Geo-Strategic

                                        Geo-Strategies

Geo-Strategic Importance of Pakistan

1. Introduction
2. Pakistan geographical location
3. Strategic significance:
a) - Proximity of great powers
b) - Gateway to central Asia- oil and energy game
c) - Significance as a transit economy
d) - Significance as an important link in the chain of Muslim countries
e) - Only Muslim country having nuclear capability
4. Conclusions/ Analysis


1- INTRODUCTION:

The strategic importance of Pakistan is unique because of being a close neighbor to Middle East, having a common border with China, India, Iran, Afghanistan and less than one hundred kilometer distance from Central Asian state of Uzbekistan. Bridge between South Asia and South West Asia; Iran and Afghanistan are energy abundant while India and China are lacking of. China finds way to Indian ocean and Arabian Sea through Korakaram. 

China with its fastest economic growth rate of 9%; is developing its southern provinces because its own port is4500 km away from Sinkiang but Gawader is 2500 km away. Pakistan offers to CARs thes hortest route of 2600 km as compared to Iran (4500 km) or Turkey (5000 km). Land locked Afganistan now at the phase of Reconstruction, finds its ways through Pakistan. Gawader port with its deep waters attracts the trade ships of China, Cars and South East Asian Countries. ASEAN

Pakistan is located at a region which has great political, economic and strategic location. It has been hub of activities of great powers for last 20 years. It has witnessed intervention of three great powers i.e Britain, USSR, and USA. Its significance was further enhanced during cold war when it becomes ally of US policy of containment of USSR and now the post cold war era has witnessed its significance particularly after the events of 9/11.

2- PAKISTAN GEOGRAPHICALLY LOCATION:

Location: 

             Southern Asia lies between 24 and 36.75 northern latitude and between 61 and 75.05 eastern longitude.

Area: 7, 96000 sq.km.

Neighbours: 

             Towards north apart from the state of Kashmir is China. It shares 400 km long boarder with china.
Towards north Tajikistan though no boarder but a narrow strip as Wahkhan strip separate the two.

• Towards east, Punjab-Rajasthan boarders which is 1650 km long
• Towards west, Afghanistan and Durand line of 2250 km.
• Towards south, Arabian and Indian sea. Coastal belt is about 700 km.

Pakistan significance is enhanced as it lies near the Persian Gulf where 65% of the world’s oil is produced.



3- STRATEGIC SIGNIFICANCE:

a) Proximity of great powers:

Pakistan is located at the junction of great powers. In its neighbor’s one world power Russia and the other emerging power china lies. Any alliance among world powers enhances its significance. This factor has been utilized by Pakistan after 9/11. Security and business are two main US interests in the region while Pakistan is playing a front line role in the war against terrorism.

 Apart from this US interest in the region to contain the growing china, nuclear Iran, terrorist Afghanistan and to benefit from the market of India. Today the political scenario of the region is tinged with preemption policy and US invasion of Iraq and Afghanistan.

 Iran’s nuclear program, India’s geopolitical muscles (new strategic deal with US) to gain hegemony and to counter the rise of china. Which has earned all the qualities to change unipoler world into bipolar world? In all these issues, Pakistan is directly or indirectly involved especially after al-Qeada operations. The American think tank has repeatedly accepted that war against terrorism could never be won without the help of Pakistan. Pakistan has rigorously fought and an ongoing operation in Waziristan is also targeting the suspected Taliban in the bordering area.

b) Gateway to central Asia-(oil and energy game):

Central Asia is the center stage of new Great games. Quest for resources- oil and energy resources- holds the central point in their policies towards the central Asia. After USSR decline, new quest started which is manifested in their politics towards acquiring oil and gas. Pakistan is located very close to the oil rich Middle Eastern countries. The belt starts from Iran and is extended to the southern tip of Arabian Peninsula with Saudi Arabia as the chief exporter of the oil in the world. Thus, Pakistan can play an influential role in the shipment of oil. 

Iran is struggling to export its surplus gas and oil to eastern countries. Qatar, Pakistan and Turkmenistan pipeline projects also highlight the country’s pivotal position.
In the energy scarce world, Pakistan is located in the hub of energy rich countries i-e Iran and Afghanistan: both are energy abundant while India and china are lacking.
Geostrategic significance of the country increases manifolds while under the fact that China finds short way to Indian Ocean and Arabian sea through Karakoram highway,

c) Significance as a Transit economy:

Pakistan has the potential to develop transit economy on account of its strategic location. Land locked Afghanistan now is at the phase of reconstruction. It is linked to outside world mainly through Pakistan. China with its fastest economy growth rate of 9% (now slowed down to 7.3% yet still appreciably significant) is developing southern provinces because its own part is 4500 km away from Sinkiang but Gwader is 2500 km away. Moreover, Pakistan offers Central Asian regions the shortest route of 2600 km as compared to Iran 4500 km or Turkey 5000 km. Gwader port with its deep waters attracts the trade ships from China, CAR and South East Asian countries, also the coastal belt of Balochistan can provide outlet to china’s western provinces to have access to middles eastern markets with the development of coastal highways and motorways.

d) Important link in the chain of Muslim countries:

If we look at the map of Muslim countries, Pakistan occupies a central location. Towards west of Iran, china extends to North Africa. Thus it can actively participate in the activities of Muslim world-economic development, transport of resources and above all combat terrorism.

e) Only Muslim country with nuclear capability:

In the region Pakistan is the only Muslim country having nuclear capability which has great influence on the political, socio-economic activities in the region and the maintenance of status-quo in the region.

4- CONCLUSION / ANALYSIS:

Pakistan is a junction of south Asia, west Asia and central Asia; a way from resource efficient countries to resource deficient countries. The world is facing energy crises and terrorism. Pakistan is a route for transportation and a front line state against terrorism. Moreover Pakistan has been traditionally ally of emerging economic giant; china. So in the vague of any change in world politics, Pakistan’s geo-strategic significance would further be enhanced.

Ethical discussion on Facebook

                         Ethical discussion on Facebook

Outline

·       Family discussion

·       Cyber-bullying [Personal Information Leak]

·       Ruined relationships- 

·       Distraction- 

·       Insecurity- 

·       Stalker friendly-

·       Monopoly

·       Impact on Career Life and Personal Life:

·       Usage of Facebook

·       Conclusion

Social networks such as Facebook raise numerous ethical issues, many related to privacy. Facebook gives users more control over what is and is not publicly available in comparison to other parts of the Internet. These failures raise ethical concerns: for example,

1.       1.   Family discussion:

Current or potential employers being able to discover compromising information posted about you via social networks. We argue that, as long as employers continue to gather information legally and without deception, social networks do not raise fundamentally new ethical concerns.

2.          Cyber-bullying [Personal Information Leak]:

 On Facebook it is very easy for cyber bullies to thrive. They can harass and/or gang up on one person even easier than they could in a school environment. There aren't moderators that go around monitoring what people say to each other. Anything can be said. There are also a relatively small amount of parents that have Facebook accounts and keep up with their children's.

3.          Ruined relationships:

Facebook is notorious for causing couples to break up. Let's face it, no one wants to see their girlfriend/boyfriend telling other people that they look cute, or liking their pictures, or instant messaging them constantly. It is unethical and cannot allow in our society. Because this is not a part of Pakistan culture. It builds up jealousy, which causes quite a bit of tension in a relationship. The fact that many people try to hook up with others over Facebook while not realizing that these people are in a relationship doesn't help the issue.

4.          Distraction:

At the end of the day you may have seen your cousin's new outfit or talked to your sister who is in college, but you still haven't really accomplished anything in the hours that you were on. Critics of Facebook claim that it is a worldwide distraction and even obsession that amounts to nothing except for significant amounts of time wasted. There is even a group that is trying to stunt the influence of Facebook called "Facebook Detox."

5.           Insecurity:

Facebook is a cause for insecurities due to the fact that it makes people compare themselves to others. How can you not when all you see is pictures of your friends and acquaintances on your newsfeed? In Pakistan people feel too much insecure.

6.           Stalker friendly:

 Facebook is a very stalker friendly website. Theoretically, someone that you don't even know can say that they go to your school, add you, and get all of your information. This may include your phone number, house address, and locations you visit frequently. Not to mention the fact that they will be able to go through all of your pictures and get to know you completely without you ever knowing. 

7.           Monopoly: 

Facebook is the center of all business advertisements, thanks to its huge fan base. This is affecting many other small companies and startups that have no other choice but to link themselves to Facebook to market their products. Even startups force themselves to join Facebook to promote their products. But sometimes these advertisement upload the unethical address and products for example alcohol and bears etc. and this become one of great issue now a days.

8.          Impact on Career Life and Personal Life:

 People add their colleagues, family and friends to their friends' list. Make a negative comment about anyone, and it is extremely easy to find. This can be especially detrimental at your workplace. Don't think about telling friends you're looking for a new job or complaining about your boss when you have them as a Facebook friend! Depending on your job, you may also be in trouble if a friend posts pictures of you with a drink in your hand or at a party. If you work with young children or in certain professional roles, this could be grounds enough to get you fired.

 With so much of your private information available in your Facebook account, it's easy for scam artists and hackers to use this information to target your other accounts—such as, email, banking, and PayPal.

 No matter how secure a website is, hackers always find a way around so they can try to spread worms and viruses via the website. Since news spreads very fast on Facebook, a click on an unknown link is all that is needed to spread the virus to your friends, their friends and so on. It is always good to be careful before clicking links and following them.

Being aware from Pakistani culture and special being as a Muslim country Government should restricted band the vulgar advertisement, talk, video’s, pictures, and all those things which are consider unethical and act against the Pakistani culture and special broke the Islamic law.

9.         Usage of Facebook:

However, they were both adopted before the onset of social media, and hence are somewhat open to interpretation when it comes to personal attitudes and behavior in the virtual sense. Social media use runs the gamut from purely personal communication with friends and family to purely professional communication with colleagues and clients. Sometimes contexts (e.g., student pharmacist, sorority sister, high school friend) overlap, and when viewed through social media, are rendered inseparable.Because of this blending of public/private lives, discussions pertaining to ethical use of social media can quickly disintegrate into a seemingly unending web of controversies. The initial set of ethical issues identified in the earlier review still have not been resolved entirely and more have arisen. However, identification and comprehension of the base ethical issues have increased due in part to research on the topic and attention from the media.

10.                       Who Is Viewing the Information?

One of the core ethical questions is, “Is it acceptable for someone outside an individual's social network to view that person's social media information?” Although one can argue that information placed online can be considered “public,” there is still an ethical issue of whether that “public” is an “open public.” Much of the conversation occurring through social media is directed at a select group of friends, colleagues, and cohorts. According to some, anyone outside of that intended audience who views social media may violate the basic concept of individual privacy.

11.                       Conclusion:

Because this topic pertains to legal and ethical issues, it inherently lends itself to a somewhat negative and critical nature. However, social media tools can be excellent means for creating and sustaining relationships among faculty members, staff members, schools, students, and alumni. They have the potential to increase communication and enhance ties with the college “family.” At the same time, the openness of social media presents the potential for ethically and legally challenging confrontations when one or more members of the “family” provide inappropriate information. Educators need to take certain steps to safeguard themselves as well as the reputation and well-being of their students.

All members of the student body, faculty and staff members, and administration should be educated concerning the legal and ethical issues surrounding social media. Understanding the issues may prevent negative incidents related to social media.

Social economic problem in Pakistan

                           Social economic problem in Pakistan

Introduction:
• A problem-free society; desire of every individual
• Defining social and economic problems
• Why they are a menace?

A. Social Problems

• Problems at the time of separation grew with the passage of time
• The current scenario

B. Economic Problem
C. Remedies
Conclusion

Introduction 

The most beautiful moment in the life of humans is when someone of their own blood calls them ‘mama’ or ‘papa’. Parents want to provide the newborn with the best of everything. He is pampered, protected and taken care of. The blissful period of childhood soon gets over, and the little human infant grows up to be an adult ready to face the challenges of the world he was born in. He sees around him with a hope of finding the same perfection in everything which his parents had provided him with. In no time, he realizes that the Utopian concept of a perfect world should be confined to the fictional Island created by Thomas More in his widely renowned novel only. 

A:Social Problems

Pakistan has been facing a lot of social problems since its inception in 1947. In the start there were the problems of lack of funds, rehabilitation of refugees, poor infrastructure and widespread poverty of masses. Quaid-e-Azam tried his best to solve these problems and get the state machinery working but due to his sudden death, he could not eradicate these problems completely.

Besides terrorism there are other social problems which are older and more widespread. The biggest of these problems is poverty. 70% population of Pakistan lives in villages. Most of them don’t have access to adequate basic needs of life. They are struggling for bread and butter. A large chunk of population lives below poverty line. They live in miserable conditions.

Illiteracy is yet an other problem of Pakistan. The literacy rate lingers on 56% and ironically it also includes those people who can read and write their name in Urdu.
 Over the decades, despite decreasing, illiteracy rate in Pakistan has shown an upward trend. Not only that but enrollment ratio of students at primary level has shown a decreasing trend. The fact that 50 percent of children do not complete their primary education testifies this fact.

Corruption is another huge social problem. According to latest report of Transparency International, Pakistan has been ranked at 42nd number among the most corrupt nations of the world. From clerical staff to higher offices and bureaucrats, all are involved in corruption of one kind or the other. Corruption in government departments is so much deep-rooted that a common concept prevails that the system doesn't let honest people to work peacefully.

Unemployment is also regarded as a major social problem. Major portion of Pakistan’s population consists of youth and a large number of young people who have the ability and are willing to work are unemployed. Currently rate of unemployment as per official resources is 7.4% but according to some private estimates the are of unemployment is 12%.

B. Economic Problems

Economic prosperity serves as a backbone for the overall progress of a nation. One thing is common in all developed nations- they are economically sound. When citizens of a country are freed from the worries of earning a livelihood to sustain their lives, they divert their attention to more useful things. They focus on education, improvise healthcare, develop technologies that make life easy and much more. Poor economic condition is the root cause of so many problems that exist in a society. Unfortunately, Pakistan’s economic conditions are pathetic. 

Result is that all our important industries that once served as an important contributor to the national GDP have been closed down. Sugar, cement and shoe industry is on its downfall while textile industry is breathing its last. Foreign investors are not ready to setup their businesses in Pakistan.

Rate of inflation was never a two-digit figure in Pakistan, but in recent years it has seen an unprecedented increase. Prices of all consumer products in general and food products in particular are rocket high. Core inflation soared to 18.85% in first quarter of year 2009 until SBP took steps to curb inflation through tight monetary policy. Cost of production increased due to various factors.

C. Remedies

Successive governments have taken steps to solve various socio-economic problems. But these problems are so deep-rooted that they have not been successful in putting an end to these problems. The problem lies in the fact that government focuses on one factor and ignores the others related to it. For example, much emphasis is laid on beefing up security in big cities in wake of terrorism. But nothing serious has been done to seal the unlawful entrance of arms from across the border. Acids and explosive materials used for destruction by atomic bombs are easily available in market at cheap prices.

Secondly, there is a sheer need to curb corruption at all levels. The institutions of NAB and FIA should be made more powerful to curb corruption. Culprits should not be allowed to escape out of country. Rather strict punishments should be imposed on them. Not only they should be strictly dealt with, but the wealth looted by them should be recovered and employed for the welfare of people.

Thirdly, poverty reduction should be top priority of government. Cottage industry and self-business should be promoted. Agriculture is the backbone of Pakistan’s economy. It should be strengthened by providing loans to farmers. Free of cost educations should be provided to children in villages. Overall standard of living needs to be improved and inflation should be controlled.

Lastly, for economic development, energy crises should be controlled. New dams should be built and new methods of producing electricity should be utilized.

Conclusion:

As stated in the start of essay, no country is free from socio-economic problems. These problems are present in every country but the winners are those who overcome most if not all of them. Though Pakistan is currently facing a lot of socio-political and socio-economic problems but it doesn't mean that it is going towards its end. Nations face multifarious problems but together they work for towards the solution. The same is the need of hour. Government as well as every single citizen of Pakistan has to play its own specific role to bring about a positive change. 

Reporting beats

                                       Reporting Beats


   
What is a BEAT?
Specific areas covered regularly by a specific reporter.

 TYPICAL BEATS INCLUDE:

•  City & County Government
•  Education 
•  Police 
•  Religion 
•  Science/Environment/Medicine
•  Business 
•  Sports

Beat Reporters

•  A good reporter is: 
•  Familiar with general background 
•  Knows specific language of area
•  Asks right questions 
•  Recognizes newsworthy info
•  Writes understandable stories for unfamiliar readers
•  Beat Story Ideas 
•  Regular  coverage
•  Journalist enterprise—often more in-depth

 Beat reporters tell audiences not only what is happening, but how to get involved.

How to cover a BEAT:

•   Be Prepared
•   Research background & talk to sources
•   Be Alert 
•   Know who will benefit from coverage 
•   Note who is for & against it
•   Be Persistent 
•   Insist on clear answers
•   Follow-up slow developments 
•   Be There 
•   No substitute for personal contact
•   Be Accurate
•   Reflective listen and clarify
•   Be Wary 
•   You are a reporter not participant 
•   Write for readers not sources

Reporting Tips

•  Beat reporting is like gardening…news is cultivated & grows slowly 
•  Regular follow-up 
•  Don’t give up!
•  Building Relationships:  
•  Build goodwill
•  Don’t shun good news 
•  Protect sources if necessary
•  Ask questions… 

  Does it make sense to me? 
 How can I make sense to my readers?
 Writing for Readers

•  Translate 
•  Make technical, specialized language clear 
•  Make your writing human 
•  State how information will impact real people
•  Think of the public pocket book
•  Find out how much it cost the public 
•  Get out of the office 
•  Go where news is happening
•  Don’t rely on other accounts (web, reports, etc.) 
•  Ask the readers’ questions 
•  Practical Principles for Beat Reporters
•  Information is Power
•  Money is key 
•  The budget is the blueprint
•  Distributing power and money is politics

good paragraph is like a miniature essay

         Good paragraph is like a miniature essay

A good paragraph is like a miniature essay. It has a clear beginning, middle, and ending. Strong paragraphs combine focus and attention to detail to develop a single idea thoroughly, and they help the reader transition from one idea to the next.

Consider the following when writing a paragraph:

1. UNITY - singleness or "oneness" of purpose. All the detail sentences clearly point to or support the topic sentence.

2. COHERENCE - all the sentences and ideas in the paragraph flow smoothly together to make clear and logical points about the topic. Coherence can be achieved through the use of:

A. A natural or easily recognized order:

> Time Order (Chronological) - arranging details or sentences as they happen according to time; usually used in writing narratives

> Space / Direction Order (Spatial) - arranging evidence in relation to space, direction or location

> Importance Order (Emphatic) - arranging details in order of importance or emphasis

> Step-by-Step (Sequential or Procedural) - arranging information according to numbers.

B. Transition Words and Phrases - used to show the connection from one sentence to another, or to signal a new train of thoughts

> Some common transitions:

a. For continuing a common line of reasoning: consequently, clearly, then, furthermore, additionally, and, in addition, because, besides that, in the same way, also, in the light of...
b. To change the line of reasoning: however, on the other hand, but, yet, nevertheless, on the contrary
c. For the final points of a paragraph or essay: finally, lastly
d. Transitional chains, to use in separating sections of a paragraph which is arranged chronologically: 
- first, second, third...
- generally, furthermore, finally
- in the first place, also, lastly/finally
- in the first place, just in the same way, finally
- basically, similarly, as well as
e. To signal conclusion: therefore, this, hence, in conclusion, indeed
f. To restate a point within a paragraph in another way or in a more exacting way: after, afterwards, as soon as, at first, at last, before, before long, finally, in the first place, in the meantime, later, meanwhile, next, soon, then

C. Repetition of Key Words - important words or phrases (and their synonyms) may be repeated throughout a paragraph to connect the thoughts into a coherent statement.

D. Substitution of Pronouns for Key Nouns - use a key noun in one sentence and then use a pronoun in its place in the following sentences. When using pronouns consider the nouns to be replace by checking the nouns: 1. number - is the noun to be substituted singular of plural, 2. function in the sentence - is the noun to be replaced use as a possessive, a subject, or object, 3. gender - is the noun to be replaced a male, a female, a common noun or a neutre, 4. Person - is the noun to be replaced in the first, second, or third person.

E. Parallelism - use of the same grammatical structure in several sentences to establish coherence. The use of similar phrasing helps tie ideas and sentences together.

3. PARAGRAPH DEVELOPMENT -->- Support and evidence provided by the writer can be explained in different ways, these details can be provided by giving or using: 

A. narration – telling a story

B. description – painting something or someone by use of words

C. comparison – showing how two subjects are similar

D. contrast – pointing out how two subjects are different from each other

E. example – providing illustrations or representatives of an idea or topic

F. classification – organizing or grouping together subjects with the same Qualities or characteristics

G. division – taking out a part from the whole to fully discuss or emphasize how the part is integral to the whole.

H. definition – giving the meaning of a term, idea, or concept

I. process analysis – telling how something is achieved or came to be; or telling how to do something

       J. cause and effect – showing reasons/results of a phenomena/process