Pak-India track-II diplomacy

By Dr Mehmood-ul-Hassan Khan

IT seems that track-II diplomacy between Pakistan and India has now somehow succeeded to lessen gestures of ongoing tugs-of-war and tit-for-tat syndrome.

Diplomatic resources say that track-II diplomacy with India had been active since 2018 and Indian PM Narendra Modi may have visited Pakistan to participate in the SARRC summit during 2021. It has many phases starting from (phase-I) 2018 to August 2019.

In its phase-II Pakistan’s main emphasis was on the situation in India-held Kashmir (IHK).

According to reliable sources there had been a series of meetings between relevant high officials of the two sides in various locations outside Pakistan and India.

These meetings helped ease tensions and spur dialogue on issues that appeared intractable in public engagement.

Pakistan was concerned about the increasing repression in the occupied territory and the sufferings of its people. It got momentum during 2020 and 2021 too.

Normalization in Kashmir and its change of status back from the union territory towards a state with guarantees against feared demographic change had been one the key points of back channel engagement of Pakistan.

Series of meaningful gestures paved the way towards peace, sensibility and sustainability between both the countries.

In this regard, India and Pakistan DGMOs reactivated the 2003 ceasefire, India allowed Pakistan use its air space when PM Imran Khan travelled to Sri Lanka, meaningful resolve of Pakistan’s Army Chief, Gen. Qamar Javaid Bajwa “ bury the past, and conducive atmosphere in occupied Jammu & Kashmir” during the Islamabad Dialogue followed by tweet of Indian PM Narendra Modi on PM Khan’s illness and later PM Modi’s letter wishing well to Pakistani people on Pakistan’s Day, on 23rd March all indicated existence of a comprehensive back channel dialogue between the two countries.

PM Imran Khan positively responded to Indian PM on 29th March and insisted that talks on all issues particularly Jammu and Kashmir are needed.

But incumbent government unexpectedly, tried to allow imports of sugar and cotton from India which somehow triggered hot debate in the country.

And subsequently, the federal government deferred this decision. But it seems that a caravan of track-II diplomacy is slowly but surely inching towards composite dialogue and development orientations.

Even the chief spoke man of foreign ministry of Pakistan in his monthly briefing emphasized to resolve all issues with India through productive dialogue and meaningful engagement which showed that tracks of track-II diplomacy still maintained.

Now the ball is in India’s court, the onus of moving forward lies with India that has to take steps to restore the statehood of occupied Jammu & Kashmir and has to create an “enabling environment.

Reliable sources in the country insist that track-II diplomacy never ended and always existed and both sides were engaged in a robust process from the early part of 2020 with the help of third countries especially, the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

It is learned that Ajit Doval, NSA led these discussions with highly placed officials within Pakistan.

UAE had been mentioned earlier in media space, but sources assert that Saudi Arabia and Britain too had been playing a positive role in furthering trust between the two warring states of India and Pakistan.

But assertive diplomatic reach-out of Joe Biden US administration played an important role in it.

Sources of the establishment and policy makers in the country insisted no back stance or sell-out on the burning issue of Kashmir.

It is learnt that Pakistani side has been purposefully kept the focus on Kashmir since the resumption of track-II diplomacy in in early 2020.

It asserted a normalization of human life and peace political activity in occupied Jammu and Kashmir, restoration of the statehood to Jammu and Kashmir with guarantees that no demographic change will be permitted in the disputed territories.

Pakistan has principal stance and expects political autonomy to the Kashmiri people, full restoration of communication links, rights of travel for Kashmiris to AJK and Pakistan on permit and it wants India to extend guarantees on waters from Kashmir.

It seems that successful gradual process would have ultimately led to the visit of PM Narendra Modi to attend SAARC summit in Pakistan during 2021. Trade resumption between countries would have been announced at that stage.

Reliable sources insist that track-II diplomacy will continue with additional Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) between both countries and Pakistan welcomes the positive steps taken by India so far, for instance honoring the “2003 Ceasefire” initiative by Pakistan.

In the past, Indian Congress party had maintained that India and Pakistan should defer a decision on Kashmir and improve their overall relations through trade and investments.

Seeds of that thinking were also essential part of the “Musharraf’s Four Point Formula”. Unfortunately that had not been materialized.

If that process had not been abandoned after 2007-2008 then a far more realistic solution could have emerged in the entire South Asia where both countries would have moved closer without bringing a change in the overall political architecture of the disputed state.

The incumbent government should not be shy to engage with all the stakeholders, political parties, factions and pressure groups to develop a consensus before jumping into a composite dialogue in the future.

Indian BJP government must realize the importance of these track-II diplomatic engagements and come up with constructive plans to move forward for the overall socio-economic prosperity of South Asia and beyond because deterrence would not be pro-development in case of any misadventure in the future.

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—The writer is Director, Geopolitics/Economics Member Board of Experts, CGSS.

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Pakistan and Russia are Shaping New Era of Strategic Relationship

Asia is a goldmine of opportunities and choices for the major powers. Significant location of Pakistan in the region attracts major powers as well. Change in geopolitics with opportunities and choices leads regional states towards decisive shift in their foreign policy. Russia is opening eyes and looking to be a regional hegemon. Although Pakistan and Russia have no history of good relationship but the strategic realities gave birth to the current shift which is much positive for both Islamabad as well as Moscow.

Pakistan-Russia has past of adversary but today, both are welcoming the idea of building and stimulating strategic relationship. Pakistan wants to build better relationship with Russia to reduce dependency on United States. Islamabad wants to prove to Washington that it has as another strategic option if there is any tension happens between Pakistan and United States. Washington never likes Moscow’s influence in Islamabad. There are differences between Pakistan and the United States over drone attacks. According to some analysts American hegemony is near to end in the region and Pakistan does not like to become overly ally of United States and dependent on it.

In fact, the increasing relationship between India and America motivates Pakistan to look for new friends and alliances. Pakistan also likes to drive wedge between India and Russia by improving relations with Moscow. Pakistan also has an eye of Russian military equipment supply and technology assistance that is better than China. Pakistan wants to gain much commercial incentive from Russia for example Karachi to Lahore Pipeline and Russia is also interested in renovation of Pakistan Steel Mill. According to some reports Russia may join CASA-1000 energy project providing electricity to Afghanistan and Pakistan.

On the other hand, today Russia is interested in Pakistan by its strategic location being very next to Afghanistan and Central Asian states. Although both the countries do not share borders but have same geopolitical space. Moscow has long considered Islamabad as a troublemaker for Russia and supporter of terrorism in the region. Russian motivation is to convince Pakistan to be moderate and subdue Islamic radicalization and militancy in the region. Pakistan is a Muslim state which has great influence in the Muslim world and Russia also has a large number of Muslim populations.

Russia thinks that Pakistan can play vital role for the stable Afghanistan. Moscow hopes, after the withdrawal of American forces, Russia will find the strategic place in the region and then it will be able to play better role in the Indo-Pacific region. Russia also hopes that its understanding with Pakistan will decrease terrorism in Afghanistan and the region. It is also building relations with Pakistan to counter alignment between India and United States.

Pak-Russia relationship can impede India from getting close United States. Indian tendency toward Israel and United States for advance weapons and technology encourages Russia to look for new markets for her arms sale. Moscow’s proposition to Islamabad, Pakistan can be a part of Russian strategy to play significant role in the region. On the issue of Ukraine, Russia is being isolated and has few friends in the international sphere. The aftermath Ukraine issue Russia is looking for new friends who may help her and challenge the West.

Islamabad and Moscow first time noticed each other in 2009 when Afghanistan, Pakistan, Russia and Tajikistan floated to promote regional security and economics. This quadrilateral idea held three meetings and did not take off due to cancelation of Putin’s expected visit of Pakistan for the fourth meeting in 2012.

President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari had visited Russia in 2011 and Army Chief visited Moscow during 2012. There were reciprocal visits continued by ministers and high level officials of both the countries.  Russian defense minister Sergei Shoigu visited Pakistan in 2014 since the last 45 years. During this visit the both countries agreed on information exchange on politic-military issues; cooperation for promoting international security, counterterrorism and arms control actives; collaboration in various military fields and other areas of education, medicine, topography, hydrography, cultural and experience sharing in peacemaking efforts were signed. In August 2015, Moscow agreed to provide Mi-35Mhelicopter to Pakistan.

Pakistan wished to buy 20 Mi-35Ms over the next year and got four helicopters in 2017. In addition, both the countries enhanced military relations and joint military exercises were made between the two armies under the slogan of Druzhbha (Russian word meaning friendship). Russian naval forces also participated in Aman-17 international exercise in Arabian Sea, hosted by Pakistan in 2017.

Further both countries agreed about coordination against terrorism and drug trafficking. Russia had already cooperated in outer-space exploration and helped in launching Pakistani telecommunication satellite Al-Badar in 2001. It also had refurbished the only Pakistani steel mill.

An agreement of $2 billion for the North-South gas pipeline was signed in October 2015 which would connect Lahore to Karachi terminal. This agreement was signed on the first visit of Pakistan by Russian energy minister. 1100 kilometer pipeline is anticipated to be completed in 2018. The Russian company will complete this project and will use for 25 years.

In the energy sector, both states are collaborating as well and have signed a Memorandum of Understanding in Moscow between Russia’s Gazprom International and Pakistan’s Oil and gas Development Company Limited on July3, 2017.  The project will fulfill the energy requirement of Pakistan. This understanding was for mutual cooperation and joint ventures and use of state of art technology that would aid exploration and development in Pakistan. This is the beginning of commercial ties between these two countries.

The increasing cooperation between Pakistan and Russia should be viewed in the context of Afghan scenario which had created challenges for Moscow. Pakistan is considered an important country for the stabilization in Afghanistan. Without constructive involvement of Pakistan, the problems of Afghanistan and stability are a dream. During the Last six decades, very few Pakistani leaders and officials visited Russia. Whenever whoever visited yielded positive result; Tashkent declaration in 1966 and Pakistan Steel mills in 1970s.Pakistan has revisited her foreign policy during the 21st century and gave impotence to neglected states. When president of Pakistan visited Russia in 2002, a joint work group on strategic stability, counterterrorism and inter-governmental Commission were established. Regular meetings of these groups have been held since then. Russia also seems accommodating Pakistan. 

Russia condemned the Salala Post attack by NATO on November26; 2011and issued the friendly public statement. And it also supported Pakistan on closure supply to NATO in Afghanistan through Pakistan. Russia has supported Pakistan to be a member of Shanghai Cooperation Organization(SCO) and to be part of Russian security mechanism. Shanghai Cooperation Organization is an important initiative to counter American influence and to bring peace and stability in the region. The membership of SCO will enhance the strategic and regional importance of Pakistan.

There is a strong potential of Pak-Russia relations in steel production, communication, and space technology and energy sector. Pakistan should embrace these choices because it has much learnt from past errors and mistakes. There is common perception in Pakistan that its policy of ignoring nearer countries and aligning the distant ones cost her politically, economically and strategically.

These alliances could not become successful to achieve all ideals of Pakistan such as Kashmir issue and security against India. Washington has enhanced relationship with India and is projecting it as a regional power. It did not fulfill the promise which it had made in the beginning of the relations. It also did not make Pakistan a progressive and modern society but turned in to radical and fragmented society. In fact, the ideal of choosing the democratic west against the authoritative east resulted in long and consistent spell of dictatorship in Pakistan. Comparatively India chose the other way round always had a stable and functional democracy in the country.

Although Pakistan and Russia are being close but Pakistan will never jeopardize its relations with Washington. Washington is providing military aid and financial assistant to Pakistan but getting tension by Pak-Russia romance. Russia understands Indian concerns and believes that Moscow and Islamabad rapprochement will normalize the hostile situation between India and Pakistan.

The historical back ground of India-Russia relationship is very strong and Russia will never like to lose India. However, it is expected that there will be a period of much more intensive and extensive interaction between these two countries. Pak-Russia rapprochement should not surprise the regional powers due to current geopolitical churn in global politics.

Pak-Russia relationship may become true strategic partnership in future. If Russia improves strategic relations with Pakistan it might be able to influence Pakistan to play constructive role in Afghanistan and not to act against India. This would be a regional interest as regional powers like to see stability in Afghanistan. If Russia goes ahead to defense cooperation with Pakistan it would be detriment to Indo Russia relationship and Pakistan is a smaller market than India for Russia.

Russia may lose some major contract which it has made with India recently. Both India and Russia have the history of relationship and India has never openly criticized Russian policies over Ukraine. And both the countries are members of several multilateral organizations like BRICS, RIC and SCO. Although India has expressed its concerns about Pak-Russia growing cooperation on several times but Russia believes that Pak-Russia rapprochement will normalize Indo-Pak hostile attitude. It seems that Pakistan and Russia are going to forge true strategic partnership.

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M. Akram Zaheer

PhD Scholar (Political Science) The Islamia University, Bahawalpur Lecturer at Heritage International College Arifwala

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China’s Exceptional Textile Industry: Xinjiang Cotton, Development Status and Recent Situation

By Khalid Taimur Akram

China is one of the largest and leading cotton producers in the world. The province of Xinjiang is the fifth largest producer and distributor of cotton to the globe. The country has developed its cotton production rapidly during the last 60 years.  Currently, China produces 30% of the world's cotton. Its textile industry is also the biggest exporter to many major and leading brands worldwide.

In many major Western clothing brands, China has been their biggest growth market for a couple of past decades. It is the world’s biggest apparel market, accounting for about 24% of global sales. Chinese-made fabric may contain cotton from a variety of both Chinese regional and international sources. Its exports both cotton yarn and fabrics to apparel-manufacturing nations across Asia. In this aspect, Xinjiang’s cotton production is relatively high yield and good quality.

Xinjiang an important producing area of upland cotton and sea-island cotton in the world with perfect cultivation and management technology. Recently, the province’s cotton is banned, and the issue is being politicized by Western players, which would be devastating for the whole globe’s need for cotton. This article highlights the existing great potential of China’s textile industry and development status of exceptional Xinjiang’s cotton production. The study also analyses the current situation of the false issue created by the West over Chinese cotton and elucidates prospects of flourishing cotton production.

China’s Textile Industry: An Overview

The economy of China has witnessed massive transition since the economic reforms of the 1960s. The central planning system has given numerous ways to a state-led market mechanism and paved the way for robust transformation in many domains. After the reforms, the structural and institutional arrangements have provided sufficient support to nurture the emerging industrialization, sustained the technological upgrading, enhanced farming techniques, introduced an efficient mechanism for agriculture outputs, and built regional and international production networks.

 

In this aspect, the Chinese textile industry has grown rapidly and now it is one of the leading industries globally. Due to the effective initiatives taken by the visionary Chinese leadership and advanced technologies, the textile industry experienced an era of golden growth. Over more than a decade, the country production capacity is enhanced and now it is more focused on value-added and branding cultivation.

Constructive engagement with the international market. It happened because of China’s accession to World Trade Organization (WTO) which brought production expansion, and sustainable long-term sectoral development. In this aspect, a profound understanding of the strong institutional support behind the substantial growth is vital. Likewise, the emergence of the clothing/textile sector was possible because of an optimal institutional arrangement to facilitate Chinese firms to upgrade horizontally and functionally. 

The robust system was started by the authorities’ decision to open up the transformation process, including industrial upgrading. Furthermore, broader use of digital technologies has proliferated extensively into clothing manufacturing. These factors have pushed this sector towards the technology frontier and a modernized economy.

Xinjiang Cotton: Sustainable Development

Xinjiang accounts for 87% of China’s domestic cotton production. Apart from Xinjiang, the areas in which major cotton production is held in China are the Yellow River basin and the Yangtze river basin. The area of Xinjiang cotton-planting is the most appropriate cotton-planting region in China. It has the largest cultivation scale, the highest yield, the most advantageous output to input, and the greatest development potential. The technological advancement has paved the way for more efficient cotton production in the province.

The techniques include "dwarf, dense, early" core technology and its supporting technologies. For example, film mulching, selection of appropriate cultivars, drip irrigation technology and fruit-cotton intercropping. To get maximum advantages out of these systems, resources from soil and water and use of local light are essential elements to overcome the deficiencies of ecological climate in the cotton field of Xinjiang. These factors are ensuring the attainment of quality cotton and sustainable yield.

The technological system of cotton planting has significant relevance and value for cotton production in other states. In China, for twenty-one consecutive years, the per capita amount of cotton, total yield, per unit area yield, commodity export rate, and transfer amount in Xinjiang have been ranked first. Therefore, it has attracted wide range of experts and investors at domestic and international levels.

The primary cotton-planting area of the region is a typical irrigation system. Thereby, cotton’s growth and development process can be artificially regulated by artificial irrigation according to the law of physiological water requirement of cotton plants. These factors have contributed high production of cotton and increased growth rate. Moreover, in Xinjiang major cotton-planting area, the soil is mainly composed of multiple things. For example, moderate clay and sandy soil, light loam, deep strata, loose soil texture, and flat land. In this regard, appropriate cotton-planting regions and particular production are as accounts for about 35% of the entire agricultural areas in the province. Presently, some type of machinery for soil preparation, seeding, plant protection, and straw returning have been developed and widely used in China’s cotton production.

Supporting Techniques in Enhancing China’s Cotton Production

For China to be one of the countries with the highest unit yield of cotton globally, Intensive farming technologies have played a crucial role. The great achievement in Beijing’s cotton production has much potential. It was possible due to the adoption of certain intrinsic technologies. For example, cultural practices and intensive farming technologies, including seedling transplanting, adaptation of improved varieties, plastic mulching, double cropping, drip irrigation, plastic mulching, plant pruning, and super-high plant density technique. In this regard, the transition is happening in this sector to foster agriculture output. The reforms supported China’s sustainable cotton production development. Furthermore, with relevance to farming and cultural system, the cotton yield has a bright prospect in the near future. The demand for Xinjiang Cotton will expand.

False Propaganda against Xinjiang Cotton: An Analysis

The Western media gives extraordinary coverage to false news and mostly blows small incidents out of proportion. Presently, the western market has banned Chinese cotton supply, claiming human rights violation in the cotton-growing Xinjiang region (the Uighurs minority area). The U.S., Australia, and other big international firms have raised concerns over the sources of cotton production. The leading brands which stop cotton purchases from Xinjiang include H&M, Gap, Nike, Adidas, Zara, and Ikea. The local Muslim community in Xinjiang, is being portrayed as a subject of abysmal poverty, acute injustice, and grave oppression. However, all the allegations are meaningless and merely politicizing campaigns against the rising Chinese economy.

The fabricated stories of western media are focused to gain sympathies of Muslim countries in Belt and Road Initiative regions. China has alleviated poverty and sustainable development in Xinjiang autonomous region. The employment level is stable and a large number of job opportunities have been created by the startling policies of Chinese leadership.

According to United Nations trade data, almost two-third of the clothing sold in Australian stores is manufactured in China. For some cotton products, China’s share is much greater than the average.  About 80% of men’s undergarments, 90% of handkerchiefs and almost 98% of some cotton fabric categories come from China.

Furthermore, it is also estimated that about 4% of Australia’s clothes are manufactured locally, and much of that use Chinese fabric and yarns.

In this aspect, dis-engaging and restricting China’s cotton supply chains over false allegation and mere propaganda would be detrimental for the cotton availability in the international market.

Conclusion

The upgraded farming techniques, an advanced mechanism for agriculture productivity, and efficient workforce are the key factors in making China the world’s biggest producer and supplier of cotton. It is expected that in future, the growing industry of cotton will develop further.  Industry’s revenue will increase and boost the agriculture and economic sector of China.

It is believed that the state’s cotton has a good prospect with the support of new farming technologies.  Even with the ongoing fierce market competition, Beijing will utilize its existing potential, enhance cotton capacity and continue to supply it internationally with a high ratio. In this aspect, any meaningless allegations or claims by the Western countries to halt Xinjiang cotton supply or any false propaganda would have huge economic repercussions for the world as many Western states and leading international brands are heavily dependent on China’s cotton.

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The writer of this article is Khalid Taimur Akram, Executive Director, Center for Global & Strategic Studies (CGSS), Islamabad

Azerbaijan’s Startling Policies under President Ilham Aliyev: An Overview

Khalid Taimur Akram, Executive Director, CGSS

After the disintegration of the Soviet Union in 1991, the Republic of Azerbaijan has progressed by leaps and bounds. It has come a long way from being a newly interdependent country through its inclusive economic goals and friendly foreign policy options.

It happened due to the vigilant policies initiated by Former Azerbaijani President Haider Aliyev. The visionary leadership continued and improved by his ingenious son and incumbent President His Excellency Ilham Aliyev.

In present times, the country stands as a united and developed nation. It has signed multilateral agreements of regional connectivity and socio-economic development with other countries to gain broader international support vis-à-vis its political and military narrative.

The incumbent government under President Ilham Aliyev has masterfully outmaneuvered its rivals on all fronts. In this article, important aspects of Azerbaijan’striumphs’ rise during the past couple of decades are elaborated. Moreover, the success stories of Azerbaijan under the visionary leadership of President Ilham Aliyev are also highlighted.

Azerbaijan’s Military Victory in Nagorno-Karabakh

The brave and patriotic Azerbaijani people never forgot the illegal Armenian occupation of the Nagorno-Karabakh region during the first Nagorno-Karabakh war. It ended after a cease-fire agreement in 1994. To avenge those losses, the Azerbaijani people increased their preparations during the last decade and left no stone unturned in getting ready to teach a memorable lesson to the arrogant Armenian people. The hostilities between both countries culminated when the Azerbaijani government under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev.

He decided to push away the tyrannical Armenian army from their rightful land and achieved a landmark victory. The act had forced the over-confident Armenian government to give up all of its illegal possession in the region under an agreement signed on 10th November 2020. 

In the aftermath of this agreement, the world started to notice and appreciate the valor and prowess of Azerbaijani citizens who have not hesitated to sacrifice their lives for a noble and just cause. In this regard, the news of the U.S. army's eagerness to study and understand Azerbaijan's excellent use of drone warfare during this conflict is an apt example. 

This victory also effectively defies the absurd statements from the international media about the unrest and miserable political atmosphere in Azerbaijan as such outstanding victory cannot be achieved without complete unity.

Azerbaijan’s Foreign Policy Initiatives: An Analysis of Successful Implementation

While discussing Azerbaijan's successful military campaign against Armenia, one must not forget the diplomatic efforts conducted by President Ilham Aliyev to portray to the world vis-à-vis Azerbaijan's Nagorno-Karabakh’s stance. Due to the vigilant activities by Azerbaijan's officials during the past couple of decades, the world was convinced that Azerbaijan has every right to reclaim the conflicted lands. It has also been witnessed in the recent Nagorno-Karabagh conflict.

Azerbaijan’s visionary leadership made sure that its rightful stance is duly propagated and disseminated throughout the world. For example, whether it was the platform of the Organization of Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE)Minsk Group made for the amicable resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict in 1992, other bilateral or multilateral platforms vis-à-vis this conflict. Consequently, important international platforms like the United Nations Organization (UNO), the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and many conscientious countries worldwide have accepted Armenia's atrocious role in this conflict. Moreover, it was demanded evacuation from the Nagorno-Karabakh region until the start of the second Nagorno-Karabakh war.

Under the guidance of President Ilham Aliyev, Azerbaijan has always kept its key allies like Pakistan and Turkey close to their heart. In recent times, they have reached new heights of international, military, academic and socio-economic cooperation. Furthermore, more dynamics of regional cooperation have been enhanced and are expected to strengthen further in the near future. The country has also fostered active engagement and cooperation with significant regional and global organizations.

Azerbaijan’s Growing Influence in the Region:

Under President Ilham Aliyev's dynamic leadership, Azerbaijan has continued its effective policies of developing strong regional political and economic partnerships. In this aspect, certain factors are important to highlight that has led to the exponential increase in forming regional alliances for the greater good of the whole region.

For instance, Azerbaijan's geopolitical and strategic location, unified stance over the Nagorno-Karabagh region, effective structural and international policy reforms. Instead of throwing caution to the wind and blindly joining alliances of major world powers, Azerbaijan’s foreign policy objectives of restraining itself from joining joint military alliances of the superpowers and keeping its neutrality intact have remained commendable.

Moreover, its inclusive economic initiative, peacekeeping missions, and education programs in Iraq and Afghanistan have been appreciated, worldwide.

Successful Inclusive Economic Plans

Azerbaijan is a country that has been bestowed with abundant natural resources. Its oil and gas production facilities have bought huge sustenance to its economic structure over the past decades. Its 1994 “contract of the century” agreement with multiple global oil companies has significantly boosted its Gross Domestic Product (DGP). Moreover, these resources have also provided the necessary impetus for its economic uplift during President Ilham Aliyev's tenure, which continues to this day. Consequently, its exports have steadily increased across the globe.

Furthermore, the structural reforms of the early 1990s related to price liberalization, privatization reforms, fiscal reforms, and agricultural reforms have also substantially modernized Azerbaijan's economy during the past three decades. Due to the worldwide downfall in oil-gas prices and the rampant spread of the Covid-19 pandemic, the world’s economies have suffered drastically. In this regard, Azerbaijan's economy has faced a minor setback. However, the minor setback is covered and substituted with positive economic indicators and efficient policies, and visionary leadership.

Rise of Azerbaijan's Tourism Industry:

Presently, the significant increase in the efficacy of Azerbaijan’s tourism industry for economic growth and soft image building cannot be denied in the modern age. With the fluctuating oil and gas prices in the international market, the incumbent government has focused on developing and expanding its tourism industry to recover from any economic repercussions.

As a result of the consequent prudent steps, tourism in Azerbaijan has increased exponentially in recent years. In the year 2019, the success of the tourism industry in the country reached a new height. 3,170,400 foreigners from 193 countries visited Azerbaijan during this year. These numbers were 11.3% more than in 2018 which is a testament to the country’s tourism industry’s success. The main activities that attracted the visits from countries around the world were leisure, serenity business, exploring cultural-religious sites and to some extent seek better medical assistance.

Conclusion:

The 21st century C.E has given a plethora of development and growth opportunities to the world and the people of Azerbaijan as well. Since 2003, President Ilham Aliyev has tried his best to facilitate and uplift his country’s socio-economic and political development. For achieving this goal, he has used all his intellect and understanding of the region's economic and political affairs to become a desired leader in his country. He has also outplayed and outlasted his regional opponents in search of Azerbaijan’s stability. Under such circumstances, it is needless to say that Azerbaijan’s future is prosperous. In this context, it is also expected that this generation of Azerbaijani people will be witnessed and add to become a more stable nation.

Moreover, the country will continue to play a substantial role in regional economic prosperity, enhancing people-to-people connectivity and increasing peace and stability in the wider region under President Ilham Aliyev’s visionary leadership.

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The writer of this Article is Khalid Taimur Akram, Executive Director, Center for Global & Strategic Studies (CGSS), Islamabad

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Tranquility of Hunza

Munaza Kazmi

Readers must have heard the name of Hunza, as a paradise on earth, let me tell you it’s more than what you are wondering. I would name it as a Hidden Treasure, The Magical, & Absolutely Incredible!

Recently have come back to Islamabad from this wonderful fairy land, with suitcase full of magical moments & stories, that I wish to tell the world. Moreover, it was my solo trip, which make it much more important to share, since I want to tell the communities around the world with much confidence that, it is Safe to visit Pakistan, even as a solo woman.

Pakistan, a land blessed with vibrant landscapes; rivers, sands, lakes, snow-capped mountains, valleys, waterfalls, springs, glaciers and a lot more, moreover in great abundance.Hunza is one from the list.

Hunza is a mountainous valley, situated in the northern part of Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan, bordering with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to the west and the Xinjiang region of China to the north-east. The valley is situated at an elevation of 2,438 meters, which make the topography and climate particularly extreme.  People of the area speak local languages such as Burushaski, Wakhi, and Shina, however, the native of the valley can speak English very well.

The region has one of the highest literacy rates as compared to other similar districts in Pakistan due to the influence of His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan, whom most of the Hunzakuts follow as their spiritual leader.

One my visit I found as much as girls going to schools as boys, also community is broad minded, hospitable and friendly. Likewise, you would witness women working as café owners, farmers and shop keepers as well. Much thanks to AKDN, that educated and empowered the community.

I came to Hunza in the first week of March. Far before landing, I got the understanding that, what I have read about the region was nothing in front of what am watching. Snowcapped mountains, the blue sky, it’s totally dreamlike.

PIA landed on a beautiful tiny airport of Gilgit, it was much fun to see clear blue sky and huge rocks towering every sides of the airport.

My first stay was at Gilgit Serena Hotel. An attractive and luxurious lush green hotel, encircled with huge mountains casting spell on the viewer, with a scenic view of Rakaposhiworld 6^th highest peak from the Dumani restaurant, and the hospitable staff.

Next morning, I set for the journey with a guide to known paradise, here I would like to suggest the people who always ask questions about safety and security that, all you need is to book a reputable hotel and a travel-guide, as this will help you in knowing places and a sense of safety. Hunza is 2.5 hours away from Gilgit, the journey is as exciting, scenic and adventurous as one can imagine, and I was wondering, if the journey is that spellbinding, what about the destination.

Reaching Hunza, I felt like the whole land is celebrating Pink day! Since the roadside farms, trees and meadows, all were laden with pinkish-white flowers.

Before checking in to the hotel, I decided first to explore the celebrated Altit Fort that enjoy a history of 1,100 years and the surrounding 100-year-old heritage village and its civilization, that is renovated by Aga Khan Cultural Services Pakistan.

It was extreme cold, which made my heads spinning, equally from the encircled road trip, thus I told my driver to take me straight to Karimabad. I checked in to Hunza Serena Inn, immediately I was moved into the comfort of Deluxe Room, they served me with a hot cup of tea with some traditional biscuits that saved me from getting cold. The hotel offers a variety of tasty food, also you can order something that is not in the menu and it will appear in minutes.

Later, the evening I spent switching off my mobile phone watching the mountains, in mountains, one feels seclude: secluded from word, from everything but the hospitable people and the love of nature.

Early morning, I packed by the bag to explore more of Hunza, my first stop was Baltit Fort. A fairy-tale-like fort built in the 8th Century BC on top of a hill overlooking Karimabad, is the most prominent landmarks in Hunza. Its majestic location, being surrounded by the snowy mountains, make this fort one of the most photogenic.

In order to get to the fort, one will have to climb a steep road for 15 minutes through a local village before you will arrive at the fort where you will be able to get an unobstructed view of Karimabad and the valleys beyond. On a clear day, you can see Rakaposhi and Diran peaks all the way from the fort.

The local village around the fort is also worth exploring as well so be sure to spend some time and walk around the village.

Later in the noon, I set off for Passu Cones & Glacier, the grandeur of Cones on very sight will enthralled your spirits. Meanwhile, on crossing Attabad Lake I become speechless by encountering the tranquility of emerald green water, with the background of huge mountains.

The next spot was a sparkly frozen Passu lake, whose glittery crystals dragged me down the sloppy hill, and there I felt as a living character of The Arabian Nights: walking on water, really it felt magical, well Hunza itself is a magic.

Late afternoon occurred as an adventurous journey of crossing Hussaini Bridge, known as the most dangerous bridge in the world. By now I was totally tired, however still I maneuvered myself up to a hill way for reaching Borith Lake, a gorgeous pond where you would discover a number of birds, and maybe yaks, also the locals are very hospitable, and they would love to host you. Having tea with the loving and hospitable host is all I have wanted.

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