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To ensure sustainable peace and security entailing people centric economic growth and prosperity, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) is well positioned to be an 'inter-regional integration' forum between the Central and South Asian regions. This research study focuses on the broader dynamics of the Pakistan - SCO - Central Asian equation to highlight the opportunities and challenges for fostering mutually beneficial trade, education, energy, commerce along with the uital security needs. In doing so, Pakistan's critical role to be a bridge of inter-regional human security construct is deliberated. The roadblocks ranging from distrust, governance and economic gaps between and within the Central and South Asian regions are also highlighted. In nutshell, Pakistan's enuisions and pursues its policies vis-a-vis SCO and Central Asia from the enlarged prism of security and aims to be a crucial node for instilling peace and stability on the proactive basis [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present research study encapsulates Pakistan's geopolitical standing vis-à-vis the US and China with the commencement of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). It also reflects upon the multi-dimensional aspects of the Pakistan's geo-strategic importance for both, by primarily focusing on security, economics and politics. Parallel to this, Pakistan's strategic perspective regarding the onset of CPEC and its initiatives to further solidify its relationship with China is highlighted. The impact of the initiation of CPEC upon the US - Pak equation is also deliberated. Theoretical prism of 'Complex Interdependence' put forth by Robert Koehane and Joseph Nye is employed to explain, how economic and social interactions pave way for the mutual security stakes across the board. One of the key inference is, overlapping and interconnectedness of the geopolitical, geo-economic and geostrategic theoretical ideas and practices are relevant at the global and regional level equally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The interaction of religion and public policy being formulated to deal with coronavirus pandemic has been a challenging issue for South Asian policy-makers. Religious narratives are having a direct impact on pandemic politics and policychoices of the decision-makers. While religion, per se, does not challenge scientific responses to deal with the pandemic. It can be a source of peace and conflict (exploited by its stalwarts) at the same time. But in its institutionalized form, where it is followed by millions of people, and those propagating it, religious narratives tend to constrain and oppose rational public policy over pandemic. Here, the role of religious narrative becomes more ambivalent, leading to more harm. The present study explores how multiple religious narratives prevalent in South Asia influence state's response towards COVID-19? In deliberating this, various instances of interaction between religion and public policymaking amid COVID-19 times is analyzed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

COVID-19 onset has questioned the proclaimed notions of Globalization such as shared prosperity and security across the board. The ongoing pandemic once again calls for collective action in men and material terms rather than erecting technology barriers and doubting the intentions of each other. This paper aims to address the following inter-related queries: What is the nature of China's health-based assistance to the South Asian states for mitigating the COVID-19 risks? How and why do the United States and India remain skeptical of Chinese anti COVID- 19 Vaccine efforts? And how do other South Asian states perceive Chinese contributions to deal with the ongoing Pandemic? And, finally what lessons can be learned from this divergent debate centered on: Chinese Vaccine Diplomacy? Comparison and contrast of the available information is employed as an analytical technique to determine the nature of skepticism surrounding the Chinese vaccination campaign in South Asia. Consulting data on three various accounts assisted to conclude the findings of this research paper. The findings of this study establish that Western and Indian skepticism, directed against Chinese health diplomacy in South Asia is motivated by their geopolitical contestations with China. In nutshell, the paper's main thrust is to stress the essential value of mutual cooperation in dealing with the Pandemic like COVID-19. There is a need to embrace the concept of 'holistic security' in the highly interconnected world of today and tomorrow. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Events following the 9/11 attack have fundamentally changed the political landscape, especially for the Muslim World. A new wave of violent extremism emerged, altering the structure of global world order. Pakistan has suffered impeding consequences following the „global war on terror". Currently, Pakistan has been ranked at number five in the Global Terrorism Index of 2017. The magnitude of Pakistan's loss is not limited to its economic or political instability, but it has crept into the very fabric of the Pakistani society. The purpose of the paper is to analyze the impact of violent extremism on Pakistani youth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In pursuit of security, states often employ diplomatic instruments to achieve desired outcomes. Coercion is the preferred modem of defense and diplomacy at the bilateral, regional and global levels. The strategic coercion embodies three factors: demand(s), time, and the threat of consequences. In response, a state can employ a countercoercive diplomacy strategy relying on its political/social/cultural strengths, diplomatic clout, and innovative use of media (traditional and contemporary) to foster linkages within coercer's domain. Pakistan has been the target of strategic coercion by its neighbors, specifically, India, and the US in various instances. Often, Islamabad walked on the tight rope -- trying to balance strategic national interests while facing coercive diplomacy. While Washington used a carrot-and-stick policy, Islamabad relied on asymmetric strategies to respond, often dealing with competing economic and strategic pressures. The present study analyzes the concepts of coercive diplomacy and security dilemma. Secondly, it theorizes a Counter Coercion Diplomacy Model and relates it to Pakistan's case as a targeted state. It does so by surveying US attempts at coercion and Pakistan's effort at countering coercion while advancing its strategic interests. The study concludes that when facing US coercion, Pakistan was able to effectively mobilize domestic and diplomatic tools to counter US coercion. Pakistan's prudent diplomacy allowed it to pushback coercive pressures emanating from the US and register its point across the US audience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Shanghai Cooperation Organization remains a pivot of opportunities and challenges for Pakistan. Earlier this year, SCO's Qingdao declaration reinforced the Shanghai Spirit of mutual respect, mutual cooperation, and peaceful settlement of disputes. Qingdao Summit reinforced SCO's emphasis on the reconfiguration of the geopolitical landscape and shift towards a multipolar world. Parallel with this, shared economic integration and security coordination among the SCO members enveloped the summit mood. All this encapsulates Islamabad's world view and strides on the diplomatic, political, economic, and strategic aspects at the bilateral, multilateral and international level. Pakistan has always stood for the „Peace within and Peace outside? based on principle of equality and multi-polarity at the regional and global level. In the pursuit of these goals Islamabad joined SCO initially as the observer state and later year was accorded permanent membership. SCO provides Islamabad multiple opportunities of the economic, diplomatic, political and strategic nature in line with its national, regional and global aspirations. The paper analyses the Islamabad's interaction pattern within the SCO in view of its stated goals and aspirations. The study explores the following fundamental queries: Why Pakistan joined SCO? What are the opportunities and challenges that Pakistan faces as an SCO permanent member?. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Shanghai Cooperation Organization remains a pivot of opportunities and challenges for Pakistan. Earlier this year, SCO's Qingdao declaration reinforced the Shanghai Spirit of mutual respect, mutual cooperation, and peaceful settlement of disputes. Qingdao Summit reinforced SCO's emphasis on the reconfiguration of the geopolitical landscape and shift towards a multipolar world. Parallel with this, shared economic integration and security coordination among the SCO members enveloped the summit mood. All this encapsulates Islamabad's world view and strides on the diplomatic, political, economic, and strategic aspects at the bilateral, multilateral and international level. Pakistan has always stood for the 'Peace within and Peace outside' based on principle of equality and multi-polarity at the regional and global level. In the pursuit of these goals Islamabad joined SCO initially as the observer state and later year was accorded permanent membership. SCO provides Islamabad multiple opportunities of the economic, diplomatic, political and strategic nature in line with its national, regional and global aspirations. The paper analyses the Islamabad's interaction pattern within the SCO in view of its stated goals and aspirations. The study explores the following fundamental queries: Why Pakistan joined SCO? What are the opportunities and challenges that Pakistan faces as an SCO permanent member?. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A refugee is a person who has been displaced and forced to cross the border because of the situation of conflict or war in the country. After the World War II the UN adopted a legal definition of refugee. In the light of this convention, refugees have got some rights that includes right to return, right to family unification, right to travel and restriction to forward movement. There are two main perspectives on refugee influx. The first is humanitarian perspective and the second is political and military. Pakistan has remained a home for more than a million of Afghan population, i.e. among the world's largest refugee population, for past 40 years. The issue of Afghan refugees in Pakistan is the protracted one because of long conflict in Afghanistan by the major powers in the past, and now the terrorist organizations, violence and political and economic turmoil has kept the refugee influx alive in Afghanistan. The presence of the huge mass of Afghan refugees residing (or having lived) in Pakistan is testament of the international community, regional stakeholders, and Afghan national regimes inability to solve the root causes of massive human displacement - conflict, disaster, oppression, and chaos. Over the years, the Afghan refugee crisis has greatly caused a stern in Pakistan-Afghan relations. This is primarily due to war on terror, domestic threat posed byrefugees, fragile Pakistan economy and declining donor assistance. In total there are three million registered and unregistered Afghan refugees exist in Pakistan (Nation, 2016). Making Pakistan vulnerable to security issues, mass movements and illegal trade of drugs and arms from Afghanistan. The Afghan refugees in Pakistan are given a legal status until the end of 2017 (UNHCR, 2017). UNHCR takes care of the refugees by providing assistance but for only registered number of refugees. It also provides assistance to return to their homeland through Voluntary Repatriation Program. But most of the Afghan families are hesitant to return back to the country due to fragile conditions in Afghanistan. The paper proposes an integrated counter-terrorism policy response wherein national security and humanitarian interests are inevitably inter-linked. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the wake of 9/11 Pakistan has witnessed a sharp escalation in the number of children being recruited by extremist organizations. Terrorist organizations, political factions and various other extremist groups recruit children for their own religious-political agenda within the country. According to the UNICEF, more than two million children have died in conflicts and approximately 300,000 child militants are fighting conflicts. The paper argues that national security paradigm must register human security as its key element. Children of the country are Pakistan's real national security assets and their wellbeing will ensure a stable, prosperous and peaceful future. To deliberate more deeply into the subject the paper is divided into three inter-related parts: Part one dwells upon the genesis and nature of the child militancy in Pakistan; Part two analyzes the factors contributing to this dangerous trend of children being used as weapons of war by the non-state actors, finally; Part three focuses upon the various state approaches to deal with the issue of child militancy in the country. In conclusion few recommendations will be advanced to how reverse and slow down the challenge of child militants in present and future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The presence of ISIS in South Asia remains a matter of debate and concern for both the statesmen and civil society at large. It's physical, virtual, social, and magnitude of influence is at times totally rejected or overblown by the certain section of intelligentsia and policy makers. So far, South Asian states have failed to voice a singular recognition and express desire for regional collective response to this dangerous trend. The paper looks into the patterns of ISIS presence in major South Asian states and analyze the policy response for academic clarity and discussion respectively. Parallel to this, how regional collective response can be harnessed following traditional tools of diplomacy and dialogue is also highlighted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Counter-terrorism is essentially teamwork and there is no universal recipe to eradicate the menace of terrorism once and for all. International, regional and bilateral cooperation is critical to any government engaged in the fight against terrorism irrespective of its capabilities and weaknesses. The paper argues that Pak-US interaction against terrorism needs to be pro-active and preventative than merely focusing on the physical annihilation of the so-called terrorists. That is, counter-terrorism means more than intelligence sharing and military operations and should not be seen in isolation to the political, economic, social and religious imperatives of a partner state, here Pakistan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]