and geopolitical mistakes made by the sovereigns. If the council were to be upgraded to a political union based on the model of the EU Saudi-Arabia would surely play the most important role and dictate the strategic direction of the union. The economic, military and political powers of the Saudi kingdom, as well as its population, would outnumber those of the other members combined.

Member states undertake a careful balancing act. The smaller Gulf States need the support of Saudi-Arabia, yet do not want to be subordinate to orders from Riyadh. King Abdullah of Saudi-Arabia is not to be expected to reign for much longer owing to his age. The uncertainty over the succession to the throne is a factor, which keeps the members states from committing fully to the Saudi-dominated GCC. Yet they all fear, to varying degrees, Iran’s nuclear ambitions and hegemonic aspirations but are cognizant that they are too weak on their own to neglect Saudi-Arabia’s offer for protection under the umbrella of the GCC. Though they do not trust Saudi-Arabia’s altruism and its actual capabilities to either pacify the region or defend them successfully in case of a military conflict. The proposed

The GCC’s political branch – no more than a gentlemen’s

club?David Grammig


consolidation of Gulf State forces under centralized Saudi command has been rejected almost unanimously. Merging their forces into a GCC army would still not be sufficient to deter Iran, while at the same time transferring the command of their own troops to Riyadh. The alternative could be to increase the size of the troops but this is not an option for fear of losing control over the military. This is a particular concern for Bahrain as the Sunni ruled kingdom would have to rely on a military that is fed from its Shia dominated population.

Except for Oman all GCC member states have raised concerns over the Iranian nuclear program and follow the developments with growing discomfort. An abrupt discontinuation of their relations with Iran would be a dangerous endeavor as Iranian influence is too deeply rooted. Iranians form the largest expat community in the United Arab Emirates, which also maintains very close economic ties with Iran. Bahrain’s population is predominantly Shia and therefore inherently exposed to the influence of the Mullahs. All other states, except for rivaling Saudi-Arabia, continue to have cordial if not friendly relationships with Iran. This becomes increasingly obvious when examining the military ties the Gulf neighbors maintain outside the GCC circle. All members, except for Saudi-Arabia, are militarily involved with Iran, although the intensity of their joint activities varies in scope from limited co-operation to joint military exercises and security operation agreements. This gives reason to believe that the Gulf States try to avoid being

caught standing on the wrong side in case the Iranians will succeed with their plans for nuclear proliferation. Though the GCC members have taken precautions by expanding their military budgets, upgrading their equipment and hosting foreign troops on their territory this would hardly protect them from Iranian aggressions on a non-military level. Iran’s strength lies in its transnational ties to the large Shia populations within the borders of its Gulf neighbors and its ability to mobilize these masses to shake the monarchies to the core, politically and economically. A military response against Iran would be of no use once the crisis is domestically underway and the internal power structure is at risk. The US would not get involved to punish Iran for stirring up revolutions leaving only Saudi-Arabia to fill the void and help crack down anti-regime protest. But in order to prevent the Iranian regime from taking drastic measures against the Gulf nations a certain degree of cordiality has to be maintained to not provoke anger in Teheran.

Most GCC members pay no more than lip service to the organization while unperturbedly following their own agendas. Oman thwarted the plans to upgrade the council to a union and refused to adopt the hard line against Iran. Qatar is accused of using the state-owned Al-Jazeera news channel to turn public opinion by deliberately feeding false information and therefore violating the rule of none-interference in the internal affairs of other member states. The Qatari sponsorship of terror organizations and support for the Muslim Brotherhood causes further

rifts in the council. The result was the recalling of the ambassadors of Saudi-Arabia, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates from Doha. Although the diplomats have now returned to their posts and the “misunderstanding”, as it described by the Qatari foreign minister Khalid bin Mohamed Al-Attiyah, between the parties has been resolved without concessions from either side, the tension is certainly not entirely resolved. The Council broke however with its own set of rules before the diplomatic crisis with Qatar, when sending the council’s rapid reaction force to Bahrain to quell pro-democratic demonstrations as a reaction to the Arab Spring protests across the region.

The success of the GCC’s economic branch should not be blind to the mistrust between member states and their opposing political aims in the region and the greater Arab world. They have and will continue to make use of the council’s military cooperation when needed to protect the respective internal power structure as the toppling of one government could spread as a wildfire in the region. On a foreign policy level opinions and diplomatic discourses represented by the member states could not be further apart. Unless all Gulf States follow the same political path of fighting terrorism and standing up to Iran’s nuclear program the council will be no more than the facilitator of a local common market and the fire brigade when one of the members sees anti-government protests flame up.

The writer is a MA graduate in security & diplomacy from Tel Aviv University His field of expertise is strategic and security questions in the Middle East.


More than a decade long era of Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdogan,

being in power, is all set to have a transformational stretch. After being remained as Prime Minister of Turkey for twelve long years, Mr.Erdogan recently won 52 per cent of the ballots to become popular, influential and powerful President since Mustafa Kemal Ataturk who had founded the modern Turkey in 1923. Mr.Erdogan defeated Mr. Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, the candidate of the two main opposition parties, the Republican People’s Party (CHP) and the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) with sweeping majority. This was Mr.Erdogan’s ninth win since being in power in 2002. Mr.Erdogan has given Turkey the outlook for future and what it is today: peaceful, rising and economically sound. These were perhaps the major reasons for getting the tremendous victory in a direct polling across Turkey to elect him, once again, as head of the state. Erdogan also tried to transform the Turkish republic founded on the ruins of the Ottoman Empire. He was remained successful in having peaceful deals with long standing disputes with Kurds thus enhanced the peace within the country. It is also noted that he has made Turkey’s military to remain at

and revolutionary leader, vowed to bring constitutional transformations to set footing for new Turkey and new future. He has also promised to make his office energetic voicing “the national will” thus to play constructive role in nation and state building in Turkey. In his speech right after the victory, Erdgoan said. ““Today is a new day. Today is a milestone. Today is the day when a new Turkey is rising from the ashes,” Mr. Erdogan is to be inaugurated as president on Aug. 28, replacing his longtime partner in Turkish Islamist politics, Abdullah Gul. It is widely cherished that under the leadership of Erdogan, Turkey has emerged as a regional economic force and achieved highest growth rate.

In 1990, Erdogan was young and energetic and was a politician in Istanbul where he rose to the power corridors with becoming the most successful mayor of the city. People of the city still remember him solving the basic problems of the city like water, traffic, robberies, sanitation and other related issues. He was also remained as a one of the popular mayor of the city in recent times. He was later joined the Islamist party that ruled briefly but was overthrown by secular, military led coup in 1998 and he was also sent to jailed for reading an Islamist poem in a public meeting. Justice and Development Party(AKP) was founded by Mr.Erdogan in 2001 in order to pave the way for development and democracy within the country. His charismatic leadership has led him to rose to highest levels of powers by continuous and successive victories which was described as “ unprecedented political achievements in Turkey’s political history”. During his tenure Turkey has achieved historic and amazing economic standards that had never happened in the history of the country. Being very watchful and careful, Mr.Erdogan has done massive task of eliminating “Ataturk-inspired restrictions in Islam”. He also work steadily to sidelined judiciary and

Erdogan-Great

Leader of Great Nation

Muhammad Asif Noor

the sidelines through series reforms and provided Turkey towards a better and sustainable pathway towards democracy than ever before. Turks, under his leadership and guidance, have lifted themselves up from poverty and financial crisis and kept themselves moving towards development. Under his supervision, inflation, which once stood at 85% between1995 and 1998, was drastically slashed to a more manageable 8.7% by 2007. In 2010 the growth was over 9 per cent impressive standard achieved which also help strengthened Turkey’s stature as a regional power. Economic policies also led Turkey to become world’s 17th and Europe’s sixth biggest economy. In a decade, new better infrastructures, education institutes, hospitals with state of the art treatment to all the needy reflect the sense of stability and well-being of a country with visionary leadership and strong outlook towards region and future.

It is to note here that Presidency in Turkey’s political set up is rather ceremonial and lacks enough powers as President has only to veto legislation, appoint judges and call national security meetings. On the other hand Mr.Erdogan, being farsighted


military from intervening politics thus tried and was being able to turn away the military’s intervention into political sphere as four governments were being toppled and one prime minister was hanged before. Along with this, he has also stripped off the National Security Council from its military and Islamsist character. But that is also one of the bold steps taken by Mr.Erdogan for giving the country democratic outlook. Regarding peace with Kurds of the country, first and foremost they con Erdogan is a better option for them as in years into power Mr.Erdogan has made peace deals and launched the constructive peace process with Abdullah Ocalan, leader of Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) that has brought decade long conflict to a halt thus brought an end to the bloodshed and violence of years. It is also being reported that there could be a move within parliament to give amnesty

to PKK fighters thus enhancing the confidence of both parties on the peace process. This is another welcomed and supportive sign that has enhanced.

Mr.Erdogan is not only leader of Turkish nation but has also emerged as one of the leading, greatest and most respectful Muslim leader, who can stand with those who are oppressed. He has gained tremendous admiration and appreciation for his policies and standpoints towards the ongoing crisis in Gaza where illegitimate Israel state has launched brutal attacks on innocent Palestinians. But at the same time brought the wrath from the West also for his fierce criticism on the issue when he said during his campaign that Israel is thirsty for blood and calling on the international community to “stop Israel’s desire for genocide.” On one occasion accused Israel of “barbarism that surpasses

Hitler”. He remained better than many of the Muslim leaders who had only provided lip services to the issue or even didn’t bother to care for what has been happening in the Middle East for more than a one month now. This has also uplifted Mr.Erdogan’s status as humanist and true leader of entire Muslim community.

Mr.Erdogan is considered, by Turks themselves, as genuine leader and a leader with outstanding vision for his nation to build with peace and see prosperity with utmost strength amongst the comity of nation. He is a father figure for many and would take Turkey to move forward with resolve for a thriving future based on socio economic magnificence.

The writer is Director, Institute of Peace and Diplomatic Studies


Indonesian Presidential general election has been underway on

July 9th. There were 2 pairs of strong candidates for Presidential and Vice-Presidential position: Prabowo Subianto-Hatta Rajasa (Prabowo-Hatta) and Joko Widodo and Jusuf Kalla (Jokowi-JK). There will be numerous challenges for the elected pair, and one of the more important challenge will be regarding Indonesia’s future foreign politics policy. This article will try to foresee the type of leadership of each couple and also their foreign politics performance.

The official results of legislative elections on 9 April 2014 General Election Commission put PDIP at the ranked first with 23,681,471 votes (18.95%), followed by Golkar: 18,432,312 (14.75%), Gerindra: 14,760,371 (11 , 81%), Democrats: 12,728,913 (10.19%), PKB: 11,298,957 (9.04%), PAN: 9,481,621 (7.59%), PKS: 8,480,204 (6.79 %), Nasdem: 8,402,812 (6.72%), PPP: 8,157,488 (6.53%), Hanura: 6,579,498 (5.26%), PBB: 1,825,750 (1:46%), and PKPI: 1,143,094 (0.91%). Bottom two of political parties, namely PBB, and PKPI are declared not qualify parliamentary threshold (3%) and did not get any seats quota in parliament. Since none of the party with the most votes above 20%, as a condition of Presidential thrashhold to be able to carry a pair of candidates for president and vice president themselves, the coalition of political parties is a must. In the presidential system in Indonesia, election of coalition partners is also directed by the vote or seats in parliament (at least 50 percent +1), which is then tied in a mutual political platform.

After the legislative elections is

resulted in maneuvering the political elite to form a coalition at the presidential election May 9, 2014. Because the public orientation to the above figures of a political party is still a presidential election winning political formula, then the composition selection of the Presidential Candidate - Vice Presidential Candidate is very important to the victory of the candidate pairs. Of the various movements of some leaders of political parties, eventually converging on a two couples of Presidential Candidate - Vice Presidential Candidate for which respectively carried by supporting political parties to compete seizing power in Indonesia from 2014 to 2019. Two strongest pairs are Prabowo-Hatta and Jokowi-Jusuf Kalla. Prabowo-Hatta named their coalition as a Red White coalition carried by Gerindra, PAN, PPP, PKS, Golkar and PBB that total votes are 48.93%, or 292 seats in parliament. While the duo Jokowi-Jusuf Kalla brought by a coalition party of PDI-P, Nasdem, PKB, Hanura, and PKPI with a total of 39.97% of the total votes in 2014 legislative elections, or 207 seats in the House.

After receiving the serial number of the National Election Commission, the duo Prabowo-Hatta (serial number : one), and Jokowi-Jusuf Kalla (serial number : two), two sets of candidates on June 3 at Bidakara Hotel signed an integrity pact for peaceful election in Indonesia later dated July 9, 2014. Peace Election Post-Declaration, each contestant campaigned to all corners of Indonesia to share their vision and mission to the community, followed with national or global issues considered to be of importance and urgency. The question that a distinguish colleague and dear frined of mine prof. Anis Bajrektarevic has recently asked in his luminary work “Europe of Sarajevo 100 years later”, ‘Was history ever on holiday?’ – is nearly answered, at least this time in Indonesia – the 3rd largest democracy in the world.

Two variant of Leaders

Borrowing the term of Herbert Feith, there are two types of political leadership in Indonesia, namely “manager type” (administrator) and type “unifying type” (solidarity maker). Leaders with the administrator type are those who have the technical ability to govern the state. This type is generally represented by educated leaders who master a particular field. While the leaders of the solidarity

Presidential Elections 2014 and Indonesian Foreign Policy

Igor Dirgantara


maker types are the ones who are able to approach the masses, influence them, as well as gain wider sympathy and support from community.

If seen from figures of Presidential Candidates: Prabowo and Jokowi, both are the solidarity maker type because of their capacities to make both of them are not only popular among their supporters, but also have a relatively high electability in the public eye. The difference is, that Prabowo as a solidarity maker figure has high performance characteristics, while Jokowi is more low performance. High performance of Prabowo is manifested in the figure of confident, assertive and bold, while the existing low performance of Jokowi lies in its simplicity aura everyday.

Meanwhile, Vice Presidential Candidate of Hatta Rajasa and Jusuf Kalla, both equally can be characterized as figures considered expert in managing government (administrator) for some experiences as bureaucrats and state officials. The difference, Hatta Rajasa is more low profile, while Jusuf Kalla is quite a high profile in his performance.

Of both pairs have benefits and deficiencies of each. But the leader of solidarity maker type with high performance (Prabowo) could further demonstrate his capabilities as a leader because he had a better motion and political communication, including in attracting public support. While Jokowi looks less good for political communication. The high imaging seems too strong to be on his shoulder. Signaled himself as the party officer and Doll Presidential Candidate is a heavy burden amid the Presidential Candidates and their popularities. Path “on leave” as the governor also indicated that Jokowi judged not to confident in contestation to face Presidential Election 2014. Currently, campaigned as a Presidential Candidate, executing tasks of Jakarta Governor are undertaken by the

deputy governor, Basuki Tjahya Purnama (Ahok). It means, if Jokowi lost the battle for the number one seat in Indonesia later, he could take back his position as Jakarta Governor.

Candidate for Vice President has the low profile administrator type (Hatta Rajasa) seeming to be able to work together in government. This type is similar to the figure of Indonesian vice president, Boediono, now. Not much to say, experienced, courteous, and competent. Jusuf Kalla also balanced. Jusuf Kalla has plenty of experiences in the government bureaucracy. The difference, Hatta Rajassa is the General Chairman of the Party (PAN), moreover Jusuf Kalla is the former coriander of the Golkar Party which also rely on the popularity as Jokowi. The problem is also that Vice Presidential Candidate, Jusuf Kalla (72 years) is much older than Jokowi (52 years) as a candidate for president. The Second Symptom Captain in one vessel can not be avoided. Two captains are not among Jokowi with Jusuf Kalla, but also between Megawati and Jusuf Kalla later.

Foreign Politics Performance

During the campaign period ahead of voting until July 9, 2014, the vision-mission of both pairs are louder presented to the public, ranging from a matter of economics, education, health, environment, food, energy, law enforcement, until about fighting corruption. Which did not escape that should be of concern is how the performance of Indonesian foreign politics of the two couple of candidates later. It’s no secret if the issues of foreign politics is often a secondary priority compared to national issues. But the fact that a peaceful election in Indonesia should be able to be a major capital and stimulus to improve active role in regional and global arena, as mandated by the opening of Constitution 1945 paragraph 4 to participate in creating a world order.

Indonesian Foreign Politics Challenges

In the short and medium term, foreign politics still faces two strategic issues. The first is the traditional security challenges, such as separatism and border disputes. Separatist Action of Free Papua Movement (OPM), or the work of Malaysian who do not appreciate status quo territory, at Camar Bulan and Tanjung Datu in West Kalimantan border needs to be addressed explicitly by the new Indonesian leader. The second is non-traditional strategic issues, as transnational crime such as terrorism, money laundering, climate change, maritime security and others. Crimes at sea such as illegal fishing, illegal logging, illegal mining, human trafficking, drug trafficking passing Indonesia sea channel continued. Moreover, Indonesia is directly adjacent to the 10 countries in the sea and only 2 countries on the land.

In the context of maritime security, Indonesia needs to be a leadership pioneer in ASEAN to be bold against China on issue in South China Sea, especially if China enters the water territory of Natuna as part of its claim. Indonesian shall enforce Exclusive Economic Zone and freedom of navigation in accordance with norms of international laws. Therefore, modernizing Indonesia military is a must.

Performance of Presidential Candidate - Vice Presidential Candidate

As has been described above by the author, figures of Presidential Candidates Prabowo and Jokowi has solidarity maker type. The difference is the leadership style off Prabowo Subianto having characteristics of high performance, while Jokowi is more low performance. Meanwhile, Vice Presidential Candidate of Hatta Rajasa and Jusuf Kalla, both equally can be characterized as figures considered


expert in managing government (administrator) for some experiences as bureaucrats and state officials. However, Hatta Rajasa is more low profile at work, while Jusuf Kalla has high profile type.

At glance there are similarities if you look at the vision-mission of foreign relations between Prabowo-Hatta and Jokowi-Jusuf Kalla. Both pairs equally lays self-reliance principle of Indonesian people in facing the global challenges ahead. Prabowo-Hatta and Jusuf Kalla Jokowi Visions in maritime sector both want to build ports. Each of the Presidential candidate pairings equally want contract re-negotiation between the Indonesian Government with the foreign companies that have been operating in Indonesia for quite some time, who have a number of issues that deemed harmful to the interest of the Indonesian people, for example Freeport in Papua and Newmont in West Nusa Tenggara. National needs and interests are articulated through foreign politics of both pairs. But masculine characteristics in the implementation of the Indonesian foreign politics from Prabowo-Hatta are more pronounced for protecting the nation, play an active role and confident in facing the global arena (Outward Looking). The hope of Indonesian nationals are more respected by other countries, inside or outside the regions. Prabowo-Hatta is considered to have the competence to anticipate issues and challenges of traditional security. Prabowo-Hatta International slogans about ‘Revival Indonesian’ becoming Asian Tiger is a high performance leadership style in Indonesian foreign politics.

While the more feminine performance of Indonesia’s foreign politics looks of the duo Jokowi-Jusuf Kalla. Concentration of Indonesia’s foreign relations will be more focused inward looking. Visions-Missions of Jokowi-Kalla are more based on the national interest and the desire to strengthen the identity of Indonesia as

a maritime nation. The idea is to save Indonesia’s marine wealth that will be done by building the fish processing industries, as well as improving transportation links for large ships at strategic locations. The idea of the need for the Indonesian people to do ‘mental revolution’ as a guide to the ‘Wonderful Indonesia’ is the slogan of the foreign politics implementation of a low-performance-high-profile.

Closing

Visions and missions from both pairs of Presidential Candidate - Vice Presidential Candidate are in fact complement each other and fill the two polugri major issues mentioned above. As head of state and head of government, the elected president later will have to have a vital role and influence on the implementation direction of the foreign politics that strived for the prosperity of the Indonesian people, keep maintaining

integrity of the Republic, as well as a commitment to be part of an international collaboration in creating world peace. In 2015, Indonesia will face the ASEAN Community. Indonesia needs to show the attitude of ‘do not come home’ in agreements towards ASEAN economic society later. When viewed from its history, Indonesian foreign politics are closely related to the issue of its national pride, position, and role in the international world. The fact that a peaceful election in Indonesia should be a major capital and stimulus to improve the active role in regional and global arena, as mandated by opening of the Constitution 1945 paragraph 4 to participate in creating a world order, as well as to resolve issues and security challenges

The writer is senior researcher and lecturer Lecturer at the Faculty of Social and Politics, University of Jayabaya, Indonesia.


General Information

Indonesia is an archipelagic nation’s largest & fourth most populous country in the world, consists of five main islands such as Sumatra, Java, Kalimantan, Sulawesi, & Papua, covering 33 provinces. Indonesia is diverse in culture and nature, which consists of 17,504 islands and is occupied by 223 million people of 491 different ethnic, tribes, and speaks 726 different languages. Indonesia name comes from two Greek words: “Indo” meaning Indian and “Nesos” meaning island. The capital is Jakarta located in Java Island. Indonesia has an exotic mix of fascinating cultures; breathtaking nature; pristine tropical beaches; and outstanding cultural destinations. In addition, it offers shopping at great value for money and a large variety of sporting activities from golfing to diving, all in a family-friendly atmosphere. There are 38 international air carriers and 9 national air carriers serve from 52 main cities to 22 cities in Indonesia.

Climate

The climate of Indonesia is almost

entirely tropical. The uniformly warm waters that make up 81% of Indonesia’s area ensure that temperatures on land remain fairly constant, with the coastal plains averaging 28 °C, the inland and mountain areas averaging 26 °C, and the higher mountain regions, 23 °C. Temperature varies little from season to season. The main variable of Indonesia’s climate is not temperature or air pressure, but rainfall. The area’s relative humidity ranges between 70 and 90%. Winds are moderate and generally predictable, with monsoons usually blowing in from the south and east in June through September and from the northwest in December through March. Typhoons and large-scale storms pose little hazard to mariners in Indonesia waters; the major danger comes from swift currents in channels, such as the Lombok and Sape straits.

Cuisine

Staple food of most of Indonesia is “Rice” but a few island in eastern Indonesia ,staple food traditionally has ranged from corn, sago sweet potato .fish are used as complementary foods, prepared as a paste of fresh ,salted

,dried smoked or fried . Coconut is found everywhere, and in addition produced for cooking oil, coconut milk as well as food flavoring. Spicy chilis are almost compulsory for seasoning named “Sambal”.

In Bali, Papua & highlands of north Sumatra and north Sulawesi pork dishes are easy to find. A wide range of tropical fruits and vegetables sub-tropical throughout the year .coffee and tea are very abundant, and some regions produce typically local drinks .among them Bali produces “Brem” (which is a rice wine), “Toraja” and north Sumatra has a “Tuak” Some Indonesian food is the most common “sate” (grilled meat), “ Gado-Gado” (mixed vegetables with peanut sauce ) , “soto” (soup including chicken, boiled rice, fine noodles & special spices) and fried rice & Noodles .

Religion

The first principle of Indonesia’s philosophical foundation, pancasila, is “belief in the one and only God”. The Indonesian Constitution guarantees freedom of religion. However, the government only recognizes six official religions In the 2010 Indonesian census, 87.18% of Indonesians identified themselves as Muslims (with Sunnis 99%, Shias 0.5%, Ahmadis 0.2%), 6.96% Protestant, 2.91% Catholic, 1.69% Hindu, 0.72% Buddhist, 0.05%Confucianism, 0.13% other, and 0.38% unstated or not asked. Indonesia is also the most populous Muslim-majority nation in the world.

Language

The official language of Indonesia is ‘Indonesian’ or ‘Bahasa Indonesia’ derived from Sanskrit, English, Arabic and Persian. It’s universally taught in schools and is spoken by nearly every Indonesian in business, politics, national media, education and academia. The Indonesians also speak several hundreds of local languages like ‘bahasa daerah’ as their first language. Javanese is also widely used

Indonesia: A Bird Eye View

Madiha Mukhta


besides other Papuan or Austronesian languages in a region of just 2.7 million people.

Art & Culture

Indonesia is culturally rich. Indonesian art and culture are intertwined with religion and age-old traditions from the time of early migrants with Western thoughts brought by Portuguese traders and Dutch colonists. The basic principles which guide life include the concepts of mutual assistance or “gotong royong” and consultations or “musyawarah” to arrive at a consensus or “mufakat” Derived from rural life, this system is still very much in use in community life throughout the country.

Though the legal system is based on the old Dutch penal code, social life as well as the rites of passage are founded on customary or “adat” law which differs from area to area. “Adat” law has a binding impact on Indonesian life and it may be concluded that this law has been instrumental in maintaining equal rights for women in the community. Religious influences on the community are variously evident from island to island.

Intertwined with religion and age-old traditions from the time of early migrants the art and culture of Indonesia is rich in itself with Western thoughts brought by Portuguese traders and Dutch colonists. The art and culture of Indonesia has been shaped around its hundreds of ethnic groups, each with cultural differences that have shifted over the centuries. Modern-day Indonesian culture is a fusion of cultural aspects from Arabic, Chinese, Malay and European sources. Indonesian art and culture has also been influenced from the ancient trading routes between the Far East and the Middle East leading to many cultural practices being strongly influenced by a multitude of religions, including Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism and Islam.

There are also various forms of puppet shows. The “wayang kulit” of Java is performed with leather puppets held by the puppeteer, who narates the story of one of the famous episodes of the Hindu epics, the Mahabharata or the Ramayana. It is performed againts a white screen while a lantern in the background casts the shadows of the characters on the screen, visible from the other side where the spectators are seated. The “Wayang Golek” (wooden Puppets) of West Java is based on the same concept.

The crafts of Indonesia vary in both medium and art form. As a whole of the people are artistic by nature and express themselves on canvas, wood, metals, clay and stone. The batik process of waxing and dyeing originated in Java centuries ago and classic designs have been modified with modern trends in both pattern and technology. There are several centres of batik in Java, the major ones being Yogyakarta, Surakarta, Pekalongan, and Cirebon. Batik is also being produced in same other areas as in Bali where local designs are incorporated. Other provinces produced hand-woven cloths of gold and silver threads, silks or cottons with instricate designs. Paintings are numerous all over the country, both traditional and contemporary, woodcarvings for ornamentation and furniture, silverwork and engraving form Yogyakarta and Sumatra, filgree from South Sulawesi and Bali with different styles of Clay, sandstone and wood sculptures. These are but a few of the handicrafts found in Indonesia. Architecture Indonesian culture, especially its architecture has been to a great extent dominated and influenced by the Indian, although European influences have also been particularly strong since the nineteenth century. Traditional buildings in Indonesia are built on stilts with oversized saddle roofs which have been the home of the Batak and the Toraja. The Torajan use the buffalo horns, stacked one above

another in front of the house as an indication of status. Scenes from the Ramayana adorn the outer walls in different colors. However, Chinese, Arab, and European architectural influences have also been quite significant in Indonesian architecture. Music

Musical traditions are as diverse as the population, but the one musical expression best known and most widely associated with the country is probably the gamelan. A complete gamelan orchestra may consist of as many as eighty instruments, the largest part comprising various types and sizes of metal percussion instruments. Drums, a zither (celempung), a rebab two-stringed upright lute, a flute and often a few other instruments complete the ensemble. The most elaborate form of gamelan is that of Central Java (Yogyakarta and Surakarta). West Java has its own gamelan ensemble, usually simpler than the Javanese with more stress in flute, drums and the bonang family of horizontally placed kettle gongs. But the most brilliant is that of Bali, where sets of “male” and “female” megalophones produce that beautiful timbre associated with the Balinese gamelan. In much more simple forms, the “gamelan” is also known in other islands of Indonesia, from southern Sumatra to Sulawesi and Kalimantan.

Dance

The traditional dances depict episodes from the Ramayana and Mahabharata from India. Traditional Javanese and Balinese tinge is also seen in the dance forms of Indonesian art and culture. The highly stylized dances of the courts of Yogyakarta and Surakarta are some of the popular variations. Mythological events of Indonesia are also depicted.

The writer is completing Masters from Airlangga University Surabaya, East Java, Indonesia.


Pakistan’s foreign policy has always been identified as policy of self-

abnegation. It is blamed that external factors particularly USA play a vital role in the shaping of foreign policy of Pakistan but there are many internal factors pose challenges to Pakistan’s foreign policy.

Pakistan is an ideological state hence ideology has a special place in its foreign policy and it has been a central focus in the foreign policy for all time. There is a famous U - turn in Pakistan’s foreign policy in recent era and this shift in policy has provoked an intense debate at home and abroad. Territorial integrity is the foremost important foreign policy goal of any country and it deals with the security that may be external or internal or both. Similarly, most important issue in Pakistan’s foreign policy is security concerns because Pakistan has one of the most complex threat analyses of any state in the world. There are many problems at home related to grievances against foreign policy particularly on the issue and pattern of war on terrorism.

Foreign policy can be said to have emerged when contacts between the earliest human societies took place. Foreign policy behavior refers to the actions states take toward each other. It is important to note that these actions usually are not taken as ends in themselves but are tied in some way to larger purposes-from long run aspirations to more immediate aims that national leaders hope to achieve in their dealings with other countries.

There is a dire need for theory of foreign policy that is separate from the theory of international relations. A society constituted by the individuals and evolved with the passage of time in

a social organization and the individual cannot properly be understood without society, likewise international relations began with foreign policy and international relations of a state cannot be understood without understanding the foreign policy of that state. So it is very essential to understand the trends of modern international environment particularly in terms of foreign policies of major players of world politics. Sometimes the two terms, foreign policy and diplomacy create perplexity. The most suitable way to differentiate between the two terms is to consider foreign policy as the legislative and diplomacy as the executive phase of the foreign relations of a country. Practically diplomats of a country play a decisive role in the legislative phase of foreign policy by accumulating and examining imperative information from all corners of the world and convey it usually with their own policy proposal and suggestions to their respective foreign office and maintain a regular exchange of information with policy makers at home regarding a variety of options available in a given situation to deal with a particular affair. Foreign policy is an extension of internal or domestic policy. Indeed foreign policy is designed to protect and promote national interests of whom domestic policy is an integral part. Often domestic policies have to be made subservient to foreign policy because without success in foreign policy, there would be no domestic policy left to pursue. Similarly many domestic needs are to be fulfilled by pursuing a particular foreign policy in the light of those domestic needs. Foreign policy arrangements become more multifaceted and complex in view of the crucial challenges that international politics is likely to pose

in the new millennium. In recent days foreign policy is argued mostly post facto either in the circumstance of the rationale for its formulation or of the actions and results that it produces.

Territorial integrity is the foremost important foreign policy goal of any country and it deals with the security that may be internal or external security. Attempts of one state to achieve security precipitate a sense of insecurity in other states. When states seek the ability to defend themselves they get benefit and loss both. Benefit because they wanted to gain the ability to dictate other states by developing their weapons and loss because others states will increased their own arms to maintain the deterrence and it will reduce the security of the first state. So maintaining the territorial integrity without diminishing the integrity of other state is a unique but unpopular and uncommon art.

Historian Paul Kennedy named Pakistan as one of the nine pivotal states whose future evolution would not only determine the fate of their region, but also affect international stability. He maintains in his article in the Foreign Affairs Quarterly that “progress by a pivotal state such as Pakistan would help not only the region but also promote US interests in trade and in investment”. Pakistan has developed as a principal actor and a vital personality of its own. Now it is supposed to secure and protect its all vital interests at all cost. These interests are considered to be above individual morality and any other factor. Pakistan should demonstrate and follow an independent and principled foreign policy in the pursuit of its national interests. Being an ideological state, Pakistan did not only seek to promote closer links with Islamic countries but also played a leading role in championing the rights of the developing countries in general and Muslim countries in particular. In the economic development, Pakistan should not compromise on Islamic

Pakistan’s Foreign Policy: Internal Challenges in New Millennium

Ayesha Nayyar


ideology in making its foreign relations. In the current phase of rapidly globalizing world, Pakistan’s foreign policy is drastically needed a fresh look. The main features of the emerging global order to which our foreign policy has to be adjusted over the coming years in a manner best suited to secure our interest and security are identified below.

Pakistan has one of the most complex threat analyses of any state in the world. In the north is China, an emerging economic giant; in the east India, a state with vastly superior industrial resources and a much larger human base and intense conflicts with Pakistan over many issues particularly Kashmir issue; in the west lies Iran and Afghanistan, never friendly and source of internal tension and domestic instability; to the south positioned Arabian sea, a gate way to Central Asian States through Gwadar Port. Further, two of Pakistani provinces with vast population have strong ethnic and tribal ties across the border in Afghanistan while on the Indian frontier there is unresolved dispute

over the status of Jammu and Kashmir.

Pakistan’s domestic politics remains intimately linked to political relations with Pakistan’s neighbors. Any analysis of threats to Pakistan’s security must emphasis on this overlapping phenomenon between external and internal problem. The geographical shape of Pakistan and the distribution of its population complicate the defense problem. In its northern end there is cease-fire line controlled by UN peace keepers (UNMOGIP). It no longer has air superiority, it cannot raise new forces in course of short war and its army is still less than half of the size of the Indian army. The borders are always in great risks of escalation and above all there is a possibility of active India Israel cooperation which can place Pakistan in a hopeless strategic position.

Pakistan is the only ex-colonial state to have been divided by war. One part of it was dismembered in 1971 because of internal inequality, disparity and involvement of external element. Political the military regimes are playing havoc with the corridors of

powers sometimes with the support of public and sometimes by misuse of power but in actual no capable civilian leadership has assumed power until now. Finally ethnic, regional, religious, economic, professional and class groups periodically expressed their unhappiness with continued military rule and sometimes with the elected democratic government because of corruption and mismanagement.

Pakistan’s security is gravely threatened in recent era as compared to previous threats.

Previous governments identified the Kashmir dispute and Afghan civil war as an external threat. The threat today is not only from India but also from internal extremist elements. The threat from India does not now come from and attack that would seize and hold additional Pakistan territory, the threat today is an internal threat as well ranging from failed governance, mismanagement of the country’s economy to the war against terrorism. There are a large number of issues which are constant threat to the security of Pakistan.


These include environment, narcotic trafficking, terrorism, disarmament, non-proliferation of weapons of mass destructions, human right, gender issue etc. In addition to all these, the wave of economic liberalization and globalization has weaken the traditional authority and control of the sate in policy making options even on important matters and issues of vital national interest.

The present era is the age of low intensity conflicts rather than conventional wars. So, it is extremely important to understand our internal dynamics, challenges and threats such as national integration, ethnicity, sectarianism, drug mafia, political system, bad economic conditions and economic disparities, and geographic vulnerabilities. The main internal fronts which are directly affecting the foreign policy of Pakistan are the followings;

Drone attacks:

US forces launched drone attacks on different villages of Bajour agency and other part of Waziristan and adjacent tribal areas. This area falls under the administrative control of Pakistan. Pakistan’s territorial sovereignty has been violated by the US forces on the pretext of hot pursuit of Al-Qaeda and Taliban remnants and the causalities and death toll of civilians are rising day by day on the name of collateral damage. There has been strong public reaction in Pakistan against the recent US drone attack in Northern part of Pakistan which resulted in the killing of hundreds of people, including

women and children. It is a flagrant violation of Pakistan sovereignty according to the norms of international law. People are of the opinion that any action against Al-Qaeda on Pakistani soil should be taken by the Pakistani authorities not by American forces or at least Pakistani authorities should be informed prior to any action. The response of Pakistani government in this matter has been inadequate and it is quite alarming to note that Washington does not care about tendering an apology for the blatant violation of Pakistan’s sovereignty and lose of human lives instead Washington has defended its action on grounds of tracking down terrorist. These attacks are an eye opener for Pakistani government. It shows that government is proved as a failure in providing sovereignty to its citizens and territory and US announced that they will take such actions in futures if there is necessity. Public anger in Pakistan against both the US and the present government on this issue is mounting up as these unacceptable acts are questioning our national dignity and security.

Islamic Fundamentalism:

The US and west view Islamic fundamentalism as a threat to its new hegemonic power. This is a self created and self motivated concept of West particular in the context of Muslim world. Suicide bombing, killing, terrorist attack and extremist has been present in every society since past and is present in every corner of the world. History of the world is full of many incidents and personalities who

are involved in terrorist and extremists activities and did not belong to Islamic Society. Mostly persons blamed in recent extremist activities are those which belong to Muslim community but they are brought up in Western societies.

We need to wash away the title of extremist from our faces while dealing in the comity of nations. Through our foreign policy we need to present a picture that we are a responsible and moderate Muslim country. Some fraction of society opposed president Musharraf’s cooperation with Washington and the US presence in Pakistan and Afghanistan. This led some radical Muslim to call for Musharraf’s assassination and an Islamic revolution inPakistan. Benazir’s assassination is also an episode of the same serial. These events lead towards the tarnishing image of Pakistan and portray like a rogue state, a supporter of terrorism that already possessed weapons of man destruction. Prevention of another India- Pakistan war, wider strategic cooperation and stronger economic ties with US, Pakistan’s identity as a moderate Muslim state is challenges faced by Pakistani government on foreign policy front in new millennium. In addition to this, Pakistan continues to face tremendous pressure from western media, which critically examine the imagined links between Al-Qaeda and Pakistan. American media in particular tried to label Pakistani intelligentsia, intelligence agencies and nuclear scientists, collaborating and assisting to develop “dirty bomb”. Pakistani scientist has also been labeled as fundamentalist. Lose Angels Times even declared Abdul Qadeer Khan “The man that could be called the Axis of Evil” expressing concern and suspicion regarding the link of Pakistan’s nuclear program with some of the Islamic countries. This is the biggest challenge of the time particularly in the environment where suicide bombing and killing of innocent human being


have become the music of the day and major challenge in Pakistan.

Balochistan issue:

Balochistan has assumed a serious dimension particularly in the post Gwadar scenario. Akbar Bugti’s assassination, mineral resources, reservoirs of natural gas and coal are the vital issues which caused feeling of discrimination among people of the area. External factors like India and Iran are reported to be further aggravating the situation. Since the US invasion over Afghanistan, Balochistan is tending to acquire importance in the American policy of South Asia. Balochistan enjoys extraordinary geostrategic importance since it is the hub between South Asia, West Asia and Central Asia. Another aspect of Balochistan’s strategic importance to the US is the role of China in deep sea Gwadar Port. American are so concern on this internal matter of security of Pakistan that a Republican congressman, Thomas Tancredo in a letter sent to former US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice wrote. “It is my understanding that president Bush will be traveling to Pakistan in March 2006. Please urge him to raise the issue of Balochistan with president Musharraf so this dispute may come to conclusion and further losses of life may be prevented Mr. Tancredo claims that the operation in Balochistan divert important military resources that could be used to hunt Al- Qaeda and other terrorist groups10. In actual, White House wants to delineate Chinese influence in the region by controlling the geostrategic location of Balochistan to access Central Asian states. It is also worthy to note that the forces of nationalism in Baluchistan are threats to national integration and federation.

Nuclear Proliferation issue

It has been rightly stated by Margaret Thatcher that huffing and puffing about test bans and non proliferation did not stop India and Pakistan and is not going to stop major states from getting

nuclear weapon when their security interest. IAEA pointed towards

Pakistan for proliferating WMDs and no Muslim country supported us. It does mean that we should not delink ourselves from OIC but we should first seek our own national interest than we should look towards Umah. It is further alleged that Pakistan’s nuclearization has contributed to international terrorism. The US expressed serious concern regarding the authenticity of the control and command system and Pakistan’s ability to protect its nuclear assets.

Kashmir issue:

William E. Brown and Robert Windrem in their controversial book “Critical Mass” had maintained that because of the Kashmir issue south Asia is the most dangerous place on the earth. Kashmir has always been a bone of contention between India and Pakistan for the last 63 years. Religious and emotional attachment of people of Pakistan with Kashmir always pursues the policy makers to take tough and non-flexible stance over Kashmir issue. On the other hand Kashmiris are angry on Pakistan’s policy towards Kashmir because they have not rendered scarifies of their lives merely for the sake of a bus service, fairy service, train service, self governance and option like a “united states of Kashmir.” But clearly their goal is Islam and Pakistan for which they are offering the precious sacrifice of their lives. So Pakistan is facing a big internal challenge on this foreign policy front. The plight of Kashmiris have not changed so for as result of the useless talks, exchange of dancers and visits of self-styled intellectuals, traders seeking personal interests and opening of the LOC. Giving unilateral concessions to India is neither in the interest of Pakistan nor that of the Kashmiris.

In a nut shell, we can say that these internal foreign policy challenges need to be addressed by the policy makers of Pakistan. These all issues, challenges

and threats can tear the fabric of our society if not considered seriously. Although any past government whether democratic or dictatorial could not ignore these issues and challenges at all due to public pressure but a clear cut line has also never been drawn in formulating the foreign policy on these critical issues. The shift in Pakistan’s foreign policy after September 11, has provoked an intense debate both at home and abroad. For Pakistan, joining the U.S led anti terrorist coalition reflected the major policy shift by withdrawing support from the Taliban government which has seen Pakistan as one of its leading allies. Pakistan shifted her policy and took U turn to preserve its strategic assets and national sovereignty. America is seeking important role of Pakistan’s chief external supporter due to war on terrorism. This is an opportunity to correct old mistakes.

Pakistan should give the message to the outside world as a democratic country that if decisions are taken in isolation without considering and honoring the sentiments of Pakistani society, it will not only inflame public opinion but also create internal security problems.

These problems can ultimately affect the nine years effort of coalition partners in Afghanistan. Pakistan can gain some benefits as the U.S. has tried to balance its interests in South Asia by declaring Pakistan as its “strategic partner”, “closest ally” and “Non NATO ally”. The fact of the matter is that without Pakistan assistance U.S. will be unable to haunt the Al-Qaeda and Taliban elements. So it is the time to reconsider, reschedule and reframe the foreign policy of Pakistan in the context of internal needs and challenges.

The writer is a Student of M.phil International Relations at National Defence University & a Civil Servant at Pakistan Civil Superior Services


My large house is the roof of the world

From which I can see the world

Come on and see from the yard of my house;

You can see the face of Pakistan;

Come on and see independent Pakistan

Looking at you with open arms

To welcome you; the sun of the nation!

Have built a new heaven.

(Tajik poet; M.M Shakar)

Republic of Tajikistan, the land of sun shine, the roof of the world

and natural inheritor of Sogdian Civilization as the only Persian Speaking country in Central Asia is a Sunni Muslim state. Beautiful but thin Wahkhan Corridor, Afghan part of Grono-Badakhshan separates Chitral (Pakistan) from Tajikistan. Social and

cultural relations of the Tajik people, as a cultured and very ancient people of the Central Asia, with the people of sub-continent in general and in particular with those who belong to Pakistan has ancient and extensive history. Apart from cordial, cultural, historical, religious, spiritual and racial ties between Tajikistan and Pakistan, both Muslim brother countries enjoy close relations on diplomatic, political, commercial and strategic levels. Pakistan was one of the first countries to establish diplomatic relations with Tajikistan soon after its independence in 1991. Diplomatic relations between the Republic of Tajikistan and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan were established on June 6, 1992. Bilateral ties between the two countries are based on mutual respect, shared interests, and a common desire to promote peace, stability and development in the region and beyond. Relations between Pakistan and Tajikistan are marked by cordiality and close cooperation in diverse fields.

The two countries share akin views on regional and international issues and cooperate closely on multilateral forums including UN, OIC, ECO, and SCO. High level visits are regularly exchange to develop consensus on issues affecting both nations and region. Pakistan’s Prime Minister’s Mian Nawaz Sharif’s June’s two days official visit was part of regular high-level exchanges between the two countries and is reflective of Pakistan’s high priority and the commitment to further deepen Pakistan’s relations with Central Asia. He was invited by Tajik President Immomali Rahmanov and the visit was started on 17th June and ended on 18th June. The prime minister was convoyed by a high-level delegation that included the Minister for Water and Power, Minister for Textile Industry, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and other senior officials. Bilateral ties between the two countries are based on mutual respect, shared interests, and a common desire to promote peace, stability and development in the region and beyond. During his visit Pakistan’s premier expressed his optimistic prospects for bilateral cooperation in all spectrums with Republic of Tajikistan.

He was received at the airport by Tajik Deputy Prime Minister Azeem Ibrihim. Programme of official visit began with solemn ceremony of official reception at the square in front of Palace of Nation of Tajikistan. The two leaders showed great interest during their meetings and talks and had a tete-a-tete, which was followed by delegation-level talks. Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif also had separate meeting with the Prime Minister of Tajikistan. During their extensive discussions, President

Emomali Rahmon and Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif emphasized on deep rooted historical bonds between the two countries, based on common faith, cultural affinities and Civilizational links. The two leaders avowed their joint commitment to peace, stability and progress and underscored their shared vision of a strategic partnership between two friendly states to serve the cause

My Large House is the Roof of the World

Mehreen Jahangaiz


of peace and prosperity in violence ridden region.

Both sides uttered deep concern in the expansion of cordial ties and cooperation based on mutual benefits. With interest in the widening economic and trade interaction it was stressed the necessity of simplification of opportunities of transportation and transit, finding of new communication ways. In this regard, the preparation of trilateral trade and transit agreement between Tajikistan and Pakistan through Afghanistan and accession of Tajikistan to quadrilateral agreement between Pakistan-China-Kazakhstan-Kyrgyzstan was considered very important. To enhance collaboration between private sectors of the two countries, it was agreed to establish a Joint Business Council (JBC).

Emomali Rahmonov emphasized on the importance of signing of transit trade agreement between Tajikistan, Pakistan and Afghanistan that would allow the increased two-way trade between the two countries. Tajik President states while expressing his deep interest in developing formal and informal ties with Pakistan, “We also discussed Tajikistan’s joining quadrilateral agreement of Pakistan, China, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan that will give Tajik entrepreneurs and tourists’ opportunities to visit Pakistan by shortest route,”.

Tajikistan stood first in producing hydro energy resources in Central Asia with its 948 rivers and in position to export cheap electricity to both Pakistan and Afghanistan and Northern Areas of Pakistan as well. Prime Minister of Pakistan and Tajik President Emomali Rahmonov revived their commitment to CASA-1000 energy project that further heightened its importance. A constructive talk was held on the construction of CASA-1000 PTL and fruitful implementation of many other regional projects. Kyrgyzstan Pakistan Afghanistan and Tajikistan are signatories to the agreement and both Central Asian states would export electricity to Pakistan and Afghanistan under CASA-1000.

Tajikistan and Pakistan through their vast cultural and national commonalities can develop a productive cooperation in different directions of social, political and economic and academic life. In this regard, it was expressed interest in the establishment of joint productive and trade enterprises and institutions. It was decided to convene the 5th session of the Joint Ministerial Commission in Islamabad during 2014 and the exchange visit on Parliamentary level would be made regular.

According to Khovar the National Information Agency of Tajikistan in the presence of the two leaders, the following Agreements/MoUs were signed:

• Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan and the Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan on the formation of a Joint Working Group Combating the International Terrorism;

• Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan through the Ministry of Industries and New Technologies and the Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan through the Ministry of Textile Industry on collaboration in Textiles Development;

• Memorandum of Understanding between Tajik National University, Dushanbe and National University of Modern Languages, Islamabad, Pakistan;

• Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in the field of vocational training between the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan and the Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan;

• Memorandum of Understanding between the National Library of Tajikistan and the Department of Libraries, Capital Administration and Development Division, Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.

Before leaving Tajikistan Pakistan’s Premier with Tajik visited exhibition of fruits and vegetables, dried fruits, honey and other goods of paradise nature of Tajikistan while smile on faces and hand in hand in Varzob District .

According to KHOVAR National Information Agency of Tajikistan The Prime Minister of Pakistan conveyed his deep gratitude for the gracious hospitality extended to him and the members of his delegation to the President of the Republic of Tajikistan. The Prime Minister extended an invitation to President


Emomali Rahmonov to pay a state visit to Pakistan, which was accepted. Pakistan’s Premier left Dushanbe on 18 June with his delegation ending two days successful visit marked with friendship and traditional brotherhood between two Muslim nations.

Recent Afghan situation and war on terrorism with which Pakistan is combating with in its national boundaries demand both nations to develop a consensus on regional issues affecting unswervingly their domestic politics. After the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia in Shanghai, focusing on creating an Asian security regime, Pakistan’s bilateral relations with Tajikistan reflects a change in perceiving terrorism not as a local

phenomenon but a regional issue. It is obvious that terrorist strategy is not restricted to localised conflict. The al Qaeda-inspired vision of an ‘Islamic Emirate” has taken roots in Middle Eastern and Central Asian countries, and from Al Nusra in Syria to the Taliban in Pakistan and Afghanistan, they seem linked by more than ideology. A clandestine terrorist network of arms and men spread throughout south western Asia, providing financing, training and motivation to these terrorist groups with increasingly well-coordinated strategy. Hence the strategy required to defeat them must also be better coordinated and well understood by all nations in the region. However, bringing the full power of the state to bear upon certain problems is not an

easy task, as Pakistan’s leadership is well aware. The PM’s statement that “It is important for our socio-economic development to eliminate the scourge of extremism and terrorism,” underscores how recognition of this fact is growing not only in Pakistan but also in other states of the region. Both leaders are aware of the fact that peaceful and stable Afghanistan is prime necessity to be fulfilled for long term prosperity and peace in both states and the region. Peace is vital for CASA-1000 to go ahead as Afghan territory is proposed transit route to Pakistan.

The visit is important for Pakistan’s standing with neighbours that were largely ignored during the Musharraf and PPP regimes, which favoured a US-centric policy. Relinking with regional allies and collaborating on terrorism on Pakistan’s own terms are reflections that state is moving out of obsolete-mode and into the regional scene again.

From friendly perceptions towards each other to convergent interests both neighbours shared a great deal of concentration. Hazrat Mir Ali Hamdani (Shah Hamdan), most respected Waliullah of Tajikistan is being followed and loved by Muslims of Kashmir and Pakistan. King of Tajik Sufism is immortalised by Alama Iqbal in his work. In return Iqbal is widely loved by Tajik people. Iqbal day is celebrated in Institute of Oriental Studies and Literary Heritage of Tajikistan and day for Iqbal Khoni (reciting Iqbal’s Poems) is observed with respect and enthusiasm in schools and Universities as assisted by Tajik President. From energy projects to utilization of Gawader port to export Tajik goods to world markets, both Muslim brother states are in full capacity to fulfil each other’s requirements.

Zindabad Doosti e Pakistan wa Tajikistan.

The writer is research scholar with special interest in Central Asian region.


In the backdrop of 18th constitutional amendment and realizing the

importance of higher education for socio-economic development of the country, the provincial governments have allocated maximum funds for higher sector in their respective budgets for 2014-15. Although, the experts and educational circles term it positive development towards strengthening higher education in Pakistan but it is still less in view of growing needs of higher education sector and bringing Pakistani higher education sector at par with international standards. According to international standards, the budget for higher education should not be less than one-fourth (25%) of the total allocated education budget but in Pakistan it is less than one-tenth. Pakistan is already struggling to improve its low access to higher education ratio, which currently stands at 8% as compared to 18% in neighboring India and 12% in Bangladesh 37% in Malaysia, 39% in Turkey and 95% in South Korea.

The higher education sector has developed extensively in Pakistan during past decade. More than one dozen public sector universities have been established during last two years only. The number of higher education institutions (HEI) increased from 158 with more than 250 countrywide campuses, out of which 92 are in public sector i.e. Federal 24, Punjab 23, Sindh 16, KPK 19, Balochistan 6 and AJK 4.

According to the 18th constitutional amendment, the promotion of higher education has become now shared and joint responsibility of federal and provincial governments as federal list II functions fall under the preview of Council of Common Interest (CCI).

The Council in its meeting held in May 2011 decided that the financing of provincial universities and population welfare would be the responsibility of federal government till next NFC Award. Meanwhile, the provinces should also have responsibility to build the capacity of universities by providing them funding so that they can meet the standards.

The provincial governments have allocated maximum funds for provincial in 2014-15 budgets in higher education sector. In this regard, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Punjab , Sindh and Balochistan provincial governments have allocated Rs 13 billion , Rs. 14 billion Rs. 5 billion along and Rs. 7.492 billion respectively. The allocated funds

would be spent on new schemes including establishment of colleges, provision of missing facilities, up- gradation of colleges, establishment of new universities, campuses and e-youth initiatives. Unlike the federal government, the provincial allocations for higher education sector also cover college education as well. The experts are also of the view that in order to utilize funds effectively, avoiding lapse of funds, meeting the set targets in budgets in terms of undertaking new initiatives, open new universities’ campuses, improving governance, accountability & monitoring mechanism and public private partnerships initiatives, an autonomous and efficient structure comprising of relevant experts would be required which may work closely

Provincial Budget Allocations 2014-15 in Higher Education Sector

Muhammad Murtaza Noor


with the government machinery. The Punjab, Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa governments have allocated special finances for establishment of endowment funds in order to assist university students. The provincial governments have also announced special grants to meet the recurring expenditure of the universities.

In addition, the combined budgetary allocations (federal and provincial) at all tiers of education (primary to higher) are higher than last year’s allocation. The academicians and experts describe it a positive step as total education budget is increased, each tier of education including higher education would get more share accordingly. But unfortunately, combined budgeted allocation for education, 82% is earmarked for current expenditure (mainly salaries) and 18% for development expenditure (construction of new facilities, upgrading existing facilities, etc.). In 2012-13, only Rs. 31.3 billion out of total allocated development expenditure on education Rs 70.3 billion was utilized.

The Federation of all Pakistan Universities Academic Staff Association (FAPUASA), representative body of universities’ faculty, through its Secretary General

Dr. Kaleemullah Berach demanded that in the light of 18th constitutional amendment, the federal government should allocate the development funds as per the provincial share prescribed in National Finance Commission (NFC) award. He termed the federal higher education budget increase insufficient to meet the growing needs/ requirements of higher education sector and increasing inflation rate in Pakistan. He demanded that the provincial governments should also allocate maximum funds for provincial higher education set ups in upcoming budgets in order to strengthen higher education throughout the country.

“As the universities are already under the administrative control of the provincial governments, the provincial governments should also realize their financial responsibilities as well”, he added. He urged federal and provincial governments to allocate 25% of total education budget to higher education as per international standards.

There is broad based consensus among the all the stakeholders of the higher education sector that government‘s efforts should be aimed at strengthening of higher education sector especially targeting remote and far-flung areas. The autonomy of higher education institutions with certain checks and balances may also be ensured so that these institutions should serve as hub of innovation, creativity and research.

The writer remained associated with Higher Education sector for more than ten years.


In the recent era of soft power, Conduct of diplomacy has got its

privileged position. It has rightly said that it is the art of winning the hearts and minds of people. This art is a success story as far as the bilateral relations between Pakistan and Turkmenistan are concerned. Pakistan and Turkmenistan are two fraternal nations with a unique heritage of common faith, history and political affinity. Formal diplomatic relations were established on 10 May 1992. Recently the 4th session of Pakistan-Turkmenistan Joint Governmental Commission held here on August 7 and 8, 2014. Mr. Sartaj Aziz, Adviser to the Prime Minister on National Security & Foreign Affairs/ Co-chair of Pakistan-Turkmenistan Joint Governmental Commission. He gave the inaugural statement as “We are proud that Pakistan was among the first countries to extend diplomatic recognition to Turkmenistan as an independent and sovereign state in 1991. We have watched with admiration the steady progress and prosperity that the brotherly people of Turkmenistan have achieved since independence.”

He further stated with the special focus on 3rd meeting of the Joint Governmental Commission took place in Ashgabat in April 2012. “Since then, there has been a successful democratic transition in Pakistan. The new government under Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif is pursuing a foreign policy, with “Peace for Development” as its defining principle. The Prime Minister’s vision places a central emphasis on building a “peaceful neighborhood” so that the core objective of Pakistan’s economic

development could be robustly advanced.”

It is extremely gratifying that the close, cordial ties between Pakistan and Turkmenistan continue to evolve into a strong partnership since 1991. The bilateral relations between both the countries have always been marked by mutual trust and understanding, and a desire to continuously expand the horizons of mutually-beneficial cooperation.

The Pakistan-Turkmenistan Joint Governmental Commission represents the most important platform to shape the nature and direction of the bilateral cooperation. Over the years, the JGC has helped facilitate fruitful exchanges in the political, trade, economic, scientific and technical and human resource development fields..

Mr Aziz also highlighted the impediments facing by Pakistan.

“Pakistan is currently engaged in wide-ranging efforts to address severe energy shortages. In this regard, we are cognizant of Turkmenistan’s potential as a reliable partner to help strengthen our energy security. The two countries have embarked upon a project for the export of 1000 MW of Turkmen electricity to Pakistan, through Afghanistan. We look forward to swift completion of this important undertaking.”

It is also important to note that Session took place at a time when the region is going through a significant transformation. In the current scenario the success of many of bilateral and regional initiatives depends on continued peace and stability, particularly in Afghanistan on which the eye of whole world is focusing upon. During this period Pakistan and Turkmenistan showed to work together on the basis of our convergent interests and shared goals.

During a meeting between Minister for Water and Power Khawaja Mohammad Asif and Mr Meredov, it was decided that a joint working group would meet in October to prepare feasibility of some projects. Turkmenistan is rich in electricity generation by gas thermal plants. The minister openheartedly

Diplomacy: A Success Story between Pakistan-Turkmenistan

Relations Iffat Pervaz


welcomed the offer by Mr Meredov by saying that it would be workable and off course will meet the energy need of country.

Some important discussion also took place as far as the gas and oil sector is concerned. Both parties decide to accelerate the efforts in TAPI project and they also accentuate upon the future possibilities to expand the co-operation in oil and gas sector. As Mr Aziz stated that we must continue to proactively pursue efforts for the early realization of the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) Gas Pipeline project. This would not only yield rich dividends to the countries involved, but also advance the cause of regional cooperation for development.

Besides oil, gas, and energy sector the representatives of both the countries also focus on the co-operation in trade and business by deciding about the first meeting of Pakistan-Turkmenistan Working Group on Trade Development and Joint Business Forum at the end of 2014.

Agriculture as an important sector was also got special attention. Both parties showed their deep interest in exchanging of expertise as far as seed farming of crops and quality assessment of cotton seeds are concerned. For that matter, a joint working group on agriculture will meet in the year 2014. As Pakistan is rich in leather industry so it was also decided by both the parties that co-operation in industrial sector will also take place specifically in textile and leather goods. “Communication needs for co-operation” both the countries realize this desired need and exchange their views on draft agreement of transit traffic, and expansion of air links between the two countries. Both representatives thought to establish a joint working group on transport to strengthen regional connectivity and realize the vision of a transport corridor.

would prove instrumental in exploring new avenues for cooperation in energy, commercial and economic fields for mutual benefit of both the countries.

Foreign Minister of Turkmenistan Rashid Meredov expressed his views and thanked to the hospitality of Pakistan and with an optimizing view he said that partnership and co-operation in the different sectors will eventually enhance the bilateral ties between Pakistan and Turkmenistan.

The writer is a research scholar at National Defense University, Islamabad, Pakistan

Pakistan’s President appreciated the Pakistan-Turkmenistan bilateral relations with a particular focus on further strengthening the trade and investment cooperation. At Aiwan-e-Sadr he met with the Turkmenistan delegation Deputy Chairman of Cabinet of Ministers and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan. The meeting was attended by Minister for Petroleum & Natural Resources Shahid Khaqan Abbassi, Secretary Economic Affairs Division Muhammad Saleem Sethi, Additional Secretary Foreign Affairs Sohail Mehmood and senior officials.

Focusing on the ongoing energy projects with Turkmenistan, the President said Pakistan attaches priority to the early completion of Turkmenistan- Afghanistan- Pakistan- India (TAPI) gas pipeline project, import of electricity from Turkmenistan and other projects to meet the energy requirements of Pakistan.

The President expressed hope that the visit of Rashid Meredov, and the dialogue between the two countries


Switzerland, a small landlocked country of 8 million people with few

natural resources, is more innovative, efficient and entrepreneurial than any other country on the planet at present. Comprehending the vital role of innovation as a key driver of economic development and prosperity, the Swiss have devoted all their resources and energies to harness innovation in diverse fields such as healthcare, food, education, drinking water, energy, transportation, communication, biodiversity. This is why Switzerland leads the world when it comes to innovation.

The Alpine nation was named world’s most competitive economy in a recent ranking by World Economic Forum’s Global Competitiveness Report while the European Union study termed it as Europe’s most innovative country. The report said Switzerland’s great performance was linked to being among the top-three performers for 15 indicators, in particular in “open, excellent and attractive research systems”. The most innovative countries, as per the Report, shared a number of strengths in their innovation systems and features such as well-developed higher education sector, focus on business activity and strong linkages between industry and science.

In 2014, Switzerland also remains the undeniable leader for the fourth consecutive year in Global Innovation Index (GII) - a survey of 143 countries that uses 81 indicators to gauge innovation capabilities.

Success Stories of Swiss Innovation

Switzerland is widely known for its chocolate, cheese, banks and watches all around the world. But it is time to learn about some truly inventive and beneficial ideas that originated in the Land of Alps.

Renewable Energies: In recent years, Switzerland has emerged as a world leader in renewable energies. Hydropower is Switzerland’s most significant source of renewable energy. However, researchers are now seeking out new technologies and techniques to put them other renewable energies including solar, wood, biomass, wind, geothermal and ambient into practice too.

Bike Intermodal (Folding Bicycle): The compact, lightweight, electrically–assisted bicycle that folds up into the size of a briefcase seems to fit perfectly in urban lifestyle. Bike Intermodal has already been recognized by the prominent Italian award for innovation. The folding bike is believed to become the perfect complement to public transportation as it is light and small enough to be taken on any bus, car, or train.

Solar Jet: A promising and crucial technology for a better energy security is solar jet which is still at the experimental stage. Solar Jet is the world’s first ‘solar’ jet fuel from water and carbon dioxide (CO2) and is considered a very useful resource.

Minergie House (future homes): In Switzerland, Minergie has set the building standard for the homes of tomorrow. These energy and economy

efficient homes are designed to derive maximum energy from the sun and ensure a comfortable temperature all year round without the need for a traditional heating or air-conditioning system.

Swiss Army Knives:

One product that truly became the identity of the country is indeed Swiss Army knife by Victorinox. The multifunctional pocket knife from Switzerland, renowned since the last 130 years worldwide, is a great example how Swiss cultivate their company and brand by being truly innovative and exploring new possibilities. The iconic global product saw its worst decline phase after Sept. 11, 2001, when blades were banned at airports and sales dropped 30 percent overnight. But during this phase the company was more determined than dejected and devoted all their focus on innovation to adapt products. And soon enough the company as well as its loyal staff survived the decline and came up with flight versions of the classic Swiss knife - minus the knife - that also offered USB memory sticks and other gears. Since the late 19th century, the red Swiss knife with white cross has gone from containing a single blade to integrating anything from a spoon, fork, compass, screwdriver, mini-screwdriver for spectacles, can opener, metal saw, toothpick, tweezers, scissors, key ring, or magnifying glass.

History of Swiss Innovation

Switzerland has long been an excellent place for innovation and for conducting business. Switzerland’s heritage includes a strong pioneering spirit where innovators like Henri Nestle, Alfred Escher, Jakob Sulzer, and Charles E. L. Brown laid the foundation for highly competitive and innovative environment. Most of the largest Swiss corporations, for example ABB, Credit Suisse, Nestlé, Novartis, Roche, Swiss Re, UBS, and Zurich Financial. Services – have their

Switzerland – World’s Leading Innovation Hub

What the World Can Learn from Switzerland?

Sana Jamal


roots in the eighteenth or nineteenth century.

It is vital to note “Switzerland has had to be resourceful because it has no natural resources, other than water and wood. No coal or iron, not enough farmland and never any colonies” explains Diccon Bewes, the award-winning author, in an article. Located in the centre of Europe at the intersection of different cultures, Switzerland started to make a living from import-export, which meant importing raw materials and exporting high quality goods. “Behind Swiss inventiveness lie two sources of creative impetus: material gain and a stable society. And having a currency and society that are strong and stable are necessary for long-lasting creativity” Bewes adds.

Switzerland is an exceptional blend of cultures, languages, and many distinctive regions. It is perhaps the diversity of its population, their values and talent that has facilitated Switzerland to become world’s emerging leader in innovation.

Secrets of success of Swiss Innovation

“Switzerland is a small country with a small population, and it actually has very few natural resources,” explains Saadia Zahidi, Senior Director of the World Economic Forum, in an interview article. The biggest resource of Switzerland is it people, “and that’s what it’s been investing in for quite some time. It’s led to an economy that is competitive, highly innovative, and has adopted technology fast.” Human capital is a function of four pillars: health and wellness, education, work and employment, and an enabling environment. And Switzerland has generated high scores across the four pillars in recent researches, she says explaining the success of the Swiss economy.

Reasons of Switzerland’s Innovative Culture and Robust Economy

Switzerland is the world’s most competitive economy, and leader in innovation. Following are some of the reasons behind country’s first-class education and healthcare, brilliant infrastructure, high quality of life and a competitive tax system.

Political Stability: Switzerland’s security, growth and success is mainly founded on political stability, a federal system, an extensive global trading network. “Switzerland’s success as a business hub is based on political stability, efficient administrative processes and high education standards” says Volker Herre, Managing Director of Hugo Boss.

Diversity in effect: Values such as humanity, diplomacy and tolerance are deeply rooted in Swiss society and such practices are highly regarded by multinational companies which is why various international organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations are headquartered in Switzerland.

Pioneering spirit: In Switzerland, establishing a company is quick and uncomplicated and it generally takes between two and four weeks to establish one.

Talent is valued: “Switzerland’s diversity provides an environment where creative minds can develop brilliant ideas” according to Petra Jenner, Country General Manager of Microsoft Schweiz Gmbh.

Research, Development and Technology Hub: Switzerland tops the world in innovation, on-the-job staff training, and attracting talent because Swiss care about talent and innovation. A well-educated, highly trained workforce and continuous innovation represent the most important capital for a country like Switzerland, which has scarce natural resources.

Education is the greatest capital: Not only is Switzerland a leading spot for innovation, it also possesses a huge number of excellent educational institutions. Outstanding universities, top-level research and thoughtful educational policy are the reason Switzerland produces a wealth of innovations.

Excellent Healthcare system: Switzerland is on the number-one spot when it comes to health, wellness, longevity, infant mortality, and general state of physical and mental health of the population, as well as quality of healthcare.

Focus on Human resources: The current strategy of Switzerland particularly addresses education issues to train and strengthen the people with high-level skills to match market needs. Well educated, multilingual, reliable and committed Swiss employees are a great choice for any employer.

Enabling Environment: Switzerland offer an environment where people can thrive. The Swiss specially invest in their human capital and have created a system that allows people and companies to leverage that capital. This includes ease of transportation and Internet connectivity.

Strong financial Centre: Switzerland is one of the world’s key financial centers. Switzerland has best repute for experience, security and expertise in private banking, asset management and insurance worldwide.

Price Stability and Solid Purchasing Power: Switzerland has one of the highest levels of purchasing power in the world. With unemployment as low as 4 percent for last decade, the moderate price inflation and solid purchasing power make the Swiss economy one of the most liberal and competitive in the world.

The writer is journalist, freelance writer and blogger.


Afghanistan has a turbulent past in so for its political life

is concerned. Highly a traditional society, Afghanistan has always struggled to adjust itself to state of the art political thoughts. Ahmad Shah Abdali had constituted an Afghan Confederation back in 1747 A.D. The boundaries of that Union were drawn-out from Central Asia and Kashmir to the Arabian Sea and from Persia to the Indian Punjab. However, in strict terms it was more an accord of the Pashtun tribes than a polity.

Amir Abdur Rehman the ‘Iron Amir’ founded a unified state in 1880 undoing the tribal system by carrying them under the same regulation with ruthless use of might. He was followed by his son Habibullah who tried his level best to get the Afghan state free from the British India’s political influence. He endeavoured for the sovereign status of Afghanistan which the British repudiated to gift him with during his lifetime. He was assassinated in 1919.

Amanullah grabbed the bridle of power in 1919, after his father’s (Habibullah) murder, and moved for hasty reforms in the socio-political life of the Afghans. After the third Anglo-Afghan War of May 1919, he won for Afghanistan its freedom and the sovereign status and liberated Afghanistan of the British control by August 1919, under the Treaty of Rawalpindi. In 1923, he gave Afghanistan its first modern Constitution based on secular principles. Being inspired of

Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, he moved ultra-liberal in the context of women rights, keeping in view the Afghan social dynamics, which stirred great resentment amongst the Afghans and caused his removal from office.

The era of King Zahir Shah (1933-1973) is viewed by the older Afghans as a splendid epoch as Afghanistan had its national legislature established under the Constitution of 1964. Women rights were certified in the held text firmly.

The Saur Revolution (1978) and the subsequent Soviet middling in Afghan affairs brought added miseries to the already tensed political landscape of Afghanistan.

The event of 9/11, if changed the world ecology, has altered Afghan affairs to the maximum so for. It caused the ouster of Taliban, in October 2001, from the ruling chairs amidst international presence on the mainland Afghanistan. The liberal forces celebrated the downfall of the Taliban regime and foresaw a new beginning for the conflict afflicted

Afghan State. In the immediate aftermath of Taliban’s overthrow the world community alongside Afghan stakeholders met in Bonn, Germany, in December 2001 to devise a post-war roadmap for running political business in Afghanistan.

In the initial phase an interim set up, headed by a moderate Pashtun leader Hamid Karzai was established followed by a Transitional Administration. The Constitutional Loya Jirga gave Afghanistan its new Constitution in 2004 and Hamid Karzai was elected as the President of Afghanistan by the Loya Jirga the same year.

In 2005, Afghans went for parliamentary elections with great optimism hoping that the era of dejection was over and that Afghanistan was writing a new chapter in its political life.

In the political sector one thing was quite worrying that the political parties remained absent to articulate public demands and educate them about statecrafts. Thus, a vigorous section of political recovery process stayed non-existent. In the absence of political

Afghanistan: the Success

of its Democratic Transition

Ali Raza Mohmand


parties personality politics held clutches and resultantly Presidential contest in 2009 and Parliamentary elections in 2010 turned controversial amid blame-game.

Presidential election 2014 may be called as the pivot in the Afghan political voyage as the International community is about to leave Afghanistan as per their schedule, by the end of this year, and Afghans need an elected leader to manage post-withdrawal scenario. The first round of the yet to decide Afghan presidential elections held in a bit peaceful environment where none of the candidates had crossed the required 50% vote limit to be tagged as the winner, though Abdullah moved ahead of other candidates followed by Ashraf Ghani. The electoral process led to the second round, where as per the constitutional requirements, the top two candidates would have to

compete. When the result of the last round was announced, contrary to the expectations keeping in view the first round, Abdullah was bypassed by Ashraf Ghani. Abdullah, the loosing contender, blamed the electoral process as rigged and called for recounting of the votes. His request has been accepted and recounting of the votes is in operation.

Since the Great Game involving the British India and the Russian empire, this is the first time there is an orderly succession and handover of power from one ruler to another, an elected ruler, without being ousted enforced or slayed. There is direct public participation and the external influence is to the limited scope.

The endgame of terrorism is in vogue in Afghanistan and the world community may not bother to leave

Afghanistan insecure at least in the political domain.

The Independent Election Commission of Afghanistan, the outgoing President (Hamid Karzai) and the Afghans civil society are worth of appreciation for materializing such a huge political show with relative ease and peace. This will help closing the channels of terrorist reentry and legitimizing political business in Afghanistan. Besides, Ghani’s positive response to Abdullah’s allegation is but an attitude of immense political maturity. Without democracy there is no solution to Afghans’ hitches and going this road Afghanistan will get what is due to it, at least, in the comity of nations. The writer is completing MPhil from School of Politics and International Relations, QAU, Islamabad.

Once known for tragic reasons, Bosnia and Herzegovina is a

heart shaped land that lies in the heat of southeastern Europe. It is here that eastern and western civilizations met, sometimes clashed, but more often enriched and reinforced each other throughout its long and fascinating history. Bearing the imprints of great empires , this remained to be the most easterly point of the West and the most westerly point of the East. Bosnia and Herzegovina is located in the central part of the Balkan Peninsula. North, west and south-west boundary lines divide BiH from the Republic of Croatia, east boundary lines from the Republic of Serbia and south-east boundary lines from Montenegro.

Bosnia and Herzegovina have rich historical past and thriving future ahead based on its wealth of hardworking nation that is working with zest and zeal for making the country to compete amongst the comity of nations. The country is moving steadily along with its neighbors and enhancing its linkages with EU and developing its economic and tourist base. The country is rich in resources and has all the potentials to unleash for bright and glorious future.

The Diplomatic Insight arranged an exclusive interview with His Excellency Dr. Nedim Makarevich., Ambassador of Bosnia Herzegovina to Pakistan. Dr.Nedim Makarevich, has an Engineering education background and PhD in Business Administration. He was remained with managing departments of leading corporations in Europe as a Senior Advisor, especially in the areas of business development, IT strategy and project management support. His research interests are

expert and IT security engineering and consulting as well as everything related to cryptography. Numerous national and international projects have made him an expert of the highest order. Dr. Makarevich was appointed ambassador in 2013.

Following are the excerpts from the interview.

Q: How would you term the relationship between Pakistan and Bosnia & Herzegovina since its inception in 1992?

Interaction with H.E Nedim Makarevic,

Ambassador of Bosnia & Herzegovina


A: We are two friendly, even more brotherly countries. Pakistan recognized the independence of Bosnia from Yugoslavia in 1992, and later established diplomatic relations. Pakistan sent UN Peacekeeping forces to the former Yugoslavia during the Yugoslav wars. During the war, Pakistan supported Bosnia while providing technical and military support. Pakistan has provided medium-tech to high tech weapons to the Bosnian Government in the past. Vice versa Bosnia supports Pakistan in every diplomatic occasion. Both countries signed MOU for defense cooperation in October 2012 during the visit of Bosnian President, Mr Bakir Izetbegovic to Islamabad, the two countries vowed to boost their ties. Donations from Bosnian schoolchildren and the government funded the building of a school and health centre in Azad Jammu and Kashmir after the 2005 earthquake. Pakistan was the third Islamic country receiving Bosniaian refugees, followed by Turkey and Jordan, during the Bosnian war. Pakistan said at the time that it would accept some nine

thousand additional refugees. Many of the first 380 had been prisoners.

In which fields of trade both the countries can cooperate? And how do you see the volume of trade that is considered as not so encouraging? What do you suggest to Pakistani investors?

The two countries have a free trade agreement and are currently negotiating Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA). The bilateral trade between the two countries is not on appropriate level as current bilateral trade of US $ 447 million between the two countries has great potential of increase, Much of the trade between the two is routed through some third country making products like surgical instruments, textile products, rice and lumber much more expensive. We need to change that. There are tremendous possibilities especially in a defense programs. One of the main advantages of Bosnia is that there is no export quota for the most of the products. This is a fact that needs to be reconsidered by the Pakistani investors. Main export

items from Pakistan are cotton, textile and yarn. Pakistan imports from Bosnia some machine spare parts. We also have limited no of agreements between our governments signed since our cooperation begins and these are not sufficient. We need more of them and I will definitely try my best to increase that number. Just to visit Bosnia and to see the possibilities for yourself. I am pretty sure that the most of possibilities are actually unknown to the Pakistani business community. For example, we have a great food industry and exporting over 80% to the EU. I am talking about the high quality chocolate, candy’s, puddings everything halal. I am definitely sure that that has a great future in Pakistan. I would also like to encourage Pakistani Business men to come and visit Bosnia to see the possibilities for you. I am pretty sure that the most of possibilities are actually unknown to the Pakistani business community. For example, we have a great food industry and exporting over 80% to the EU. I am talking about the high quality chocolate, candy’s, puddings everything halal. I am definitely sure that that has a great future in Pakistan.

What is your message to the People of Pakistan?

My message to the people of Pakistan is hope, peace and wishing them prosperity and stability. I invite all of them who want to explore new possibilities of business, trade, tourism or any other field, to my country and explore to make the connections between the countries deeper and rather stronger. Pakistan and Bosnia as immense potential for undertaking joint ventures in various sectors of economy exists between the two countries. I wish to enhance cooperation between the countries and hope that our mutual trust and partnership will be fruitful for both the nations.

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