by admin | Apr 12, 2025 | challenges, foreign policy, politics, politics and government, public policy
A lot has been discussed regarding foreign policy challenges. However, Pakistan also faces numerous domestic policy issues that continue to pose difficulties.
Initially, the idea of federation appears to elude Pakistan. In this setup, it isn’t the Central government that forms the individual units or provinces; rather, these units come together to form the Center. These units establish an agreement to distribute authority between themselves and the Center. They also determine how much control they surrender to the Center. It’s not up to the Center to choose what powers to grant to the units. Powers traditionally held by the Center—such as maintaining armed forces, crafting foreign policies, and managing a unified currency—are subject to approval from the units. This approach has led Pakistan’s Center to overlook the essence of federalism, resulting in ongoing instability characterized by various issues like regional conflicts and even secessionist sentiments. For instance, Balochistan exemplifies political manipulation alongside imposed administrations, leading to profound discontent across the region.
Secondly, Pakistan finds itself engaged in a defensive struggle as consciousness spreads throughout the nation. This awakening is relentless and unforgiving. Whether advocating for the rights of the Pashtuns or Baloch, these individuals are gaining listeners—not primarily through traditional broadcast media but rather via social platforms, which link them together. Although one such medium might be restricted under claims of national security, blocking all remains impossible. Both ethnic groups condemn incidents of missing persons and arbitrary executions, actions that contravene fundamental human rights principles. Protesting Baloch women led by Dr. Mahrang Baloch reject an approach where progress in Balochistan comes at the cost of forced disappearances and deceased victims showing signs of torture. Consequently, this situation traps Balochistan in a state of impasse. A comparable standstill could soon envelop Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) as well. The appearance of tortured corpses in Balochistan serves as a blight, reflecting twisted intentions aimed at deforming the federal structure’s image.
Thirdly, Pakistan lacks the capability to tackle its economic issues independently. The country faces bankruptcy since it can only manage its debt through additional loans. It remains unclear how these debts will ever be repaid. Thus, external financial aid is essential for Pakistan’s survival. The nation finds itself entirely dependent on creditors. These loans are taken out with hopes of gaining enough breathing room to stabilize their economy temporarily.
Currently, efforts focus on boosting commercial agriculture production. Converting unproductive land into arable fields generally makes sense economically. However, this situation presents contradictory approaches: While increasingly valuable farmland in northern and central Punjab—regions nourished by rainfall and fresh water—is earmarked for residential development, initiatives aim to transform parts of the Cholistan Desert—a region within the parched areas of southern Punjab associated with the Thar Desert—into viable cropland.
This dual strategy exemplifies misguided priorities which could undermine the broader goals set under the Green Pakistan project.
Fourthly, Pakistan’s western region is seeing the rise of zones where movement and presence have become hazardous, particularly during nighttime hours. Incidents like those targeting the Bannu Cantt in KPK and the Jaffar Express in Balochistan highlight how spaces previously under government control are now ceding ground to terrorist activities. This has led to a weakening of governmental authority. As usual, discussions about addressing this issue often revert to initiating military campaigns, sparking the perennial ‘chicken-and-egg’ dilemma: whether instability invites intervention or vice versa. Generally, it is believed that such military actions breed resentment, fostering regional divisions that ultimately undermine the idea of federal unity.
Fifth, Pakistan faces the issue of guerrilla warfare seeping into its territory from either northern or southern parts of its western frontier. The Pakistani military is primarily equipped for conventional conflicts rather than irregular skirmishes. Recently, Pakistan sanctioned the creation of Rangers in the region of Azad Kashmir under its control. This suggests growing unrest within those areas as well. Consequently, this situation signals the onset of a limited-scale confrontation. Rather than addressing underlying grievances through political channels, Pakistan has opted for forceful tactics, failing to recognize that Kashmir harbors fighters adept at conducting guerilla operations. These individuals previously engaged in such activities against Indian troops along India’s borders. They now pose a similar threat inside Pakistan-controlled portions of Kashmir.
Sixth, Pakistan lacks the financial resources needed for launching military campaigns and covering the economic impact caused by displacing residents. Previously, clearance operations in Southern and Northern Waziristan involved clearing out populations before completely destroying entire villages through bombings. As a result, locals became internally displaced individuals. High human casualties—both among soldiers and civilians—and significant economic expenses made these efforts daunting. To minimize direct troop involvement, Pakistan now relies heavily on drone attacks, mirroring U.S. tactics used in Afghanistan. While the United States applied this approach primarily against foreign adversaries, Pakistan uses similar methods within its borders against its citizens—a concerning development. Civilian deaths from accidental harm have consistently placed such actions under scrutiny. For instance, a recent targeted drone attack during an anti-terrorism operation near Katland in Mardan (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) exemplifies how collateral damage can exacerbate local conflicts. This could be seen as intentional mismanagement, considering Pakistan’s record of alleged human rights abuses is nearly at capacity.
In general, Pakistan excels at managing situations through improvisation: buying time and seeking funding to address issues. However, this approach leads to the consumption of both time and resources without significant advancements. The challenges facing the idea of federalism are becoming more pronounced. Using force provides limited resolutions and often creates additional complications.
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by admin | Apr 11, 2025 | foreign policy, government, international relations, politics, politics and government
Pakistan, April 6 — A U.S. delegation is scheduled to visit Islamabad from April 8-10, 2025. Headed by Eric Meyer, a high-ranking official at the State Department, this trip aims to advance American interests within Pakistan’s mineral resources sector. During their stay, they will participate in the Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum (PMIF25), which is being hosted jointly by the Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) and the Pakistani government.
The forum is scheduled for April 8-9 at the Jinnah Convention Centre. Its purpose is to provide an international stage where key players can investigate investment prospects within Pakistan’s developing minerals industry. Attendees will have the opportunity to gain insights into the nation’s abundant mineral wealth, encompassing as many as 92 identified minerals.
While visiting Pakistan, Meyer intends to hold discussions with high-ranking Pakistani authorities. The talks will center around bolstering economic relationships and promoting U.S. investments in Pakistan’s mining sector. Additionally, Meyer aims to address continuing collaboration between both nations concerning anti-terrorism initiatives when he meets with local leadership.
Following President Donald Trump’s imposition of a 29% retaliatory tariff on imports from Pakistan, this visit follows suit. In reaction, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif established two specialized committees to develop an appropriate policy response. Moreover, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzebsaid that a team would travel to Washington D.C.to lobby for Pakistan’s economic interests.
by admin | Apr 10, 2025 | foreign policy, news, politics, politics and government, politics and law
The
The federal government is evaluating prospective candidates for positions within its various diplomatic offices across 109 missions, including 76 embassies, 22 high commissions, and 11 global consulates.
Sunday PUNCH
reports.
Sources well-informed about the situation disclosed that Mr. Femi Fani-Kayode, who previously served as the Minister of Aviation during the Obasanjo administration, along with Femi Pedro, a former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, have been included in the list of nominees.
Sunday PUNCH
It was also noted that the screening process does not take place at a central location; instead, nominees are instructed to go to the closest DSS office.
Presidential staffers verified for our reporter that multiple contenders were reached out to for submitting their individual educational background and professional experience details.
They are currently conducting security checks with DSS. Once these checks are completed and clearance is granted, we will publish the list.
Those who have been cleared will be disclosed,” stated an official anonymously due to lack of authorization for media communication. They added, “The procedure is still underway. By the end of April, we aim to have a comprehensive list.
A different informant stated, “The screening process doesn’t happen at a central point. Instead, it depends on the nominees’ locations. The candidates have been contacted to submit their personal background details along with specifics such as the schools they graduated from and positions they’ve occupied. Hence, this procedure follows geographical distribution.”
Tinubu’s Four Ds and financial challenges
Starting from September 2023, President Bola Tinubu has implemented his foreign policy based on four key concepts: Democracy, Development, Demography, and Diaspora, all while functioning without ambassadors.
During that period, he completed an extensive review of Nigeria’s foreign policy across all sectors, resulting in more than 83 both career and non-career ambassadors being called back from their respective posts.
Last December, reliable sources close to the President confirmed that Tinubu spent part of his holiday reviewing the names of nominees with plans to transmit a consolidated list to the National Assembly before the end of the month.
Nevertheless, updates in January indicated that the President had altered his position.
Our reporter learned that the project faced delays because of insufficient funds—amounting to approximately $1 billion—that were needed to clear back payments for overseas staff, address accumulated expenses, upgrade old vehicles, and refurbish embassy structures.
A representative, speaking under conditions of confidentiality, stated, “The primary concern revolves around finances. It’s not about funding for the ambassadors themselves; we must consider their compensation packages and allowances. Instead, the critical financial aspect pertains to CAPEX [Capital Expenditure]. When all costs associated with resolving these problems are tallied up, they approach nearly $1 billion.”
Out of all these embassies, nearly 90 percent appear dilapidated. They might suffer from poor living conditions for residents, non-functional offices, or overdue rents. As far as functioning well-maintained ones go, they probably do not exceed 10.
I realize that many lack functional transportation options; their most recent vehicle purchases date back ten years. These cars often break down, which makes them unsuitable for diplomats since these officials represent their nation’s prestige. Additionally, basic amenities like electricity and running water may be absent in those areas. Therefore, assigning ambassadors to such locations would place them in difficult circumstances.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, similarly pointed out that the delays were due to financial limitations.
“It’s an issue with finances,” Tuggar stated at a ministerial briefing in Abuja last May.
He contended that assigning ambassadors lacking the necessary funds for travel and efficient operation of embassies overseas served no purpose.
We encountered a scenario where foreign affairs were underfunded as they should have been. Certain loopholes are taken advantage of by entities similar to Binance. This issue stems from financial constraints.
“There is no point sending out ambassadors if you do not have the funds for them to even travel to their designated countries and to run the missions effectively, one needs funding. Mr President is working on it, and it will be done in due course,” Tuggar said.
A representative from the foreign service mentioned that although the 2025 budget included allocations to address part of this expense, the amount was insufficient.
Nominees on the list
Senior officials from the presidency and foreign services have stated that even though the full list of candidates remains strictly confidential, several well-known and contentious individuals are currently under consideration.
An official stated, “The announcements regarding these appointments will be made shortly. These selections are currently under review. For the moment, the identities of those nominated remain strictly confidential since some of the individuals initially considered may not ultimately be approved.”
FFK [Femi Fani-Kayode] is included in the list. Among these, several contentious names have also been proposed. Additionally, Fola Adeola [the founder of Guaranty Trust Bank Plc] and Femi Pedro are part of it as well. This time around, they’re advancing the process at a faster pace.
Offering explanations for the sluggish procedure, an additional official clarified that the scrutiny was essential to prevent potential issues that could tarnish the nation’s reputation internationally.
“The nominees are currently undergoing scrutiny, with background investigations being carried out. This process ensures that the nominees do not present any security concerns and guarantees their appointment won’t adversely affect the nation,” explained the official.
It was also alleged that Reno Omokri, who previously served as an aide to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, appeared on this list.
However, a reliable source from the Presidency refuted this claim.
“Reno doesn’t appear on the list, but FFK does,” the source stated.
The President’s Special Advisor on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, who previously addressed the delays, stated that nominations for ambassadorial positions require comprehensive scrutiny before being submitted to the National Assembly as a finalized list.
“Don’t overlook the fact that the ambassadorial list consists of two parts: career ambassadors and political ambassadors. Both the foreign affairs list and the consolidated list will undergo specific procedures before being made public,” he clarified.
When two of the nominees were reached out to by
Sunday PUNCH
, declined comment.
They neither confirmed nor denied the report.
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by admin | Apr 8, 2025 | foreign policy, news, passports and international travel, politics, politics and government
The Foreign Office stated on Wednesday that Pakistani passports are invalid for traveling to Israel.
Regarding inquiries into alleged visits by Pakistani journalists to Israel, a spokesman from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs named Shafqat Ali Khan stated that the Pakistani government acknowledges these reports concerning journalists traveling to Israel. It should be made clear that Pakistani passports specifically indicate they are ‘not valid for travel to Israel.’ Consequently, according to current laws, such trips cannot occur.
He stated that Pakistan’s stance regarding Israel has remained constant. The country does not acknowledge Israel’s existence and strongly upholds the rightful claims of the Palestinian population. This includes their right to establish an autonomous and sovereign Palestinian nation founded on the boundaries from before 1967, with East Jerusalem serving as its capital.
“Pakistan reaffirms its steadfast dedication to achieving a fair and peaceful solution to the Palestinian issue, consistent with pertinent United Nations resolutions and the desires of the Palestinian people,” he stated. As reported previously by Israel Hayom, an Israeli daily newspaper, a group consisting of ten members from Pakistan—including journalists, thinkers, and social media personalities—visited Israel last week. According to the same source, these ten Pakistani reporters and academics, which included two women, entered Israel during the current month despite carrying passports marked as not valid for traveling to Israel.
The report stated, “Nevertheless, they courageously accepted an invitation from Sharaka, an entity aimed at enhancing ties between Israel and nations in South Asia.”
‘It maintained that to safeguard the delegates, their passports remained unstamped, and reports of their trip were postponed until they had safely returned home.’
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by admin | Apr 7, 2025 | government, military, national security, politics, security
In August 2024, Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi, a prominent figure within Nigeria’s intelligence sector, was appointed as the new Director-General of the Department of State Security.
After six months of being here, Ajayi is advocating for fresh ideas regarding Nigeria that imply the breakdown of the government’s conventional security framework and its role in addressing the escalating instability.
As stated by the head of DSS, communities—as opposed to the nation’s security agencies—ought to be considered the primary defense against present challenges.
He made
the proposal
In mid-February in Abuja, several current and former security officials were present, including the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, and the Chief of Defence Staff, Christopher Musa; neither raised objections to this dubious notion.
You shouldn’t anticipate that the Nigerian Army, police, and SSS will safeguard each individual citizen,” he stated. “That approach won’t be effective.
We anticipate that security agencies will carry out their duties. This aligns with the constitution, which states that “ensuring the safety and well-being of citizens should be the main objective of governance.” It emphasizes this as not just a secondary aim, but rather the principal one.
This indicates that ensuring the safety of citizens is the top priority for the national government of the federation, which holds authority over and manages the security organizations.
Ajayi provided instances of Nigerian communities that have successfully countered and thwarted assaults, suggesting these could serve as models for Nigeria to overcome its security challenges.
This is a feeble argument. Nigerian communities have consistently protected themselves, and continue to do so, even when faced with an uneven distribution of contemporary weaponry. They often confront assailants armed only with traditional weapons like sticks and machetes, while their adversaries wield more advanced firearms such as pistols and automatic rifles—tools frequently used by abductors, extremists, or sometimes law enforcement personnel against these groups.
The state holds the primary duty to safeguard its populace, an obligation that falls upon the government once they have taken their oath of office. However, in Nigeria, following the swearing-in of officials, the pursuit of opulence and a feeling of authority frequently overshadow this sense of commitment.
We should remember that the APC gained power in 2015 primarily due to the unrest in Nigeria, with Muhammadu Buhari promising to leverage his military expertise to tackle this issue.
This indicates that both he and his successor, President Bola Tinubu, have collectively held power for the APC party for 10 years, unfortunately resulting in an increased sense of insecurity across Nigeria.
Remember, Buhari spent considerable time in a London hospital as insecurity grew worse. Similarly, Tinubu has frequently traveled to France for various trips, seemingly mired in ineptitude or crafting excuses to shirk their duties. This lets citizens bear burdens that the law assigns to officially designated bodies and institutions.
“Our society emphasizes community,” Ajayi stated in his intricately crafted initial strategy for defense.
Why can’t we join forces against scoundrels and frauds?
I was unaware that powerful, violent, and well-organized terrorist organizations were referred to as “miscreants.”
The head of DSS continued, “It is essential for the elite class to engage with their respective communities, approach us for validation and advice, after which we can jointly curb these troublemakers… security begins at an individual level…”
What does ‘Join us… get some form of approval and guidance’ mean? Who exactly are these ‘us’? In what way do Nigerian communities ‘join us’?
What exactly does “some form of approval” mean? Is there anything in Nigerian law that allows the Department of State Services (DSS) to equip villages and communities with items like brooms and clubs to confront herders who are equipped with automatic firearms and GPS technology?
Through which routes will villagers journey from the various parts of Nigeria to reach the DSS Headquarters along the Lagos-Kano railway line?
The Ajayis within the Tinubu administration have overlooked another aspect beyond the constitution: the APC came to power through what many perceive as fraudulent means, having sworn to eradicate Nigeria’s security issues.
Sure, here’s the information retrieved from the website of the electoral commission:
the 2015 APC Manifesto
, where it grandiosely promoted “APC’s practical answers.”
In addition to other commitments, the party pledged to:
Hire at least an additional 100,000 police officers and create a well-trained and adequately equipped Federal Anti-Terrorism Multi-Agency Task Force aimed at dismantling Boko Haram and all forms of insurgency.
Implement an instant salary increase along with enhanced benefits for all five security teams.
Tackle the root causes of unemployment, poverty, and social inequality that sparked the uprising by implementing an all-encompassing economic development plan aimed at revitalizing the impacted regions and their populations.
The APC expressed concerns: “Sixty percent of Nigerians reside below the poverty line, merely three percent receive adequate healthcare, and only about half of our children progress from primary to secondary education. Additionally, our roadways and railway networks are severely deteriorated. Fewer than thirty-five percent of the population has reliable access to electricity, with many experiencing frequent outages and persistent power deficits…”
It stated, “The Nigerian population requires assistance; aid from mismanagement, respite from the severe poverty faced by so many of us; relief from a deteriorating nation. An APC administration would deliver this support.”
Relief? A decade later, the APC had merely exacerbated the issues, leading to stratification marked by opulence and laziness among the elite and their relatives.
This all happened as the economy crashed, the naira depreciated sharply, major corporations withdrew, the power supply became unstable, joblessness surged, and many Nigerians migrated to neighboring countries like Niger, Cameroon, and Ghana. Wealthy Nigerians often relocate their loved ones overseas.
Rather than achieving security, we have accumulated an
Air Force arsenal
as the terrorists gain strength, which targets civilians, while the National Security Adviser offers praise
phantom “Tinubu Gains
.”
In January 2024, the Nigerian armed forces
announced
that it had dispatched its special forces throughout the nation as part of an intensified effort against insurgency, kidnappings, and various security threats.
In January 2025, Air Force chief Hassan Abubakar also
announced
That the Air Force completed 15,915 flight hours over an 18-month period. Then why has Nigeria become more insecure?
The issue lies within the lack of sincerity among Nigeria’s leaders, which keeps the country stagnant. The fact that Tinubu took a private trip to France while the crisis in Uromi was unfolding and as new US trade barriers were approaching serves as a reminder that he does not perceive our situation with any sense of immediacy.
Thus, Nigeria seems to be operating on autopilot with issues like insecurity, inadequate infrastructure, and a shrinking economy becoming routine. This situation is perpetuated by a government that believes citizens who are struggling to make ends meet should manage on their own.
However, it is not typical citizens such as Ajayi who possess the legal power to operate across Nigeria’s 36 states and 774 local government areas. If the DSS under Ajayi fails to recognize and neutralize these terrorist groups—which lack airports, sea ports, or diplomatic facilities—but can still freely resupply with weapons, then they bear responsibility for this failure.
How can armed herders managed by the DSS move freely to remote villages and farms across the nation, carrying out unchecked violence?
Why, DSS, are the intelligence agencies reveling in all the authority, prestige, armaments, and funds, whereas it is the impoverished citizens who have to resort to taking up weapons?
In this era of remarkable technological advancements, why is DSS concealing itself in Abuja, offering security and domestic assistance to politicians as Nigeria faces turmoil?
Perhaps citizens ought to take their defense into their own hands, rendering the DSS an unnecessary extravagance. If this were to happen, then it should be dismantled first.
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by admin | Apr 7, 2025 | ghana, government, international relations, politics, Travel
Ghana is moving forward with efforts to enable visa-free travel for its citizens visiting Morocco. According to Samuel Okudzeto, the country’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, both nations have consented to establish an accord that will remove visa restrictions for various types of visitors.
On a post made on the social media site X (previously known as Twitter), Okudzeto mentioned that the accord would shortly be submitted to the legislatures of both countries for approval. This comment came after his talks with Imane Ouaadil, who serves as Morocco’s ambassador to Ghana, which took place during the previous week.
The Ghanaian minister further emphasized the pledges made during the discussions to enhance collaboration in agriculture, tourism, and security sectors. Moreover, Morocco has opted to double the number of scholarships available for Ghanaian students pursuing their studies there, increasing them from 90 to 180.
Based on the Visa Index, citizens of Ghana need a visa to visit Morocco and should apply beforehand. Additionally, they require visas for 123 other nations, whereas e-visas can be obtained for travel to 38 destinations.
The post
Ghana aims for visa-free travel arrangement with Morocco
appeared first on
SANGGRALOKAEnglish – Morocco News
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