Journal of Humanities, Social and Management Sciences (JHSMS)
Right to Information regime is considered a strong commitment towards good governance. This commi... more Right to Information regime is considered a strong commitment towards good governance. This commitment supports fairness in laws, rules and regulations. In Pakistan, the best RTI laws are of the Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa; hence KP RTI Act 2013 and Punjab Transparency and Right to Information Act 2013 have taken as a case for this paper. This paper aims to analyze how far certain Right to Information laws remained successful in terms of proactive disclosure of information and institutional measures. Categorically two dimensions are examined (a) proactive disclosure of information by the public bodies and (b) Institutional Measures under clause 5 and 4 of Right to Information laws in both provinces respectively. Based on desk review and telephonic discussion a comparative assessment has taken randomly selected departments such as Elementary and Secondary Education, Health and Local Government Department. Comparatively, in Punjab public bodies are more actively engage with respect ...
This paper elucidates the significance of the role and behavior of a core member - occupying a ce... more This paper elucidates the significance of the role and behavior of a core member - occupying a central position and politically, militarily, and economically superior to others – and the outside great or superpower for the success of the process of regional cooperation especially in the developing world. The core state plays a vital role in either success or failure of any regional cooperative arrangement. Outside powers, especially the great or superpowers can also affect the fate of regional schemes. Moreover, the nature of relations between the core member state and an outside great or superpower also affects in diverse ways the process of regionalism. Under this theoretical framework, this paper investigates why the Iran-Pakistan-India gas pipeline proposal could not materialize. The paper explores internal and external factors that halted the progress of the project with special reference to the role and behavior of India and the United States. It illuminates how the Indo-US st...
The paper explores the progress of regional cooperation in various functional areas as identified... more The paper explores the progress of regional cooperation in various functional areas as identified by South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) since its inception in 1985. It also examines whether and to what extent SAARC has been successful in accomplishing the goals enshrined in its charter. SAARC was formed: to promote peace, amity, stability and progress in the region; to promote the welfare and quality of life of people; to accelerate economic growth, social progress and cultural development, and; to attain collective and national self-reliance through joint efforts. SAARC made significant progress in several areas, such as: agriculture and rural development; environment; science and technology; human resource development including education, arts, culture and sports; transport; telecommunications, and information and communication technology; tourism, and energy. It has concluded several agreements and conventions besides setting up a few regional centres to rea...
The paper provides an account of Arab Spring origin, ideology and demands of civil society. The p... more The paper provides an account of Arab Spring origin, ideology and demands of civil society. The political turmoil in the Arab world challenged the political status quo of Middle East and North Africa. Arab Spring is the fundamental event in the Arab world history. It also describes the role of well educated youth and power of social media in Arab Spring. It further explains the demonstrations at Tunisia, Egypt, Yemen, Libya and Syria in details. Specifically, the paper spotlights on the relative deprivation theory of Ted Robert Gurr to illustrate why Arab Spring emerged. Relative deprivation theory has been used to clarify how socio-economic shortages (unemployment, education and poverty) and political inefficiencies lead to collective turmoil. The answer provides a clue to resolve the current problem.
Liberal Arts and Social Sciences International Journal (LASSIJ), 2019
The idea of Eurasian integration has come up as a strategic goal of major powers in recent years.... more The idea of Eurasian integration has come up as a strategic goal of major powers in recent years. Russia’s Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and the European Union’s (EU) Eastern Partnership Program (EPP) with the objective of expanding a sphere of influence and China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) to create economic integration through transportation infrastructure and trade are three major strategies for this purpose. This study highlights that China’s growing presence in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) is a clear indicator of its growing influence. Therefore, the article aims to appraise China’s rise in Eastern Europe through its BRI and Eurasian integration strategy. Secondly, it presents a comparative analysis of multiple Eurasian integration strategies. Through a prism of “New Regionalism Theory,” this study delves into exploring the factors behind China’s effort to create regional integration in the whole Eurasia. The findings of the study show that the Belt and Road Initiati...
Liberal Arts and Social Sciences International Journal (LASSIJ), 2020
The Afghan people suffered a lot from war on terror, security issues, and political and economic ... more The Afghan people suffered a lot from war on terror, security issues, and political and economic instability since US invasion in 2001. Pakistan being an important neighbouring country of Afghanistan can play a vital role in bringing amity and stability through facilitating peace process. Both the US administration and Afghan government demand Pakistan to influence and bring the Taliban to the table talks. In this context, this study aims to explore Pakistan’s role in the ongoing peace process that has so far created an understanding among the stakeholders that a peaceful and stable Afghanistan is in the interest of the region. The study finds that there are greater issues to be dealt with carefully e.g., the governance system of the country, the constitution, and a viable power-sharing formula to be acceptable to all the stakeholders. Any successful peace deal needs a strong commitment on the part of all the stakeholders. Peace is the need of the hour not only for Afghanistan but f...
Liberal Arts and Social Sciences International Journal (LASSIJ), 2017
The paper scrutinizes the political rights situation during the first five years (1999-2004) of P... more The paper scrutinizes the political rights situation during the first five years (1999-2004) of Pervaiz Musharraf era. Musharraf had come into power after army had revolted over his dismissal as army chief by the prime minister. He strove to project soft image of his government to get legitimacy within the country and recognition from the outside world, particularly the West. He portrayed himself as a liberal leader and later also propagated his idea of “enlightened moderation” as a panacea for the miseries of the Muslim world. Despite his overtures, the political rights situation became bleak during his military rule and no meaningful change took place even during the first two years after country returned to “democratic rule.” Musharraf government denied people of their political rights to prolong his authoritarian rule. His rule was characterized by: arbitrary arrests and imprisonments of political leaders; repression of political activities; imposition of forced exile; political...
Liberal Arts and Social Sciences International Journal (LASSIJ), 2020
Pakistan is an ethnically diverse country. Therefore, a federal system has been introduced after ... more Pakistan is an ethnically diverse country. Therefore, a federal system has been introduced after the independence. However, powers may not be fully decentralised to the federating units which created sense of deprivation particularly among the people of smaller provinces and less developed areas. To alleviate their concerns and grievances, the 18th Constitutional Amendment has been brought about and more autonomy has been given to the provinces. However, the amendment could not address the problems of ethnic minorities living in different provinces. This article explores the prospects of creation of a Saraiki or South Punjab Province. The article uses a qualitative research technique employing historical and descriptive methods. The data has been collected mostly from secondary sources. The findings show that Punjab is the largest province in terms of population, and it is difficult to manage its affairs efficiently from the Capital, Lahore. The provincial government faces difficult...
Journal of Humanities, Social and Management Sciences (JHSMS)
Right to Information regime is considered a strong commitment towards good governance. This commi... more Right to Information regime is considered a strong commitment towards good governance. This commitment supports fairness in laws, rules and regulations. In Pakistan, the best RTI laws are of the Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa; hence KP RTI Act 2013 and Punjab Transparency and Right to Information Act 2013 have taken as a case for this paper. This paper aims to analyze how far certain Right to Information laws remained successful in terms of proactive disclosure of information and institutional measures. Categorically two dimensions are examined (a) proactive disclosure of information by the public bodies and (b) Institutional Measures under clause 5 and 4 of Right to Information laws in both provinces respectively. Based on desk review and telephonic discussion a comparative assessment has taken randomly selected departments such as Elementary and Secondary Education, Health and Local Government Department. Comparatively, in Punjab public bodies are more actively engage with respect ...
This paper elucidates the significance of the role and behavior of a core member - occupying a ce... more This paper elucidates the significance of the role and behavior of a core member - occupying a central position and politically, militarily, and economically superior to others – and the outside great or superpower for the success of the process of regional cooperation especially in the developing world. The core state plays a vital role in either success or failure of any regional cooperative arrangement. Outside powers, especially the great or superpowers can also affect the fate of regional schemes. Moreover, the nature of relations between the core member state and an outside great or superpower also affects in diverse ways the process of regionalism. Under this theoretical framework, this paper investigates why the Iran-Pakistan-India gas pipeline proposal could not materialize. The paper explores internal and external factors that halted the progress of the project with special reference to the role and behavior of India and the United States. It illuminates how the Indo-US st...
The paper explores the progress of regional cooperation in various functional areas as identified... more The paper explores the progress of regional cooperation in various functional areas as identified by South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) since its inception in 1985. It also examines whether and to what extent SAARC has been successful in accomplishing the goals enshrined in its charter. SAARC was formed: to promote peace, amity, stability and progress in the region; to promote the welfare and quality of life of people; to accelerate economic growth, social progress and cultural development, and; to attain collective and national self-reliance through joint efforts. SAARC made significant progress in several areas, such as: agriculture and rural development; environment; science and technology; human resource development including education, arts, culture and sports; transport; telecommunications, and information and communication technology; tourism, and energy. It has concluded several agreements and conventions besides setting up a few regional centres to rea...
The paper provides an account of Arab Spring origin, ideology and demands of civil society. The p... more The paper provides an account of Arab Spring origin, ideology and demands of civil society. The political turmoil in the Arab world challenged the political status quo of Middle East and North Africa. Arab Spring is the fundamental event in the Arab world history. It also describes the role of well educated youth and power of social media in Arab Spring. It further explains the demonstrations at Tunisia, Egypt, Yemen, Libya and Syria in details. Specifically, the paper spotlights on the relative deprivation theory of Ted Robert Gurr to illustrate why Arab Spring emerged. Relative deprivation theory has been used to clarify how socio-economic shortages (unemployment, education and poverty) and political inefficiencies lead to collective turmoil. The answer provides a clue to resolve the current problem.
Liberal Arts and Social Sciences International Journal (LASSIJ), 2019
The idea of Eurasian integration has come up as a strategic goal of major powers in recent years.... more The idea of Eurasian integration has come up as a strategic goal of major powers in recent years. Russia’s Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and the European Union’s (EU) Eastern Partnership Program (EPP) with the objective of expanding a sphere of influence and China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) to create economic integration through transportation infrastructure and trade are three major strategies for this purpose. This study highlights that China’s growing presence in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) is a clear indicator of its growing influence. Therefore, the article aims to appraise China’s rise in Eastern Europe through its BRI and Eurasian integration strategy. Secondly, it presents a comparative analysis of multiple Eurasian integration strategies. Through a prism of “New Regionalism Theory,” this study delves into exploring the factors behind China’s effort to create regional integration in the whole Eurasia. The findings of the study show that the Belt and Road Initiati...
Liberal Arts and Social Sciences International Journal (LASSIJ), 2020
The Afghan people suffered a lot from war on terror, security issues, and political and economic ... more The Afghan people suffered a lot from war on terror, security issues, and political and economic instability since US invasion in 2001. Pakistan being an important neighbouring country of Afghanistan can play a vital role in bringing amity and stability through facilitating peace process. Both the US administration and Afghan government demand Pakistan to influence and bring the Taliban to the table talks. In this context, this study aims to explore Pakistan’s role in the ongoing peace process that has so far created an understanding among the stakeholders that a peaceful and stable Afghanistan is in the interest of the region. The study finds that there are greater issues to be dealt with carefully e.g., the governance system of the country, the constitution, and a viable power-sharing formula to be acceptable to all the stakeholders. Any successful peace deal needs a strong commitment on the part of all the stakeholders. Peace is the need of the hour not only for Afghanistan but f...
Liberal Arts and Social Sciences International Journal (LASSIJ), 2017
The paper scrutinizes the political rights situation during the first five years (1999-2004) of P... more The paper scrutinizes the political rights situation during the first five years (1999-2004) of Pervaiz Musharraf era. Musharraf had come into power after army had revolted over his dismissal as army chief by the prime minister. He strove to project soft image of his government to get legitimacy within the country and recognition from the outside world, particularly the West. He portrayed himself as a liberal leader and later also propagated his idea of “enlightened moderation” as a panacea for the miseries of the Muslim world. Despite his overtures, the political rights situation became bleak during his military rule and no meaningful change took place even during the first two years after country returned to “democratic rule.” Musharraf government denied people of their political rights to prolong his authoritarian rule. His rule was characterized by: arbitrary arrests and imprisonments of political leaders; repression of political activities; imposition of forced exile; political...
Liberal Arts and Social Sciences International Journal (LASSIJ), 2020
Pakistan is an ethnically diverse country. Therefore, a federal system has been introduced after ... more Pakistan is an ethnically diverse country. Therefore, a federal system has been introduced after the independence. However, powers may not be fully decentralised to the federating units which created sense of deprivation particularly among the people of smaller provinces and less developed areas. To alleviate their concerns and grievances, the 18th Constitutional Amendment has been brought about and more autonomy has been given to the provinces. However, the amendment could not address the problems of ethnic minorities living in different provinces. This article explores the prospects of creation of a Saraiki or South Punjab Province. The article uses a qualitative research technique employing historical and descriptive methods. The data has been collected mostly from secondary sources. The findings show that Punjab is the largest province in terms of population, and it is difficult to manage its affairs efficiently from the Capital, Lahore. The provincial government faces difficult...
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Papers by Manzoor Naazer