Challenges to democracy, liberal order,

Islamophobia and FATF.

Democracy ;
Democracy (from Greek δημοκρατία (dēmokratía) dēmos 'people' and kratos 'rule') is a form of
government in which the people have the authority to deliberate and decide legislation ("direct
democracy"), or to choose governing officials to do so ("representative democracy") .

Democracy is an ecosystem which fosters and sustains a set of institutions

which empower ordinary citizens. An empowered judiciary, a thriving
parliament, ferociously independent media, and a climate of pluralism and
tolerance, all are critical ingredients of democracy

In a democracy, the well-being, individuality and happiness of every citizen

is important for the overall prosperity, peace and happiness of the nation.
 P. J. Abdul Kalam( Nickname: Missile Man of India, 11th President of India (2002-2007)

https://www.nation.com.pk/11-Jun-2023/democracy-a-flawed-system

this article explains in details the emergence of democracy

 The concept of democracy takes its roots from Athens, Greece–the birthplace of
most of the early philosophical thought
 Over time, democracy evolved in its meaning and influence to the modern day
terms which, by and large, credits democracy as prerequisite towards a peaceful
society.
 The appealing tool should be better policies and not the sentiments of the masses

Out of 167 countries worldwide, 96 have opted for democracy to govern their nations. If the figures are
computed, 57% of nations have chosen democracy, 13% have chosen autocracy and 28% displayed
characteristics of both autocracy and democracy.
 Prerequisites of democracy
Democracy grows and flourishes in those societies where there is

 an educated and sensible electorate, sincere and capable leadership.

 sound economy.
 middle class representation in legislative assemblies. ( https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/1148197-where-
is-our-middle-class best article to understand the imp of middle class )
  a tolerant society.
 organized mainstream political parties.
 Free media (both print and electronic),
 social justice
 tolerance in the political parties,
 freedom of expression
 strong opposition
 a non-discriminatory society etc.

https://www.arabnews.pk/node/2328911

a debate between the relation of Illiteracy and Democracy with various case studies.

Atifete Jahjaga, the third and first-female president of Kosovo, who served from 2011 to
2016, believes that “democracy must be built through open societies that share
information. When there is information, there is enlightenment. When there is
debate, there are solutions. When there is no sharing of power, no rule of law, no
accountability, there is abuse, corruption, subjugation and indignation.” One cannot help
but acknowledge the wisdom of this statement.

https://dailytimes.com.pk/1131873/democracy-on-trial/
this article explains the evolution of democracy and the current challenges to it
 Challenges to Democracy.
1 Foundational Challenges (example Pak) it means ; establishing democracy out of Monarchy and military
rule
BOOK; PAKISTAN ; A NEW HISTORY by Ian talbot
‘’Talbot discusses the intermittent periods of civilian rule, alternating with military regimes , and the struggles to
establish stable democratic institutions.’’

2- Challenge of Expansion ( Giving power to people and lower tiers of govt ) (

https://www.dawn.com/news/1768647/local-governments ) failure of local governments has been explained in details
in this article
3- Partial Media
4- Populist and authoritarian leaders (The rise of populist leaders and autocracies( 1
Autocracy is a form of government in which absolute power over a state is concentrated in
the hands of one person, whose decisions are subject neither to external legal restraints
nor to regularized mechanisms of popular control )

in the world is mutually declining and stalling women’s rights throughout the world. With the democratic
emasculation, the shift towards sexism, misogyny, and discrimination comes into force because the authoritarian leaders
deem the politically vibrant women as a potential threat.

According to Francis Fukuyama, a prominent political scientist, democracies and women’s rights go hand in hand.
The authoritarian resurgence has rolled back women’s rights in the newly-established democracies as well as the partially
autocratic countries. Even the United States, which advanced in Women’s Rights and Feminist Struggle since 1970 has
slowed down with the rise of Donald Trump) Women’s political mobilization and political consciousness were harnessed
by reversing gender equality and gender rights in the countries.

In China, Xi propagated such policies that suppress the right to produce in Uyghur ethnicity. Xi forced birth control,
reproductive rights, and even sterilization for many women. The women in China faced threats of imprisonment and
fines to produce more children. Xi JinPing sidelined the voices of many women who accused powerful men of sexual
assaults.

With the rise of Kim Jong-un in North Korea the number of women’s refuge abroad increased three times more
than men. The rising tides of authoritarianism suppressed women’s rights and women’s voices in many states..

On September 17, 2022, Mahsa Amini was brutally killed by Iranian moral policing which was essentially established
to make surveillance over the women dressing.

example ; Tunisia’s new constitution calls for an authoritarian presidential system .

5- Economic problems

6- ALGOCRACY.
Jerome Duberry in his new book, Artificial Intelligence and Democracy, formulated that AI can filtrate the
enormous consumption of information that allows instant and invisible reactions. In such circumstances,
automated content which is manufactured through stakeholders can influence the formation of the political will
and politicisation of the views in stakeholders’ favourable conditions.
In Post-Truth era, the Cambridge Analytica Scandal echoes as a classic example of reshaping the ‘general will’
of the people through private enterprises. This is the existential threat of Algocracy (Government and
Democracy by algorithm) where big data and AI are used to analyse and predict voter behaviours before
franchises to manipulate and politicise their views on basis of their whims and wishes.

Yuval Noah Harari, in Homo Deus, postulated that in the coming age of the ‘Big Data Revolution’ the
dynamics of the democracies will tectonically shift. Those who own data will own the world. If the data is
concentrated among the potentially narrow autocratic rulers like Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping the democracies
will backslide into erosion and depression.

 The question of whether TECHNOLOGY AND AI WILL BE BENEFICIAL OR

DETRIMENTAL TO DEMOCRACY is complex. One of the most significant benefits of
technology and AI for democracy is the improvement of access to information.
 For instance, social media platforms and online forums allow citizens to express their opinions and
concerns to policymakers
 online voting platforms enable citizens to participate in voting processes without the need for
physical presence.
 Technology and AI can also help to promote greater transparency and accountability in a
democracy. For example, online databases can make it easier to track political donations and
spending,
 while AI-powered tools can help to detect corruption and fraud.
 One of the most Significant Risks of technology and AI for democracy is the
potential for information manipulation.
 Social media platforms, for instance, have been criticised for their role in spreading fake news,
propaganda, and hate speech.
 These platforms use AI algorithms to curate news feeds, and these algorithms can be used to
manipulate public opinion and undermine democratic processes.
 The Cambridge Analytica scandal is a high-profile example of how data mining and profiling can be
used to manipulate public opinion in politics. Cambridge Analytica, a British political consulting firm,
was hired by the Trump campaign during the 2016 US Presidential election to use data from
Facebook to target voters with tailored political ads. The scandal exposed the risks of collecting and
using data without the knowledge and consent of users and raised concerns about the role of data
mining and profiling in politics.
 AI can be used in political campaigns to analyse voter data and preferences and to identify trends and
patterns in voting behaviour.
 This can help political parties to tailor their messages and campaign strategies to appeal to different
groups of voters.
 However, there are also concerns that this type of data analysis could be used to manipulate public
opinion and undermine the democratic process.
 As AI becomes more advanced, it may play an increasingly important role in decision-making
processes in politics. For example, AI could be used to analyse policy proposals, evaluate the
effectiveness of different strategies, and forecast the outcomes of different scenarios. However,
there are also risks that AI could be biased, or that its decision-making processes could be opaque and
difficult to understand.
 As AI becomes more powerful, it has the potential to disrupt traditional political structures and power
relationships. For example, AI-powered tools could be used to organise political movements and
coordinate protests and demonstrations. This could challenge the existing power structures and lead
to a more decentralised and grassroots approach to politics

 One of the most significant threats is the possibility of governments

abusing technology to control their people. Governments around the world have always been looking
for ways to maintain their power and control over their citizens. With the advent of AI, they have a
new tool at their disposal that can be used to keep a watchful eye on the population. This can lead to
a scenario where privacy is a thing of the past, and people’s every move is monitored.
 The use of AI in surveillance can have detrimental effects on society. It can lead to the erosion of
democratic norms, where people are afraid to express their views or engage in political activities for
fear of being monitored. This can have a chilling effect on free speech, which is the cornerstone of any
democracy.
 For example, In China, the “social credit system” is like a persistent online nanny, constantly
monitoring citizens’ behaviour and handing out grades like a tough elementary school teacher.
 This AI program assigns each person a score based on their actions, which can affect their ability to
travel, buy a house, or even get a date.
 But while the Chinese government hails this system as a marvel of modern technology, it raises
serious concerns about neglecting democratic norms. After all, the social credit system is essentially a
way for the government to control citizens’ behaviour and punish those who deviate from the norm
—even if the “norm” is subject to the whims of those in power. Imagine if your entire life was reduced
to a single number, like a credit score, that determined your access to basic necessities like
transportation, housing, and employment. And imagine that this number was determined not just by
objective factors like your income or credit history, but also by your social behaviour—like who you
associate with, what you say online, and how you behave in public. It’s easy to see how such a system
could be abused by those in power to suppress dissent, punish minorities, or reward loyalists.
 And because the social credit system is run by an AI program, there’s little room for transparency,
accountability, or even appeal. In a true democracy, citizens have the right to freedom of speech,
association, and thought. They have the right to dissent, to challenge authority, and to live their lives
as they see fit—as long as they don’t harm others. The social credit system, however, turns these
democratic ideals on its head. It’s a tool of authoritarian control, not a mechanism for citizen
empowerment
 The impact of AI on democracy and democratic norms is complex and multifaceted, with both positive
and negative effects. On one hand, AI can help to increase efficiency, transparency, and accuracy in
democratic processes, such as election monitoring and vote counting. However, there are also
concerns that AI could be used to manipulate public opinion and undermine the democratic process,
as well as exacerbate existing inequalities and biases. It is clear that the impact of AI on democracy will
depend on how it is developed and deployed. Policymakers, researchers, and technologists must work
together to ensure that AI is used in a responsible and ethical manner that respects and upholds
democratic values and principles. This may involve developing new regulatory frameworks, promoting
transparency and accountability in AI systems, and ensuring that the benefits of AI are distributed
fairly across society. Ultimately, the impact of AI on democracy is a complex and ongoing conversation
 that will require ongoing dialogue, research, and collaboration. By working together, we can harness
the power of AI to strengthen and uphold democratic norms, while mitigating any negative impacts
that may arise https://pakobserver.net/democracy-in-the-age-of-ai/

7- Breach of privacy ; leaked audios ; right to privacy ( article 14 )

8-Capitalism and democracy ;

It is widely believed that capitalism is seriously hurting democracy in the 21st century. Wealth generation has
overtaken human development. In a world driven by technology and controlled through capitalism 1 percent of the
super-rich control 46 percent of the world’s assets It is widely believed that democracy ensures good governance but
in our times it is under serious threat from capitalism.

Democracies are also under threat from the rise of religious, ethnic, and social extremism, as well as
brutality by transnational non-state actors. The government is either incapable or hesitant to safeguard
citizens from such radical groups. These developments undermine democratic values. Due to internal violence
and conflict, several African states have collapsed or become dysfunctional.

https://pakobserver.net/decaying-democracies-by-mohsin-mumtaz/

a great read to understand democratic situation in the country .

https://pakobserver.net/international-day-of-democracy/
analyzing the challenges critically

https://www.dawn.com/news/1841583/ailing-democracy must read to see the decline of democracy around the

world
 DEMOCRACY AS A FAILURE IN PAKISTAN

https://dailytimes.com.pk/1160370/can-pakistan-ever-become-
a-successful-democracy/
Democracy has certain key indicators.
The most important indicator of the quality of democracy in a country, specifically like Pakistan, could be the scale of
social, political and economic stability
 . As far as social stability in Pakistan is concerned it leaves a lot to be desired. While on the one hand, a full-
scale class conflict is very much there. At this point in time, Pakistan is far from having political stability rather it
is the most politically unstable country in the contemporary world. The 13-party coalition government is
clinging to power with a razor-thin majority in the National Assembly and is kept afloat by small regional parties.

 physical security is a key aspect of political stability. In contemporary Pakistan, no one can think oneself
to be fully secure. The level of institutional maturity and responsiveness is another key aspect of political
 stability. Keeping in view the situation within major government institutions, most of them lack capacity and
competence or sense of direction and belonging to the society and its people .
 At the moment the biggest problem of Pakistan is total economic meltdown rather collapse.
 First the political parties that without any exception have shunned internal democracy in their organisational
structures and political culture. Dynastic rule and politics of patronage are the bane of almost all political
parties. ( https://pakobserver.net/democracy-political-parties-analyzing-dichotomy/ )
 The largest threat to democracy in Pakistan is from democrats themselves. For the past 75 years, democratic
forces have worked to run democracy in Pakistan (for whatever brief period they got to rule) among a small
coterie of either family structures or at best ethnic and regional modern or primordial tribes.
 There is a reason why all the successful local governments in the country were set up not by democratic forces
but by military governments. The quality of democracy is dependent on its size. Without devolving power and
making it open to all and sundry, the structures of popular and mass democracy will die their own death
 The elite in Pakistan have an antagonistic relationship with democracy for understandable but unfortunate
reasons. Democracy gives (or assumes to give) power to the masses as opposed to a select few. The backlash of
the select few (who are usually the elite) to the power of the people is therefore not unexpected. The elite of all
kinds look for an opportunity to ensure power to the people is circumvented through mediation. There is an
innate distrust and sometimes outright prejudice against less privileged voters, reminding us of colonial masters
who also thought that brown men and women needed to be first educated to become worthy of democracy.
 Lastly, for democracy to be successful there needs to be a reasonable level of cooperation among the
democratic actors, especially on establishing red lines with respect to the democratic system. In the US, the
attack on Capitol Hill was a red line crossed by former US president Trump and there was backlash from the
political class despite possible popular support for the anti-system activity. Without such unsaid conventional
consensus among political actors, the enemies of democracy will always have a field day as they have had for 75
years in Pakistan

According to a survey by Democracy Index, 80% of Pakistanis think that democracy is important for Pakistan while
52% of the same people think that the country is not democratic enough to be considered a mature democracy.
According to Gallup Pakistan End of the Year Report 2021, Pakistanis consider the military as a better institution
compared to the civilian government to govern (67.4% vs 62%); manage the economy (54.7% vs 51.1%); eliminate
corruption (51.4% vs 40.3%); and maintain law and order (70% vs 50.4%).
https://www.nation.com.pk/03-Aug-2023/the-future-of-democracy
must read .
  ELECTIONS TURNOUT AND ITS RELATION WITH
DEMOCRACY.
 Although Pakistan started off on the right note as the first general election held on the basis of universal
adult franchise in 1970 registered a modestly healthy voter turnout of slightly over 63pc, voter
turnout in subsequent general elections could not match that.
 Since 1985, voter turnout has seen several ups and downs with the lowest turnout of 35.4pc
experienced in the 1997 general election.
 Fortunately, we saw some improvement in voter turnout in 2013 when it reached 53.62pc but the
momentum could not be sustained in the 2018 election as the turnout dipped slightly to 51.5pc.
 Pakistan does not compare well on the state of voter turnout with other countries of the world.
 The average global voter turnout computed by the Stockholm-based International Institute for
Democracy and Electoral Assistance since 1940s is around 76pc, which is way above the 45pc average
turnout in Pakistani elections. Among 169 countries whose data has been compiled, Pakistan, sadly,
stands at 165 — close to the bottom.

Another fault line lies in the youth voter turnout in Pakistan. This category consists of persons from 18 to
29 years of age for the purpose of computing their turnout in elections. There is no formal arrangement to
compute the youth voter turnout in an election but exit polls provide a scientific basis for such
computation. Gallup Pakistan exit polls during the past eight general elections have computed the average
youth voter turnout as 31pc. Compared to this, an average youth voter turnout in India is 60pc —
twice the Pakistani average, according to the Indian think tank Lokniti, which regularly conducts electoral
studies including exit polls.

An extremely low youth voter turnout indicates the youth’s weak trust in the electoral and democratic
processes of the country.

FUTURE OF WOLRD ; DEMOCARTIC OR AUTHORITARIAN ?

BOOK; revolution and dictatorship.

in this book the authors say , for dictatorship( dictatorial durability) to survive , these are the pre requisites

1- Cohesive ruling elite .( Iran , Cuba and China )

2- Powerful and loyal coercive apparatus ( topple down in EGYPT and strength of China PLA )
3- Weak and divided opposition ( weak opposition for communists in VIETNAM in 1960s)

Anocracies are countries in transition towards full democracy after having experienced non-democratic
rule in the past but are not fully committed to democratic practice“divided elites, inequality, and violent
challengers who threaten the legitimacy of the current social order” imperil the peace and stability of a
polity trying to make a transition from an autocracy to an anocracy. Examples include countries like
Libya, Yemen, Egypt, Cambodia, Thailand, Congo, Somalia and Sudan. Instability in anocracies, unlike
in fully consolidated democracies or repressive authoritarian states, emerges from the absence of political
stability and strong democratic practices.

Anocracies experience the loosening of state controls and rule of law enforced earlier through a strong
authoritarian state apparatus because of a lack of political consensus in society over democratic norms of
accommodation, accountability and rule of law. Anocracies are normally afflicted with polarization and
deprivation in society that act as drivers of conflict.

Pakistan is a praetorian democracy in which military dominates and guides the basic rules of the game
while civilian governments have very little say over the important policies of the state like defence, foreign, and internal
security.

https://dailytimes.com.pk/272106/the-praetorian-democracy/

https://www.nation.com.pk/16-Aug-2023/social-transformation-for-democratic-survival

social transformation as a way forward to nourish democratic values.

Why democracy is important for Pakistan ?

1- It provides a framework for peaceful and orderly political change. In a democracy, the people have the right to
choose their leaders through free and fair elections. This helps to ensure that the government is accountable to all
of the people and not just to the powerful
2- it provides a mechanism for the people to have a voice in their government. This is important in a country as
diverse as Pakistan, where there are many different ethnic groups and religious sects.
3- democracy promotes economic development. Studies have shown that countries with strong democratic
institutions tend to have more stable economies and higher levels of economic growth due to the fact that
businesses can operate freely without government interference.
4- democracy protects human rights. In a democracy, the rights of all citizens are protected, regardless of their
religion, ethnicity, or social status. Despite gains in some areas,

Pakistan still faces a number of challenges to its

democracy.
They include the following.
1- In the past, there had been several martial law periods in the country. This undermines civilian rule and a
representative government.
2- Pakistan has a poor record of human rights, with widespread abuses committed by the government, security
forces, and terrorist groups which is a challenge to democracy
3- Another challenge to democracy in Pakistan is corruption. According to various reports, corruption is widespread
at all levels of government undermining public trust in the political system.
4- Pakistan is a diverse country with many different ethnic groups and religious minorities. This diversity can be a
strength, but it can also be a source of tension. In recent years, there have been numerous incidents of sectarian
violence and ethnic conflict

WAY FORWARD.
 The government needs to be more transparent in its decision-making and more accountable to its citizens.
  All citizens must be educated on their civic rights and responsibilities and equipped with the knowledge, skills
and dispositions necessary for building a stronger democracy for Pakistan and a fair and equitable economy for
all of its people.
 Putting a process in place to address these elements will establish the foundation for achieving economic
development and social progress which will promote a brighter future for the people of Pakistan.
 This is important for all Pakistanis and of most relevance to the younger generation who represent the country’s
future.
Conditions for the success of democracy are education, merit-oriented political culture, economic equality and the
rule of law. However, democracy in Pakistan cuts a sorry figure and all these prerequisites.
 For Pakistan to have a strong democracy and a brighter future, politics need to be understood by the people.
 Political activities should spread awareness, and every citizen of Pakistan needs to take an active part in
political affairs.
 The culture of debate needs to be encouraged. With these credentials, people will have a wider perspective and
a much more balanced outlook. Thereby, in a democratic society, empowerment at the grass-root level is a
must. People need to be educated and economically empowered so they can speak up for their rights and vote
for honest and upright individuals.
 successful governance charter should include the rule of law, an accountability culture,

institutional harmony, political stability and effective public service delivery.

 Political stability, political education, involved citizens, free, fair elections, merit-prioritizing
political parties and a sense of public duty are essential for good administration. Institutional

cohesiveness and responsiveness are crucial for nation growth, while a culture of accountability

increases transparency and merit in national affairs

Democracy is a beneficial form of governance because it incorporates the roles and

interests of many people in deciding how a nation is to be governed
Democracy is often chaotic, but if citizens are well-educated and elected leaders have the will to
make tough choices, this chaos may be mitigated. All things considered, if freedom and civil rights
are emphasized, it is difficult to argue that any form of governance is superior to democracy.

 Liberal world order .

World leaders created a series of international organizations a and agreements after WW2 to
promote global cooperation on issues including security, trade, health, and monetary policy.
The United States has championed this system—known as the liberal world order. They tried to
establish an order based on liberal democracy and free market economy.
The order was liberal in the sense that it was to be based on liberal values like protection of human
rights rule of law and respect for countries sovereignty . After the fall of Soviet Union , liberal order
seemed to be more robust than ever .

Reasons for collapse of Liberal world order.

1- Growing populism
2- Nationalism
 3- Authoritarianism
4- Desire of expansionism ( Usa in Iraq and Afg)
5- Increased rich poor gap
6- Rise of China

Evidences of collapsing liberal order

1- 2008 financial crisis
2- Rising populism in America
3- Trade wars
4- Human rights violations
5- International law violating
6- Nuclear proliferation

To get more incites on this topic , watch this video on youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-82oN5tBoX4

https://pakobserver.net/future-of-liberal-order-in-post-truth-globalism-by-syed-wajahat-ali/

a good read on the future of liberal order

ISLAMOPHOBIA
Islamophobia is a prejudice, aversion, hostility, or hatred towards Muslims and encompasses any
distinction, exclusion, restriction, discrimination, or preference against Muslims that has the purpose or
effect of nullifying or impairing the recognition, enjoyment or exercise, on an equal footing, of human
rights and fundamental freedoms in the political, economic, social, cultural or any other field of public
life.

Click on this link to get more details and cover all aspects of Islamophobia

https://www.islamophobia-awareness.org/what-is-islamophobia/

 Contextualizing the word islamophobia and its history

 The term ‘Islamophobia’ has been defined in a variety of ways. Though it had been used several times
earlier also, it gained formal recognition in a flagship report written by the Runneymede Trust (a British
race equality think tank) in 1997, which stated:
 The word is not ideal, but is recognizably similar to ‘xenophobia’ and ‘Europhobia’, and is a useful shorthand
way of referring to dread or hatred of Islam – and, therefore, to fear or dislike of all or most Muslims.
 Such dread and dislike have existed in the western countries and cultures for several centuries.
  In the last twenty years, however, the dislike has become more explicit, more extreme and more
dangerous.
 This definition rightly emphasises that, despite recent manifestations, Islamophobia is by no means a new
phenomenon in Europe
 https://dailytimes.com.pk/1109323/why-is-there-islamophobia-in-sweden/
 Must read this article.

Which events led to start of Islamophobia?

1- Salman Rusheedi’s book (satanic verses)
2- Samuel P Hungtington ( Clash of Civilisation)
3- Us war on terror.
4- Attacks on Muslims in France and India
5- Media played huge role in propagation of hate against Muslims
Reference book ; The Islamophobia industry , and Encyclopaedia of Races and ethnic studies

Indicators of prevailing Islamophobia?

1- War on terror ( war against Islam)
2- Iraq attack ( George bush used the world Crusades)
3- Switzerland stopped construction of minarets
4- Caricatures – Charlie Hebdo
5- Trump Banned Muslim countries travellers
6- 60 pc Germans criticised immigration of 8 lac Muslims
7- Christchurch Attack 2019
8- Indian citizenship act and BABRI masjid attack
9- Saffroon Movement in India
10- According to the National Observatory of Islamophobia, there were 235 attacks on Muslims in France in
2020, up by 53 percent from 154 the previous year; attacks on mosques increased by 35 percent in the same
year. A global coalition of 25 NGOs asked the European Commission to investigate France for its state-
sponsored support of Islamophobia.
11-COVID-19 has presented a justification for further Islamophobia in Europe, with communities
scapegoating the transmission of the virus on the local Muslim minorities

Pew report “ 6 out of 10 adult American hates muslim .

Solution;
1- Becoming Muslims in true sense
2- Legal efforts ( by OIC)
3- Coexistence among nations
4- Joint institutions building
5- Inter faith dialogue with western world
6- Modern universal interpretation of Islamic teaching.
7- Pluralism.
8- Criminalising Of Islamophobia (not freedom of speech)
 9-Uprising the West about the nature of relationship between the eastern values and the religion ( west experience
with religion during papacy rule and holy hundred years war , hence it made west abhorent towards political views of
the religion)

10-Containing militarism in the name of Islam

11-Rapprochement between Islam and modernism

( example Role of Shah wali Ullah ) and sir syed ahmed khan

Diplomatic efforts from OIC

12-Awareness of non muslim world through cultural exchange programs. Like with Drama serial Ertugal
ghazi .

13-Role of Muslim leadership across the globe and making Islamic cells in foreign offices .

14-Making Economic blockage by OPEC members ( like in 1973 )

15-Given the deep-rooted origins of Islamophobia in Colonialism and Orientalism, this will require
the deconstruction of many institutions and their long-standing perceptions about Islam. Pakistan can
take the moral high-ground and embody that most significant of first steps, which is to highlight anti-
Muslim injustices when they occur in order to awaken the conscience of Europe

B – efforts needed at national level

1- Diplomatic efforts ( Russian PM and Canadian PM ) 2- Plugging the loopholes in blasphemy laws
( priyanka )
2- Special focus on protection of non- Muslim and human rights within countries youth to avoid
radicalisation .
3- Protection of minorities in home countries to initiate cycle of co existence
4- Focus on human development

https://pakobserver.net/rising-islamophobia-the-way-forward-by-naghmana-a-hashmi/

read this article for suggestion part .

 EFFORTS BY PAKISTAN
 Pakistan has played a significant role in raising the issue of Islamophobia at the international level,
which resulted in the adoption of OIC and UN resolution declaring March 15 as the International Day to
Combat Islamophobia.
 Pakistan further raised the issue at the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) conference in Niger
in 2020. Pakistan's proposed resolution aimed to declare 15 March as the ‘International Day to Combat
Islamophobia,’9 because on this day in 2019, a right-wing extremist launched a terrorist attack on two
mosques in New Zealand, resulting in the death of more than 50 Muslims.10 The Prime Minister wrote
to all Muslim rulers, emphasizing the need to move a resolution on Islamophobia in the UN.
  The President of the UN General Assembly, Csaba Kőrösi, recognized that Islamophobia is deeply
connected to xenophobia, which can result in discriminatory practices such as travel bans, hate speech,
bullying, and targeting of others
 On March 8, 2023, a conference titled "Women in Islam: Understanding the Rights and Identity of
Women in the Islamic World" was held in New York. The event was hosted by Pakistan in its capacity
as the chair of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers presided over by Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto
Zardari. The conference took place on the sidelines of the 67th Session of the UN Commission on the
Status of Women

QUOTES

1- To historicise Islamophobia in its proper political context isto flush out the
fullness of its violence. ― Stephen Sheehi, ‘Islamophobia: The Ideological
Campaign Against Muslims’
2- Until the rise of the Soviet Union in our own century, no polity or ideology
posed such a challenge to the West as Islam. ― Karen Armstrong,
‘Muhammad: A Biography of the Prophet’
3- It is unfortunate that [French President Emmanuel Macron] has chosen to
encourage Islamophobia by attacking Islam rather than the terrorists who
carry out violence. ―Imran Khan, Prime Minister of Pakistan
4- Deliberately insulting religion and religious beliefs provokes hatred, leading to
further polarization and fragmentation of humanity. ― Imran Khan, Prime
Minister of Pakistan

FATF ( FINANCIAL ACTION TASk FORCE)

What it does ?
The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) was established in July 1989 by a Group of Seven (G-7) Summit in Paris,
initially to examine and develop measures to combat money laundering. In October 2001, the FATF expanded
its mandate to incorporate efforts to combat terrorist financing, in addition to money laundering. In April
2012, it added efforts to counter the financing of proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

What is FATF
The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) is the global money laundering and terrorist financing watchdog. The
inter-governmental body sets international standards that aim to prevent these illegal activities and the harm
they cause to society. As a policy-making body, the FATF works to generate the necessary political will to bring
about national legislative and regulatory reforms in these areas.
With more than 200 countries and jurisdictions committed to implementing them. The FATF has developed
the FATF Recommendations, or FATF Standards, which ensure a co-ordinated global response to prevent
organised crime, corruption and terrorism. They help authorities go after the money of criminals dealing in
illegal drugs, human trafficking and other crimes. The FATF also works to stop funding for weapons of mass
destruction.
here are currently 39 members of the FATF; 37 jurisdictions and 2 regional organisations (the Gulf
Cooperation Council and the European Commission). These 39 Members are at the core of global efforts
to combat money laundering and terrorist financing. Observor; Indonesia
FATF suspended membership of the Russian Federation on 24 February 2023

https://www.fatf-gafi.org/en/countries/fatf.html
link of FATF website for reliable data.

FATF Associate Members

 Asia/Pacific Group on Money Laundering (APG) (See also: APG website)
 Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) (See also: CFATF website)
 Council of Europe Committee of Experts on the Evaluation of Anti-Money Laundering
Measures and the Financing of Terrorism (MONEYVAL) (See also: Moneyval website)
 Eurasian Group (EAG) (See also: EAG website)
 Eastern and Southern Africa Anti-Money Laundering Group (ESAAMLG) (See
also: ESAAMLG website)
 Financial Action Task Force of Latin America (GAFILAT) (formerly known as
Financial Action Task Force on Money Laundering in South America (GAFISUD)) (See
also: GAFILAT website)
 Inter Governmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa
(GIABA) (See also: GIABA website)
 Middle East and North Africa Financial Action Task Force (MENAFATF) (See
also: MENAFATF website)
 Task Force on Money Laundering in Central Africa (GABAC) (See also: GABAC
website)

PRESIDENCY ; T. Raja Kumar(Singapore 2022-2024 began a two-year term as

)

President of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) on 1 July 2022. He succeeded Dr. Marcus Player.

FATF LISTS ;

GREY LIST ; (Jurisdictions under increased monitoring)

When the FATF places a jurisdiction under increased monitoring, it means the country has committed to resolve swiftly
the identified strategic deficiencies within agreed timeframes and is subject to increased monitoring.
- 12 countries : Bahamas, Botswana, Cambodia, Ethiopia, Ghana, Pakistan, Panama, Sri Lanka, Syria, Trinidad and
Tobago, Tunisia and Yemen are in grey list

Black List ( High Risk jurisdictions subject to call for action) -Comprise of those countries which have grave
strategic deficiencies and lack mechanism to curb money laundering and terror financing , Two countries in black list
;North Korea, Iran
Pak in grey list since June 2018

SOURCE ; THE DIPLOMAT

What Pak needs to do in order to get out of grey list
1- Follow 27 recommendations by FATF
2- Pakistan is trying its best through legislation and their implementations in order to get an exit from the grey list.
Pakistan needs the support of at least 12 member countries out of the 39 FATF member countries to exit the
grey-list.

Steps Taken by Pakistan up-till now

1. National Action Plan
i. Zarb-e-Azab ii. Madrassa Reforms iii. Registrations of SIMs iv. NACTA v. Operation Rad ul Fasad

2. IN 2020, three FATF related bills including ICT waqaf property bill, ATA amendment bill 2020 and Anti money
laundering amendment bill 2020 were also passed in order to show compliance of the FATF regime.

3. The Terror Financing Risk Assessment Report was submitted by Pakistan that unfolds the network of crime funding
across the border from both domestic and foreign sources

4. Since June 2021, Pakistan has taken quick steps towards its AML/CFT administration, counting by sanctioning
authoritative revisions to improve its universal participation system; illustrating DNFBP(Designated non financial
businesses and proffesions) observing for PF TFS(Targeted Finanical sanctions) and DNFBP supervision

5. Last year, the parliament amended 14 laws in September that are related to its legal system to fulfill the requirement
of the FATF.

6-Anti-money laundering units were established in Pakistan Customs in order to have surveillance on under/over
invoicing on consignments which may involve an element of money laundering

7. In compliance with Security council resolution 1267 and 1373,Jamat-ud-dawa was prevented from its activities.

8.Coordination between NACTA, FBR, Banks, SCEP and FBR was enhanced through data sharing and mutual
coordination .

9- A Special Cell under the DGMO (Director General of Military Operations) was also established
10- In addition, Federal Board Revenue (FBR) efforts to monitor jewellers and real estate agents by DNFBP
(Designated Non-Financial Business and Professions) led to strict compliance. A special cell to combat human
trafficking (via the Tokhram border) was introduced by Federal Investigation Agency (FIA). Besides, the number
of ‘anti-Benami zones’ in the country is being enhanced

9.Documentation of economy drive

. Major Hurdles for Pakistan-

FATF lense INTERNAL CHALLENGES
1. Corruption in AML regime

2. Political rift among various political parties

3. institutional incapacity for AML regime

4. Extremist nurseries

5. Absence of centralized system of data sharing

6. Strategic aspect of proscribed organizations

EXTERNAL CHALLENGES
1. Malicious role of India in regional politics

2. Convergence of US-India Relationship

3. Illegal channels for money laundering i-e Hawala Hundi

4. Changing regional dynamics and monopolized FATF

Impacts of FATF Grey/Black Listing on Pakistan

1. Trust deficit with multinational companies and decrease in FDI

2. Limited access to international lending

3. Economic loss of about $38 billion

4. Political isolation

5. Negative Impact on CPEC and decline in Exports

The way forward/ Recommendation

1. FATF related laws should be implemented in true spirit through capacity building of the institutions.

2. Digitalization of the government processes is more than inevitable

3. A robust foreign policy and international lobbying can create as support system for Pakistan

4. Proscribed organizations should be curtailed and strict action should be taken against them

5. Ties with regional neighbors should be strengthened

6. Institutional capacity building

.7. A nation-wide consensus is also needed to restrict TF risks strengthening the sanctions regime against those found
involved in Ml/TF. Moreover, regional countries have to be convinced to stop cross-border illegal cash transaction.

8. FMUs need to enhance their access to TF risks and financial intelligence; and Federal and provincial governments
should also improve their support to institutions dealing with the TF.

9.Diplomacy is needed to lobby for Pakistan’s point of view and its attempts to reform AML/CFT and get off the grey-list.

10. Pakistan needs to show that its new AML/CFT rules work and look for international help in ML/TF cases through
mutual legal aid.

Conclusion
Pakistan Foreign Office spokesperson Asim Iftikhar statement: “In the context of FATF, we have faithfully complied with
and completed all technical requirements and hope that the outcome would be in the positive direction…… only
political considerations of the members of the illicit financing watchdog can hold it back in that category.” (source:
Dawn 19 feb 2022)

Read this article from IPRI JOURNAL by clicking the link

https://journal.ipripak.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Article-8-IPRI-Journal-XXII-I-Adeel-Mukhtar-Mirza.pdf

QUESTIONS FROM PAST PAPER IN CURRENT

AFFAIRS CSS.
1- The last two decades have seen the rise of the right as a potent challenge to the liberal democracies
throughout the world. What are the causes of this rise and how can states attend to this challenge (2021)
2- Why was Pakistan placed on the ‘Grey List’ of Financial Action Task Force (FATF)? What are
the implications and what measures should Pakistan take to move out of this list? (2020)

PAST PAPER QUESTIONS FROM PAK

AFFAIRS CSS
1- The evolution of the democratic system has always remained a dilemma in Pakistan, even after
passing more than seven decades of its existence democracy could not get its roots. Discuss in detail .
(css 2023)

2- The Democratization process in Pakistan is still weak and ambiguous. Do you consider dynastic
politics and feudalism are the major hindrances on the way of establishing true democratic
system in Pakistan? Explain. (CSS 2024)

PRACTICE QUESTIONS
1- How does the integration of technology and artificial intelligence impact the future of democracy? Discuss
the potential benefits and challenges associated with the use of these technologies in democratic processes.

3- In the context of Pakistan, analyze the major reasons for the failure of democracy in the country.
Identify specific political, social, and economic factors that have hindered the consolidation and
stability of democratic institutions.

4- The liberal world order has faced significant challenges and is witnessing a decline in recent years.
Examine the causes behind the demise of the liberal world order, highlighting key geopolitical,
ideological, and societal factors that have contributed to its decline.

Contact; FARHAN AHMAD MIRZA; 03196128682