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Item Power Imbalance between India and Pakistan(UMT.lahore, 2021) Sidra IshaqIn this study, the power imbalance between the India and Pakistan are analyzed in the Post Cold War Era. The allied relationship between the two countries during the Cold War was abruptly disrupted following the conclusion of the Cold War in 1991. Previously, Pakistan took advantage of the Cold War politics to balance India with economic and military support from the U.S. However, Pakistan became largely disadvantageous position as the U.S. frieze economic and military aid to Pakistan after the end of the Cold War. Consequently, Islamabad was struggling to balance India. This study inspects the power imbalance between Pakistan and India in 1990s. It is qualitative in nature and apply content analysis to describe security dynamics between India and Pakistan after the cold world war. The study also sheds light on the existence of power imbalance existed between India and Pakistan constructed through the divergent policies adopted by India and Pakistan in post-Cold War era. The findings of this study support the main argument about how Pakistan came into a disadvantageous position in the changing post-Cold War security environment as India aligned its foreign and security policies with the ‘new world order’ whereas Pakistan largely continued with its Cold War policies. Nonetheless, it was considered a Golden era for Pakistan to balance India.Item Counter Terrorism Strategies in Pakistan(UMT.lahore, 2021) Yasmeen TahirIn Pakistan terrorism and its negative impact on national security have become a major problem as it hit people, economy and institution so there was a need for effective counter terrorism strategies which was implemented in both Musharraf and Nawaz Sharif era along with different approaches and strategies. The documentary analysis was adopted as research methodology as it fulfills the requirement of research questions. Musharraf and Nawaz Sharif took decision rationally after calculating cost and benefits accordingly. The root of terrorism was started in 1970 but terrorism was its peak after the event of 9/11 in the era of Musharraf era so government derives counter terrorism strategy that influence national security of the country. Both governments of Musharraf and Nawaz Sharif intended to eradicate and set the ground for social and economic development. However, Nawaz Sharif has to get credit for its effective approaches including army intervention to destroy militants. There are some similarities, differences, benefits and losses in their governments but still aggressive and diplomatic approach of Musharraf, progressive and military approaches of Nawaz Sharif helped Pakistan to tackle terrorism and improved national security. These strategies worked for Pakistan but still there is a need to improve the counter terrorism strategy in this vulnerable era.Item Cyber Surveillance through Digital Panopticon and its Impact on Sino-US Relations (2015-2020)(UMT.lahore, 2021) Nida SheikhUnlike the conventional means of surveillance in the past, cyber surveillance has become a great challenge due to being technologically advanced, ungoverned and holistic in scope. Surveillance in the artificially crafted setting is also more efficient than the natural operational domains. Therefore, technologically advanced great powers, both US and China use the digital panopticon for cyber surveillance. US has been monitoring China’s military and economic affairs through aerial, land and naval surveillance and its cyber intrusions into China’s telecommunication servers, monitoring through satellites, drone surveillance and use of other ISR capabilities create a threat perception for China. China has also been targeting US.’ critical infrastructure through cyber surveillance. China’s hardware manipulation through technology exports such as 5G technology, drones and telecommunication equipment poses a threat to the defense and economy of US. The present research is two-fold; first, the research explores that how the ongoing cyber surveillance is threatening to the defense and economy of both states and its impact on their bilateral relations. Second, it endeavors to investigate the relevance of the concept of digital panopticon in modern era, using Michel Foucault’s surveillance theory as foundation. The study used qualitative content analysis and furthermore, directed approach is used to test the theory in the context of present research. Subsequently, dross has been performed to attain research neutrality. The use of digital panopticon by US and China against each other does not merely serve military and economic interests but could also trigger a cyberwarfare that has tendency to transform the existing world order.Item THE ARAB SPRING AND IRAN(UMT.lahore, 2021-04-29) Abdul Rehman AjmalIran since the Arab Spring has witnessed several internal and external challenges. Iranian regime has withstood all these odds in the changing regional and international politics. International sanctions on Iran by the United States affected the country’s economy but through flexibility in its policies, the country has managed to maintain the regime’s stability. The research shows some important findings wherein the role of identity in Iran has emerged as the locus of Iranian society. The historical Persian civilization is the source of pride and steadfastness for Iranians. In modern Iran, Shia Islamic identity adds more value to the ancient Persian identity. Geopolitics in Iran is also linked with identity as both are co constitutive in the country’s politics. For this, ‘Realist Constructivism’ approach is helpful in providing a diverse analysis of Iran. In all this, the importance of ‘Discourse’ is evident. The state, by using discourse has shaped country’s attitude especially amid the Arab Spring. This also helped in failing the external attempts of toppling the regime. It has been recommended that Iran should keep a strong dominance of territorial identity based on being an ‘Iranian’. Also, the government should address the demands of the Iranian public and prefer cooperative measures rather than the coercive ones. Finally, the state should thoroughly study the implications of a policy before its application to avoid discrepancies in its regional involvementsItem THE RISE OF HINDUTVA(UMT.lahore, 2021-04-29) Ziafat ZishanThis thesis examines the role of Hindu nationalism (Hindutva) in India and how India is transformed from a secular nation into a Hindu religious nation. The significance of this research is that how religious nationalism is a threat for minorities especially Muslims. It will also examine the evolution of Hindutva ideology which took place in Indian society and will take into account the recent government of Narendra Modi as a supporter of Hindutva. Furthermore, the research will make use of qualitative content analysis to evaluate the reason behind inter religious conflicts. This study will also examine how Hindutva is associated with Hinduism and has antagonistic behavior towards other minorities especially Muslims. In addition to that this research will also focus upon the implications of adopting Hindutva policies upon Muslims, using the lens of social constructivism.Item The US-Afghan Taliban Peace Process(UMT.lahore, 2021) Iqra IftikharAmerican foreign policy is always based on their strategic interests and power to get hegemon at the international level. America always pursues its foreign policy objectives through its exceptional nature and against the “axis of evil” which threatened its national security. Such as the 1970s the Sino-American rapprochement, 1980s the American proxy war against Russia in Afghanistan, and after 9/11, direct military action in Afghanistan. This research critically examines the recent Afghan conundrum in the context of US policy from war to peace in Afghanistan. Why the US-led alliance is compelled by the situation to make a political settlement through peaceful means? Moreover, it addresses the role of Pakistan in the war on terror to the peace process through convergence and divergence of US interests toward Pakistan, especially from an Afghanistan perspective. And shows itself as a responsible neighbor state by engaging the US and Taliban, and other stakeholders. Realism has been applied to analyze the US interests in the Afghan peace process and Pakistan-US relations with reference to Afghanistan. Realism examines US foreign policy rationale and objectives toward withdrawal from Afghanistan. . This study also analyze that how and in what manner India is impacted by the process of peace.Item Oscillating State Narratives in Pakistan(UMT.lahore, 2021) Sabeeka IjazThe state narrative is heavily dependent on the responses towards certain development which occurs both within and outside the jurisdiction and domain of a state. Thus, the policies are interconnected, which also shape the foreign policy of a state. Narratives play vital role in shaping such policies. In this research narratives proposed by two military dictators are discussed; Zia’s Islamization and Musharraf’s Enlightened Moderation. General Zia tried to impose his version of Islam upon whole nation whereas Musharraf attempted to impose his narrative of enlightened moderation upon nation yet both failed to achieve their targets. The Afghan War in 1980s and the Pakistan’s participation in the global war on terror played a key part in establishing these narratives by dictators during and after the Cold War. This study seeks to analyse the two narrative adopted by the two dictator and how it has shaped Pakistani state and society over a period of time. In this research social constructivism is applied as a theoretical framework and most similar comparative research design is used as a research methodology to analyse the narratives adopted in the two autocratic regimes.Item Judicial Activism(UMT.lahore, 2021-03-15) SAIMA BAZMIJudicial activism is a legal term usually means the willingness of courts to intervene and strike down the actions of other branches of government. Through judicial activism, judges give verdict related to constitutional issues and can deny the validation of the actions of other pillars of government. Judicial activism in Pakistan is more common than the other democratic states, but here, in Pakistan, it has changed the mode of judicial activism to judicial excesses. This judicial activism is divided into two categories, i-e; limitless jurisdiction of the interpretation and the use of Article 184 (3) and the interference of the Supreme Court in the political decisions of the country. Judicial activism influenced politics with its biased decisions and resulted into destabilizing democracy then on the other hand it encouraged dictators to make changes in constitutions to strengthen their positions as a head of state. There has been no considerable debate that in Pakistan the active role of judiciary is primarily due to the clash among the institutions. Further the clash of institutions of government is causing a drastic impact on the struggling democracy of Pakistan. Another area that this study intends to address is that the prestigious judges must be chosen by their abilities and not by the nominations of politicians and other judges. Why a person appointed on a highly respectable rank is in future liable to become the culprit of politicians mainly because of the politicized procedure of recruitment.Item New Age Militancy(UMT.lahore, 2021-04-08) Taha MuneebModern new age militancy has shaken the whole state of Jammu and Kashmir in dispute since 1947 for seven decades, thousands have been killed in three full scale wars and thousands of militant attacks across the border. This thesis is consisted on the concept of new age militancy in Kashmir from 2010-20, Burhan Wani, a local Hizb ul Mujahideen commander is considered to be an architect of new age militancy, by his social media activism the old traditional militancy commanded by the foreign militants is now in the hands of young, educated, tech savvy local militants. Social media, stone pelting, massive funerals, fearless protests on encounter sites, Public Safety Act (PSA), human rights violations, fake encounters and major attacks on forces are the determinants of this new age militancy. Hundreds of the local youth joined militancy in the last few years while hundreds of arrested or injured during the stone pelting incidents. Besides the removal of Jammu Kashmir‟s special status Article 370 and month‟s long curfew with the suspension of Internet, there‟s an increase in ratio of local joining according to the reports of Indian news portals. There is shortage of weapons in Kashmir based local new age militants due to the suspension of Pakistan‟s aid on FATF demands that could create sense of helplessness in local militants of Kashmir which can lead to a disaster bigger than Pulwama Attack.Item UAE - ISRAEL PARTNERSHIP(UMT.lahore, 2021) Jamila FatimaItem SINO-INDIAN RIVALRY IN THE INDIAN OCEAN & ITS MARITIME SECURITY IMPLICATIONS ON PAKISTAN(UMT.lahore, 2021) Muhammad Musab SaeedThe topic of this research work is “Sino-Indian Rivalry in Indian Ocean & its Maritime Security Implications on Pakistan: A Realist Perspective (2015-2020)”. This study has two parts: one relates to the geopolitics and strategic significance of Indian Ocean. This part has been looked from the lens of the Nicholas J. Spykman’s ‘Rimland theory’. In this regard, it argues that Indian Ocean is located at the heart of the ‘rimland’, and has gained the central attention in the 21st century global politics famously known as ‘naval century’ and ‘Asian century’. The other part pertains to the behavior of various regional and extra-regional states in Indian Ocean, which has been analyzed from the prism of the ‘broader framework of realism’. It is qualitative research, and has employed the ‘documentary analyses,’. China’s ‘tactics’ in Indian Ocean are part of its broader regional and global strategy, and systematic attempt to inch towards realization of its Two-centenary goals. China considers the United States as its primary threat and its actions in Indian Ocean are a challenge to the regional order spearheaded by the US. The US, on the other hand, is attempting to contain the rising hegemon, and has made India its strategic partner. India considers Indian Ocean its strategic backyard, and aims at countering the growing China’s footprints. This developing scenario has serious implications for Pakistan’s maritime security, as it is a major Indian Ocean littoral state as well as a nodal link in China’s BRI.Item INTEGRATING CLIMATE AND GENDER JUSTICE(UMT.lahore, 2021) Fatima NadeemItem SAUDI-IRAN STRATEGIC RIVALRY IN POST-ARAB SPRING ERA AND ITS IMPLICATIONS ON PAKISTAN(UMT.lahore, 2021) HAMZA ASIMThis research sheds light on the fact that how Saudi-Arabia and Iran are exploiting the political mayhem in numerous Middle Eastern states to expand their certain geo-strategic interests at the expense of each other? Further, it undertakes an extensive investigation of the ideological and religious dimension of Saudi-Iranian strategic competition in fueling a new cold war in the Middle East. In addition, this underlying work also encompasses the case studies of states of Bahrain, Yemen and Syria, which have become a latest flashpoint of Saudi-Iranian proxy conflict in post-Arab spring era. It also takes into consideration the impact of Arab uprising in sparking a ceaseless contestation for regional hegemony between the two venomous states. Alongside this, it also highlights the numerous implications of Iranian nuclear program in disrupting the balance of power in Middle Eastern context. To add further, the assigned work also speculates either the Iranian nuclear program will serve as a prelude in the nuclearization of the Arab world or not?Item INDIAN STRATEGIC DESIGNS IN SOUTH ASIA AND ITS IMPLICATIONS ON PAKISTAN(UMT.lahore, 2021) ANAS BIN TARIQIn the mid of 20th century, the world has seen the emergence of two independent states, Pakistan and India, in the wave of decolonization. However, since their inception, both the nations have been arch-rivals to each other, ever seen in the history of human civilization. It would not be hyperbolic to say that India sees the existence of Pakistan as an obstruction to its treacherous national interest. Moreover, the Indian government, having the 2nd largest population in the world, wants to dominate in the entire region as well as in international politics. India has always been striving to become a regional hegemon. For that matter, the Indian government has launched a drive of rapid modernization of military equipment. So that it can influence its immediate neighborhood under the might of its strategic design. Thus, the growing belligerent and aggressive strategic designs of India has been disturbing the equation of balance of power in South AsiaItem Sino-US Cyber Warfare(UMT.lahore, 2021) SADAQAT ALIThis thesis highlights the increasing need of cyber capability for defense of states in the present era. It provides ample emphasize that Cyber Warfare has appeared as an essential part of Conventional Warfare and has become a precursor of armed conflicts. This study explains a visible shift in the National and Cyber Policies of the United States and China, the details of available resources for Cyber Warfare to these two countries and significant incidents of cross Cyber-Attacks. It also explains the cyber defense structures of the US and China. in addition to it, it explores the reasons behind the Sino-US Cyber warfare and discover the US as well as China’s objectives behind the cyber warfare. Moreover, it tries to elucidate that regardless of close economic interdependence, why the US and China are involved in intense Cyber Warfare against each other. Furthermore, under the Lens of Cyber-Securitization theory of Copenhagen School, this work illuminates the steps adopted by United States of America for Cyber Securitization and China for gaining dominance over the US. Direct approach of Qualitative Content Analysis has been utilized for collection and data analysis. This Tug of War in Cyber Domain has serious repercussions for the developing nations like Pakistan, who possess borrowed technology from China and the US. The growing interdependence in technology and geo-political policy formulation has dragged Pakistan into a security dilemma.Item Sino-Quad Competition(UMT.lahore, 2021) MUHAMMAD AFZAL NAZIRItem DEMOCRATIC PEACE AND POLITICAL ISLAM:(UMT.lahore, 2021) Naima ZiaThis thesis deconstructs the contrasting discourses of Political Islam and Democratic Peace as understood in conventional wisdom. In popular discourse, both are mutually exclusive and incompatible terms, however, this dissertation argues against their mainstream understanding. By adopting a Structured, focused comparison, five levels of analysis catering to Schmittian political, Gramscian cultural, Foucaldian ideological, as well as Kelsian Legal are used throughout the study to analyze the two cases under discussion. There are two main assumptions of this study. First, the framework upon which political Islam is built suffers from methodological nationalism; an ontological pre-condition that has contributed largely to its alleged failure.Item HINDUTVA AND INDIA’S MILITARY MODERNIZATION:(UMT.lahore, 2021) FIZZA IRSHADA state’s most crucial and vital organ for the survival in the world arena is centered upon the sovereignty and territorial integrity of a particular state. Every state in the world has the right to safeguard its sovereignty either through defensive or offensive capabilities according to the state’s security doctrine. Safeguarding the sovereignty might not be a very crucial factor for the states who are inhabitants of the peaceful regions, but it becomes a great deal for the countries of war-prone regions such as South Asia. Pakistan and India; the two born rivals in the region of South Asia had to play a very tough game to safeguard their sovereignties in the past 70 years.Item The Dynamics of Cyberpolitics between India and Pakistan(UMT.lahore, 2021) Malik Waqar AslamThe presence of cyberspace has greatly influenced the relationship between states especially rival states. Internet has significantly influenced operations in several domain like finance, military, industries, and more including politics. Though there are positive sides of network generated system but it also has its dark side where hostilities, infiltration, sabotage, and other offensive cyber methods can lead to cyber disputes and aggravate existing conflicts. This thesis explores the dynamics of cyberpolitics between regional arch rivals India and Pakistan and examine their strategic behavior in cyberspace using the Lateral Pressure Theory. The theory is also used to assess India’s cyber capability and its stance vis a vis Pakistan in cyberspace. India is actively engaged in cyberpolitics in the region with focus on Pakistan. To evaluate India and Pakistan’s cyber capabilities and stances, the thesis considers and applies the framework of Cyber State Profile Type provided by the Lateral Pressure Theory. After carefully analyzing and assessing cyber disputes, APTs, and cyber methods between both states, India’s cyberspace stance is discussed in detail. Both states are carrying out cyber-attacks as well as cyber espionage against each other but India’s cyber campaigns are far more sophisticated than Pakistan. However, India’s official documents manifest a defensive approach but the data suggests otherwise. The recent increase in use of sophisticated cyber methods and international cyber partnerships manifests that India’s approach is aggressive and may officially shift from defensive to offensive in near future. The propensity of India’s expansion in cyberspace is far greater than Pakistan and the recent data on cyber disputes confirms the notion. The thesis then discusses Pakistan’s cyber threat landscape and implications with some recommendations on National Cyber Security Policy 2021 implementation. The analysis provides a profound insight into the dynamics and shaping up of cyberpolitics between both states and adds to the research gap.Item Pan-Islamism and Organization of Islamic Cooperation:(UMT.lahore, 2021) Fasiha MaryamThis research is based on qualitative analysis of student perceptions on Pan Islamism and role of OIC with backgrounds and also a historical analysis of role of Pakistan as member of OIC for solidarity of Muslim Ummah before its independence and after independence. For this purpose data is collected through the primary and secondary both sources. Its literature review is historical and thematically arranged. This research is also included the current situations in Muslim world, so we can say this research is covers the contemporary scenario of Muslim World. The main purpose of this research is to gather the views or opinions of educated students of Pakistani universities, and for this purpose interviews are conducted from approachable universities.