Repatriation of Afghan Refugees from Pakistan: an analysis of constraints, challenges and prospects

This study analyses constraints facing the government of Pakistan in the repatriation of Afghan refugees and investigates the underlying factors forcing the government to return Afghan refugees. The presence of Afghan refugees in Pakistan is associated with involvement in militant and other illicit activities. The call to repatriate Afghan Refugees could be a lasting solution. Accordingly, the main concern for the Pakistani government is to manage its border with Afghanistan, identified as the entry point of the militants and insurgents. Consequently, the Pakistani security agencies and armed forces have been subject to serious reforms, aiming at increasing their motivation and decreasing corruption among the officers, which has been termed as a drawback in fighting terrorism. Reforms are needed in the judicial system to prosecute the culprits arrested by the police force. It is recommended that the UNHCR provide financial assistance, especially for police reforms. Furthermore, closer coordination between the refugees and the law enforcement apparatus is encouraged to curb the association of terrorists and refugees. While repatriation has been identified as the best international norm for solving the refugee dilemma, clear guidelines should be enumerated as to at what cost the practice should be carried on

The centre-periphery relations and governance issues: the role of decentralisation in post-conflict North-Western Pakistan

This study explores the centre-periphery relations and the role of local governance (decentralisation) in filling the governance gap in post-conflict North-Western Pakistan. The study investigates whether the local government can contribute to establishing a state\u27s writ and perform governance functions better. There is a strong correlation between conflict situations, decentralisation and governance. A state can have adequate governance and a strong state-society relation if local governance arrangements are ensured with a conducive environment for socio-economic development, guarantee national security and solve the common problems of all citizens irrespective of any discrimination based on ethnicity, religion or region. The study analysed that the central government has a low political and institutional infrastructure presence that promotes hurdles to strong state-society relations necessary for stable and equitable social relations and social contracts. In the more centralised administrative system, the provision of public goods by the state created pressures on the state compared to the decentralised system. The study shows that decentralisation provides opportunities for better governance, equity, and improved efficiency by handling diversity. Moreover, decentralisation moves the authority and responsibility from the centre to the local level, thus expanding the roles and functions of central government agencies to other state affairs

Local Government Elections in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan: An Assessment of Challenges and Prospects (2012-2015)

The 18th Amendment in the 1973 Constitution mandated provinces to institute a local government system. However, it has provided fewer details on what kind of administrative and financial powers would be conferred to the local governments (LG). The Local Government Act 2012 was passed by the Awami National Party (ANP) led coalition government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). This act was replaced with the Local Government Act 2013 by the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) led coalition government. This paper investigates the reasons behind the failure of the PTI government to conduct an in-time LG election. The findings show that the deferral is accounted for by the revision and delimitation of local government constituencies, which could not be done due to the government-opposition contentions for securing political interests and edge over the voting majority areas of candidates of the rival parties. Another point to ponder is the PTI government’s failure to keep the promise of conducting voting through a biometric system, which could minimise the problem of rigging and mismanagement. An attempt has also been made to analyse the complex relationship between the PTI-led government and the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), fraught with a mutual blame game, to cover up their inabilities

Determination of pesticide residues in blood samples of villagers involved in pesticide application at District Vehari (Punjab), Pakistan

Blood samples were collected from field workers involved in pesticide spraying activities at three different farms in Tahsil Mailsi, District Vehari (Punjab), Pakistan. Twenty seven villagers (including three controls), ranging from 16 to 50 years of age and one to nine years of pesticide application experience were tested. The blood samples were analyzed for 383 different pesticides using Gas Chromatograph Mass Spectrometer (GC-MS) multi residue analytical technique. Only chlorpyrifos (0.009 mg/l) and pyributicarb (0.001 mg/l) were detected in the blood samples.Key words: Multi-pesticide residues, blood sample, GC-MS

The Environmental Issues in Pakistan: An Assessment of the Political Parties Manifestos for the 2018 Elections

This paper assessed political parties’ manifestos of the 2018 election regarding their policies for addressing Pakistan\u27s environmental issues. The area covered by forests has reduced to 24% from 50% (in the 1940s). The wastage of natural resources, especially water, has resulted in the drying of swamps and lakes (and a general reduction of freshwater resources). Soil has become less fertile; the underground water has been receding, and the country has become a desert. Textual analysis is used to clarify each party\u27s position and examine the comparative approach of eight major political parties. The manifestos of these parties expressed commitment to solving environmental problems as the voters have been directly affected by adverse climate changes, which have affected the social, political, and economic spheres. The parties that have been in power and those not been in power but have a significant voter following are collectively shaping the governance system to address the environmental concerns of Pakistan. Unfortunately, the redressal of environmental issues has been commonly relegated to the bottom of priorities in the manifestos of the political parties. Instead of addressing the environmental concerns, the political parties prioritised it with manipulation to grab power for the sake of enjoying it

Congenital neck masses: embryological and anatomical perspectives

Neck masses are a common problem in paediatric age group. They tend to occur frequently and pose a diagnostic dilemma to the ENT surgeons. Although the midline and lateral neck masses differ considerably in their texture and presentation but the embryological perspective of these masses is not mostly understood along with the fundamental anatomical knowledge. The article tries to correlate the embryological, anatomical and clinical perspectives for the same

A histological study of prostate

The work of anatomists and pathologists in the role of study of prostate has been significant. Starting from earlier times till modern time, the study of prostate has been a dynamic one and the basic anatomical knowledge of the prostate has undergone much change apart from the new techniques, micro invasive procedures and the chemotherapeutic approach for various disorders of the gland. The present study was based on the microscopic examination of Prostatic tissue of individuals with individual tissues of different age groups. The present study involved 40 cases which were further subdivided into various age groups and characteristic histological changes were noted. The study presents an assessment of age changes in prostate in elderly in Kashmiri population with pathological significance. Besides the histological study is of great importance in staging of diseases of prostate and especially in modern era where the incidence and prevalence of prostatic diseases is on rise

The politics of dismissal of the government in Pakistan and the role of the judiciary (1988-1997)

The judiciary’s role is significant in the political and constitutional development of a federal system, as the sustenance of democracy in such countries depends mainly on the independence of the judiciary. This study investigates the judiciary\u27s role in complementing the dictatorial moves of the presidents and non-elected factions against the governments. The 8th Constitutional Amendment shifted the power balance to the President, thus establishing a quasi-parliamentary system. Due to the lack of power balance, the president and the prime minister did not work together to safeguard the national interest. The opposition factions always asked the President to dismiss the government. Instead of serving as a check on the government and providing stability to the democracy, the President used this power to dismantle the setup. In such cases, the judiciary has been asked to exercise the power of judicial review. The judgements of the judiciary in such cases had far-reaching effects on the stability of the political system. While passing the judgement, the judiciary looked at a powerful president rather than the principle of merit and justice. The judiciary upheld majority dismissals, mainly due to the nexus between the military and the President, which shows its weakness vis-à-vis other state institutions

Judicial activism in Pakistan: An assessment of the elected governments from 1993 to 1999

There is a correlation between the institution of the judiciary, political executive, legislatures, a democratic system, the constitution\u27s superiority and the state\u27s citizens. In a democracy, the government needs to develop a harmonious and friendly relationship with the opposition and the non-political institutions so that the military does not have a chance to interfere. Different schools of thought differ over the role of the superior judiciary in maintaining checks and balances on the elected government. One school believes that non-elected judges shall not exercise the power of judicial review. However, others believe that if the elected government does not perform their duties in the required manner, the judiciary must look closely at its work. This study focuses on how apparent judicial activism, the struggle for supremacy of parliament, and apparent efforts to establish a check and balance system were misused by all the stakeholders to enhance control over political affairs rather than strengthen state institutions. It also analyses how the military in Pakistan maintained a check on the elected governments during the second term of Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif. The findings revealed that the military controlled the government through the powerful president or with the help of the judiciary

The anatomical, surgical and orthopedic importance of gastrocnemius

Gastrocnemius is one of the most important muscles of lower limb. It belongs to the superficial compartment of calf muscles. They belong to group of superficial flexors. Gastrocnemius, plantaris and soleus form the bulk of the calf. Gastrocnemius forms the belly of the calf. It arises by two distinct heads, connected to the condyles of the femur by strong, flat tendons. It has an immense anatomic, medical, orthopedic and physiological importance and is attributed in a variety of medical and surgical problems. A profound knowledge of this muscle is of great importance to any surgeon or orthopedicians or any clinician