Fifth issue of the ‘Global Village Space’ is in your hands and we hope: by now it has become part and parcel of your evening cerebral experience. This issue picks up on several themes beginning with how Pakistan’s Judiciary has emerged, from under the throne to take center stage in Pakistani politics.
Given that before the end of May, Pakistani government and opposition have to choose an interim PM – Kanwar Dilshad, ex-Secretary of the Election Commission explains the labyrinthine process for choosing Pakistan’s caretaker PM and CMs. What is Manzoor Pashteen up to with his PTM?
Moeed Pirzada examines if PTM is pushing a regional agenda under the garb of a “rights movement”? It is a theme that later resonates in an exclusive interview, GVS had, with the prominent actor and TV anchor Hamza Ali Abbasi who also suspects something foul behind Manzoor Pashteen’s rallies. Dr Zafar Bokhari from Chicago State University addresses the question why Pakistan needs more provinces, and how this may help to improve governance and create economic opportunities for the diverse people of Pakistan.
It is a pertinent piece in light of the recent defections from the PML-N by South Punjab politicians lead by Khusro Bakhtiyar who want a new province of South Punjab – a demand backed by PTI at its mammoth rally at Minar-e-Pakistan. Dr Waqar Masood, ex-Finance Secretary, Government of Pakistan, takes its former employer to task for presenting a budget to secure political mileage for itself and leaving behind a snare for the incoming government.
If that’s a bit pessimistic, then Dr. Musharraf Rasool, CEO PIA, in an interesting interaction with GVS, shares his vision that how ailing national flag carrier can be turned around. May is also an important month for South Asia and in particular on the nuclear front; India demonstrated its nuclear prowess for the first time in May 1974 and in May 1998 Pakistan followed India when it conducted six nuclear tests and declared itself a nuclear power on the world state.
Dr. Naeem Salik examines what both states have done since then to outsmart each other in their quest to maintain balance of power. Robert Grenier, ex-CIA station chief in Islamabad, and author of “88 Days to Kandahar” tells us how he was always against US military intervention in Afghanistan, however, he fears that US-Pakistan relations may break on the rock of what is called “Haqqani Network”.
Sanjay Kumar feels the pain of Indian Muslims as he explains how the country ignored the Kathua tragedy for too long and how the right wing Modi government is trying to sideline Muslims to the margins in Indian history. With Ramadan around the corner Dr Zahid Pervez, Principal Markfied Institute of Higher Education in Leicester, UK, tells us how fasting encourages a community to look inwards whilst strengthening itself. Ramadan Mubarik!
Looking forward to your feedback…
Najma Minhas
Managing Editor