Current Affairs for CSS/PMS/PCS Competitive Exams

Date: 23 December 2018

1. What is RTI Ranking? Pakistan has been Placed at 33rd

Position in the RTI Ranking 2018.

2. What should be Pakistan’s Foreign Policy in the 2019?

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 What is RTI Rating? Pakistan Ranked 33 in RTI Ranking 2018
The Global Right to Information Rating (RTI Rating) is a
methodology which comparatively assesses the strength of legal
frameworks for the right to information from around the world.
Pakistan has been placed at 33rd Position in the Global RTI
Rating 2018. According to latest RTI rating issued by Global Right
to Information Rating, Afghanistan has replaced Mexico at the
very top of the RTI rating, with an impressive score of 139 points
out of a possible 150.
Sri Lanka has been placed at third position in the list. Pakistan
was at 91st position and Afghanistan occupied 33rd position in
the Global Right to Information Rating list in 2017 but both
countries improved a lot. Pakistan government adopted the RTI
in 2002 and Afghanistan in 2014. Countries from the Global
South dominate the top of the RTI Rating, with not a single
Western country in the top 25.
 Pakistan’s Foreign Policy Suggestions for the Year 2019
There is no doubt that Pakistan’s Foreign Policy was not effective
in the previous government (2013-18) and Pakistan faced its
consequences too, but now, it’s time for the new government to
take advantage of the new circumstances. First of all, Pakistan is
required to utilize the capabilities of China as both countries are
enjoying cordial relations from the previous six decades.
Pakistan should take advantage of China’s financial and
technological capabilities.
As it is a clear indication that US will leave the Afghanistan in the
near future, China can emerge as the new regional power.
Pakistan need to trace the regional diplomacies of the main
actors and must give priority to the regional powers like China.
As US is going to withdraw forces from Afghanistan, analysts
predicted another civil war in Afghanistan in case of the fully
absence of the US troops in Afghanistan. The civil war will not
be in the interest of the Pakistan too, so, it required to promote
peace in Afghanistan to avoid civil war. It can be possible to
remain in touch with the leading actors present in the
Afghanistan.
The Donald Trump administration always accused Pakistan of
doing nothing for the US in Afghan’s issue. Now, in case, if US
withdraws, Pakistan should articulate its relationship with US. It
is an opportunity that Trump administration will feel free from
Afghan’s responsibility that created a gap between Pakistan and
US in the past.
As long as India is concerned, the upcoming 2019 elections in
India will remain the main factor. BJP has launched anti Pakistan
campaign in the previous elections. It seems difficult to find any
breakthrough in the relations before the elections. The another
aspect of the relation is the campaign against Pakistan to harbor
terrorism.
Pakistan could end this campaign by adapting the UNSC
resolution to ban the mentioned entities and persons from
speeches in the public. Secondly, Pakistan should work for
political settlement of Afghan’s issue as it can eliminate the
terrorism there. Neither terrorists nor intelligence agencies will
be able to run campaign from there in the presence of strong
government in Afghanistan.
The Saudi-Iran conflict is destructive for Muslims as well as for
the region. Pakistan need to maintain the cordial relations with
Saudi Arab and UAE to gain economic support but the role of
Iran will be considerable to make the Gwadar port successful.
Pakistan must mediate between two Muslim countries or should
keep balance in the relationship with both countries. The
clashes on the border with Iran must be reduced with proper
mechanism.