Browsing by Author "Muhammad Shahbaz Asghar"

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    Pak-India Border Security Mechanisms since the Mumbai Attacks (2008):
    (UMT.lahore, 2016) Muhammad Shahbaz Asghar
    This qualitative research work utilizes the realist-constructivist lens for analyzing the bilateral relations of Pakistan and India with a particular focus on how the two neighbors attempt to secure the border dividing them – and its resultant impact on cross-border civilian mobility. The deductive theoretical categories are complimented by inductive thematic analysis for studying the postures and narratives of power elite on both sides, however greater emphasis is given to the perspectives of affected civilians whose movement across border is curtailed by conflict-oriented high politics. Through analyses of both obtrusive and unobtrusive data, and backed by secondary sources, the interplay of power, interests and identities is elaborated for mapping the construction of border security practices of Pakistan and India. Owing to prevailing confrontationist mindsets, visa issuance problems arise that interview participants want to see diminish, there is also the urge among visiting participants to have the mass media on both sides adopt a positive role while portraying their adversary in a somewhat positive light. Moving aside irritants, the states should efficiently monitor cross-border movement of civilians in order to avoid escalation in hostilities and for enhancing the mobility of Pakistanis and Indians in their neighboring country. The study recommends that divisiveness of radicalized identities can be reduced through greater people-to-people contact by granting more transit points besides Wahga, and by fast-tracking the visa issuance for certain categories of visitors such as religious devotees, public intellectuals and commercial entrepreneurs.