CPEC CHINA PAKISTAN ECONOMIC CORRIDOR

Introduction

China-Pakistan Economic Corridor is a framework of regional connectivity. CPEC will not only benefit China and Pakistan but will have positive impact on Iran, Afghanistan, India, Central Asian Republic, and the region. The enhancement of geographical linkages having improved road, rail and air transportation system with frequent and free exchanges of growth and people to people contact, enhancing understanding through academic, cultural and regional knowledge and culture, activity of higher volume of flow of trade and businesses, producing and moving energy to have more optimal businesses and enhancement of co-operation by win-win model will result in well connected, integrated region of shared destiny, harmony and development. 

China Pakistan Economic Corridor is journey towards economic regionalization in the globalized world. It founded peace, development, and win-win model for all of them.

 

China Pakistan Economic Corridor is hope of better region of the future with peace, development and growth of economy.

THE geopolitical calculus in Pakistan's immediatei neighbourhood is clearly changing, and those who formulatei

Changingi dynamics 

THE geopolitical calculus in Pakistan's immediatei neighbourhood is clearly changing, and those who formulatei

this country's foreign policy must plan now to ensure we are comfortably placed to take political and economic advantage of thei emerging scenario. Over the past few days, reports have emerged of a 25-year strategic bilateral deal involving China and Iran being hammered out between the two sides; the deal is said to cover both economic and military aspects. Moreover, relations between the US and China seem to be going into a deep freeze, with some talking of ai new 'cold war' between Washington and Beijing. The US has ordered the Chinese consulate in Houston to close in order to "protect American intellectual property ", with China slamming the move as i "outrageous". Moreover, on a recent trip to the UK, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo called for building a "global coalition" against the People's Republic. Considering Pakistan shares borders with both Iran and China, and has had a long, chequered relationship with the US, Islamabad will need to play its cards right to protect national interests on the highly treacherous international chessboard.

The Iran-China deal—said to be worth hundreds of billions of dollars—offers an opportunity to Pakistan. While Pakistan enjoys cordial relations with China, this can be a good occasion to improve relations with Iran. China seeks to build a 21st-century Silk Road in the form of the Belt and Road Initiative, envisioning a global network i of trade routes emanating from Beijing. It is in this context that it seeks to cement a deal with Iran, while CPEC is also a product of the same strategic thinking. On the other hand, Tehran—struggling to stay afloat under crushing US-led sanctions—will gladly accept foreign investment, as well as a chance to sell its oil and gas. Pakistan can play a positive role in this budding relationship, with a chance at becoming a key conduit in an energy and trade corridor linking the Eurasian hinterland to South Asian and Gulf ports.

But there is a catch. As stated above, the US is in a combativei mood vis-avis China, while Iran has been Washington's bete noire for over four decades. America has already spoken in unflattering i terms about CPEC, while it is widely believed India has backed out of Iranian projects in order to avoid enraging Washington. To take advantage of regional developments, Pakistan will need some deft diplomacy. Regional integration can help this country and its neighbours economically and politically if proper planning is done.i The US must be told that while Pakistan values its relationship with America, Islamabad cannot isolate itself regionally by alienating neighbours with whom Washington does not get on. India should also weigh its options; does it want to chase the fantasy of becoming a Us strategic partner'? Or would it rather live in peace and prosperity with its neighbours?

Hagia Sophia mosque by Turkish sultan conquest of Istanbul

Hagia Sophia 

WITH the conquest of Istanbul (Constantinople) by Turkish Sultan Muhammad II, the Hagia Sophia church became the state property of the Ottoman Empire.

Later, 

Of his own pocket to purchase it and converted it into mosque for prayers which continued for many centuries.i

The mosque was later illegally turned into a museum by Kamal Ataturk even though it was Ottoman Sultans' personal property. Besides, he wanted to appease the Greek Orthodox Christians even after Turkey had won a decisive victory against Greece.

After nearly 86 years Muslims willl resume prayers in the historical Hagia Sophia mosque. All those subscribing toi the other narrative about Hagia Sophia mosque, should rethink.

Mirza Amjad Hussain Rawalpindi

 

Life of babu Abdul Karim sorish Balochi

There is something to be learned from the life of Babu Abdul Karim Sorish

 IF you are an unemployed journalist and no newspaper accepts your contribution and your

own publication folds for want of resources, what do you do? Most such journalists might become clerks somewhere or start selling chholey. But a Baloch journalist found a different answer more than 40 years ago. He became an early incarna tion of the blogger

Since the day does not seem to be far awiay when the government will have rendered all Pakistani journalists jobless, except for some who will be clinging desperately to their unrewarding drudg ery, there is something to be learnt from this extraordinary Baloch journalist.

Babu Abdul Karim Shorish was born in a settle ment near Mastung and completed his studies up to middle school as there was no high school in the Kalat state in the 1920s He found a job as a patwari that he gave up in the 1930s when a number of state employees, including Abdullah Jan Jamaldini, the doyen of Baloch literary figures, who was a tehsil dar, resigned to work for their people's uplift (Balochistan earned the distinction of recording resignations by a whole group of state employees to take up public causes.)

Abdul Karm learnt his nationalist politics from his uncle, Malik Abdur Rahim Khwaja Khel, who served as president of the Kalat National State Party for many years and became the top leader in Kalat during its stormy days in 1947 And he became a labour leader under the guidance of the outstanding Baloch trade unionist, Qazi Dad Muhammad. One of the earliest socialists, he joined the world peace committee headed by Saifuddin Kitchlew.

By 1945, Abdul Karim had decided to bring out an Urdu weekly, Tamirt-Vau (Reconstruction) but the government of India denied him permussion.

In theearly 1950s, Babu Abdul Karim was instru mental in organising a Balochistan peace commit tee and was arrested, along with several other lead. ers, for organising a signature campaign. After

release from prison, he started devoting more attention to journalism. From 19s3 onwards, he contributed to different publications and finally joined weekly Zamana as editor of its Balochi page.

A few years later, he was promised a Balochi language weekly's declaration but he didn't have the Rs5,000 he was required to deposit in his bank account Once this problem was solved by a large hearted man, the first ever weekly in Balochi language, Naukin Danr (New Age) started publication on June 6,1962. The paper had a chequered existence and its publication was affected by lack of resources.

Abdul Karim enthusiastically hailed the grant of provincial status to Balochistan on Jan 1, 1970, as the first step towards the recognition of his homeland. Ie celebrated the victory of his favour ite party in the 1970 elections and the formation of the NAP government but his expectations of government support for his journalistic endeav ours were not realised.

By then, commitment to peace in the wo

Matric federal board student top position Holder 2020

FDE student secures top position in SSC results ISLAMABAD Khunsha Nisha, the first student from a government-run school to take first position in the Secondary School Certifcate (SSC) results in 20 years, was awarded a certificate by the Federal Directorate of Education (FDE) director general on Wednesday. Ms Nisha, who studies at the Islamabad Model College for Girls F-6/2, shared first position with Menahil Iman from the Army Public School and College Westridge in Rawalpindi. They both secured 1,097 out of 1,100 marks based on a formula devised by the government after tenth grade examinations were cancelled in the wake of the coronavi rus pandemic. The marks were awarded on the basis of stu dents' ninth grade results, along with an additional 3pc marks. Ms Nisha attributed her success to completing her class work and to the hard work of her teachers. She said teach ers at government-run schools and colleges are very tal ented, and the notion that public schools could not obtain high positions was incorrect. "I would say that students from government schools are as talented as students from upscale private schools," she said, adding that she also secured first position in the eighth grade scholarship exams conducted by the FDE. FDE Director General Syed Umair Javed received Ms Nisha and her family at his office, where she was given a certificate and a shield. He told her that she would also receive a cash prize from Minister for Federal Education Shafgat Mahmood. I 

He said: "First position for an FDE student in the boardafter 20 years is a matter of pride." Mr Javed said Ms Nisha's achievement was the outcome of hard work and dedication, and she would be recognised at the highest levels.— Kashif Abbasi