A Brief Prelude of Intra-ASEAN Cooperation and Socio-Economic Structure

By Khalid TaimurAkram

The advanced mechanism in international relations has been going through a profound transformation and evolutionary development.

New regionalism or regionalization has emerged as a significant trend in international affairs.

Now, countries have deepened cooperation among other states and region.Along with the explicit benefits these processes bring, fundamental pillars of the new regionalism are institutions and organizations that provide integrated platforms.

It builds qualitatively modern forms of interactions.The interdependence of markets exerts reciprocal influence on the dynamics of economic processes in various regions and strengthens trade relationships. In this aspect, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is aninclusive model for extensive collaboration.

It is a front runner and substantially increasesthe socio-economic development of Asia Pacific regional countries while enhancing multilateral cooperation.

Apart from the regional economic, social and cultural development, ASEAN has an ambitious agenda to promote regional peace and stability by adhering to justice and the rule of law in the inter-state relationships.

In its more than 40 years of history, ASEAN has steadily progressed in internal economic integration.

In 2003, the ASEAN leaders established an ASEAN integrated community comprising three pillars: security community, economic community, and socio-cultural community.

In this aspect, it can be seen that the ASEAN countries are inclined towards resolving their internal disputes, combating Non-Traditional Security (NTS) threats vis-à-vis cooperation under the ASEAN framework, and contributing to the stability of the Asia Pacific region.

Therefore, the paper explains the intra-ASEAN cooperative patterns and highlights the profound developments in recent times.

The study also provides aprofound analysis of thesocio-economic and political structure of ASEAN.

The ASEAN Economic Community (AEC): A Robust Intra-StateFramework

ASEAN is amid three major pillars, i.e., political security community, economic community, and socio-cultural community. The ASEAN Economic Community(AEC)focusedon wider economic integration.In 2015, its establishment paved the way for implementing its blueprint in recent times.

The primary AEC goals incorporatemultiple sectoral dimensions.  There are various transformative mechanisms of ASEAN’s economic integration that are interconnected.

AEC is an ‘’FTA-Plus’’ economic integration, and it targets the level of market integration, similar to those of the Economic Partnership Agreement. Thus, it is highly praised for its integration and steady development process.  

The broader vision of AEC2025 aims to participate in the global value chainand attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). Furthermore, it can be evaluated as a successful model of broader association among different countries.

ASEAN envisions AEC2025 as a great achievement towards hybrid alignment in the economic framework. Moreover, it has been perceived that itsenhanced collaboration withsectoral cooperation, resilient structure, and people-centered communityassociated with the global economy would result in a boon for all parties involved.

It has five majortenants and multiple key features that are beingcomprehensively described in the table below:

 

 

 

 

Tenants	Features
A highlyprogressive and integrated economy	·         Goods & services ·         Conducive strategies for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) ·         Financial sustainability ·         Facilitating workforce and business sector ·         Enhancing participation in global value chains
Enhanced cooperation-sectoral development	·         Academic cooperation&E-Commerce, ·         Energy, Food, agriculture and forestry ·         Tourism ·         Healthcare ·         Transport
A competitive, transforming & dynamic structure of ASEAN	·         Digital economy ·         Research and development ·         Science & Technological advancement. ·         Tariff’s feasibility ·         Good governance, regulatory reforms ·         Responsive regulations Regimes ·         Sustainable economic growth ·         Resolving trade-related Issues
A resilient, inclusive, people-oriented ASEAN	·         Facilitating the micro&medium enterprises (SMEs) ·         EncouragingPublic-private partnerships ·         Combining allstakeholders to contribute to regional peace
Global ASEAN	·         Develop coherent and investment-friendlyincentives for maintaining external economic relation ·         Playing constructive role at other international platforms ·         Maintain economic alliance with non-FTA dialogue partners

 

The Intra-State ASEAN’s framework details mentioned abovereflect that these countriesare likely to gaineconomic benefit from FTA in future and further foster collaborative measures vis-à-vis reinvigorating financial stability, maintaining investment flows, technology transfer, reducing intra-regional transactions costs to doing business, and supporting policy reform.

Moreover, it is also expected that the ASEAN's new member states would also maximizelucrative outcomes from the socio-economic integration projects in the region and beyond.

The broader regional arrangements will help ASEAN countries overcome the conflictby adhering toneeded reforms whileassisting in information sharing for conflict resolution and crisis management.

Flexible Paradigm of ASEAN and Regional Integration Theory

The origins of regional integration theory can be traced back to Viner's study in 1950. His workformulated a structure for analyzing the effect of creating trade &customs union or regional/international organizations for regulating the governments.

The pillars of the regional integration theory amid broader economic aspects. It seeks to explain the establishment of regional or international organizations.

In this aspect, the theory also answers the major question ofhow regional organizations expand their targets, competencies, and members? and what impact they have on states and societies in their regions? ASEAN is a supranational body that has transnational corporations and interest groups encouraged by the integration process.

Therefore, the ASEAN framework can be seen through the prism of the regional integration theory of international relations.

The wider association enables a variety of ripple impactsand path-dependencies that takeconnectivity beyond the regional confines. ASEAN covers the establishment and progress of supranational policies.

The member states promote beneficiaries of socio-economic progress. In this aspect, the wider integration has remained successful because of several reasons:

a.       Robust interstate trade/commerce strategies

b.      Durable liberalization policies while setting high goals

c.       The significant role of the FDI companies

d.      Promotion of trade with countries outside the ASEAN region

e.       Efforts to curtail intra-regional disparities

f.        Upgrading and developing the transportation infrastructure

Indonesia’s Substantial Role in Fostering Intra-ASEAN Socio-Economic Structure

Indonesia is the major economic power in the ASEAN region. Moreover, it has played a pivotal role as a mediator between other ASEAN-states in resolving their disputes.  Within ASEAN, Indonesia enjoys aleading position. 

Pakistan has the status of Sectoral Dialogue Partner (SDP) in ASEAN.  Indonesia has been helping Pakistan to attain the status of a full dialogue partner in the organization. The relationship between Indonesia and Pakistan has marked significant progress in recent times. 

The valuable asset of the relation is that the ASEAN countries are convinced of Pakistan’s sincere intentions to engage fruitfully with the region. In this aspect, ASEAN-Pakistan Joint Sectoral Committee works effectively to seek deeper association with the Asia Pacific and ASEAN countries.

Presently, China’s engagement with ASEAN has increased manifold. Both are linked via multilateral frameworks, institutional involvements, constructive engagements, and aid programs. Moreover, the ASEAN countries are directly part of the Belt & Road Initiative (BRI) and Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) projects.

Therefore, the full inclusion of China as a member state in ASEAN would be beneficial for the region and all parties involved.

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

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2021 World Environment Day Hosted by Pakistan

Munaza Kazmi

In 1972, the UN General Assembly designated 5June as “World Environment Day”. The first celebration, under the slogan “Only One Earth” took place in 1974. 

In the following years, World Environment Day has developed as a platform to raise awareness on the problems facing our environment such as air pollution, plastic pollution, illegal wildlife trade, sustainable consumption, sea-level increase, and food security, among others. 

Furthermore, World Environment Day helps drive change in consumption patterns and in national and international environmental policy.

The theme for World Environment Day 2021 is “Ecosystem Restoration” and will see the launch of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. Ecosystem restoration can take many forms: Growing trees, greening cities, rewilding gardens, changing diets or cleaning up rivers and coasts. This is the generation that can make peace with nature.

Ecosystem restoration means assisting in the recovery of ecosystems that have been degraded or destroyed, as well as conserving the ecosystems that are still intact. Healthier ecosystems, with richer biodiversity, yield greater benefits such as more fertile soils, bigger yields of timber and fish, and larger stores of greenhouse gases.

However, restoration can happen in many ways – for example through actively planting or by removing pressures so that nature can recover on its own.

It is not always possible or desirable to return an ecosystem to its original state. We still need farmland and infrastructure on land that was once forest, for instance, and ecosystems, like societies, need to adapt to a changing climate.

Between now and 2030, the restoration of 350 million hectares of degraded terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems could generate US$9 trillion in ecosystem services. 

Restoration could also remove 13 to 26 gigatons of greenhouse gases from the atmosphere. The economic benefits of such interventions exceed nine times the cost of investment, whereas inaction is at least three times costlier than ecosystem restoration.

All kinds of ecosystem can be restored, including forests, farmlands, cities, wetlands and oceans. Restoration initiatives can be launched by almost anyone, from governments and development agencies to businesses, communities and individuals. 

That is because the causes of degradation are many and varied and can have an impact at different scales.

Every year World Environment Day is hosted by a different country, in which official celebrations take place, and this year’s host is Pakistan.

The government of Pakistan plans to expand and restore the country’s forests through a 10 Billion Tree Tsunami spread over five years. 

The campaign includes restoring mangroves and forests, as well as planting trees in urban settings, including schools, colleges, public parks and green belts.

Through the 10 Billion Tree Tsunami, Pakistan is contributing to the Bonn Challenge, a global effort linked to the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration.

Under the challenge, countries are pledging to bring 350 million hectares of the world’s deforested and degraded land into restoration by 2030.

World Environment Day is celebrated every once a year, to remind us that we are not alone on this planet.

There is a huge biological ecosystem that exists, and we as a human being survive because of that, since we are all bead of a chain, removing or damaging a bead can disturb the beauty and existence of the whole chain.

Preserving nature is our responsibility, that can be done by adopting simple steps, why it’s the most urgent to throw the peel off out of the car windows? We can keep it in paper and then to throw in dustbin. 

We go to recreational spots in order to pollute them, I believe first educate oneself then others. 

It is only the human that pollutes, damages and harms, can’t we just change this habit. We have taken a lot from this nature, it’s the time to refund, however, its not refund but an investment.

Next, it’s an appeal to the parents and institutions to create awareness among the younger generation, tell them aspects about nature and the significance of birds, animals, ecology, and even the small insects. 

A humble example could be our six-legged friends — bees. The contribution that bees make to food production is astonishing.

Moreover, respect Biodiversity & nature. Biodiversity plays an important role in offering ecological services that make life livable on Earth. Each species, no matter how big or small, has a considerable impact on the ecosystem.

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Munaza Kazmi has recently done Master of Philosophy from Bahria University Islamabad. Her debut novel is Unrequited Love.

She’s an author, columnist writing in different newspapers and a researcher having seven publications till yet, she’s been writing since 2016.

You can connect to Kazmi at twitter @munaza_kazmi or on research gate as munaza kazmi.

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Mahira khan setting up wrong trends for young Pakistani girls

With some input from Farukh Shehzad / Editor-In-Chief

The Pakistani celebrity Mahira Khan recently on May 23 spotted on middle of the road making dance moves openly.

Mahira Khan has been setting up wrong trend and culture for young Pakistani girls by dancing on the middle of the road.

Mahira Khan is Muslim lady and for a Muslim lady is not allowed dancing openly and secretly at any stage of the life.

Mahira Khan dancing on middle of the road is purely against the Islamic values as well.

If Pakistani young girls start following dance moves of Mahira Khan on middle of the road so they will be start diverting from the path of truth.

We need to save the future of our Muslim girls to give them better results in the life to come. To achieve this target PTI govt should take legal action against the women dancing on middle of the road.

This is purely an Islamic country and it is not the European Country…  For Reminder!

Mahira Khan should also rethink about her recent act and should not repeat it in the days to come.

Earlier, Mahira Khan danced in the middle of the road and her video had gone viral on the social networking websites.

Mahira Khan said some loose character words too like, “Cuz if you lose that.. you’re nothin’, in which the actor said not to lose the craziness because if you lose that you would be nothing.

So, immediate action is need by the govt authorities to stop women dancing on middle of the road acts, trends and culture.

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Our Timeless Heritage: Decaying

Munaza Kazmi

Rohtas Fort built by General Sher Shah Suri, between 1541 and 1548,Jhelum.

2500-year-old Jain temple in Tharparkar Sindh

Sheikupura Fort Lahore built in 1607.

The shrine of Hazrat Shah Burhan, a 17th-century Mughal-era monument.

Walled city of Lahore established around 1000 CE.

Hindu temple in Hassan Abdal.

Baradari in Attock.

11 Century Nandana Fortress in Chakwa.

Hindu Temple in Attock.

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Munaza Kazmi has recently done Master of Philosophy from Bahria University Islamabad. Her debut novel is Unrequited Love.

She’s an author, columnist writing in different newspapers and a researcher having seven publications till yet, she’s been writing since 2016.

You can connect to Kazmi at twitter @munaza_kazmi or on research gate as munaza kazmi.

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70 Years of Exceptional Friendship between China-Pakistan

 

By Khalid Taimur Akram

                  ‘’A friend in need, is a friend indeed’’                  

 

On 21 May 1951, Pakistan and China established their diplomatic relations. However, the attachment of true friendship date back to centuries-old trade relations, when Chinese traders travel through the sub-continent for business trips to Europe, Middle East, and the world’s other parts via the ancient Silk Route. Both countries are enjoying strong cordial ties since the commencement of diplomatic relations. 

The relationship bloomed into an “All-weather cooperative partnership” with many projects of inclusive economic development. 2021 is a year in which China and Pakistan are celebrating the 70^th anniversary of everlasting friendship. Seventy years of unprecedented and close bilateral relations are based on mutual respect, trust, harmony, and goodwill between both nations. Cultural exchanges have resulted in enhancing people-to-people contacts. 

The non-regional powers tried to create many ups and down in both state’s diplomatic and economic partnership. However, they have remained failed to fracture the strong bond between both countries. Therefore, this article aims to highlights the potential contours of the bilateral relations between China and Pakistan. Moreover, the study also gives a brief analysis of the seventy years of mutual cooperative and successful patterns of collaboration between China and Pakistan.

China and Pakistan: Iron Brothers

Pakistan considers China one of the closest partners, and China termed the relationship with Pakistan as Iron Brothers.Both countries have shared weal and woe, established an all-weather friendship and carried out all-round cooperation since the establishment of diplomatic relations.In the past 70 years, both states adhere to some fundamental principles in developing the relationship.In this regard, the contours of the first principle are as follows:

• ·    Equality
• ·    Respects of each other’s sovereignty, integrity and independence.
• ·    Trust and mutual assistance

The contours of the second principles are as follows:

• ·    Decision-making based on joint consensus
• ·    Approaches of mutual benefits
• ·    Win-win cooperation to collectively pursue progress and inclusive development.

The Contour of the third principles are as follows:

• ·  Close cooperation and coordination in major international and regional issues, ensuring the common interests of the two countries and other developing states.

Under these principles, it is a proud time to witness the China-Pakistan relationship as the model of peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation of countries with different cultures and social systems.China, a rising superpower has left no stone unturned to help its true friends in the time of crisis. The world is multipolar Now. The changing dynamics of global politics and multilateral civilizational patterns have enabled countries to indulged in cooperation and defy orthodox notions of confrontation.  In this regard, with the full support of Pakistan, China has emerged as a significant player in regional and international socio-politico and economic discourse.

China’s Grand Initiatives under the Incumbent Visionary leadership of China: Role of Pakistan

China is integrating and engaging all countries through its grand visions of cooperation and inclusive economic development. China’s Belt & Road Initiative (BRI), its mega flagship project China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and many other potential projects are the clear manifestation of President Xi Jinping’s integrating visions. These initiatives of grand alignments always acquired full support from Pakistan. Pakistan has remained one of the best allies of China in every leap and bound.

Moreover, China and Pakistan contribute to regional peace and security through the narratives of significant alignments. In this regard, Beijing’s exceptional ideas such as ‘Dialogue of Civilizations’ and ‘Building a Community with Shared Future’ are resulting in achieving mutual benefits and prosperity. Therefore, Pakistan is also working closely with China to establish an integrated framework of cooperation and grand regional alignments to find solutions for the common challenges. These narratives will definitely bring peace, unite nations, and tackle the issues collectively.

Underpinning the Contours of Inclusive Economic Development: Pakistan-China Integrated Framework

It is a time to recall with pride the collective achievements of China-Pakistan and draw advanced horizons for taking the truly unique friendship and partnership forward. One of the main essences of this strong bond is an economic partnership. In this new era, CPEC is the major highlight of both countries’ relationships.It has been anticipated that the total Gross Domestic Product(GDP) of Pakistan would be US$ 4.2 trillion by 2050. CPEC covers and cooperate in all the fundamental fields and beyond, such as science & technology, research & development agriculture, economic paradigms, and infrastructure development. As per the official sources, CPEC would bring approximately 700,000 new jobs for Pakistan’s people in many diverse sectors.

Apart from economic assistance, both countries are also facilitating each other in this period of the Covid-19 pandemic. During China's fight against the COVID-19, Pakistan immediately donated medical aid to China.All walks of life in the country voiced their support for China and opposed politicizing the pandemic and targeting China.On the other hand, China is the first country in the world that has quickly recovered from the severe shocks of the pandemic and revived its economy. Moreover, China is a prominent country, assisting and providing Covid-19 vaccines to many countries, including Pakistan. During the Covid-19 surge in Pakistan, groups of Chinese medical experts, as well as batches of medical supplies, have been sent to assist the country. The two sides are firmly supporting each other in relative fields and different other sectors.

All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partners:

The cooperation that began with economic assistance can lead to strategic partnership and collaboration in many other fields. China state’s policy has consistently recognized Pakistan’s potential part in enhancing the strategic partnership. Both countries have deepened their defence ties on overland routes through CPEC to foster maritime diplomacy through joint naval exercises in the Arabian sea. The famous lines ‘Sweeter than Honey, Higher than Mountains’ regarding Islamabad-Beijing relations are gaining strong grounds, despite the challenges posed by regional or international players, i.e., India or U.S.A. Pakistan has a location in the fulcrum of South Asia that can comprehensively serve positive Chinese interest in this region. In this aspect, Beijing’s strategic interest in Pakistan has been significantly increased. Both states are assisting and significantly contributing to end terrorism and hostile/extremist groups. They are heading towards a new era of long-term security and strategic ties. Therefore, the strategic partnership of both countries has potential impacts on regional and international discourse. The strategic ties of both countries have been strengthening from the very beginning. Both nations’ leadership has promoted a joint political vision for peace and security in South Asia and beyond. Thereby, it increased defence cooperation and signed many economic projects and Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).This strategic partnership has an immense potential to seek the attention of other regional and international states’ business actors to get aligned with the game-changer project, CPEC.

Academic- Cultural Exchanges: Enhancing People-to-People Contacts

Pakistan and China have a special relationship with deep civilizational roots and a history of mutually enriching interaction spanning several millenniums. Both countries enhance academic cooperation by providing a number of opportunities and scholarships with a conducive visa policy. CPEC also provides ample opportunities to increase people-to-people connectivity via cultural exchange and joint ventures. CPEC has also been termed as ‘China-Pakistan knowledge Corridor’ as it covers major areas of research & development. The mutually benefited partnership has been future resulted in harmonies cooperation for a glorious future.

Progressive Grounds for Future Collaboration:

Marking the 70^th anniversary of a highly prosperous relationship between China and Pakistan is unprecedented. Colossal efforts, cooperation in many areas and assisting each other in every leaps and bounds have paved the way for future cooperation and profound diplomatic ties.  With each passing day, this relationship is becoming more closely integrated into each other’s respective development strategies. Therefore, with the joint efforts, China and Pakistan will make new grounds for collective benefits and win-win development under a robust framework. The relationship portrays a great model of inter-state diplomatic ties.

By Mr. Khalid TaimurAkram, Executive Director, Center for Global &

Strategic Studies (CGSS), Islamabad

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