Political Horizons

RIGHT-WING POPULISM IN INDIA: EFFECTS ON INDIA PAKISTAN RELATIONS

Muhammad Saad Aslam — Sun, 31 Dec 2023 00:00:00 +0000

The rise of right-wing populism in India has transformed politics and foreign relations since 2014. By seeing right-wing populism as a social construct, we can better figure out how it affects the relationship between India and Pakistan, two nuclear-armed neighbors who have a history of animosity and tensions. Using social constructivism, we argue that the rise of right-wing populism in India has transformed India's national identity. This has brought change in India's foreign policy priorities and made tensions with Pakistan worse. This study takes a qualitative approach by looking at political speeches, news stories, and policy documents to show how right-wing populism has intensified nationalist sentiments. As result, India's relationship with Pakistan has become more confrontational and less cooperative. The study also discusses the far-reaching effects of right-wing populism in India, including greater polarization and divisiveness, a politics of hate towards Muslims, an increase in nationalist sentiments, and the erosion of social and democratic norms. The article contends that the ascent of populism in India has had severe effects on human rights, academia, cultural identity, and the media. It is crucial to develop strategies to enhance regional stability and security. To improve understanding and cooperation between India and Pakistan, policymakers and other interested parties can take several approaches, such as promoting dialogue and engagement, engaging in multi-track diplomacy, enabling people-to-people contacts, highlighting common social norms, and inspiring a constructive and cooperative foreign policy. Also, the international community must actively play role in promoting regional stability and collaboration.

Key words: Social Constructivism, Right-wing Populism, Hindu Nationalism, Hindutva Ideology.

Implications, Challenges, and Incentives of CPEC for Regional Connectivity and Economic Development

Hassan Javed Khawaja — Sun, 31 Dec 2023 00:00:00 +0000

CPEC is a multifarious project, connecting two atomic powers of Asia with railways and roadways. Bringing two in-every-way different and diversified nations closer. Much has already been written, scrutinized, and said with minute details about project but no one knows the project in its entirety. The ongoing project has yet to take final shape. The culmination of CPEC will clear the mist surrounding it. Some say CPEC is debt trap by China while others claim that it is purely a business deal between two states. Mainstream media in Pakistan projects almost the shadowy picture. Chinese media says that the project is aimed to tie the everlasting knot of fraternity between two great nations. China has personal interests in this project so does Pakistan. This study aims to unravel the mystery surrounding the project and find out what the project really is, its implications, challenges and prospects for economic development and regional connectivity. Particularly it is explored that how and to what extent will this project impact Pakistan? This is a qualitative study with secondary data resources that aims to depict the CPEC in a broader picture.

Key Words: Pakistan-China Relations, Debt Trap, Gwadar, CPEC, Belt and Road Initiative, Economic Development

Examining the Narrative Control in Pakistani Political Discourse

Waqar Mahmood Khan — Sun, 31 Dec 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Power shifts that are carefully planned have plagued Pakistani politics for many years. These schemes, which are frequently concealed by selective prosecutions, manipulated public opinion, and media manipulation, cast serious doubt on the validity of the nation's democratic system. This research explores the complex interplay between public consent and elite manipulation, examining the ways in which political players and the media use narratives to manipulate public opinion and eventually affect election results. With a focus on in-depth interviews with political analysts, journalists, and regular people, the research takes a qualitative approach and is based on agenda-setting theory and the hypodermic needle model of communication. Through examining the processes of story development, media cooperation, and public vulnerability, the research clarifies the intricate relationship between manipulative elites and fake consent. The results highlight the weakness of Pakistani democracy and imply that free and fair elections run by an impartial body may be necessary to terminate the cycle of coerced consent and provide people the freedom to actually exercise their right to vote.

Keywords: hyper reality, agenda-setting theory, hypodermic needle model, democratic processes, power dynamics in Pakistani politics

NUCLEAR WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION AND THEIR IMPACT ON HUMAN AND ENVIRONMENT

Zainab Murtaza, Dr. Mian Muhammad Azhar, Khadija Murtaza — Sun, 31 Dec 2023 00:00:00 +0000

This paper provides the natural consequences of the creation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD), especially nuclear weapons, creating a huge gap in existing non-proliferation systems and security thinking. Nuclear weapons are being recognized in various parts of the global network as being used for security purposes. In reality, nuclear weapons produce the same air blast effects as conventional explosive weapons. It can directly damage a person's eardrums and can also affect the lungs. Natural deprivation is a worldwide phenomenon that affects human populations, nearby and national security. Nature conservation is at the same time a security and human rights issue as well as an issue of climate change. Radionuclides are examples of chemicals involved in WMD, but beyond these there is a wide range of nuclear radiation and other byproducts, gaseous emissions, and developing solutions for photography. The main sub-sectors of environmental protection are the creation of WMD, and for the most part military projects. The local and international impacts of industries are particularly numerous.
Key words: Nuclear weapons, environment, carbon emission, fission, fusion

Cultural embodiment of women in Pakistan literature: A Critical Analysis of Kishwar Naheed writings

Dr. Shahzad Mahmood — Sun, 31 Dec 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Pakistani society is male dominated society. Females consider secondary characters in society. Women always have to bear the violence, power, and cruelty of men. Kishwar Naheed is a woman who faces many problems in her life by male oriented society. She discusses all those issues and problems faced by women in male dominated society. To the analysis of women's situation in society, we have to study both aspects of it, one what people show by their actions and second what people actually are. The first step is more critical in which people try to be good by their actions but in reality, they are not good. The most important thing which is impacting women's lives is the change of the world into materialism. Cultural Patterns of society take revolution which provides women more security and respect while other religions take it as males control women. In this world, most people are living because of their status but if they lost it they will die.