April Final Magazine - Compressed

Pakistan’s First Monthly E-Magazine for Civil Services Aspirants
Publishers
CSS TIMES
April 2023
What the
China-Brokered
Saudi-Iran Deal
Means for
South Asia Current Affairs
MCQs
Mar 2023
China's Ukraine Peace Plan Gender Equity in Digital Pakistan

Khalistan: The Outlawed Sikh
Separatist Movement UN 2023 Water Conference
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CSS Times Current Affairs 03
What the China-Brokered Saudi-Iran Deal Means for South Asia
Michael Kugelman, South Asia Director at The Having had dependable ties with neighbor
Wilson Center in Washington said that China, Pakistan was one of the first
Pakistan would be one of the biggest winners
if the deal works.
Few countries are more vulnerable to Iran-
Saudi Arabia rivalry than Pakistan. It has a
military alliance with the Saudis, it borders
Iran, it has a Shia population of 20%, it is
pressured to help Saudi Arabia militarily,
and it is periodically targeted by militants
based in Iran,"
He added that Islamabad has sought to be
neutral in the rivalry, but that its alliance with
Saudi Arabia makes that difficult. "It's easier
participants of President Xi Jinping's mega-
to be neutral--meaning to pursue warm
relations with both countries--if Saudi Arabia project, the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
and Iran get along well enough not to be In 2015, the China-Pakistan Economic
overly bothered by Pakistan's good relations Corridor (CPEC), flagship corridor of the BRI
with both," the expert added. was launched. Ultimately worth around
Monthly HSM CSS Times (E Magazine) |April 2023 | For Free Download: www.hsmpublishers.com
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$65 billion, it is also the only corridor Much needed economic boost
nearing completion from the six corridors of Considering the economic crisis that Pakistan
the BRI. is going through due to political instability
Nearly $26 billion have been invested by and catastrophic flooding, Islamabad would
China up till now and the project has
entered the second phase. Both Saudi Arabia welcome a rapid increase in cross-border
and Iran were invited to join this trade trade with Iran and investment from the
connectivity project but their involvement Kingdom, along with possible joint ventures
remained negligible. With their bilateral with Tehran and Riyadh,
differences set aside, both China and Pakistan Beijing stands to be the main beneficiary,
can benefit as the two rivals can participate or since it already had long-term comprehensive
invest in various CPEC projects.
As per Kugelman, “The sustainability of the strategic partnerships with Tehran as well as
deal is the fundamental issue at play. The key Riyadh. Since Beijing had to meticulously
signpost will be whether each country balance both the allies, ending their
Pakistan has for decades been an arena in the proxy war between Riyadh and Tehran that was
sparked soon after the Iranian Revolution in 1979. Saudi Arabia provided financial and
ideological backing to many Sunni militant groups trained in Pakistan that the U.S. Central
Intelligence Agency (CIA) was arming to wage a jihad against the Soviets in Afghanistan. But
some of these groups, such as Sipah-e-Sahaba, and its offshoot, Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, later
turned their guns on the sizeable Shi'a minority in Pakistan. Iran responded by offering support
to Pakistani 'Shia militants to counter this Sunni militancy. Iran also began to cooperate with
India in Afghanistan after the Soviets withdrew in 1989 and U.S. attention shifted away from the
region. New Delhi and Tehran notably both supported the Northern Alliance — comprised of a
mixture of ethnic minorities, including the Shi'a — in the latter's resistance to the
predominantly Sunni Pashtun Taliban, which enjoyed good relations with Riyadh and
Islamabad.
changes, or at least adjusts, the policies that

have most upset the other. In particular,
would each side draw down their support for
violent proxy groups that target the other,
and the other's interests? For example, if we
start seeing less Saudi and Iranian
involvement in the war in Yemen, that would
be a very strong and encouraging data point.”
Saudi pressure has reportedly been behind
Pakistan's calculation in not expanding trade
with Iran and not completing the gas
pipeline, on top of the nuclear sanctions on
differences may have become necessary.
Iran.”
Trying to maintain the positive tempo, China
Pakistan's external security had been under now plans to host an Iran-GCC summit soon.
increased pressure from Riyadh to choose a Meanwhile, China is the largest trading
side. The Iran-Saudi rivalry narrowed partner of both the rivals, representing almost
Pakistan's economic and political 30% of Iran's total international trade, and
maneuverability and reduced its strategic Saudi Arabia's largest oil export market with
options.” bilateral trade up 33.1% on a yearly basis.
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For Pakistan, it opens up new diplomatic and
economic opportunities. For decades,
Pakistan has followed a policy of balancing
relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran,
treading very carefully between a strategic
ally and a neighbour. Now the
At the Financial Sector Conference in Riyadh,

Saudi Finance Minister Mohammed Al-Jadaan
mentioned that Saudi investments into Iran
can happen “very quickly” after the
agreement to restore diplomatic ties.
In another fresh development, the Export-
Import Bank of China announced that it
would provide Saudi National Bank loan rapprochement between the two former rivals
cooperation in yuan. Dong Dengxin, director means diplomatic space opens up for
of the Finance and Securities Institute of the Islamabad to consider new initiatives and also
Wuhan University of Science and Technology, strengthen ties with Iran
stated that this facilitation could become a There was always a problem [for Pakistan] on
“good template” for deals with other balancing relations with both countries. So
countries. Apparently, Tehran and Beijing news of this apparent breakthrough can only
have also discussed increasing yuan-based be welcomed in Islamabad. The Saudis and
trade. the Iranians seem to have realized that it
would be in their interest to try and reach
some kind of a broad understanding and that
[in the status quo] only their mercenaries win
Historically this role should have been played
by Pakistan or Egypt, the two Muslim
countries that could have spoken to both
Saudi Arabia and Iran
For Pakistan, this is no doubt a welcome deal:
Islamabad has always stood for reconciliation
-- whether it was Iran and Iraq in the 90s or
the Yemen crisis which was really hurting
Most of all, Beijing can now accelerate its Muslims.”
mega-connectivity project, the Belt and Road The China-brokered deal has not gone
Initiative. In addition, Riyadh can join the unnoticed by Western analysts. Tweeting
China-led Shanghai Cooperation about its significance for Pakistan, South Asia
Organization, of which Iran is also a member. Institute Director at The Wilson Center
The Saudi-Iran peace deal has been hailed as Michael Kugelman says that: “This China-
a welcome step towards peace by former mediated Iran-Saudi Arabia reconciliation is a
diplomats and foreign policy analysts in black swan event -- a surprise, rare watershed
Pakistan, who have called it a “gamechanger” moment for international relations that [will]
and a “brave new chapter” that should be have major ripple effects across the globe,
seen as a big win for peace not only in the including South Asia -- especially Pakistan --
Persian Gulf and the Middle East but also for where [the] Iran-KSA rivalry has played out
Pakistan. heavily.”
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China's Mediation Between Saudi Arabia & Iran

The foreign ministers of Iran and Saudi Arabia King Salman invited Iranian President
met in Beijing on April 06, 2023 for the first Ebrahim Raisi to visit the kingdom, following
formal gathering of their top diplomats in leaks that China plans to host an Arab-Iranian
more than seven years, after China brokered a Summit in Beijing later this year.
deal to restore relations between the top When the news emerged of a resumption of
regional powers. diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia
The China-brokered agreement between the
Islamic Republic of Iran and Saudi Arabia
announced last month generated huge buzz,
with some observers going as far as
proclaiming it a victory for international
security.
On March 10, 2023 Iran and Saudi Arabia
surprised the world by announcing that they
had signed a statement (mediated by China)
—resuming diplomatic relations. If it holds, it
will lead to a meeting at the foreign minister
level in two months. Iran later said that Saudi
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April 2023
and Iran, most immediate Western in revenge against the execution of a
commentary focused nervously on how this prominent Saudi Shia cleric and political
reflected China's growing global ambitions. dissident, Sheikh Nimr.
April 06's meeting between Saudi Arabia and Since breaking diplomatic ties in 2016, Iran
Iran's foreign ministers is the clearest sign yet and Saudi Arabia have remained on opposite
that both countries, for now at least, see it in sides of nearly every regional conflict, from
their interest to de-escalate tensions, rebuild Syria to Iraq to Yemen. Iraq and Oman had
ties and reassess their rival policies in the
also worked to engage the two rivals, but it
region.
was Beijing that finally managed this
geopolitical shift.
Threats:
Only a few months ago, Iran's top military
officials threatened Saudi Arabia with
consequences unless it controlled its Persian-
language media outlets zealously covering
anti-government protests in Iran.
Riyadh had raised alert levels citing a
“credible threat of attack” from Iran.
Significance of China's mediation
Iran and Saudi Arabia issues Constructive role of China:
Struggle for influence: China, by mediating the agreement, has
Iran and Saudi Arabia are engaged in an demonstrated its vast political capital in the
ongoing struggle for influence in the Middle
region and is contrasting its “constructive”
East and other Muslim regions.
role towards regional peace.
The two countries have provided varying
degrees of support to opposing sides in Strategic and symbolic dimensions:
nearby conflicts, including the civil wars in For China, brokering rapprochement between
Syria and Yemen; and disputes in Bahrain, these two longtime Middle East rivals has key
Lebanon, Qatar, and Iraq. strategic and symbolic dimensions.
For example: Strategic:
In Yemen, Iran has armed and aided the On the strategic side, Beijing needs to
Houthis, while the Saudi military launched an maintain the free flow of oil from the region.
air war in 2015 to prevent a complete China needs stability in the Gulf, where it gets
takeover by Houthi rebels. over 40 percent of its crude oil imports.
The Houthis subsequently launched attacks In the past, Beijing restricted itself to
on Saudi airports and oil facilities. being just an economic partner and investor
2016 incident: in the Middle East. Being directly involved
The two countries severed ties in 2016 after with this agreement, China may also have to
mobs stormed the Saudi embassy in Tehran,
play the role of a guarantor and accept
responsibility for the actions of both its allies
and possibly even maintain the peace in the
oil-rich volatile region.
If the China/Saudi Arabia/Iran pact can be
built upon, it could represent a major
transformation of the region. This outcome is
far from assured and will require heavy lifting
and good faith of all parties, especially Iran.
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Symbolic: lasting peace, it did not matter who brokered
Breaking hegemony of American it.
mediation: At the same time, it sought to play down the
The Iran-Saudi deal on restoring diplomatic assessment of diminished US influence in the
relations, brokered by China, suggests region.
American influence in West Asia is being Pakistan:
challenged. The normalization of ties between Iran and
Since the end of World War II and especially Saudi Arabia presents implications and
since the fall of the Soviet Union, the US has
been the principal external power in the
region.
Power shift:
Many have thus already described the recent
development as a power shift, with China
emerging as a significant player in the Middle
East.
opportunities for Pakistan, as Iran's neighbor,

Saudi Arabia's partner, and China's key ally.
The animosity between Tehran and Riyadh
has had serious implications for Pakistan,
which claimed neutrality but in practice titled
toward Saudi Arabia, mainly due to economic
dependence and religious affiliation.
Adopting a nuanced approach,
Islamabad tried to maintain balance in its
dealings with both the countries. A statement
by the Pakistan Foreign Office called the
It is also not a coincidence that Saudi Arabia normalization an “important diplomatic
and Iran's domestic pressures simultaneously breakthrough” made possible by “China's
align with China's Marxist-centric view of visionary leadership.”
development as a road to collective security Pakistan would be one of the biggest
in its new Global Development Initiative. The winners if the deal works. Few countries are
agreement buys Riyadh time to diversify its more vulnerable to Iran-Saudi Arabia rivalry
economy away from oil by 2030. Tehran, for than Pakistan. It has a military alliance with
its part, faces a multidimensional threat the Saudis, it borders Iran, it has a Shia
emanating from concerns about the regime's population of 20%, it is pressured to help
stability in the wake of unprecedented anti- Saudi Arabia militarily, and it is periodically
government protests, Israel's saber rattling targeted by militants based in Iran.
over its nuclear program, and a dire economic Increasing Chinese influence in the Middle
situation due to mismanagement and a East may indirectly help Pakistan, both
deadlock in nuclear negotiations. economically and strategically.
World's response & potential of the deal Pakistan attempted to resolve the
USA: regional rift as soon as it happened and
The US welcomed the agreement continued mediation efforts over the years.
immediately despite its confrontational Being home to the second largest Shiite
relations with China, saying if it brought population after Iran (though it is a majority
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Sunni state), Islamabad had to deal with opportunities for economic cooperation.
religious and sectarian violence by extremist Meanwhile, closer ties with Iran would be
groups from both sides whenever the matter essential for improving regional security;
intensified. while close ties between China, Iran, and
Given the close relationship between Pakistan would be crucial for the success of
Islamabad and Beijing, China may advocate the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and
Pakistan's case and influence rich Gulf the larger Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
countries to help ease Pakistan's financial Pakistan has a history of playing a
woes. Considering the economic crisis that constructive role in the Middle East and has
Pakistan is going through due to political consistently supported and coordinated
instability and catastrophic flooding, efforts to bridge gaps between countries in
Islamabad would welcome a rapid increase in
the region. In light of the recent restoration of
cross-border trade with Iran and investment
diplomatic ties between Iran and Saudi
from the Kingdom, along with possible joint
Arabia, it is important for Pakistan to
ventures with Tehran and Riyadh.
Moreover, it would provide Pakistan with an continue this role and help maintain the
opportunity to pursue a neutral foreign positive momentum and contribute to a more
policy, which could help to strengthen stable and peaceful Middle East, while also
diplomatic and economic ties with both strengthening its own position as a regional
countries. Pakistan's friendly relations with player. This will require a nuanced approach
Saudi Arabia could result in economic and that takes into account the interests and
political support, particularly on issues such concerns of all parties involved, but the
as Kashmir. Additionally, strengthening ties potential benefits for Pakistan and the wider
with the GCC could offer Pakistan new region are significant.
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April 2023
China's Ukraine Peace Plan

fighting in eastern Ukraine that continued for
13 months after the Russian invasion began.
On the morning of 20 March, Xi Jinping
arrived at Vnukovo Airport, Moscow. On 21
March, he met with Vladimir Putin. During Xi
Jinping's visit, Vladimir Putin said Russia is
ready to discuss China's initiative for ending
the conflict in Ukraine, adding that he had
looked at China's proposals for a resolution of
the Ukraine conflict and that he viewed them
with respect.
Vladimir Putin has welcomed China's
proposals for peace in Ukraine at a joint press
On 20–22 March 2023, Xi Jinping, General conference with Xi Jinping in Moscow – a
Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party plan the west has warned would allow the
and Chinese President, visited Russia days Kremlin to “freeze” its territorial gains in the
after the International Criminal Court country.
issued warrants for President Vladimir China last month (Feb 2023) proposed a 12-
Putin's arrest for alleged war crimes and point peace plan for dealing with the war. The
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April 2023
paper largely reiterated Beijing's talking countries, big or small, strong or weak, rich or
points on the Ukraine war, with calls for poor, are equal members of the international
dialogue, respect for all countries' territorial community. All parties should jointly uphold
sovereignty, and an end to economic the basic norms governing international
sanctions. It urged all parties to avoid nuclear relations and defend international fairness
escalation but critically did not suggest Russia and justice. Equal and uniform application of
withdraw its forces. international law should be promoted, while
What Is China's 12 Point Peace Plan? double standards must be rejected.
On February 24, 2023, Beijing has released a 2. Abandoning the Cold War mentality. The
document titled “China's Position on the security of a country should not be pursued
Political Settlement of the Ukraine Crisis” at the expense of others. The security of a
which contains 12 points for achieving a region should not be achieved by
ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia. strengthening or expanding military blocs
What is the Russia - Ukraine conflict?

· The Ukraine crisis is based on a contest about the post-Cold War central European
territoriality and the resurrecting of a burnishedRussian past.
· Ukraine and Russia have had cultural, linguistic, and familial ties for hundreds of years.
· For many in Russia and ethnically Russian regions of Ukraine, the countries' shared
heritage is an emotional issue that has been used for electoral and military purposes.
· Ukraine was the 2nd-most powerful Soviet republic after Russia as part of the Soviet
Union, and it was significant strategically, economically, and culturally.
· The major causes of the ongoing conflict are the region's balance of power, Ukraine's
role as a crucial buffer between Russia and the West, Ukraine's bid for NATO
membership, and Russian interests in the Black Sea, all of which are accompanied by
protests in Ukraine.
Timing: The legitimate security interests and concerns

The proposal was timed to coincide with the of all countries must be taken seriously and
first anniversary of Russia's invasion of addressed properly. There is no simple
neighbouring Ukraine(February 24, 2023). solution to a complex issue. All parties
Intention: should, following the vision of common,
With the release of 12 Point Peace Proposal, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable
President Xi Jinping's government is security and bearing in mind the long-term
reiterating China's claim to being neutral, peace and stability of the world, help forge a
despite blocking efforts at the United Nations balanced, effective and sustainable European
to condemn the invasion. security architecture. All parties should
China's 12 Point Peace Plan oppose the pursuit of one's own security at
Below Is China's 12 Point Peace Proposal For the cost of others' security, prevent bloc
Russia-Ukraine War: confrontation, and work together for peace
and stability on the Eurasian Continent.
1. Respecting the sovereignty of all
countries. Universally recognized 3. Ceasing hostilities. Conflict and war
international law, including the purposes and benefit no one. All parties must stay rational
principles of the United Nations Charter, must and exercise restraint, avoid fanning the
be strictly observed. The sovereignty, flames and aggravating tensions, and prevent
independence and territorial integrity of all the crisis from deteriorating further or even
countries must be effectively upheld. All spiraling out of control. All parties should
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support Russia and Ukraine in working in the 6. Protecting civilians and prisoners of war
same direction and resuming direct dialogue (POWs). Parties to the conflict should strictly
as quickly as possible, so as to gradually abide by international humanitarian law,
deescalate the situation and ultimately reach avoid attacking civilians or civilian facilities,
a comprehensive ceasefire. protect women, children and other victims of
the conflict, and respect the basic rights of
4. Resuming peace talks. Dialogue and POWs. China supports the exchange of POWs
negotiation are the only viable solution to the between Russia and Ukraine, and calls on all
Ukraine crisis. All efforts conducive to the parties to create more favorable conditions
peaceful settlement of the crisis must be for this purpose.
encouraged and supported. The international 7. Keeping nuclear power plants safe.
community should stay committed to the China opposes armed attacks against nuclear
right approach of promoting talks for peace, power plants or other peaceful nuclear
help parties to the conflict open the door to a facilities, and calls on all parties to comply
political settlement as soon as possible, and with international law including the
create conditions and platforms for the Convention on Nuclear Safety (CNS) and
resumption of negotiation. China will resolutely avoid man-made nuclear accidents.
continue to play a constructive role in this China supports the International Atomic
regard. Energy Agency (IAEA) in playing a
constructive role in promoting the safety and
security of peaceful nuclear facilities.
8. Reducing strategic risks. Nuclear
weapons must not be used and nuclear wars
must not be fought. The threat or use of
nuclear weapons should be opposed. Nuclear
proliferation must be prevented and nuclear
crisis avoided. China opposes the research,
development and use of chemical and
biological weapons by any country under any
circumstances.
9. Facilitating grain exports. All parties
need to implement the Black Sea Grain
5. Resolving the humanitarian crisis. All Initiative signed by Russia, Türkiye, Ukraine
measures conducive to easing the and the UN fully and effectively in a balanced
humanitarian crisis must be encouraged and manner, and support the UN in playing an
important role in this regard. The cooperation
supported. Humanitarian operations should
initiative on global food security proposed by
follow the principles of neutrality and China provides a feasible solution to the
impartiality, and humanitarian issues should global food crisis.
not be politicized. The safety of civilians must
be effectively protected, and humanitarian 10. Stopping unilateral sanctions. Unilateral
sanctions and maximum pressure cannot
corridors should be set up for the evacuation
solve the issue; they only create new
of civilians from conflict zones. Efforts are problems. China opposes unilateral sanctions
needed to increase humanitarian assistance unauthorized by the UN Security Council.
to relevant areas, improve humanitarian Relevant countries should stop abusing
conditions, and provide rapid, safe and unilateral sanctions and “long-arm
unimpeded humanitarian access, with a view jurisdiction” against other countries, so as to
to preventing a humanitarian crisis on a do their share in deescalating the Ukraine
larger scale. The UN should be supported in crisis and create conditions for developing
playing a coordinating role in channeling countries to grow their economies and better
humanitarian aid to conflict zones. the lives of their people.
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April 2023
11. Keeping industrial and supply chains withdrawal of Russian troops to borders in
stable. All parties should earnestly maintain place when the Soviet Union collapsed in
the existing world economic system and 1991.
oppose using the world economy as a tool or West and NATO
weapon for political purposes. Joint efforts The Chinese peace proposal, which was
are needed to mitigate the spillovers of the
hailed by Russia and cautiously welcomed by
crisis and prevent it from disrupting
international cooperation in energy, finance, Ukraine, has been criticised by the West and
food trade and transportation and its NATO allies.
undermining the global economic recovery. One of the most vocal criticisms about the
12. Promoting post-conflict plan is that the document fails to
reconstruction. The international community acknowledge Russia's violation of Ukrainian
needs to take measures to support post- sovereignty.
conflict reconstruction in conflict zones. China China's 12-point peace proposal for the war
stands ready to provide assistance and play a in Ukraine runs largely counter to US goals in
constructive role in this endeavor. punishing Moscow for its unprovoked
How Parties Responded To China's 12 invasion, although it appears to have little
Point Peace Plan? chance of gaining traction in Kyiv since it
Russia would lock in Putin's seizure of swathes of
It said any attempt to develop a plan that will Ukrainian territory. A separate peace plan
help to transfer the conflict to a peaceful proposed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr
course deserves attention. We treat the plan Zelensky – which would include a final peace
of our Chinese friends with great attention, treaty with Moscow and a special tribunal for
Ukraine
alleged Russian war crimes – was not
A senior adviser to President Zelenskyy said
any plan to end the war must involve the discussed between Putin and Xi.
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April 2023
MOVEMENT
The Outlawed
Sikh Separatist
Movement
Amritpal Singh, 30, has been on the run since arresting 78 persons and detaining several
March 18 after he was accused by police of others for questioning. Amritpal Singh was
attempted murder, obstruction of law reported to be absconding. The crackdown
enforcement and creating “disharmony” in happened one day prior to a planned Khalsa
society. Vaheer programme by Amritpal from
Muktsar district.
Singh is a leading ideologue within the
outlawed separatist movement that seeks to Waris Punjab De filed a claim in the Punjab
establish a sovereign state called Khalistan for
followers of India's minority Sikh religion.
Dramatic scenes captured on video showed
hundreds of Singh's supporters, some
holding swords and sticks, marching through
the streets of Punjab, demanding his
freedom. Hundreds of armed police and
paramilitary troops were deployed in various
districts to maintain law and order.
More than 100 people have been arrested so
far and authorities blocked mobile internet
access for the entire state to “prevent any
incitement to violence” – forcing about 27
million offline in one of the country's most
extensive blackouts in recent years.
On 18 March 2023, the Punjab Police initiated
a crackdown against Waris Punjab De,
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High Court alleging the police had already
detained him illegally. Amritpal and four of
Why is Singh popular?
his associates were charged under the
National Security Act (NSA).
Mobile internet services in Punjab were
suspended and text messaging services were
disabled during the weekend, until the
afternoon of 21 March, affecting 27 million
people. In few districts, the restrictions were
extended till 23 March. Gatherings of more
than four people were prohibited in
Chandigarh under Section 144 of the Criminal
Procedure Code. The Indian government also Singh's supporters often compare him
requested Twitter withhold 122 accounts with Bhindranwale, whom he calls an
linked to Amritpal Singh or Waris Punjab De. "inspiration".
These accounts were withheld although many In his speeches, Singh emulates
of them had no link to Amritpal or Waris Bhindranwale and his hardline views -
Punjab De. Indian Intelligence agencies openly calling for a separate state for
allege him of links to Pakistan's Inter-Services Sikhs, claiming it to be the only
Intelligence and having been trained from the "permanent solution" to Punjab's
same. problems, from water disputes to drug
addiction to the erosion of Punjabi
Who Is Amritpal Singh? culture.
About Khalistan Movement

The Khalistan movement is a fight of a very
small section of Sikh Community for a
separate, sovereign Sikh state in present day
Punjab (both India and Pakistan).
Over the years, it has survived in various
forms, in various places and amongst
different populations.
It's survival is because of many Anti Indian
forces keep pushing it from time to time.
A. Amritpal Singh, 29, who is a radical The movement was crushed in India
preacher, pro-Khalistan leader and a following Operation Blue Star (1984) and
follower of the slain Sikh militant Jarnail Operation Black Thunder (1986 and 1988),
Singh Bhindranwale and is often
but it continues to evoke sympathy and
dubbed as “Bhindranwale 2.0” in
Punjab, trying to revive Khalistan support among a section of the Sikh
Movement. population, especially in the Sikh diaspora in
countries such as Canada, the UK, and
Very little is known about Singh, who Australia.
spent a decade in Dubai working in his
family's transport business before Brief History of Khalistan Movement
returning to India in September last Origin
year. The origins of the movement have been
traced back to India's independence and
Since then, he has been leading
marches calling for protecting the subsequent Partition along religious lines.
rights of Sikhs, who account for about Lahore, the capital of Maharaja Ranjit Singh's
1.7 percent of India's population. great Sikh Empire, went to Pakistan, as did
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April 2023
holy Sikh sites including Nankana Sahib, the Parliament and the state Assembly on an
birthplace of Guru Nanak, the founder of election manifesto based on this resolution.
Sikhism. While the Akalis themselves repeatedly made
While most Sikhs found themselves in India, it clear that they were not demanding
they were a small minority in the country, secession from India, for the Indian state, the
making up around 2 per cent of the Anandpur Sahib Resolution was of grave
population. concern.
Punjabi Suba Movement Who Was Bhindranwale?
Many in Punjab sought to go beyond just a
demand for greater autonomy. One such man
was Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale.
Some accounts claim that Bhindranwale was
propped up by Sanjay Gandhi, Indira's son, to
stand against the Akalis for Congress's
political benefit.
However, by the 1980s, the appeal of
Bhindranwale had grown so much that he
started to become a problem for the
government.
He found a captive audience in the state's
The political struggle for greater autonomy
youth, especially those in the lower rungs of
began around the time of Independence, with the social ladder, and massed a massive
the Punjabi Suba Movement for the creation following. He and his followers were also
of a Punjabi-speaking state. getting increasingly violent.
The States Reorganisation Commission, in its In the summer of 1982, Bhindranwale, with
1955 report, rejected this demand, but in support from the Akali Dal's leadership,
1966, after years of protest, the state of launched a civil disobedience movement
Punjab was reorganised to reflect the Punjabi called the Dharam Yudh Morcha. He took up
Suba demand. residence inside the Golden Temple, directing
The erstwhile Punjab state was trifurcated demonstrations and clashes with the police.
into the Hindi-speaking, Hindu-majority The movement was geared towards the
states of Himachal Pradesh and Haryana, and demands first articulated in the Anandpur
the Punjabi-speaking, Sikh-majority Punjab. Sahib Resolution, especially the socio-
About Anandpur Sahib Resolution economic demands, which addressed
The working committee of the Shiromani concerns of the state's rural Sikh population.
Akali Dal constituted a 12-member sub- However, amidst growing religious
committee on December 11, 1972 to polarisation, sectarian violence, and
formulate comprehensive policies and Bhindranwale's own harsh rhetoric against
programmes. Hindus, Indira Gandhi's government declared
The committee after serious deliberations at the movement tantamount to secession.
several meetings submitted a comprehensive
report which was adopted by the working
committee through a unanimous resolution
at Shri Anandpur Sahib on October 17, 1973.
The general house of the Akali Dal endorsed
the resolution at Amritsar on August 28, 1977
and it was then endorsed by the open session
of the 18th All-India Akali Conference on
October 28 and 29, 1978 at Ludhiana.
The Akali Dal contested the 1977 elections to
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What Was Operation Blue Star?

By 1984, the situation in Punjab had become increasingly untenable for the
government. Bhindranwale had given a call to arms, and instances of
violence against Hindus as well as government officers had become
common.
In 1983, a senior police officer was shot dead after praying at the Golden
Temple and his body was left to decay in the sun, while the
local police station did nothing — perhaps both out of fear and sympathy
to Bhindranwale's cause.
Indira Gandhi took the fateful decision to order the Indian Army to flush out
militants from the Golden Temple and neutralise Bhindranwale.
Operation Blue Star began on June 1, 1984, but due to fierce resistance
from Bhindranwale and his heavily armed supporters, the Army's operation
became larger and more violent than had been originally intended, with the
use of tanks and air support.
The image of Indian Army tanks shelling the holiest shrine of Sikhism was
traumatic, and the very large number of civilian casualties that occurred
during the operation added to the trauma.
According to the government, 83 Indian Army soldiers were killed and 249
were injured in the operation. A total 493 militants and civilians were killed
in the operation.
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CSS Times UN Conference 23
The UN 2023 Water Conference – formally About the Conference:

known as the 2023 Conference for the
Midterm Comprehensive Review of UN 2023 Water Conference
Implementation of the UN Decade for Action
on Water and Sanitation (2018-2028) was
Description
held in New York (the first such meeting on Theme: “Our watershed moment:
water after 46 years). Pakistan represented uniting the world for water”
by a four-member delegation, including Aim: Support the achievement of
Hassan Nasir Jamy, secretary of the internationally agreed water-
Ministry of Water Resources. related goals and targets,
Water is at the core of sustainable
including those contained in the
development, the UN said, adding it supports
all aspects of life on Earth, and access to safe
2030 Agenda for Sustainable
and clean water is a basic human right. Development
“However, decades of mismanagement and Location: UN Headquarters in
misuse have intensified water stress, New York
threatening the many aspects of life that Hosts: USA, Tajikistan, and the
depend on this crucial resource.” Netherlands
Many water sources are becoming more
polluted, and ecosystems that provide water
Background: This is 2nd such
are disappearing, it was pointed out, and water conference the first being
climate change is disrupting the water cycle, held in 1977 in Mar de Plata,
causing droughts and floods. Argentina
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Successful Outcomes of the Last Sustainable Development Goal
Conference (Mar de Plata): It resulted in the (SDG) for water — “Ensure availability
first global 'Action Plan' recognizing that and sustainable management of water
“all peoples have the right to have access to and sanitation for all”.
drinking water in quantities and of a quality · There is an inherent problem in
equal to their basic needs.” mobilising globally for local problems.
It led to global funding and a concerted Key Commitments
effort to provide drinking water and · 713 voluntary commitments by
sanitation for all. philanthropic donors, governments,
These actions substantially reduced the corporations, and NGOs.
population without access to safe drinking · This included a $50-billion
water in much of the developing world. commitment from India to improve
World Water Day: 22 March 2023, with the rural drinking water services under
theme “Accelerating change” the Jal Jeevan Mission.
The eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) were adopted by

the UN in September 2000 intended to be achieved by the year 2015.
It was determined that actions would be implemented under the
MDGs goal 7 i.e. “Ensure Environmental Sustainability” for sustainable
access to clean water for drinking and basic sanitation. But, MDGs
lacked monitoring, evaluation and multiple concerns, therefore, they
were replaced by the SDGs as new international development goals.
Under the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 2015, the
countries set a 2030 aim for ensuring that everyone has access to clean
water and sanitation.
SDG no. 6 for water: Ensure availability and · There were several proposals for
sustainable management of water and incubation platforms focusing on
sanitation for all water management.
· W12+ Blueprint, a UNESCO platform
hosting city profiles and case studies
of programs, technologies, policies
that addresses common water security
challenges.
· An effort called 'Making Rights Real'
offered to help marginalised
communities and women understand
how to exercise their rights.
'· Water for Women Fund' offered
mechanisms for more effective and
sustainable water, sanitation, and
hygiene outcomes for women.
About 'Water for Sustainable · Issues with these commitments:
Development 2018 – 2028' Report · They are non-binding in nature.
· Under this report, UN recognised the · The water action agenda did not
urgent need for action given that we include the local communities for
are not on track to meet the 2030 water management.
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· The conference failed to address the
violence and threats faced by
communities trying to protect
dwindling water sources.
UN Water Conference 2023 and 2022
Floods in Pakistan
Pakistan is among the top 10 water scarce
countries in the world, and has also been
among the top 10 climate vulnerable
countries.
improved land use planning, and the

adoption of sustainable development
practices that prioritize the environment and
community well-being.
At the conference, The UN University
Institute for Water, Environment and
Health (UNU-IWEH) issued a new 'Global
Water Security 2023 Assessment' report,
bracketing Pakistan in the list of 23 least
developed countries (LDCs) and small
island developing states (SIDS) facing
In summer 2022 Pakistan was hit by extreme
critical levels of water security and sanitation
rainfall. Villages and infrastructure were
services.
washed away, more than 2 million people lost
their homes, more than 1,700 people were
killed and millions of animals drowned.
According to the Pakistan Meteorological
Department, in August 2022, national rainfall
was 243 per cent above average. In the
Sindh Province, rain was over 726 per cent
above average.
The UNU-IWEH said in the report that these
16 LDCs and seven SIDs were also marked by
high water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH)-
attributable mortality rates.
The 23 countries include Pakistan,
Afghanistan, the Solomon Islands, Eritrea,
Sudan, Ethiopia, Vanuatu, Djibouti, Haiti,
Papua New Guinea, Somalia, Liberia, St Kitts
& Nevis, Libya, Madagascar, South Sudan,
Micronesia, Niger, Sierra Leone, Yemen, Chad,
Comoros and Sri Lanka.
The report recalled that in 2022,
Experts warn that the 2022 floods in
unprecedented rainfall and flooding in
Pakistan should serve as a stark reminder of
Pakistan affected approximately 33 million
the devastating impacts of climate change. It
people, with estimates of total damages
highlights the need for increased investment
exceeding $14.9 billion and total economic
in disaster risk reduction and preparedness,
losses reaching about $15.2 billion.
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CSS Times Nuclear Science 27
China-Pakistan: Civil Nuclear Energy

Former foreign minister Mian Khurshid for his efforts to promote regional peace
Mahmud Kasuri has revealed that China and connectivity.
agreed to sign an agreement with Pakistan Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG)
way back in 2003 in the field of civil nuclear The Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) is a
energy before joining the Nuclear Suppliers multinational group that aims to prevent the
Group (NSG) while the United States declined proliferation of nuclear weapons by
to cooperate with Pakistan for the same in controlling the export of nuclear materials,
the face of AQ Khan affair. The Chinese equipment, and technology. It was formed in
continued their cooperation and facilitated 1974 following the India's nuclear test, which
in establishing many nuclear power plants in demonstrated that nuclear technology
Pakistan. transferred for peaceful purposes could be
Mian Kasuri was addressing a ceremony at used to build nuclear weapons.
the Government College University, Lahore on The NSG is composed of 48 participating
March 19, 2023 , where he was bestowed with governments, including the major nuclear
the Lifetime Achievement Award for his suppliers such as the United States, Russia,
contributions in international relations and China, France, and the United Kingdom.
diplomacy, promoting Pakistan's relations What is the Nuclear Suppliers Group?
with major world capitals and neighbours and The Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) is a group
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of countries that seeks to prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons by controlling the
export of materials, equipment, and technology that can be used to create nuclear weapons.
Nuclear Suppliers Group Functions
The Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) is a group of nuclear supplier countries that seeks to
contribute to the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons through the implementation of
guidelines for the export of nuclear and nuclear-related materials, equipment, and technology.
Here are some of the key functions of the NSG:
Setting guidelines: The NSG sets guidelines for its members to follow to prevent the
proliferation of nuclear weapons. These guidelines include criteria for the export of nuclear and
nuclear-related items, as well as guidelines for nuclear-related exports to non-NPT states.
Controlling export: The NSG controls the export of nuclear and nuclear-related items,
including dual-use items, which could be used for both civilian and military purposes. This is
done through the application of export controls, such as licensing and authorization
procedures, which help to prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons.
Membership: The NSG also decides on the admission of new members to the group, based on
criteria such as their adherence to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and their support
for non-proliferation objectives.
Outreach: The NSG engages in outreach activities to promote the implementation of its
guidelines and to encourage other countries to adopt similar controls on the export of
sensitive nuclear-related items.
Transparency: The NSG promotes transparency in the export of nuclear-related items by
sharing information about its activities and by encouraging its members to provide regular
reports on their export control activities.
Consultations: The NSG provides a forum for its members to consult with each other on
matters related to the export of nuclear-related items. This allows members to share
information and best practices, and to coordinate their efforts to prevent the proliferation of
nuclear weapons.
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NPT and NSG
The NPT and NSG are two interconnected organizations with a shared goal of
preventing the proliferation of nuclear weapons. The NPT provides a framework for
international cooperation in the peaceful use of nuclear energy and sets forth non-
proliferation, disarmament, and peaceful use commitments for its signatories.
Pakistan-India NSG Applications and Grossi's Nine-Point Formula

In May 2016, both Pakistan and India formally applied for the NSG membership, which
made it difficult for the NSG members to consider one of the non-NPT states while
ignoring the other.
Pakistan urges that its inclusion in the 48-nation club is in the interest of nuclear trading
countries, as it will further promote NSG non-proliferation objectives by the inclusion of a
state with nuclear supply capabilities and its adherence to the NSG Guidelines.
Pakistan is better qualified than India, even going by the formula proposed by Ambassador
Rafael Grossi in 2016, as it does not have a mix of safeguarded and unsafeguarded facilities
and has been more forthcoming in accepting legally binding commitments.
Pakistan's request for membership of the group came after India's application for
membership. If admitted, India would be part of the decision mechanism, and would have
say in decisions of nuclear commerce and will eventually have the ability to sell equipment.
Pakistan argues that in the wake of India gaining easy access to fissile material and
technology for its civilian nuclear programme, it would have that much more material for
its military nuclear programme.
The applications by India and Pakistan, since 2016, had become a very contentious issue
within the NSG as well as the outside politics which was related to it.
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CSS Times Science & Technology 31
Experts Urging A Halt To Articial Intelligence Training

Elon Musk and a group of artificial intelligence experts and industry executives are calling
for a six-month pause in developing systems more powerful than OpenAI's newly launched
GPT-4, in an open letter citing potential risks to society.
The Musk Foundation is a major donor to the non-profit, as well as London-based group
Founders Pledge, and Silicon Valley Community Foundation, according to the European
Union's transparency register.
What are the dangers of developing super-intelligent AI?
Risks to Human safety
Example: AI-powered Autonomous weapons systems that can make decisions without
human intervention may lead to accidents, harm or death to civilians and military personnel.
Job displacement and unemployment
Example: AI automation in industries such as marketing, manufacturing, law, accounting
and healthcare may lead to job losses. Vulnerable sections and minorities are especially
vulnerable to it.
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April 2023
greater accuracy than human radiologists.
3) Hunger and Food Security
How AI can help: AI can help optimize
farming practices, improve crop yields, and
reduce food waste
Example/Fact: The use of AI in precision
agriculture has been shown to increase crop
yields by up to 30%.
4) Poverty
How AI can help: AI can help improve
access to education and job opportunities
Social manipulation for underserved communities
Example: E.g., Social media platforms like Example/Fact: AI-powered chatbots are
TikTok rely on AI to saturate a user's feed being used to provide education and job
with content related to previous media training to refugees in Lebanon
they've viewed, making it easier to create an 5) Natural Disasters
echo-chamber of manipulation. How AI can help: AI can help predict and
Social surveillance respond to natural disasters, reducing their
Example: Governments and police may use impact on human life and infrastructure
facial recognition technology to track a Example/Fact: IBM's Watson is being used
person's movements and gather data on to analyze data to predict the path of
their activities, relationships, and political hurricanes, helping communities to prepare
views. and evacuate in advance
Biases What should be done?
Example: AI may be developed by humans · Risk analysis: The open letter argues
who are inherently biased, leading to data that AI labs should halt the training of
and algorithmic bias that can amplify each AI systems that are more powerful
other than GPT-4 for at least six months to
Existential risks ensure that these risks are
Example: E.g., scenarios where AI surpasses appropriately addressed.
human intelligence, gains autonomy, and · Development of new regulatory
seeks to protect itself, potentially leading to authorities dedicated to AI: It will
conflicts with humans. ensure that the technology is
However, AI is also needed for solving the developed in a way that benefits
biggest challenges we face society and avoids catastrophic
Problems outcomes
1) Climate Change: Conclusion:
How AI can help: AI can help reduce energy AI has the potential to help solve many of the
consumption, improve renewable energy, world's problems, but it's not a silver bullet
and monitor and predict climate patterns solution and must be implemented
Example/Fact: Google's DeepMind AI has responsibly and ethically.
reduced energy consumption at their data
centres by 15%.
2) Disease Detection and Treatment
How AI can help: AI can help identify
diseases and develop treatments faster,
improving patient outcomes
Example/Fact: AI algorithms have been
developed to detect breast cancer with
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CSS Times UN Report 33
In its Technology and Innovation Report o According to the 'frontier

2023, the United Nations Conference on technology readiness index'
Trade and Development (UNCTAD) has stated included in the report, only a
that developed countries are benefiting few developing countries have
more from green technologies than the capacity to take advantage
developing countries, and this could deepen of frontier technologies such as
blockchain, drones, and solar
global economic inequality.
power.
What are the Key Findings and
§ Green frontier
Recommendations of the Report? technologies such as
Findings: electric vehicles, solar
o Green technologies can create and wind energy, and
a market worth USD 9.5 trillion green hydrogen are
by 2030, up from USD 1.5 expected to reach a
trillion in 2020. market value of USD 2.1
§ The total exports of green trillion in 2030.
technologies from developed o The frontier technology
countries jumped to more than readiness index which
USD 156 billion in 2021 from has ranked 166
about USD 60 billion in 2018. countries, is dominated
§ While exports from by high-income
economies, notably the
developing countries
US, Sweden, Singapore,
rose to only about USD
Switzerland, and the
75 billion from USD 57 Netherlands.
billion.
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§ The second quarter of o It was established in 1964 and
the list includes is headquartered in Geneva,
emerging economies – Switzerland.
notably Brazil - ranked · It aims to promote sustainable
at 40, China at 35, the development, particularly in
Russian Federation at developing countries, through
31, and South Africa at international trade, investment,
56. finance, and technology transfer.
Recommendations: · UNCTAD's work focuses on four main
o UNCTAD calls on governments areas: trade and development,
in developing countries to
investment and enterprise,
align environmental, science,
technology and innovation, and
technology, innovation, and
industrial policies. macroeconomics and development
§ It urges them to policies.
prioritise investment in
greener and more
complex sectors, to
provide incentives to
shift consumer demand
towards greener goods
and to boost
investment in research
and development.
o It recommends that
international trade rules permit
developing countries to protect Pakistan to import green technologies
emerging green industries Pakistan aims for 5% renewable energy in its
through tariffs, subsidies, and commercial sector by 2030.
public procurement, so that
they not only meet local Pakistan's research on renewable energy has
demand but also reach been severely hit by a lack of funds, experts
economies of scale that make say, forcing it to look abroad to import green
exports more competitive. technologies.
o Lastly, UNCTAD urged The country will aim to boost technology
developed countries to transfer from China and Germany for solar
provide support to their less panels and wind turbines, and attract more
well-off counterparts and investment for research and development
ensure all nations can (R&D), according to its five-year policy on
participate and take full renewable energy, which will be launched in
economic advantage of the August by the Alternative Energy
green tech revolution. Development Board.
What is the United Nations
Conference on Trade and Pakistan already has plans to generate 2,300
Development (UNCTAD)? megawatts (MW) of electricity from solar
· UNCTAD is a permanent and wind sources under an agreement
intergovernmental body of the signed last year (19 December) with China's
United Nations. Wind Electric.
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But some experts say that importing technology is only a short-term fix and that the
government should invest more in developing local technologies.
"The funding in renewable energy technology research by the government of Pakistan is close
to nothing," said Masood Ahmed, head of the Sustainable Development Research Centre at
the Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto Institute of Science and Technology.
There is a "serious need" for government funding to tap into the country's huge potential in
the sector and "resolve the deepening power crisis in Pakistan", he said.
The main power resources in Pakistan are oil and gas, but reserves of both are expected to
have run out by 2030, according to the state-owned Oil and Gas Development Company, and
the country already faces an energy shortfall.
Pakistan's universities have run pilot projects in areas such as fuel cells, biodiesel, ethanol fuel,
innovative lighting systems, fuel cells for vehicles and biogas.
But they lack the funds to continue their research and roll out the technologies, according to
Arshad Abbasi, water and energy advisor at the Sustainable Development Policy Institute
(SDPI).
The new policy will set a target of generating five per cent of Pakistan's total commercial
energy from alternative and renewable energy sources by 2030.
It will offer financial incentives for projects including a manufacturing base for renewable
energy plants and components, and will seek to develop the infrastructure for renewable
energy programmes with help from the Asian Development Bank and the US Agency for
International Development.
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CSS Times Gender Studies 37
Gender Equity in
Digital Pakistan
On 8 March, the world is commemorating which translates into 12 million fewer

International Women's Day under the theme women than men using mobile
“DigitALL: Innovation and technology for internet.
gender equality”, shedding light on how · For an estimated 11 million women in
digital innovation and technology can Pakistan, family disapproval is the key
promote gender equality and improve the barrier to owning a mobile phone.
lives of women and girls, particularly for the According to the Global Gender Gap
marginalized and vulnerable. report by the World Economic Forum,
Context: Addressing Pakistan's digital gender Pakistan ranks 153 out of 156
divide will enable the Pakistan's economy to countries in terms of gender
achieve more inclusive growth in the long
term.
Data related to Pakistan's digital gender
divide:
· Only 50 % of women own a mobile
phone compared with 81 % of men.
This is equivalent to 22 million fewer
women than men owning a mobile
phone
· Women in Pakistan are 49 % less likely
to use mobile internet than men,
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equality with significant gender gap in
economic participation. Similarly, women's
labour force participation in Pakistan is 24%
compared to 82% for men. Bringing women
and other marginalised groups into
technology results in more creative solutions
and has greater potential for innovations that
meet women's needs and promote gender
equality. A gender-responsive approach to
innovation, technology and digital education
can increase the awareness of women and
girls regarding their rights and civic
engagement.
information seeking, business, watching

movies, online shopping, and banking.
Gendered barriers that need to be
addressed
1) Lack of access
PTA stated that with only 0.7 percent of the Explanation of the Issue: Low levels of
female population having credit cards, the infrastructure, coverage, and smartphone
use of e-Commerce platforms is impossible penetration → gender inequality → low
unless they use Cash on Delivery (COD) or access to digital devices and services.
other money transfer channels like Jazz Cash, Solution: Bridging the access gap
Easy Paisa, etc. Women in Pakistan make a (especially in rural areas) by: Enabling
meager 3.3 percent of the total online
smartphone and internet access through
transactions but the spending on consumer
wider connectivity and penetration in rural
e-Commerce categories depicts fashion and
areas.
beauty on the top with $2.75 billion spent,
2) Digital illiteracy
showing year-over-year growth of 85 percent
in 2020, as reported by Hootsuite. Explanation of the Issue: Inequality in
Only 29 percent of adult women have a bank functional literacy → The female literacy rate
account, as per the State Bank of Pakistan in Pakistan is 48% compared with 70% for
(SBP), 25 percent own a mobile handset (from men, and approximately 22.5 million children
46 million mobile owners in Pakistan), and 18
percent have digital banking accounts.
Data from the GSMA, the Pakistan Bureau of
Statistics (PBS), and a recent Google survey
showed that 19 percent, 14 percent, and 39
percent of women respectively use the
Internet. Pakistan Social and Living Standards
Measurement (PSLM) 2020 states that almost
43 million people in the country use the
Internet for various purposes, including
Facebook, Skype, education, research,
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do not attend school, the majority of which Pakistan towards sustainable development
are girls; by grade nine (age 14-15) only 13% goals (SDGs) fulfillment through gender
of girls are still enrolled in school→ often equality and the role of women in the
cannot make optimum use of smartphones. economic growth of the country. In this
Solution: Digital education would help this regard, Pakistan is progressively
large cohort leapfrog the traditional promoting the use of ICT among women
development gender divide.
and girls, initiating training programs in
3) Cyber safety and security
Explanation of the Issue: Women may be digital media skills so that they have the
more vulnerable to on-line harassment, opportunity to earn online. Such
cyberbullying and cyberstalking → which in programs include the installation of
turn widens the digital divide. computer labs in government
Solution: Raise Awareness, Develop schools/colleges to train women and girls
Responsible Technology & a gender- in computing skills (computing, coding,
responsive digital sensitisation curriculum for and communication), incubation centers
our police and the judicial system. in public academic institutions to promote
Areas that can play a catalytic role in entrepreneurship, and DigiSkills.pk (Free-
bridging the gender digital divide: online training Program) that is lowering
· Designing digital solutions by the barriers for women towards techno-
involving women to advance gender digital adoption. All these initiatives
equity will enhance adoption. unlock Pakistan's digital potential for girls
· Digital literacy and capacity building to and women empowerment programs.
increase employability → higher
Youth and Women represent roughly 60%
earning, and economic opportunities.
· Responsible technology: Protecting
and 49% respectively of the population.
user privacy and data must be a top Ensuring women and girls have equal
priority access to ICTs will help reduce inequalities
and support gender equality.
Internet expansion enabled online
banking as the SBP issued branchless
banking regulations in 2008, making
Pakistan the first country in south Asia to
allow branchless banking. In 2019, 27
banks are offering internet Banking
Service, with 3.1 million internet users
registered, while during January-March
2019, 8.6 million transactions worth Rs
862.3 billion were processed.
Similarly, digitization has unleashed
enormous opportunities for women.
According to womenintech.pk, digitization
The Pakistan government's Initiatives in has created 45 percent jobs for young
this direction: women. Moreover, owing to social
Pakistan Digital Policy of 2018 by the Ministry stigmatization women could not go
of Information and Broadcasting, Government outside for jobs, but many women work
of Pakistan, also emphasizes ICT's usage for from home online as freelancers or
women empowerment as a way forward for content writers.
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CSS Times International Exhibition 41
The International Food & Drink Event was vegetables, processed food, and Indian rice.
held in London from 20 March 2023 to 22 With the help of the Trade Development
March 2023 and the next edition is expected Authority of Pakistan, Pakistan High
to be held in the month of March 2025. Commission London established Pakistan
Objective: International Food & Drink Pavilion with the brand name “Emerging
Exhibition aimed at promoting the export of Pakistan”. Five leading food and beverages
agricultural products in the international companies from Pakistan were selected for
market of London. the exhibition. They include M/s Iftekhar
Participation: With over 25,000 attendees Ahmed & co, M/s Bismillah Sehla Processing,
from around the globe, the International M/s GNS Pakistan, M/s Karmanwala, M/s
Food & Drink Exhibition (IFE) is regarded as Mehran Foods. Companies are displaying a
one of the most esteemed food promotion diverse range of products which include rice,
events in the United Kingdom. spices, pickle, sauces, paste, dessert mix, fresh
International Food & Drink Exhibition and pitted dates, and by- products of dates.
Significance
The International Food & Drink Exhibition
event provides an opportunity for
participants to engage in face-to-face
meetings, including International Buyer Seller
meets and B2B meetings, to explore new
export opportunities and sample new
products.
The IFE serves as an established platform for
generating brand awareness and forging new
business connections in the United Kingdom,
which is a significant market for Pakistani
agricultural products such as fresh fruits and
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Pakistan's food sector is the second biggest in Growth
the world. It contains more than 1,000 large- Nestle's market share in the country.
scale processing facilities. The food sector According to the annual report 2022, Nestle
plays important role in the economy of earns a Gross Profit of 37,822 29,927 billion
Pakistan. The food industries in Pakistan have US dollars with an increase of +26.4%.
undergone significant growth and 2: PepsiCo
development in recent years, contributing to PepsiCo Pakistan is another major player in
the country's economy and employment the food industry of Pakistan. It produces and
opportunities.
The processing of food and beverages makes
up 16% of employment in the manufacturing
sector and is Pakistan's second-largest
industry after textiles. The food industry is
contributing 27% of value-added output.
From iconic street food vendors to upscale
restaurants and international food chains, the
food industries in Pakistan offer a range of
options for every taste and budget.
The Top 10 Food Industries in Pakistan
1: Nestle markets a wide range of beverages, snacks,
and food products for all types of consumers.
The company's focus on marketing has made
it one of the leading companies in the
country, with its products being found in
almost all households across the nation.
Products
PepsiCo's products are sold in over 200,000
stores across the globe. Some of PepsiCo's
most popular brands include Pepsi, Lay's,
Nestle is one of the top food industries in Gatorade, Quaker Oats, and Tropicana. The
Pakistan and has been serving the country for company also has a strong presence in the
over 50 years. It is a subsidiary of a Swiss snack food industry with its Frito-Lay division.
multinational food and beverage company. PepsiCo employs more than 285,000 people
Nestle employs over 2,000 people in around the world.
Pakistan and has a turnover of over Rs. 8
billion. The company has a wide range of
products including baby food, cereals, dairy
products, bottled water, tea, coffee, and
chocolate. Nestle's Lahore factory was
inaugurated by President Ayub Khan in 1963.
Products
In recent years, Nestle has launched several
innovative products in Pakistan including
Nestle Pure Life bottled water, Nido milk
powder, Nescafe Classic coffee, Maggi
noodles, Kit Kat chocolate bars, and Milo
energy drink. These products have been
extremely popular with Pakistani consumers
and have helped to grow
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April 2023
3: Coca-Cola
Coca-Cola Pakistan is one of the largest top
best food industries in Pakistan. It is
renowned worldwide for its iconic brand. The
company provides a variety of beverages,
ranging from soft drinks to juices, teas, and 1970 as a spice company and since then it
coffees. has become a well-known multinational
Products
company. The vision of the company is to
The company has a wide range of products
that are available in different flavors. Coca- produce healthy products in less time,
Cola also offers a variety of packaging making cooking experience super easy and
options for its products. Coca-Cola is one of enjoyable.
the most popular food and beverage brands The company mainly deals with savory
in Pakistan. products and spices which are actually
4: Unilever responsible for enhancing the taste of the
Unilever is another renowned food industry in food we consume and for bringing the
Pakistan. It is known for its iconic brands like perfect aroma to the continental, Chinese as
Lux and Closeup as well as a variety of other well as Pakistani dishes.
personal hygiene and home care goods.
Products
The company has a strong presence in
Pakistan with a wide range of food products
including oils, margarine, tea, detergents, and
ice cream. Unilever Pakistan is also a major
exporter of rice and frozen foods.
5: Shan Foods
Shan Foods is one of the leading food
industries in Pakistan. It was established in 7: Shezan International
1981 and is based in Karachi. The company Shezan is one of the most popular food
manufactures and exports a wide range of brands in Pakistan and is known for its wide
food products, including spices, masalas, range of products including jams, jellies,
pickles, and snacks. Shan Foods has a team of pickles, and more. The company was founded
highly skilled and experienced professionals in 1963 and has since become a household
who are dedicated to providing the best name in the country. Shezan's products are
quality products and services to its available in all major supermarkets and
customers. grocery stores across Pakistan. Shezan is an
6: National Food iconic Pakistani food brand that has been
The journey of National Foods began back in around for decades.
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April 2023
Growth grown into a leading player in the Pakistani
According to the financial report 2022, the food industry.
Gross profit was calculated as 1,773,398
1,397,807 million PKR.
10: Gourmet Food

8: Dalda Food Company Profile
Company profile Gourmet Food is the top best food industry
Dalda Foods is a popular household food in Pakistan, offering a variety of products such
company in Pakistan and holds the core as sauces, pastes, pickles, and more. The
position of the edible oil industry here. It is company was founded in 1988 and has
Pakistan's largest food processing company become one of the most popular food brands
manufacturing quality cooking and vegetable in the country. Gourmet Foods' products are
oils, shortening, and ghee as well as edible available at all major supermarkets and
fats. This brand started its operations in the grocery stores across Pakistan. Mr. Nawaz
1940s offering pure and fresh edible oil to its Chattha was an employee of the Shezan
bakers at the post of manager. He started his
clients and has since continued to deliver
business from one outlet in Muslim Town
some excellent products over time. It has
Lahore with bakers in 1987.
become the first choice of consumers due to
Growth
its perfect balance of smell, taste, and
When Gourmet Bakers first opened for
nutrition. business, the company had an exponential
yearly growth of more than 25%. It employs
1700 people across all of its departments. It
currently has 120 locations and plans to
expand. Gourmet bakeries are located in each
city of Pakistan.
Murree Brewery
One of the oldest manufacturers of

alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages in
Pakistan is the company “Murree Brewery”.
The company was established in 1860 and is
now amongst the fastest leading companies
9: Mitchell's of the world. It produces some high-quality
Mitchell's Fruit Farms is a company based in malts, whiskey, beer, vodka and brandy
Pakistan that specializes in the production which are rich in flavor and taste and gives
and distribution of fruit products. The an absolute pleasure and classic taste to the
company was founded in 1933 and has since consumer.
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CSS Times Awards & Prize 47
Abel Prize 2013

Luis Caffarelli, a mathematician from About the Abel Prize
Argentina, has been awarded the 2023 Abel
Prize for his contributions to regularity theory
for nonlinear partial differential equations,
including free-boundary problems and the
Monge-Ampère equation.
Ethical lessons we can learn from Luis
Caffarelli's life:
Persistence and perseverance: He faced
many challenges and obstacles throughout
his life, including poverty, illness, and a lack of
recognition for his work.
Intellectual honesty: He was known for his It was first awarded in 2003 and
honesty and integrity in his work. He never recognizes pioneering
claimed achievements in mathematics,
credit for the work of others and always named after Norwegian
acknowledged the contributions of his mathematician Niels Henrik
colleagues and predecessors. Abel.The prize includes a
Creativity and innovation: He was a pioneer monetary award of roughly
in the field of mathematics, and his work laid $720,000 and a glass plaque
the foundation for many future developments designed by Norwegian artist
in the field.
Henrik Haugan.
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CSS Times Geodiversity 48
What is Geo-Heritage?
Geodiversity is the variety of rocks, fossils, minerals, and
natural processes that shape landscapes while geo-
heritage refers to sites that offer insights into the
evolution of the earth and can be used for research,
reference, and awareness.
There is a lot of potential in the country to promote its
geological heritage such as Salt Range, Margalla Hills
National Park, Triple junction of three mightiest
mountain ranges at Juglot, Khunjrab National Park,
Chundargup mud volcanoes in Hingol National Park and
Nagarparkar area Sindh.
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CSS Times International Relations 49
What is the Vienna Convention

on Diplomatic Relations (1961)?
Entered into force on 1964, the Convention is nearly universally
ratified, with Palau and South Sudan being the exceptions.
It provides a framework for the
establishment/maintenance/termination of diplomatic relations on
a basis of consent between independent sovereign States.
It codifies the longstanding custom of diplomatic immunity, in
which diplomatic missions are granted privileges, enabling
diplomats to function without fear of coercion or harassment by
the host country.
It affirms the concept of “inviolability” of a diplomatic mission,
which has been one of the enduring cornerstones of international
diplomacy.
Article 22 of the Convention: It deals with obligations with regard
to the premises of the Mission - the receiving/ host State is
mandated to take all appropriate steps to protect the premises of
the mission against any intrusion or damage.
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CSS Times World Reports 51
World Happiness
Report 2023
For the sixth year running, Finland was named the world's happiest country in an annual
U.N.-sponsored index that saw acts of kindness grow in Ukraine despite the Russian
invasion.
Pakistan was ranked 103 of the 137 countries on the happiness index, climbing 18
spots as compared to the previous list in which the South Asian nation was ranked at
121.
India was ranked 126 of the 137 countries on the list.
Key Highlights of the report:
Northern Europe once again dominated the top spots — with Denmark in second place
followed by Iceland.
While the same countries typically top the list each year, Baltic countries are rising
rapidly towards Western European levels.
War-scarred Afghanistan, which has occupied the bottom spot on the table since 2020,
saw its humanitarian crisis deepen since the Taliban government took power in
2021 following the US-led military pull-out.
About World Happiness Report:
First published in 2012, it is based on people's own assessment of their happiness, as
well as economic and social data.
The report considers six key factors: social support, income, health, freedom, generosity,
and absence of corruption.
It assigns a happiness score based on an average of data over a three-year period.
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CSS Times World Reports 52
Global Happiness Index

2023
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CSS Times Economy 54
Recently, the Swiss government-brokered takeover of Credit Suisse by its larger rival UBS has
wiped out the investment of bondholders and created fear for AT1 bondholders.
Financial markets have been thrown a fresh curve ball by the decision to write down 16 billion
Swiss francs ($17.5 billion) of Credit Suisse bonds, known as Additional Tier 1 or AT1 debt, to
zero as part of a forced rescue merger with UBS (UBSG.S).
Under the deal, holders of Credit Suisse AT1 bonds will get nothing, while shareholders, who
usually rank below bondholders in terms of who gets paid when a bank or company collapses,
will receive $3.23 billion.
The news has hurt AT1 bonds issued by other European banks and they came under fresh
selling pressure on March 24, 2023.
What is a Bond?
Bonds are a type of security instrument, issued by governments and corporations when they
want to raise money.
What is an AT1 bond?
AT1 bonds – sometimes known as contingent convertible bonds, or CoCos – are a type of debt
issued by a bank that can be converted into equity if its capital levels fall below requirements.
Why AT1 Bond?
· It was introduced after the global financial crisis of 2007-08. Banks were asked to
operate using their own permanent capital as opposed to borrowed capital. This
permanent capital is termed Tier 1 capital
· To shore up their Tier 1 capital, banks were allowed to raise a special class of bonds
known as AT1 bonds from investors.
Features of AT1 Bonds
· AT1 bonds, like other bonds, pay regular interest.
· But they do not have a maturity date, as they are a permanent part of the bank's capital,
akin to equity.
· They are the riskiest bonds as the issuing bank can skip premium and interest pay-out if
it is falling short of capital.
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CSS Times Economy 55
Ination at 50-Year High in

Crisis-Hit Pakistan
Pakistan's year-on-year inflation hit 35.37 percent in March -- the highest in nearly five decades
-- as the government scrambled to meet International Monetary Fund (IMF) conditions to
unlock a desperately needed bailout.
Month-on-month inflation was 3.72 percent, according to government data released Saturday,
while the average inflation rate for the past year was 27.26 percent.
Years of financial mismanagement and political instability have pushed Pakistan's economy to
the brink of collapse, exacerbated by a global energy crisis and devastating floods that
submerged a third of the country in 2022.
Annual food inflation in March was at 47.1% and 50.2% for urban and rural areas respectively,
the bureau said. Core inflation, which strips out food and energy, stood at 18.6% in urban areas
and 23.1% in rural areas.
Definition of Sticky Inflation
It refers to a phenomenon where prices do not adjust quickly to changes in supply and
demand, leading to persistent inflation.
Causes Higher food and fuel prices; firms passed on higher input costs to consumers; twin
shocks of the Covid pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war
Impact on consumers
Erodes purchasing power of consumers, particularly those with low incomes
Impact on businesses
State bank raises interest rates to keep inflation low. Higher interest rates make borrowing
more expensive for businesses and impact investment and job creation
Examples Pakistan, India, the US, and countries in the eurozone are facing sticky inflation
currently.
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Google makes a breakthrough in quantum computing.

Current issues in Quantum Computing Currently, Quantum
computers use qubits, to encode information as 0's, 1's, or both
at the same time. However, qubits are very sensitive and even a
stray light can cause calculation errors.
Solution
Quantum error correction protects information by encoding it
across multiple physical qubits (instead of relying on individual
physical qubits) to form a “log ical qubit”
Significance: It would go on to make quantum computing
more accurate.
Quantum Supremacy Four years ago, Google said it
completed a test in 200 seconds for a task that would take
conventional supercomputers thousands of years.
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CSS Times Astronomy 58
One of the Biggest Known

Black Holes Discovered
Astronomers have discovered one of the
biggest black holes ever found, using
About Gravitational Lensing
gravitational lensing. · Gravitational lensing is the
The giant black hole has a mass of 30 billion name given to the phenomenon
suns and sits at the center of a galaxy where a foreground object—a
located hundreds of millions of light-years galaxy or a black hole—bends the
from Earth. Astronomers call the cosmic
light from a more distant object
monster an ultramassive black hole, as
behind it, magnifying it in the
opposed to the usual galactic supermassive
process.
black holes that weigh anywhere between a
few million to a few billion solar masses. How was the discovery made?
The black hole, located in one of the galaxies · The researchers used supercomputer
of the Abell 1201 galaxy cluster, is the first simulations that simulated light
discovered using this technique. Although from a faraway galaxy travelling
enormous, the black hole is not very active, through the Universe hundreds of
thousands of times. Each of the
meaning it's not swallowing too much
simulations had a black hole of a
material and therefore not producing strong different mass, changing the light's
X-ray radiation. Such black holes are nearly journey to Earth.
impossible to study by other methods.
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CSS Times Astronomy 59
· When the researchers included an massive black hole, over 30 billion times
ultra-massive black hole in one of the the mass of our Sun, in the
simulations, the path taken by the light foreground galaxy.
exactly matched the path seen in This new approach taken by the researchers
actual images captured by the Hubble could make it possible to study inactive
Space Telescope. black holes in distant galaxies, which is not
· This helped them discover the ultra- currently possible with other existing
techniques.
What Is a Black Hole?

A black hole is a place in space where gravity pulls so much
that even light can not get out. The gravity is so strong
because matter has been squeezed into a tiny space. This can
happen when a star is dying.
Because no light can get out, people can't see black holes. They
are invisible. Space telescopes with special tools can help find
black holes. The special tools can see how stars that are very
close to black holes act differently than other stars.
How Do Black Holes Form?
Scientists think the smallest black holes formed when the
universe began.
Stellar black holes are made when the center of a very big star
falls in upon itself, or collapses. When this happens, it causes a
supernova. A supernova is an exploding star that blasts part of
the star into space.
Scientists think supermassive black holes were made at the
same time as the galaxy they are in.
Could a Black Hole Destroy Earth?
Black holes do not go around in space eating stars, moons and
planets. Earth will not fall into a black hole because no black
hole is close enough to the solar system for Earth to do that.
Even if a black hole the same mass as the sun were to take the
place of the sun, Earth still would not fall in. The black hole
would have the same gravity as the sun. Earth and the other
planets would orbit the black hole as they orbit the sun now.
The sun will never turn into a black hole. The sun is not a big
enough star to make a black hole.
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CSS Times Technology 61
''Race to Preserve
Ice Memory
Arctic scientists are set to start drilling to Researchers from Italy, France, and
save samples of ancient ice for analysis Norway are in Svalbard, Norway, in
before the frozen layers melt away due to what they call a race against time to
climate change.
Scientists camped in the Arctic will begin preserve critical ice records for analyzing
drilling on Apr 04, 2023 to save samples of past environmental conditions, with plans
ancient ice for analysis before the frozen to ship them all the way to Antarctica for
layers melt due to climate change, mission storage.
organizers said. "Glaciers at high latitudes, such as those
in the Arctic, have begun to melt at an
alarming rate," said paleoclimatologist
Carlo Barbante, vice-chairman of the Ice
Memory Foundation, which is in charge
of the mission.
· They will extract ice in a series of
tubes from as far as 125 metres (137
yards) below the surface, containing
frozen geochemical traces dating back
three centuries.
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CSS Times Technology 62
Why preserve ancient ice? .How will it be preserved?
· Analysis of chemicals in deep “ice One set of ice tubes will be used for
cores” provides scientists with immediate analysis while a second set
valuable data about past will be sent to Antarctica for storage
environmental conditions.
in an “ice memory sanctuary” under
· Studies indicate that the Arctic is
warming between two and the snow, where the samples will be
four times faster than the preserved for future generations of
global average scientists.
Publishers
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CSS Times 63
UN to Allow Deep Sea Mining

After two weeks of negotiations, the Common Heritage of Humankind:
International Seabed Authority (ISA) has · Under the UNCLOS, ocean areas
decided that it will start taking permit beyond national jurisdiction and their
applications in July 2023 from companies mineral resources are the common
that want to mine the ocean floor. heritage of humankind.
The undersea mining will be conducted to · It contains most of the same minerals
(but in enriched forms) that are found
extract key battery materials — cobalt,
on land, as well as minerals that are
copper, nickel, and manganese — from
unique to the deep ocean, such as
potato-sized rocks called “polymetallic
nodules” found at depths of 4 kilometers to 6
kilometers (about 2.5 miles to 3.7 miles).
Background:.
Deep-Sea Mining: It involves retrieving
mineral deposits from nodules that dot the
ocean floor, typically more than 600 feet
below sea level.
Location: The most economically viable
nodules lie partially under sediment in the
north-central Pacific Ocean, the
southeastern Pacific Ocean, and the
northern Indian Ocean.
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CSS Times 65
ferromanganese crusts and polymetallic
nodules.
Need for undersea mining:
1) To extract key battery materials – cobalt,
copper, nickel, and manganese – from
potato-sized rocks called “polymetallic
nodules” found at depths of 4 – 6 km.
2) Within the next 2 decades, the IEA predicts
that renewable energy technology will make
up over 40% of the demand for copper, 60
-70% for cobalt and nickel, and 90% for
lithium.
Concerns:
At the 28th Session of the ISA (Kingston,
Jamaica), several countries insisted that It would go beyond harming the seabed and
industrial undersea mining requires strict have a wider impact on the deep-sea marine
rules. ecosystems in regulating the climate
· Chile, France, Palau, and Fiji, among
other nations, have called for a global
moratorium on the practice, citing
environmental concerns and a lack
of sufficient scientific data.
· In Resolution 122, IUCN notes that if
deep-sea mining is permitted to
occur, biodiversity loss in these
unique ecosystems will be
inevitable, and the consequences for
ocean ecosystem function, and for
humanity, could be vast.
Pros of Deep sea mining:
Transition to Clean Energy
The mining code is missing Deep sea mining could help meet the rising
The 36-member council is uncertain about demand for energy transition metals.
the process it should adopt for reviewing The demand for commodities like copper,
applications for mining contracts. lithium, and rare earth is expected to rise
China has demonstrated its desire to shape
due to their essential role in the technologies
international norms in the maritime domain,
and infrastructure needed to decarbonize
as exemplified by Beijing's aggressive actions
the global economy.
in the South China Sea.
Within the next two decades, the IEA predicts
Rising Geopolitical Competition
that renewable energy technology will make
Holding 5 out of the 30 deep-sea mining
up over 40% of the demand for copper, 60-
exploration contracts issued by the ISA
70% for cobalt and nickel, and 90% for
(more than any other country), it is now
lithium.
leading the race to the bottom of the sea by
Energy Security
building superior capabilities and
Helps nations reduce their dependence on
influencing the regulatory environment.
China for imports of rare earths & avoid a
Damaging repercussions for the
supply squeeze
environment
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CSS Times 66
''The Hat: 50-Year-Old Geometry Mystery

A group of scientists have discovered a new shape with 13 sides, named
'the hat', It is the ''first einstein tile (' no relation to Albert Einstein' ) to
have been found: a shape that can cover a plane without overlapping,
leaving gaps, or repeating patterns.
What are the facts? A group of four scientists have discovered an entirely
new shape which has 13 sides and has named it “the hat”. It is the first
'einstein' tile to have been found: a shape that can cover a plane without
overlapping, leaving gaps, or repeating patterns. The name bears no
connection to Albert Einstein but means 'one stone' in German. The shape is
a polykite with the edges of eight kites to make it. The study proving the
existence of the shape has already generated excitement in the scientific
community.
Significance:
The discovery has answered a long-standing question in the field of
plane geometry and generated excitement in the scientific community. It
is the first time a single aperiodic tile has been found to cover a plane,
which has been long-awaited as the number of shapes in a tile has
decreased over the years.
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CSS Times CURRENT AFFAIRS MCQs 68
National & International

MCQs
Publishers
CURRENT
March
2023
1) The World Bank has cut Pakistan's primary reasons. The projections for Pakistan
growth rate for FY2024 from 4% to how are in line with the bank's global outlook
much? report, which forecasts a “sharp, long-lasting
(a) 2.5 Percent slowdown, with global growth declining to
1.7 percent in 2023 from 3.0 percent expected
(b) 2.0 Percent just six months ago”.
(c) 1.3 Percent 2) Under which article, Chief Justice of
(d) 2.2 Percent Pakistan (CJP) take Suo-Muto notice?
Answer: (b) (a). 167(6)
(b). 184(3)
(c). 95(1)
(d) 116 (2)
Answer: (b)
Predicting a difficult year ahead for Pakistan,

the World Bank has revised the country's
growth projections from 4 percent in June last
year to 2 percent for the current fiscal year,
citing “precarious economic situation, low
foreign exchange reserves and large fiscal With regard to article 184 (3) of the
and current account deficits” among the Constitution there are three categories of
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cases. Firstly, when a formal application The 'Triple Threat Report' was released
seeking enforcement of Fundamental Rights recently by the UNICEF. According to this
is filed. Secondly, when (suo motu) notice is report, the absence of monitoring of the
taken by the Supreme Court or its Judges. WASH-related programmes, projects and
3) When is the 'World Tuberculosis Day' policies are the main drivers of the water
observed every year? insecurities in the world's worst-impact
(a) March 18 countries.
(b) March 20 5) Who is Current IGP of Gilgit Baltistan?
(c) March 22 (a).Dar Ali Khan Khattak
(d) March 24
Answer: (d) (b).Mohammad Saeed Wazir
(c).Sanaullah Abbasi
(d).Abbas Ajangpa
World Tuberculosis Day, observed on 24

March each year, is designed to build
awareness about the global epidemic of
tuberculosis and efforts to eliminate the
disease.
In 2018, 10 million people fell ill with TB, and
1.5 million died from the disease.
4) Which institution released the 'Triple
Threat Report'?
(a) World Economic Forum
(b) UNICEF
(c) IMF
(d) UNESCO
Answer: (b)
Answer: (a)
The federal government appointed Dar Ali
Khan Khattak, a Grade 20 officer, as the new
inspector general of police (IGP) of Gilgit-
Baltistan. The government made this decision
so the GB police personnel, allegedly
deployed at Zaman Park, could be withdrawn.
Previously, Wazir Saeed was serving as the GB
police chief.
6) What is Pakistan's rank in the recently
released Passport Index Points?
(a) 98
(b) 95
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(c) 91 the Scottish Parliament. He will succeed
(d) 100 Nicola Sturgeon as First Minister of Scotland.
Answer: © Scotland is a country that is part of the
United Kingdom, its capital is Edinburgh and
its currency is Pound Sterling.
8) Which institution released the
'Technology and Innovation Report 2023'?
(a) UNICEF
(b) UNESCO
(c) UNCTAD
(d) World Economic Forum
Answer: ©
Mobility Score 46
Visa-free 9
Visa on arrival 35
eTA 2
Visa required 152
Passport Power Rank 91
World reach 23%
Population 242,923,845
7) Who has been elected as the next leader
of the Scottish National Party? The Technology and Innovation Report 2023
was recently released by the UNCTAD- United
(a) Keith Brown Nations Conference on Trade and
(b) Humza Yusuf Development.
According to this report, the global economic
(c) Nicola Sturgeon
inequalities are widening as the developed
(d) Rohan Khanna countries benefit most from the green
Answer: (b) technologies.
9) Which country launched the '2022
Country Reports on Human Rights
Practices'?
(a) India
(b) USA
(c) Ukraine
(d) Japan
Answer: (b)
Pakistan-origin Humza Yousaf has been

elected as the next leader of the Scottish
National Party. Yousaf, 37, will take over as the
head of the semi-autonomous government
after winning an approval vote in
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US' 2022 Country Reports on Human Rights
Practices was published recently by the US
State Department. According to this report,
India is facing human rights issues such as
“targeting of religious minorities”, “gender-
based violence”, “persecution of journalists”
and “restrictions on freedom of expression”.
10) International Monetary Fund has
provided $80.77 million in aid to which
African country?
(a) Burkina Faso registration law imposed by Myanmar's
military. The military, which seized power in a
(b) Kenya coup in February 2021, set a deadline for
(c) Morocco political parties to re-register under the
restrictive new law. It has promised to hold an
(d) Namibia
election, though such a vote has been widely
Answer: (a)
dismissed as lacking in any credibility.
12) Who has topped the annual list of
billionaires released by Forbes?
(a) Elon Musk
(b) Bernard Arnault
(c) Larry Ellison
(d) Jeff Bezos
Answer: (b)
The International Monetary Fund approved

$80.77 million to help Burkina Faso meet its
balance of payments needs. This emergency
financing, under the Food Shock Window, will
help Burkina Faso meet its immediate balance
of payments needs related to the global food
crisis. Burkina Faso is a landlocked country in
West Africa. Its capital is Ouagadougou and
its currency is the 'West African CFA franc'.
11) 'National League for Democracy' is a
famous political party based in which
country? In the annual list of billionaires released by
(a) India Forbes, Tesla and Twitter owner Elon Musk
(b) Myanmar has slipped from the first position to the
(c) Sri Lanka second position. Bernard Arnault & family has
(d) Pakistan now become the richest person in the world.
Answer: (B) Musk's wealth has decreased by $ 39 billion
Notes: National League for Democracy, led compared to last year. Musk's net worth is
by Aung San Suu Kyi, has been dissolved after $180 billion. Jeff Bezos is third on this list
it refused to comply with a tough new party while Larry Ellison is fourth.
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13) As per the QS World University Answer: ©
Rankings 2023, which is the most
represented country in Asia?
(a) Indonesia
(b) China
(c) Singapore
(d) Malaysia
Answer: (b)
14) 'Accelerating the change to solve the
water and sanitation crisis' is the theme of
which day?
(a) World Forest Day
(b) World Water Day
(c) World Earth Day
(d) World Sanitation Day
Answer: (b)
India has been elected a member of the
Supreme Statistical Commission of the United
Nations. India's tenure will start on January 1,
2024. The United Nations Statistical
Commission was established in the year 1947.
It is the apex body of the global statistical
system.
16) Which country has been removed from
hosting the Men's Under-17 FIFA World
Cup?
(a) Brazil
World Water Day is observed on March 22. Its

2023 theme is “Accelerating the change to
solve the water and sanitation crisis”.It
highlights the importance of fresh water. The
day is used to advocate for the sustainable
management of freshwater resources.
15) Which country has been elected as a
member of the Supreme Statistical
Commission of the United Nations?
(a) Japan
(b) Argentina
(c) India
(d) Pakistan
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April 2023
(b) Germany (d) Brazil
(c) Peru Answer: (a)
Northern European country Finland has
(d) China become the 31st member of the US-
Answer: © influenced group NATO. This decision is
FIFA has removed Peru from hosting the considered important because Finland is a
men's U-17 World Cup. Preparations have neighbouring country of Russia which shares
been cited behind this. The name of the new a border of about 1300 kilometres with
host country has not been announced yet. Russia. Finland, along with Sweden, applied
The FIFA U-17 World Cup is organized for for NATO membership after Russia invaded
players under the age of 17. This tournament Ukraine last year. Hungary and Turkey have
is to be held from November 10 to December banned Sweden's membership. The North
02, in which 24 teams will participate. Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is a
17) Hopi which was seen in the news, is an military alliance established in 1949.
ethnic group of people living in which 19) IMF Executive Board has approved a
country? USD 3 billion bail-out programme for
(a) Russia which country?
(b) USA (a) Sri Lanka
(c) Italy (b) Afghanistan
(d) Turkey (c) China
Answer: (b) (d) Pakistan
Answer: (a)
The International Monetary Fund's (IMF) USD

3 billion bailout programme for Sri Lanka was
approved by the financial agency's Executive
Hopi are a Native American ethnic group who
Board. It is expected to help the island nation
primarily live on the Hopi Reservation in
overcome its economic crisis.
north-eastern Arizona, United States. The
20) Which African country is going to
Water and Heritage Shield was conferred
launch its first operational Earth
recently by the International Committee On
observation satellite?
Monuments and Sites International Science
Committee to Black Mesa Trust (BMT) – a (a) Kenya
Hopi grassroots organization. (b) Namibia
18) Which country has become the 31st
member of NATO? (c) Morocco
(a) Finland (d) Zimbabwe
Answer: (a)
(b) Sweden African country Kenya is recently going to
© Japan launch its first operational Earth observation
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22) What is the name of the form of
artificial intelligence that can take actions
using past data?
(a) Generative AI
(b) Reformative AI
(c) Memory AI
(d) Storage AI
Answer: [a]
satellite named 'Taifa-1' by April 11, 2023. The

Kenya Space Agency will blast this spacecraft
with a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from the
Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.
According to Kenya's Ministry of Defence, the
satellite will provide data for diverse sectors
including agriculture and food security. Kenya
is an East African country and its capital is
Nairobi.
21) Which country launched the
'Agriculture Innovation Mission for
Climate (AIM4C)' along with the US? Generative artificial intelligence (AI) is a form
(a) Egypt of artificial intelligence that can that can be
(b) UAE used to create content or take action using
(c) Israel past data. One of the famous examples of
(d) Sri Lanka generative AI is the ChatGPT. It creates new
Answer: (b) content including a text, an image, even
computer code based on that training,
instead of simply categorizing or identifying
data like other AI.
23) How many astronauts have NASA
announced for its lunar mission 'Artemis
2'?
(a) 02
(b) 03
Agriculture Innovation Mission for Climate

(AIM for Climate-AIM4C) was launched by the
UAE and the US at Conference of Parties-26.
AIM4C is a global partnership that aims to
accelerate investment and support for
climate-smart agriculture & food systems
innovation.
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(c) 04
(d) 05
Answer: ©
NASA for the first time in its lunar mission
'Artemis 2' introduced a woman astronaut.
NASA has announced the names of 4
astronauts for this upcoming mission. The
crew includes Christina Koch, Jeremy Hansen,
Victor Glover and Reid Wiseman who will
travel around the moon as part of NASA's
dream project 'Artemis 2'. NASA will launch The Abel Prize is conferred every year by the
this lunar mission by the beginning or end of King of Norway to recognize one or more
2025. For the first time, a non-American has outstanding mathematicians. The Abel Prize
also been included in this mission. 2023 for mathematics was awarded to
24) Siniyah Island, which was seen in the Argentine-American Luis Caffarelli, an expert
news, is situated in which country? in “partial differential equations” which can
(a) Russia explain phenomena ranging from how water
(b) China flows to population growth.
(c) UAE 26) What is the theme of the 'International
(d) Israel Day of Forests 2023'?
Answer: © (a) Forests and health
(b) Forests and Climate Change
(c) Forests and Global Warming
(d) Forests are Friends
Hide Answer
Answer: (a)
Archaeologists have discovered the oldest

pearl town in the Persian Gulf on the Siniyah
Island of the United Arab Emirates. This island
is situated in Umm al-Quwain, an emirate International Day of Forests is observed every
situated some 50 km northeast of Dubai.The year on March 21. The theme for 2023 is
discovery finds hundreds of homes dating as “forests and health”.It highlights the
far as the region's pre-Islamic history in the ecosystem services provided by forests like
late 6th century. purification of water and air, carbon capture
25) Abel Prize is conferred to recognise to fight climate change, and supply of life-
outstanding contributors of which field? saving medicines.
(a) Architecture 27) UBS Group is a multinational
(b) Mathematics investment bank based in which country?
(c) Journalism (a) USA
(d) Sports (b) UK
Answer: (b) (c) Switzerland
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(d) China
Answer: © World’s Ist Sand Battery
UBS Group AG is a multinational investment Context: Finland has installed the world's
bank and financial services company founded first sand battery that can store heat from
and based in Switzerland. UBS, Switzerland's renewable energy sources for months.
Why sand?
biggest bank, has recently agreed to Sand can be heated up to 600 degrees
purchase its rival Credit Suisse. As per report, Celsius, and it has low heat conductivity,
UBS has upgraded its initial offer and agreed reducing energy loss.
to buy Credit Suisse for more than $2 billion Capacity:
in a deal brokered by the Swiss government. The installed batter y can store 8
28) Polio cases were recently recorded in megawatt-hours of energy and release
which country for the first time in 30 years heat at 0.1 MW.
(a) Burundi
(b) Japan
(c) Australia Radiation
(d) South Africa
Answer: (a)
Radiation results from the

Polio cases were recorded in Burundi for the disintegrating nucleus of an
first time in 30 years. The Poliovirus type 2 unstable element. These can be
was confirmed from environmental from anywhere, including inside
surveillance of wastewater in the region. Polio human bodies, constituents of
is transmitted through contaminated water matter, and natural sources such
and food, or by contact with an infected as rocks, sand, or mountains.
person. Though many do not become International Atomic Energy
seriously ill, some can go on to develop acute Agency (IAEA) specifies public
flaccid paralysis. radiation exposure should not
exceed 1 millisievert every year
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Pakistan’s First Monthly E-Magazine for Civil Services Aspirants

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