Pakistan Journal of International Affairs

IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE IN GLOBAL SECURITY

2025-12-30T19:38:49+00:00

With widespread droughts, tsunamis, frequent earthquakes, heatwaves, flooding and extreme weather changes, we have entered into a state of Anthropocene. This term well suits the current situation of human beings where they have become so powerful and chaotic that the future of planet is in their hands and they have the power to cause great geological changes. Today the climate is highly unpredictable and uncertain all because of the recklessness of human beings living on this planet. At present and in future we will bear witness to extreme catastrophes and climate related challenges where species will be on a verge to go extinct and there is a possibility for fresh water, food and energy to deplete completely. Due to this, conflict and instability will exacerbate and these challenges are what we call security issues. This will cause great problems not just for the people but also for the states. The research will focus on issues related to global security due to climate change and highlight significance of it in policymaking institutions.

GOVERNANCE, COMPLIANCE, AND QUALITY ASSURANCE: AN EMPIRICAL STUDY OF PSG-2023 IMPLEMENTATION IN PAKISTANI DEGREE AWARDING INSTITUTIONS

2025-12-30T20:09:55+00:00

The introduction of the Program Standards and Guidelines 2023 (PSG-2023) by the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan represents a major step toward strengthening governance, compliance, and quality assurance across Degree Awarding Institutions (DAIs). This study empirically examines the extent, challenges, and institutional readiness associated with PSG-2023 implementation in Pakistani higher education. Using a mixed-methods design, data were collected through structured surveys administered to Quality Enhancement Cells (QECs) and semi-structured interviews with senior academic administrators across public and private DAIs. Quantitative findings indicate varying levels of compliance, with relatively stronger adherence in documentation, program review mechanisms, and institutional governance structures, while notable gaps remain in faculty development, outcome-based education (OBE) alignment, and continuous quality improvement practices. Qualitative insights further reveal capacity constraints, inconsistent interpretation of standards, and resource limitations as major barriers to effective implementation. The study concludes that while PSG-2023 provides a comprehensive framework for enhancing academic quality, its successful operationalization requires targeted capacity building, clearer procedural guidelines, and strengthened oversight mechanisms. Recommendations are offered to support policymakers, QECs, and institutional leaders in achieving full and sustainable compliance with PSG-2023.

REASSESSING THE INDUS WATERS TREATY: HYDROPOLITICS, CLIMATE VULNERABILITIES, AND THE 2025 SUSPENSION

2025-12-30T20:16:11+00:00

Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) that was signed in 1960 under World Bank mediation is considered one of the most successful transboundary water cooperation. The treaty has been in existence to arrange water sharing in the past sixty years between India and Pakistan amidst military conflicts, political unrests, and turnover of suspicion. Nevertheless, the modern political environment with the increasing competition in hydropower, population pressures and the rapid effects of climate change now pose concerns regarding its sustainability in the long run. The present paper unravels the IWT in the context of a contemporary perspective, focusing on the hydropolitics, the water variability resulting as a consequence of climate, and the 2025 Indian suspension of treaty participation that has never happened before. The study uses liberal institutionalism, neorealism, constructivism, transboundary water management theory and game theory based on secondary qualitative analysis to explain the change in the relevance of the treaty. The results show that despite the success of the IWT to avoid the great water conflict and introduce institutionalised predictable cooperation, it is still structurally fixed and environmentally antiqued. The paper suggests the adaptive reform agenda to be based on climate-responsive governance, enhanced data-sharing systems, and enhanced institutional arrangements to make sure the treaty is sustainable in a changing geopolitical and ecological environment.

FATE OF MINORITIES IN PAKISTAN AN OVERVIEW OF INITIAL SIX DECADES (1947 CE-2007 CE) OF CHRISTIANS IN PAKISTAN

2025-12-31T17:40:38+00:00

Pakistan is a Muslim country with 1.37% Christian minorities (2023 census) and are subject to various legal protection and oppression. The Christians of Pakistan were enjoying privileges of minorities until 1990s, when Nawaz Sharif formed his government and continued Zia’s legacy of Islamizaton of laws in Pakistan, especially the laws related to the orientation of religion. Amending religious laws by Sharif gave way to religious bigot in persecuting the minorities and then claiming legal immunity. After 1990s, minorities in Pakistan sensed and witnessed an era of fear, oppression and persecution by religious men especially in terms of grabbing their properties by charging them with religious offences as the Sharif’s first government changed the laws of Pakistan and made them more lethal for minorities especially for Christian. Similarly, the government provided protection to the persecutors in shape of constitution and then highlights remedies available to minorities in Pakistan. The aim of the paper is to critically analyze the legislative amendments implemented during the 1990s Nawaz Sharif government that institutionalized the persecution of Christian minorities in Pakistan. The paper also identify specific legal alterations that made the judicial framework demonstrably more lethal for the 1.37% Christian population regarding religious orientation offenses. The objective of the paper is to demonstrate how these laws enabled religious bigots to operate with legal impunity, using fabricated religious charges as a pretext for property seizure and violence. The paper also examine the systemic role of the government and certain provisions in providing protective cover to persecutors.

THE TUMBLE OF FRENCH REVOLUTION: THE UPSURGE OF WORDSWORTH’S BELIEVE IN NATURE AND HUMANITY

2026-01-03T09:28:53+00:00

A revolution is much more than a simple series of rebellions by a nation. In France, on Parliament’s pronouncement to increase taxes by Louis XVI, the previously poor populace revolted by the rule of reason and trust in human nature, asserting equality amid all without split of birth. Unluckily, the people were offered these noble concepts in the shape of unclear aims to be achieved. The terror and rise of Napoleon were the culminations of the revolution, with no stopping then. The French Revolution, as a prognosticator of equality and brotherhood shattered into terror and blood craving rebellions; a truth beyond acceptance, particularly for the romantic poets of England. This study, after a thorough investigation of effects of revolution on English Romantic poets, traces the phases of Wordsworth was an ardent supporter of movement who later plunged into frustration and sheer despair with failure of French revolutionary ideas. The textual thematic analysis further investigates through the excerpts from collection of Wordsworth poetry that the poet is not an escapist, but his views administered the terror of the French Revolution. The further investigation of the poetry elucidates that Wordsworth reconstructed his relation with nature in a new potency in some phases in his life. It is inferred that the poet discovered that relation with nature would lead to rebirth of humanity by renewing the faith in goodness and nurturing power of nature. The result was that the turmoil of French Revolution added compassion and love in Wordsworth for nature and humanity.

ETHNOCENTRIC NATIONALISM: KURDISH NATIONALISM IN TURKEY

2026-01-03T10:57:39+00:00

Turkey is often seen as one of the most progressive and secular Muslim majority countries in the world. With the unique advantage of being located on two continents. From the era of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk to the era of Erdogan, the country has seen many radical shifts in its body fabric, culture, and way of government. After the Turks, the biggest ethnicity in Turkey is the Kurds. With a rich history and a large population, they often ask for rights of self-governance and more participation. The Kurds have fought for recognition against the Turkish state, both through violent and political means. The future of the Kurdish Turkish problem is still unclear.

SOCIOECONOMIC ATTRIBUTIONS AND BARRIERS OF LIVESTOCK MANAGEMENT PRACTICES IN BALOCHISTAN

2026-01-22T16:10:40+00:00

In order to explore the opinion of the respondents regarding the socioeconomic attributions and barriers of livestock management practices in Balochistan this study was carried out. Methodological approach described is a classic application of probability sampling within a quantitative research framework. By utilizing a simple random sampling technique to select a single district, the research ensures that every district in the potential population has an equal and independent chance of being chose, one hundred livestock respondents were taken. Study findings depicted that 20 to 40 have 30% and 41 and above were 70% regarding age groups. 67% of livestock respondents have a formal educational level. Majority (88%) of livestock respondents were earned 51000 thousand rupees. While, 50% of the livestock farmers having 12.5 hec landholding size. Based on current research findings, marginal and smallholder livestock farmers should be empowering in decision-making so as to improve household productivity, food security, and house income.

THE CEND INITIATIVE: A VEILED US AGENDA FOR NUCLEAR HEGEMONY?

2026-01-22T16:13:56+00:00

During the 10^th Review Conference on the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), the US proposed an initiative called Creating an Environment for Nuclear Disarmament (CEND). This article explores and investigates the true intentions of the great power behind that initiative. The analysis is based solely on the 2010 and 2018 US Nuclear Posture Reviews (NPR) and the 2022 Nuclear Defense Strategy. These documents depict a huge contradiction between the US's stated non-proliferation and disarmament policies and its actions. Critics say that the US disarmament goals, modernization of its nuclear weapons, and withdrawal from key arms control treaties go equally/parallel. It also doubted the genuine agenda of the CEND initiative. The study follows qualitative research methodology and has used primary and secondary data sources such as government records, disarmament meeting records, and academic literature to evaluate the broader implications of CEND. The study reveals that, unquestionably, the framework of the CEND Initiative is framed as a disarmament effort, but it may largely serve the geopolitical interests of the US through ensuring its nuclear hegemony. This raises concerns among the nuclear-weapon states and non-nuclear-weapon states about the true impact of the initiative on global arms reduction efforts.