PUNJAB JUDICIAL OFFICERS

ACADEMY
(A Project of Al-Bahria CSS Institute)
DAWN Editorials: 13 November 2023, Monday
OIC inaction
NOT much was expected from the joint OIC/Arab League summit held in Riyadh on Saturday to
discuss the blood-soaked tragedy underway in Gaza. And sure enough, the presidents, princes
and potentates that hold sway over the Muslim world lived up to expectations, with no clear
action plan emerging to stop the massacre. As the Muslim world`s rulers discussed the matter in
a luxurious conference centre, the hungry, destitute and bloodied people of Gaza dazed after
burying their loved ones and neighbours day after day waited for the next Israeli missile to strike.
In Riyadh, there were calls for a ceasefire and condemnation of Israeli violence, but beyond that
little of substance, as the Palestinian president demanded an end to this `genocidal war` while
urging the US to use its good offices to ask Tel Aviv to stop the Gaza slaughter. It is unlikely that
those who matter in Washington or Tel Aviv will heed this request. Algeria, on the other hand,
wanted Muslim and Arab states to suspend ties with Israel, while Iran recommended a boycott of
Israel and the designation of the Israeli military as a `terrorist group`.

There were few takers for these proposals. It is indeed tragic that despite the murder of over
11,000 Palestinians in the Israeli onslaught, the high and mighty of the Muslim world with their
standing armies, tens of billions of dollars and vast economic clout could not even agree to a
common framework that would clearly communicate to Israel and its powerful backers that the
massacre of Palestinians must stop. If Israel were to be convinced by strongly worded statements
and impressive conferences, the Palestine question would have been solved decades ago.
Meanwhile, the extermination of the Palestinian people continues, as the world looks on, as if
tuned in to some grisly reality show the livestreaming of a virtual genocide. Israel has upped its
attacks on Gaza`s hospitals, all in the name of getting Hamas. In the eyes of the Jewish state and
its staunch defenders, slaughtered Palestinian babies appear to be a fair price to pay to avenge
Israel`s wounded pride in the aftermath of Oct 7. Yet even some of those who had rushed to be by
Israel`s side after the Hamas attack are beginning to have second thoughts; the French president
has said Tel Aviv must stop killing `babies and women`. Sadly, those who have the power to stop
this butchery are either aiding Israel`s bloodthirsty campaign, or making weak entreaties for the
massacre to be toned down. However, hundreds of thousands of common people, with no
political power but with great moral clarity in Sana`a, New York, London and other cities, are
demanding an end to the massacre. Will the callous global elite listen to their voices?

Sr.# Word Part of Speech Meaning in Urdu Synonyms

01 Potentates Noun ‫رمکحان‬،‫ابداشہ‬ Leaders, monarchs

02 Massacre Noun ‫لتقِاعم‬ Extermination, carnage

03 Dazed Adjective ‫ریحان‬ Shocked, stunned

04 Designation Noun ‫بصنم‬ Title, name, label
05 Clout Noun ‫ارثوروسخ‬ Influence, power
06 Extermination Noun ‫اخہمت‬،‫ابتیہ‬ Killing, execution
07 Staunch Adjective ‫وافدار‬ Loyal, faithful
08 Butchery Noun ‫وخنرخاب‬ Bloodshed, slaughter
09 Entreaties Noun ‫دروخاںیتس‬ Appeals, requests
10 Callous Adjective ‫گنسدل‬ Heartless, uncaring

Arranged by: Prof Naveed Sabri

21 Babar Block, New Garden Town, Near Barkat Market Lahore
0333-4438610 0300-4469650 0300-1905555 042-35911609
 PUNJAB JUDICIAL OFFICERS
ACADEMY
(A Project of Al-Bahria CSS Institute)
DAWN Editorials: 13 November 2023, Monday
Path to prosperity
THE UNDP`s 2024 Regional Human Development Report for Asia-Pacific offers a detailed review
of human development across the region, acknowledging the significant economic growth and
reduction in poverty. Despite these advances, it underscores a stark imbalance in the distribution
of benefits, with persistent income and wealth disparities, gender biases, and extensive informal
sectors. It also highlights the region`s environmental predicaments, notably its substantial
global carbon emissions and decline in biodiversity. Pakistan is spotlighted for its innovative
approaches to development challenges, as evidenced by the implementation of UNDP`s Social
Innovation Platforms in GB and Karachi. The report recalls last year`s floods, triggered by rapid
glacial melt and monsoon rains, and lauds Pakistan`s disaster response, particularly the
successful use of UNDP-supported flood mitigation infrastructure in the affected provinces. In
terms of technological progress, the integration of fintech and agri-tech in Pakistan`s
agricultural sector, with the potential to increase production, enhance the livelihoods of small
farmers, and drive economic growth. It recognises Pakistan`s legislative efforts to protect
migrant domestic workers, illustrating its dedication to equitable labour conditions and
contemplates the potential of export-led growth to alleviate economic crises and manage large
debt burdens, which could be pivotal for Pakistan`s economy. Further, the adoption of action
plans for human rights and business marks a conscientious effort to align business practices
with international human rights standards.

Yet, the report presents a troubling rise in perceived human insecurity in Pakistan between
2010-2016 and 2017-2020. This suggests a pressing need to tackle socioeconomic vulnerabilities.
A comparative analysis of historical GDP per capita provides insight into our economic history
and future prospects. The report starkly contrasts gender disparities in the workforce,
particularly noting a 25pc female labour participation compared to countries like Vietnam with
69pc participation, indicating a significant area for improvement. The discussion of Pakistan`s
acute debt stress underscores the need for effective fiscal management and strategic planning to
navigate this challenge. It concludes by emphasising the imperative for Pakistan to develop a
strategy centred on innovation, resilience, gender equality, and sustainable development. As
Pakistan charts its course towards human development, the report suggests that the keys to
success will be effective leadership, collaborative efforts, and sound governance to forge a
prosperous future for all its citizens.

Sr.# Word Part of Speech Meaning in Urdu Synonyms

01 Underscores Verb ‫واحضرکاتےہ‬ Highlights, emphasizes

02 Stark Adjective ‫واحض‬ Sharp, clear, evident
03 Predicaments Noun ‫الکشمت‬ Difficulties, dilemmas
04 Mitigation Noun ‫فیفخت‬،‫یمک‬ Moderation, vindication

05 Contemplates Verb ‫وغرورکفرکاتےہ‬ Anticipates, expects

06 Alleviate Verb ‫مکرکان‬ Lessen, lighten, ease
07 Conscientious Adjective ‫رفضانشس‬،‫دایتندار‬ Careful, reliable
08 Vulnerabilities Noun ‫زمکورایں‬ Weaknesses, liabilities
09 Navigate Verb ‫وبعررکان‬ Cross, ride out
10 Resilience Noun ‫کچل‬ Flexibility, elasticity

Arranged by: Prof Naveed Sabri

21 Babar Block, New Garden Town, Near Barkat Market Lahore
0333-4438610 0300-4469650 0300-1905555 042-35911609
 PUNJAB JUDICIAL OFFICERS
ACADEMY
(A Project of Al-Bahria CSS Institute)

DAWN Editorials: 13 November 2023, Monday

Transgender mirth
EASILY the most marginalised, Pakistan`s transgender community has seen acute
oppression at the hands of family and society. It has weathered derision, exploitation
and abandonment; as a result, employment opportunities for trans people have been
inconsequential with marginal educational and healthcare support. Isolated, their lives
hang in the balance as hostilities towards them often prove fatal. Against this dour
backdrop, a riot of colour and cheer rang out loud in Karachi`s Hejra Festival on Friday.
Trans persons turned up the flamboyance quotient and poured out in droves from across
Pakistan to celebrate their presence with a powerful slogan: `existence, resistance and
resilience`. The rally ended at the Arts Council of Pakistan, where participants spoke
about their rights followed by a candlelight vigil.

As heartwarming as this event was, transgender people still have to contend with
realities such as the one revealed in a Ministry of Human Rights report last year, which
stated that the authorities failed to provide jobs to trans people in Sindh under the now
imperilled Transgender Act, 2018, and figures for Punjab were insufficient for a
conclusion. Perhaps, our ruling classes should, first, reconcile with the fact that
transgender people are a vibrant segment of society who cannot be wished away. Second,
they should learn from international measures: in India, digital transactions and instant
payment interfaces enable transgender people to earn safely, whereas Vietnam`s new
`ballroom culture` grants mentors to trans people along with mental health and
monetary support. Depressingly, Pakistan is furthest away from such initiatives. The
EU-funded Trans Murder Monitoring project says that last year Pakistan reported 10
murders per year whereas Forbes termed 2021 `the deadliest year` with 375 killings.
Small wonder then that on the same festive Friday, Ghazal was stabbed to death in
Tehkal, near Peshawar. Complete joy will evade them until accountability becomes
certain for slain trans lives. After all, what are they being faulted for?

Sr.# Word Part of Speech Meaning in Urdu Synonyms

01 Derision Noun ‫ذماق‬،‫زنط‬ Mockery, ridicule
02 Exploitation Noun ‫طلغاامعتسل‬ Misuse, mistreatment
03 Inconsequential Adjective ‫ریغرضوری‬ Unimportant, trivial
04 Dour Adjective ‫ ِ د‬،‫تخسزماج‬
‫ضی‬ Resolute, purposeful
05 Droves Noun ‫عمجم‬ Crowds, hordes
06 Flamboyance Noun ‫اشنووشک‬،‫ڑھباکؤ‬ Splendor, showiness
07 Vigil Noun ‫دیباری‬ Night watch, wake
08 Contend Verb ‫دجودہجرکان‬،‫اقمہلبرکان‬ Struggle, resist, cope
09 Imperilled Adjective ‫رطخےےسدواچر‬ Endangered, risked
10 Reconcile Verb ‫امناجان‬ Settle, reunite, resolve

Arranged by: Prof Naveed Sabri

21 Babar Block, New Garden Town, Near Barkat Market Lahore
0333-4438610 0300-4469650 0300-1905555 042-35911609