Current Affairs 2014 - A Quick Review of Important Topics
 

Dear forum fellows I have prepared C.A notes and will be posting here topic wise. I need you all, particularly seniors, to kindly check my notes and suggest for the required improvements.

Thanking in advance to all :)

Drone Strikes and their Implication for Pakistan and How to Deal with this critical i
 

[CENTER][B]Drone Strikes and their Implications for Pakistan and How to Deal with this critical issue.
[/B][/CENTER]


[B]1. Introduction
[/B]
a. Drones started in June 2004 when in the first strike Nek Muhammad was killed
b. American drones operating in Pakistan (FATA), Yemen, and Somalia

[B]2. Causes behind Drone Strikes
[/B]
a. According Dr. Akbar: this is a war against a civilization (muslims) and he endorses the idea of ‘Clash of Civilizations’, a brain-child of an American political-scientist Samuel P. Huntington
b. Threat to International peace and security
c. Post 9/11 era
d. So called ‘War on terror’

[B]3. Drone Strikes and Number of Casualties
[/B]
a. Various Reports and Conflicting Numbers
i. According to FATA Secretariat: more than 350 drone strikes have taken place since 2004
ii. Amnesty International 2013 report: 900 civilians have been killed since 2008
iii. The Bureau of Investigative Journalism report 2013: 300 civilians killed since 2008
iv. New American Foundation report 2013: 185 civilians have been killed since 2008
v. Associated Press (AP) : 56 civilians killed from 2010 to 2012
vi. Defense Ministry of Pakistan: 67 civilians killed since 2008
b. Causes of Conflicting Numbers
i. No proper counting has been made
ii. No access to the militancy hit FATA for the journalists

[B]4. Dr. Akbar Ahmed’s view on Drones (in his book ‘The Thistle and The Drone)[/B]

a. He suggests that the drones must stop because they are counterproductive and have more disadvantages than the advantages.

[B]5. Najam Sethi’s View on Drones in Pakistan[/B]

a. He is of the view that the drones are more productive as the militants are very difficult to catch because of their complex hideouts. Drones have much precision than the conventional arms attacks which cause more civilians causalities.

[B]6. United Nations’ take on Drone Strikes[/B]

a. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navanethem Pillay said that she was gravely concerned over the use of armed drones and the human rights violations in the militancy hit tribal areas of Pakistan.
b. UN passed a unanimous resolution in December 2013 against drones in Pakistan but in vain as the US continues to launch the drone strikes in tribal areas of Pakistan as usual.

[B]7. Amnesty International in its October 2013 report said that the Obama Administration may guilty of war crimes[/B]

a. This does justify the view that the drones are lethal and counterproductive as they violate the international laws and challenge the sovereignty of the victim countries.

[B]8. Implications of Drones in Pakistan[/B]

a. Increasing terrorism
b. Declining economy – reducing FDI, increasing budget deficit, capital flight, brain drain, hyperflation etc.
c. Torn apart social fabric
d. Psychological impacts for the tribal people

[B]9. Dealing with the Drones[/B]

a. Taking the issue to the UN
b. Consensus development on the issue to be resolved
c. Taking the issue directly to the US and persuading the Obama Administration that the drone attacks are counterproductive

[B]10. Conclusion[/B]



Please suggest if anything can be added to it.


Thanking in advance :)

[CENTER][B]Nuclear Energy: National and International Concerns[/B][/CENTER]

1. Introduction

a. Pakistan is a severely energy-starved country which has intensely affected its economy and stability.
b. The concern over going nuclear in terms of energy rose soon after the Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif did the ground-breaking of the Kanupp-II and Kanupp-III in Karachi each with the capacity of 1,100 MW of electricity.
c. Pakistan’s target is to produce around 40,000 MW of electricity from nuclear power plants till 2050.

2. Concerns over Nuclear Option

a. “No Reference Point” exists for 1,100 MW power plant in China
b. Pakistan has no prior experience to handle such a big nuclear power plant
c. There are precedents nuclear incidents in much developed countries like of Chernobyl in Russia, Three Mile Island, and Fukushima in Japan
d. Karachi Coast in more ‘seismic activity prone” area
e. Radioactivity once leaked takes several decades to come down to a safe level

3. Why Nuclear Power Plants

a. 45% of projects’ cost would be covered by China in the shape of ‘state credit’ and ‘suppliers’ credit’
b. K-II and K-III are among few nuclear power plants that being set up after the Fukushima disaster, and they all are being built after a long and intensive study of over 50 year data analyzed and incorporated in their design.
c. Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) has much confidence in the projects

4. Nuclear Energy and Renewable Energy

a. There should be more reliance on the renewable energy as there is a huge potential of renewable energy sources in Pakistan i.e. best wind corridors in Keti Bandar and Gharo near Thatta, Sindh and abundant sunlight
b. Renewable energy infrastructure development requires a larger investment but the energy produced will be much cheaper though it cannot produce a huge amount of energy that we can get from hydel, gas, coal and nuclear sources.

5. Building Dams

a. This is the safest and the most reliable option for the power generation and many other purposes
b. Pakistan is blessed with abundant water resources and which must be utilized by timely building dams

6. Conclusion

a. Nuclear energy is certainly a viable option and for now it is the only convenient option for a financially weak country like Pakistan. However, all the concerns of the stakeholders should be taken seriously and whatever decisions are made, must be inclusive of all.




Please do suggest the areas are left or may be added to it.


Regards :)

[CENTER][B]Nuclear Energy: National and International Concerns[/B][/CENTER]

[B]1. Introduction[/B]

a. Pakistan is a severely energy-starved country which has intensely affected its economy and stability.
b. The concern over going nuclear in terms of energy rose soon after the Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif did the ground-breaking of the Kanupp-II and Kanupp-III in Karachi each with the capacity of 1,100 MW of electricity.
c. Pakistan’s target is to produce around 40,000 MW of electricity from nuclear power plants till 2050.

[B]2. Concerns over Nuclear Option[/B]

a. “No Reference Point” exists for 1,100 MW power plant in China
b. Pakistan has no prior experience to handle such a big nuclear power plant
c. There are precedents nuclear incidents in much developed countries like of Chernobyl in Russia, Three Mile Island, and Fukushima in Japan
d. Karachi Coast in more ‘seismic activity prone” area
e. Radioactivity once leaked takes several decades to come down to a safe level

[B]3. Why Nuclear Power Plants[/B]

a. 45% of projects’ cost would be covered by China in the shape of ‘state credit’ and ‘suppliers’ credit’
b. K-II and K-III are among few nuclear power plants that being set up after the Fukushima disaster, and they all are being built after a long and intensive study of over 50 year data analyzed and incorporated in their design.
c. Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) has much confidence in the projects

[B]4. Nuclear Energy and Renewable Energy[/B]

a. There should be more reliance on the renewable energy as there is a huge potential of renewable energy sources in Pakistan i.e. best wind corridors in Keti Bandar and Gharo near Thatta, Sindh and abundant sunlight
b. Renewable energy infrastructure development requires a larger investment but the energy produced will be much cheaper though it cannot produce a huge amount of energy that we can get from hydel, gas, coal and nuclear sources.

[B]5. Building Dams[/B]

a. This is the safest and the most reliable option for the power generation and many other purposes
b. Pakistan is blessed with abundant water resources and which must be utilized by timely building dams

[B]6. Conclusion[/B]

a. Nuclear energy is certainly a viable option and for now it is the only convenient option for a financially weak country like Pakistan. However, all the concerns of the stakeholders should be taken seriously and whatever decisions are made, must be inclusive of all.




Please do suggest the areas not covered or the ones which may be added to it.


Regards :)

@Abrahm Lincoln:

Have you prepared these notes for 2014 attempt?

[QUOTE=MisbahMalik;692054]@Abrahm Lincoln:

Have you prepared these notes for 2014 attempt?[/QUOTE]



Yes dear these notes are for 2014 paper. These are just outlines containing precise views on much-expected topics.

[CENTER][B]New Taliban Challenge: Peace through Dialogue or Military Operation[/B][/CENTER]

[B]1. Introduction[/B]

a. TTP, an umbrella organization under which there around sixty militant outfits performing in the country.
b. TTP is also involved in all other forms of criminal activity: drugs, kidnapping, extortion.
c. It has foreigner troops i.e. Uzbeks and Chechens.
d. Till now more than 50,000 people have died because of the ‘war on terror’ in Pakistan.
e. There is no writ of government in the peripheries (FATA and Balochistan)

[B]2. The Scope of Issue[/B]

a. Terrorism in Pakistan is a multifaceted issue with its sectarian, ethnic and extremist orientations
b. It has severely affected the economy of the country which is evident from hyperflation, unemployment, declined tourism, capital flight and so on
c. The social fabric of the country has torn apart and a number of social crimes and problems emanate from the issue of terrorism, such as polio eradication challenge, negligible growth in literacy rate, women persecution etc.
d. International community is labeling Pakistan as a safe haven for the terrorists which has highly affected the country’s goodwill outside

[B]3. Precedents of Dialogue in the Past[/B]

a. In April 2004, the first peace deal was signed between Pakistan with the militants in South Waziristan which couldn’t bear the fruit of peace as Nek Muhammad was killed in a drone attack
b. The second deal was signed in February 2005 with Baitullah Mehsud which was also broken as the militants did not stop the bloodshed
c. The third agreement was signed with Mullah Fazlullah in Swat in 2009 which also could not bring the peace and tranquility in the area and was eventually broken by the Taliban and a military operation

[B]4. Dialogue v/s Military Operation[/B]

a. Government should go for the dialogue but with the position of strength and so is not the situation unfortunately
b. Dialogue would not be successful as the demands (sharia rule, withdrawal of military from Waziristan, liberation of the militants in jails etc.) of the militants are unacceptable
c. Dialogue might not be successful as the militants do not recognize the constitution of Pakistan and they have their own broader interests
d. There is still no clear policy to deal with the Taliban if the government is willing to pursue the dialogue option
e. A full-fledge military operation will not be much effective as the militants hideouts are complex and their fighting practices are of a guerilla warfare
f. Selective and periodic military operations for a long time can be a better a way to deal with the militancy as the enemy is not on the front of combat field rather it is in the hiding
g. Military operation can be successful if the enemy is considered only one and no any difference of good or bad Taliban is made

[B]5. A ‘Five Ds’ Strategy to Engage with the Taliban[/B]

a. [B]Dictation[/B] – the government should set out some parameters for negotiations with the militants, such as acceptance of the constitution, surrender of all heavy arms, expulsion of foreigners within the TTP, and end the collaboration with the external powers
b. [B]Defeat [/B]– the TTP must be put on the defensive as the Pakistan army has the potential to conduct multiple and simultaneous operations to kill or capture the TTP militants in FATA, Swat, Peshawar and Karachi
c. [B]Decapitation[/B] – If charismatic leaders of the TTP are eliminated there can be more probability that the militants will be switched to the defensive position
d. [B]Demotivation[/B] – The TTP’s rank and file and some of its leaders can be persuaded by ‘carrots and sticks to disengage from their violent course
e. [B]Deradicalization[/B] – as the alliance with the US is ending, the attacks will not be justified in Pakistani territory and the social reforms through education, jobs and other opportunities can be winning options

[B]6. Conclusion[/B]

a. A coherent and consistent approach towards the issue of militancy will surely bring some positive results
b. Resolution of the issue of terrorism will bring prosperity in terms of economic growth and social harmony
c. If the government still fails to tackle this critical issue which according to the former Army Chief Retired General Ashfaq Parvaiz Kiyani is a matter of life and death for Pakistan then the extremism, violence, and unrest will spread throughout Pakistan.
d. Then it would be very difficult for us to control the situation and our country might tuen into another Iraq, Syria or Somalia


Please dear seniors do share your view on the notes. I haven't got any suggestions for improvement yet.

Experts' consent actually boosts the level of confidence and serves as motivator for us to do more.


I'll be much grateful.

Thanks :)

kindly paste the notes of the remaining topics . it will help me in getting precise information about different topics .you need to give outlines of different topics like economic problems and solution , new great game , silk route diplomacy and importance.

[CENTER][B]Sectarian Issue in Pakistan: Effects, Causes and Remedies[/B][/CENTER]

[B]1. Introduction[/B]

a. Pakistan is faced with a number of grave challenges, sectarian unrest is one of those challenges and needs to be resolved on the priority basis
b. The sectarian issue in Pakistan is not a new one rather it is an old issue which has become severe just in a couple of years
c. The sectarian divide in the country has been existing since Zia-ul-Haq’s reign

[B]2. Effects of Sectarian unrest in Country[/B]

a. Social hatred
b. Suppression on Religious and Sectarian Minorities
c. Declining Social Justice
d. Killing of Innocent Citizens
i. According to a report (Pakistan Security Report 2013) issued by Pakistan Institute of Peace Studies (PIPS): the total number of sectarian attacks in 2013 was 208 which claimed 1,195 lives
e. National Disharmony
f. Internal displacement and Migration

[B]3. Causes of Increasing Sectarian Attacks[/B]

a. Sect-based political parties
b. Hate speech and hate literature
c. Government’s inefficiency
d. Foreign funding – In this case Saudi Arabia and Iran

[B]4. Remedial Measures[/B]

a. A code for Sectarian Peace – Issued by Maulana Tahir Ashrafi
i. Curbing Sectarian hate speech
ii. Banning hate literature and graffiti
iii. Resisting the use of mosque loudspeakers for anything other than call to prayer and sermons in Arabic
b. Curbing the foreign funding of the sectarian elements
c. Empowering the law enforcement agencies to act on spot of unrest

[B]5. Conclusion[/B]

a. If the issue could not be dealt with timely, it may further deteriorate the socio-economic and political system of the country
b. Then the situation would be extremely difficult to control



I make the notes painstakingly, but nobody gives an assessment. This is really saddening and disappointing for me :(

Dear all, I know everyone needs the notes at this critical juncture where exams are round corner. Let me tell you honestly that I have hand-written notes which are not updated. So I have to update and edit them and then post here.

I\'ll be posting my take on the rest of topics critical for C.A as i have been doing. So if anybody needs the notes, may get them copied from this very thread.

The following link will surely help those who are gravely concerned about the subject of ESSAY.

[url]http://www.cssforum.com.pk/css-compulsory-subjects/essay/essays/84704-contemporary-essays-outlines.html[/url]


I need nothing except for your prayers and good wishes in return.



Jazaakallah