Current Affairs

[WAQAR ABRO]

FEDERAL PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION

COMPETITIVE EXAMINATION FOR
RECRUITMENT TO POSTS IN BPS-17 UNDER
THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, 2009

GENERAL KNOWLEDGE PAPER-II
(CURRENT AFFAIRS)


TIME ALLOWED:
(PART-I)…………30 MINUTES…………..…..MAXIMUM MARKS:20
(PART-II)…………2 Hours & 30 Minutes……..MAXIMUM MARKS:80

NOTE:
(i) First attempt Part-I (MCQ) on separate Answer Sheet which shall be taken back after 30 Minutes.
(ii) Overwriting/cutting of the options/answers will not be given credit.


Q.8 Write Short Notes on any two
A. Combating corruption in developing countries?
B. Free Market economy and economic melt down
C. Improving Quality of life in Africa

D. Economic Potential of Central Asia.

1-Introduction :

                        Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan These central asian countries became independent with the end of the Soviet Union in 1991,there are living almost 60 million people,they are one of the poorest regions of the world,it is also said that ,the international attention has been focused on these regions just because  of economical potential,they have reserves of hydrocarbons and some other natural resources as well.

2-Problems facing central asia :

i) Johannes Linn says "Progress on the problems facing Central Asia, including a poor investment climate, threats from natural disasters, health epidemics and terrorism, is hindered by corruption, poor administrative capacity and lack of accountability."
ii) International donors should help the five countries to reduce the barriers that separate them and create "borders with a human face," so that people can travel, trade and invest across borders without undue delay, harassment and cost. Donors are urged to strengthen their support for region-wide initiatives, such as on transport and transit, HIV/AIDS, disaster preparedness and drug trafficking in Central Asia.
iii) The cost of non-cooperation is continued deterioration in income distribution, social services and general living conditions, according to the Report of United Nations Development Programme,it is possibly a descent into the vicious cycle of economic crisis and corrupt governance that often leads to social unrest.
iv) There are many challenges that confront Central Asia, including high trade costs, environmental devastation, increased inequality, rising migration, the rapid spread of HIV/AIDS and poor governance.

3-Recommendation :

i) Upgrade regional transport links; simplify and harmonize transit, customs and border management; and join the World Trade Organization (WTO).
ii) Work toward more efficient pricing and effective management of infrastructure at the national level.
iii) Establish a regional Water-Energy Consortium to manage the abundant regional water and energy resources for greater efficiency, human development and regional stability.
iv) Work together to address the risks from potentially catastrophic environmental hot-spots, strengthen the regional, national and civil society environmental organizations.
v) Create regional plans for disaster preparedness, especially for devastating earthquakes and floods.
vi) Control drug trafficking through better cross-agency coordination and a balance between enforcement and developmental approaches.
vii) Strengthen regional networks of governments, academic and civil society organizations in the areas of health, education and culture. Use regional benchmarking to measure progress on MDGs.
viii) Clarify the mandates and strengthen the capacity of regional institutions.

Conclusion :

It was proclaimed at tokyo on 7th december 2005 that.these central asian countries could as much as double their incomes over the next 10 years by strengthening regional economic cooperation,they should do corporate with eachother,and invite investors from all over the world to invest in their contries,Though Kazakhstan has wide-ranging energy potentials,she must help its neighbours, rather  Kazakhstan’s trade with China in the first quarter of 2007 grew more than 55 percent compared to the same period in 2006,whereas other central countries have been suffering from hunger,poverty,economical crises and energy crises,although Visa-free travel between Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan were crossing the border between the two Central Asian states is free of hassles. Uzbeks and Kyrgyz traders alike complain that convoluted customs procedures and corruption are hampering commerce.  there should be tight security which prevent those ,who try to do illigal trade activies around the border areas.

[Dr. Farrukh Malik]

Good work Waqar.

[WAQAR ABRO]

Good work Waqar.

Thanks Sir,Your ecouragement boost me alot.

[Arif Rao]

C.A. Paper 2009

Q. 2 why most countries of the Muslim world are devoid of democratic governance? What changes would you recommend to make them modern democratic states?

Why Muslim countires are destitute of democracy:
Dynastic politics
Lack of education among the masses
Western foreign policies continue to support oppressive regimes
Unreasonale dependence on the oil wealth and lack of planning and developement
Sectarianism on the rise
Misinterpretation of the Islamic principles by religious fanatics (esp. Jihad etc.)


Effects on the Muslim World:
rising levels of poverty and unemployment
growing corruption
violence and wars and terrorism
Human rights violation
Dependence on others in almost every field of developement in Science & Tech

What kind of change is needed:
Will it be slow, peaceful, and progressively move us toward real democracy, or will it be violent and revolutionary, and lead us toward another form of dictatorship.


Solution:
We need a strong coalition of moderate reformers and democrats (both moderate Islamists and secularists) who trust one another and work together for the public interest.

Real democratization requires pressure from inside and out. Inside pressure is there and needs only to be channelised but pressure from outside is needed and needed right now.

The West should avoid supporting their hand-picked puppets in the Muslim World and must accept and support democracy even if moderate Islamic movements, and not secularists, receive the majority of votes.

Lessons from the West:
In the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, when democracy was being developed and implemented in Europe, there was fear that the Catholic Church would be an obstacle to democracy, but the "Christian Democratic" movement grew and defended the idea that democracy was compatible with Christianity. In the Muslim world, we are seeing the birth of "Muslim democrats" who are advancing and advocating similar ideas.

Need to engage and support Moderate Islamists (who reject violence and theocracy, and simply want to reform their societies based on Islamic values of justice, equality, and accountability i.e. Democracy. Moderate Islamic movements today range from the Justice and Development Parties in Turkey and Morocco, to the reform Islah or Wasat parties in Kuwait, Yemen, and Jordan. Prominent moderate Islamist leaders include Anwar Ibrahim in Malaysia, Saadeddine al-Othmani in Morocco, and Abdulwaheed in Indonesia.

A Gallup Poll conducted in 2006 in ten Muslim-majority countries showed that the overwhelming majority (between 70-90% in Egypt and Pakistan) want a democratic government, but also want Shari'ah (Islamic law) to be either the main or the only source of legislation in their countries. This means that they want a democracy governed by Islamic principles, and they reject both theocracy and secular democracy.

Ijithad and the Reinterpretation of Islamic Texts:
The effort to re-open the door of Ijtihad (rational thinking), to reinterpret Islamic texts and modernize Islamic thought is not new, but it required to be revived all around the Muslim World, esp. the relationship between religion and the state needs further investigation and clarification.

According to Kubba:
“Looking ahead, I am an optimist. We need to watch the discourse taking place among Muslim intellectuals by which they are bringing about authentic Islamic interpretation of how they should govern themselves in modern societies. I have a lot of faith that this debate will lead to democracy and to full recognition of human rights, but it will come with local language and interpretation and it will be approached from a totally different perspective than we are accustomed to in the West.”

There is a strong need of unity among the Muslim Countries and the realisation of the need of democracy, true and deep-rooted democracy. The Center for the Study of Islam and Democracy (CSID) is in the best position to demonstrate this.

Conclusion:
Democracy building remains an uphill struggle in most Muslim countries. The explanation of why so many Muslim countries are not democratic has more to do with historical, political, cultural, and economic factors than with religious ones. Scholars of Islam agree that the principle of shura, or consultative decision-making, is the source of democratic ethics in Islam. But a great deal more reflection is required to clarify the relationship of shura to democracy. Those countries that have weak civil society structures and authoritarian regimes are fertile ground for terrorists. If western countries want to suppress terror then they must foster civil society and support movements that bolster democratic trends within these repressive political systems. There lies a great need of unity among Muslim World. West should support democratisation of the Islamic countires. Without the basic rules of Islam and democracy i.e. equality, justice and accountability, the Muslim World can not progress any further.

[Ayaz Ali Mahesar]

i really appreciate the efforts being put by the Waqar as well as our two qualified CSPz. i wish all the CSPz to put more efforts and share their experience with regard to Current affairs of the 2010, please.


Ayaz Ali Mahesar
Darbello
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“Experience is the name every one gives to their mistakes.”