#Pakistan GDP

[brightattire]

Tata Group का नया कीर्तिमान, मार्केट कैप के मामले में पाकिस्तान की जीडीपी को पछाड़ा

Tata Group Market Cap Vs Pakistan GDP: शेयर मार्केट के ताजा आंकड़ों में टाटा समूह की कंपनियों का मार्केट कैप 365 बिलियन डॉलर आंका गया है. जबकि आईएएफ के मुताबिक पाकिस्तान का जीडीपी 341 बिलियन डॉलर है.

[insightfultake]

India and China: The Economic Tug of War

China and India are two titans poised on the great field of the world economy. Being the two most populated countries in the world, they both have a different story of development, invention, and promise. Many of us are wondering with an eye toward the future: how long until India catches up to its neighbour if it continues on its current trajectory of economy?

China's GDP, estimated to be valued at $17 trillion as of 2023, is far larger than India's remarkable $3.5 trillion. China, with its enormous labor force and infrastructure, has been the unchallenged leader in manufacturing, establishing itself as the "world's factory." Contrarily, India has made a name for itself in the services industry by demonstrating its expertise in software and IT services at the forefront of the development and growth. Nevertheless, things are improving. India has been increasing its GDP faster than China, often by a significant margin. While China is experiencing a slowdown in its economy due to an aging population and an imminent debt crisis, India is benefiting from a demographic dividend. Its youthful population has a unique opportunity for economic growth, accounting for over 65% of the total....expand more to read.

[happybong]

Context: Indian government has decided to begin weather forecasts for regions under Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) — Gilgit-Baltistan, Muzaffarabad and Mirpur.

After DD and AIR started airing weather forecasts from PoK regions, In return Radio Pakistan also featured updates from Srinagar, Pulwama and Ladakh.

What’s the issue?

The ‘weather war’ — a diplomatic move by India — started after Pakistan’s Supreme Court issued notices to the advocate general of Gilgit-Baltistan in late April, directing them to amend the Gilgit-Baltistan Order-2018 and establish a caretaker government there.

About PoK:

Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK) is that part of the Jammu and Kashmir (India) which was invaded by Pakistan in 1947. The region is referred by the United Nations and other international organizations, as ‘Pakistani-controlled Kashmir’ (or Pakistan Administered Kashmir) and it was re-named as ‘Pakistan occupied Jammu-Kashmir’ by the Modi government.

PoK divided into two parts:

Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK)

Gilgit-Baltistan (referred to as the ‘Northern Areas’ till August 2009).

What is the root of the fight between India and Pakistan?

The fact that PoK is an integral part of India has been our consistent policy ever since 1947.

In 1947, Pakistan’s Pashtoon tribals attacked Jammu and Kashmir.

So to tackle this critical situation the Ruler of that time Maharaja Hari Singh of Jammu and Kashmir sought military assistance from the Indian government and the then Indian Governor General Mountbatten signed an agreement on 26 October 1947 in which three subjects Defense, Foreign Affairs and Communications were handed over to India.

Except these subjects Jammu and Kashmir was free to all its decisions.

On the basis of this accession of treaty, the Government of India claims that India has the full right to interfere in the matters related to Jammu and Kashmir. Pakistan on the other hand doesn’t agree with India.

Why is PoK important?

Because of its location, PoK is of immense strategic importance. It shares borders with several countries – the Punjab and North-West Frontier Province provinces (now called Khyber-Pakhthunkhwa) in Pakistan to the west, the Wakhan Corridor of Afghanistan in the north-west, Xinjiang province of the People’s Republic of China to the north and India���s Jammu and Kashmir to the east.

Challenges for India in PoK region:

Terrorist infiltration through the region is high.

Pakistan has changed the demography of PoK over a period of time.

It has settled ex- servicemen, Punjabi’s and Pathans so the original colours of PoK has changed.

Gilgit Baltistan region is easy as compared to other.

[ahsanreadsthis]

\\ 14.6.23

'Alternative to the IMF' by Shahida Wizarat, a complete overview of Pakistan's economic structure, it's flaws and available opportunities. She gives an out of the box solution to counter the financial issues faced by the country. At a point when Pakistan is facing the worst economic meltdown in history this book is a must read for every single person interested in understanding the dynamics of Pakistan's economic system.

[transgenderer]

americans are pretty rich, on average, compared to most of the world. but were not THAT rich on average. buncha countries in western europe have roughly comparable median income and gdp per capita. the truly weird thing about the US is that its both wealthy and HUGE. the top ten most populaous countries are india, china, US, indonesia, pakistan, nigeria, brazil, bangladesh, russia, mexico. which you will note are, except for the US, all poor! its crazy that we're this huge and rich. after mexico is japan, which is also pretty rich, 24th in median income and 28th in gdp per capita but of course thats why they have the third largest gdp in the world

check out this bonkers graph. this is countries by total gdp

oh and heres population

[mariacallous]

Strange things are happening in Russia these days. In early October, the country inked a deal to sell chickpeas to Pakistan in exchange for mandarin oranges. A few weeks later, the Russian government advised international participants traveling to the southwestern city of Kazan for the BRICS summit to bring cash in U.S. dollars or euros, as major credit card companies such as Visa and Mastercard have suspended operations on Russian soil since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in 2022.

During the BRICS summit, a Chinese official mentioned that Russia is facing “serious difficulties” with paying its membership fees to the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation; the official blamed Western sanctions. As if this were not enough, the comment came on the same day that the Kremlin had to cancel bond auctions to issue nearly 600 billion Russian rubles (around $6 billion) in sovereign debt for lack of buyers.

These examples might sound trivial, but taken together, they highlight how all might not be going hunky-dory for the Russian economy—contrary to the Kremlin’s claims that Western sanctions are ineffective and Russian GDP growth is booming. Like a cash-strapped household pretending that all is well while quietly burning through emergency savings, Moscow is trying to project economic normalcy by tapping into its vast financial buffers.

This is not a sustainable strategy: Without fresh inflows of cash, even the largest of savings only last for a while. Russia could soon struggle to preserve costly social stability at home while waging its expensive war against Ukraine.

To understand Russia’s economic troubles, looking at inflation is a good starting point. Official statistics are fishy, but even without consulting them, it’s easy to see that price growth is an issue in Russia. First, the ruble has lost one-third of its value against the U.S. dollar since early 2022, inflating the price of imports and therefore fueling inflation.

Second, Russian firms are struggling to hire because of the combined impact of a shrinking population; a high death toll from the COVID-19 pandemic; and the war in Ukraine, which has killed or seriously wounded 2 percent of Russian men between the ages of 20 and 50, and is causing an exodus of highly skilled workers. To attract workers, Russian companies are raising wages, again fueling inflation. Third, the Kremlin believes that it can buy social stability by showering people with generous handouts—another inflationary factor.

Central bankers like to raise interest rates when inflation is high, seeking to tame price growth by weighing on demand. The Central Bank of Russia has applied these principles to the letter; since mid-2023, it has gradually increased its key rate to a whopping 21 percent. Russian companies are feeling the pinch. This week, Sergei Chemezov, the CEO of state-owned defense conglomerate Rostec, declared that high interest rates are eating into profits so much that most Russian industrial firms could soon go bankrupt. But there is a catch: Because of its obsession with social stability, Moscow is working to negate the impact of high interest rates on the population.

A recent scheme for subsidized loans provides an example of this. Since 2020, millions of Russians have signed up for real estate loans at a cheap rate of 8 percent, while the government has reimbursed banks for the difference between that face rate and the 20 percent or more that higher central bank rates should command. That policy might well boost economic growth in the short term, but it comes with high costs: Home prices in Russia have tripled since 2020, suggesting a real estate bubble that could soon burst. The scheme also comes with a roughly $5 billion price tag for the Kremlin.

Russia’s bigger fiscal picture looks dire. On the expenses side, war is costly, and defense spending keeps rising to record highs: Military expenses will make up 40 percent of Russia’s public spending in 2025, for an eye-popping $142 billion. (National security and “classified” expenses will absorb another 30 percent of Russia’s federal budget.) Russia is also splurging to preserve social stability. In the next six years, the Kremlin plans to spend $431 billion on all sorts of social projects, including sending children to summer camps in occupied Crimea, building brand-new student campuses across Russia, and raising the minimum wage by no less than 10 percent per year.

The revenue side of the fiscal balance does not look any better. Excluding dividends, Russia’s state-owned gas giant Gazprom used to provide around 10 percent of the Kremlin’s fiscal revenues. Such largesse is over: After losing access to the European market, Gazprom recorded a $6.8 billion loss in 2023, making it impossible for the company to transfer money to state coffers. (Gazprom sent $40 billion to the Russian Ministry of Finance in 2022.)

Things could soon get even worse. In a few weeks, a deal allowing the transit of Russian gas to Europe via Ukraine will expire, cutting down Moscow’s remaining gas exports to the European Union by half and Russian total gas sales by one-third—for an expected loss of $6.5 billion per year for Gazprom.

Russia only has a few options to find new income streams. Sustained economic growth would raise fiscal revenues through higher taxes, but labor shortages mean that this is not a credible plan. A few weeks ago, the deputy governor of Russia’s central bank acknowledged that “available production capacity is depleted.” With social stability a constraining factor, Moscow can only apply fiscal Band-Aids.

Current plans include imposing higher taxes on wealthy households—for a mere $1.5 billion a year, or less than 3 percent of total income tax receipts—and raising tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles. It is not clear what Beijing will think of these protectionist measures in light of the supposedly unlimited friendship that binds Russia and China; Russian President Vladimir Putin has previously called U.S. tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles “unfair.”

With ever-rising expenses and dwindling revenues, Russia is now posting an annual fiscal deficit of nearly 2 percent of its GDP. For most economies, this is not an issue. Such a small shortfall can typically easily be financed through debt issuance. But Western sanctions have turned Russia into a pariah on the global financial scene, making it impossible for it to tap global debt markets. Moscow’s plan B was to tap domestic bond markets, but things are not going well on this front, either. Despite having to cancel auctions this month for lack of buyers, the Kremlin has penciled in issuing $25 billion in domestic bonds by the end of the year. So far, it is not getting anywhere.

With debt issuance out of the equation, Russia is now forced to turn to plan C: tapping into its savings. On paper, such a strategy could work for a while thanks to the vast holdings that Moscow accumulated in its National Wealth Fund (NWF) in the 2010s. However, these savings are now drying up: The liquid part of the fund has shrunk by more than half since the start of the war in Ukraine, to just $54 billion in September. Last year, the government stopped saving money in its NWF. Moscow is now resorting to selling the portion of its NWF reserves that it holds in gold; the fund’s gold reserves have shrunk by around half, or about 262 tons of gold, since early 2022.

Russia is depleting its rainy-day holdings, and this cannot last forever. Even assuming high global oil prices, the Kremlin’s 2024 budget includes a further $13 billion drop in NWF holdings this year, or about a quarter of the fund’s liquid reserves. Looking ahead, the NWF’s liquid reserves cover just around a year and a half of budget deficit. This assessment might prove optimistic: It assumes that official fiscal data is trustworthy—some experts believe that Russia’s fiscal deficit could be closer to 5 percent of its GDP—and that the global economy won’t suffer from major shocks. If global growth were to tank, the Central Bank of Russia estimates that the NWF’s liquid reserves could vanish in less than a year.

In September, Kyrylo Budanov, Ukraine’s defense intelligence chief, told attendees at a conference in Kyiv that Russia will try to force an end to the war in 2025, when the Kremlin could start facing genuine economic problems. This analysis might not be too far from the truth—and it will be useful to keep it in mind as calls for negotiations between Kyiv and Moscow grow louder every day.

[sataniccapitalist]

“Increasingly severe droughts and erratic monsoons are jeopardizing food security, rural livelihoods, and the economy. With agriculture employing nearly 45% of the population and contributing 24% to GDP, the sector’s vulnerability to climate change is imminent.”

[libertariantaoist]

News Roundup 1/18/2024 | The Libertarian Institute

Here is your daily roundup of today's news:

News Roundup 1/18/2024

by Kyle Anzalone

US News

OpenAI Cuts ‘Military and Warfare’ Ban From Permissible Use Policy AWC

Biden White House Set Up Secrative Court to Oversee Privacy Rights Politico

UK

Defense Secretary: UK in Pre-War Phase With Several Nations AWC

Ukraine

Ukraine Ground Forces Commander Says His Troops are on ‘Active Defense’ AWC

Zelensky Pushes Unrealistic ‘Peace Formula’ in Davos AWC

Korea

North Korea Labels South Korea a ‘Principal Enemy,’ Will No Longer Work Toward Reconciliation AWC

Israel

Israeli Defense Minster: ‘Intensive Phase’ of Ground Offensive in North Gaza Is Over AWC

Biden Ignores Palestinian Deaths in Statement on 100 Days of Gaza War AWC

Israel Buys Tech for Mass Influence Operations Haaretz

Israeli Military Warns West Bank “On Brink of Implosion” Haaretz 

Israel Can Now Detain Palestinians Without a Lawyer for Half a Year Haaretz

Senate Votes Down Bernie Sanders Resolution to Probe Israel’s Gaza Slaughter AWC

Israel Government Divided on Making a Deal to Free Hostages and End the War in Gaza WSJ

War in Gaza Will Cost Israel About 10% of GDP BI

Report: Netanyahu Says Israel’s Campaign in Gaza Could Continue Into 2025 AWC

Israel Has Over 3,000 Detained Palestinians Without Charge or Trial France24

California Senator Says Calling for a Ceasefire in Gaza is “Dehumanizing Language” LA Times

Israeli Forces Attacking Near Largest Reaining Hospital in Gaza and Cause Major Damage to Second Facility Reuters

Israeli Drone Strikes on West Bank Refugee Camps Kill 9 Palestinians MEE

White House “Looking Past Netanyahu” for Solutions in Middle East NBC News

Lebanon

Israel Pounds Southern Lebanon With Airstrikes, Artillery AWC

Middle East

Tehran Orders Strikes in Pakistan, Islamabad Responds with Strikes in Iran WashPo

New Caucus Forms in Congress to Support Iranian Exiles Formally Listed as Terror Group RS

Iraq, Pakistan Protest Iranian Missile Strikes on Their Territory AWC

Iraqi PM Says Country No Longer Needs International Soldiers WSJ

Iran Launches Ballistic Missile Strikes in Iraq and Syria AWC

New Jersey National Guard Prepares to Deploy to Iraq and Syria Amid Attacks AWC

Yemen

Houthi Missile Hits US-Owned Cargo Ship in Gulf of Aden AWC

Two US Navy SEALs Missing After US Seized Alleged Iranian Weapons Shipment to the Houthis AWC

US-UK Airstrikes Force Aid Groups to Suspend Operations in Yemen AWC

Houthis Say Terrorist Label Will Not Deter Their Commitment to Blocking Israeli-Linked Red Sea Shipping Newsweek

US Re-Designates Houthis as ‘Specially Designated Global Terrorists’ AWC

US Conducts Fourth Round of Strikes Against Houthis APAWC

Houthis Attack Another US-Owned Commercial Vessel in Gulf of Aden AWC

Biden Admits Bombing Yemen Is Not Stopping Houthis But Says He Will Continue Ordering Strikes The Hill

Read More

[mohite1]

Modi’s Pm Tenure Is the Second Longest Tenure in the History of India.

PM Modi took the oath of pm along with 72 cabinet members

Modi 3.0

The rumble of the pm post came to an end after pm Modi became the third consecutive prime minister of India. There were rumours like I.N.D.I.A bloc to make Nitish Kumar the PM of India but the offer was not accepted by Nitish Kumar hence last night Modi became the pm.

But as the many changes happen in the movie more changes happened in the Indian election there were ups and downs once it was looking like the I.N.D.I.A bloc was going to sweep the election but the fate of Modi was good at this time Chandra Babu Pawan Kalyan also Nitish Kumar scored well and hence were offered to became deputy prime minister of INDIA which was shocking but things did not happen as per Congress term.

PM Modi now has taken the oath of PM and has started his duty but will the government be strong as a diamond till 2029 or it will dissolve like butter?

We have seen what Triple Alliance has done in the state of Maharashtra.

Inter Politics of India

From 2014 till 2023 no one in the country could challenge the BJP because of its strong ideology of Hindutva and leadership of MODI but after the result of 2024.

The Modi wave has been downed by the current situation the ideology of Hindutva has also been which was extremely booming but why God knows due to the tactics played by the centre have not positively affected the states of India and mostly the people of India don’t’ like such type of politics? That could be the reason.

The centre’s policy to look upon Gujrat development is also not liked by the people of India specially the state people of Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu, because the growth of these states has simultaneously been reducing as Maharashtra’s GDP should have been positive but due to the new leadership of Maharashtra it has been fall and matter got worse after 17 tech companies of Pune left Maharashtra.

Seems the state election is going to soon happen in Maharashtra and the rumble will be on for the most prosperous state of Maharashtra whose GDP is more than Pakistan.

Geo Politics Around India

The South Asia group of Nations called ASEAN is now dead as the entry of PLA (people’s Liberation Army of China) & U.S.A. in the politics of Bhutan, Myanmar, Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan only Bangladesh has been pro-India. In such a situation, India also has to develop its own naval fleet.

India has developed in the past decade since Andaman & Nicobar Island is India’s best asset government of India has mainly developed these islands as a naval fleet to keep an eye on China’s trade and especially the presence of China’s navy in the Indian Ocean. And also, for Pakistan which has become a close ally of China these days.

In the Persian Gulf India has made its two allies Iran & Afghanistan which are contemporary enemies of Pakistan.

If we move towards the Arabian region India has maintained great relations with Saudi Arabia, Israel, and Oman which are contemporary trade partners, and especially Oman which is the doorway for India to do trade with the other nations of Arab nations.

Central Asia

If we move up towards central Asia India has to maintain special relations with Tajikistan as India has its air base in Tajikistan.

Other central nations have maintained neutrality in the context of Indo-central relations.

RUSSIA

If we look at the past century Russia is one of the closest and most trustworthy allies. This is positive to India as the current political scenario Russia is more towards China as China provides Trade and other needs to Russia as it is affected by the restrictions put by the West & U.S.A.

Russia signed the same treaty with China as India in 1971 as a treaty of peace and cooperation. The same treaty was signed by Russia and India in the 1971 war but there is a loop.

The relationship between China and Russia has not been good since the issue of the Mussoorie River clash in 1969 hence China is a trade partner of Russia not of trusted partner.

Korean peninsula

The Korean peninsula conflict is since WW2 but India has maintained a balance and good relations with South Korea & North Korea and India has developed the tech trade with South Korea and Japan.

Japan is becoming the new military as well as a tech partner with India. India is going to operate a military base in Japan both sides bilateral talks were conducted at the 13th Japan Summit.

South East Asia

Southeast Asia and India relations have been very negative since the independence, also during the 1964 Indo-Pak war Indonesia was in full support of Pakistan and was ready to attack India but due to the maintenance of Indian armed troops in Andaman and Nicobar, the problem was swept.

India has historically traded with South East Asia during the time of Rajendra Chola who was one of the greatest kings of India. Now the situation is different the countries of Southeast Asia are ready to trade with India but due to the military coup in Myanmar and China’s dominance in the South China Sea, it is becoming difficult for India to trade with Southeast Asia.

As for handling National & International politics India’s current situation needs a strong leader who should be the next prime minister

MODI OR RAHUL GANDHI?

[news-of-the-day]

5/25/23

Putin announced Russia would be sending nuclear weapons to Belarus. It would maintain control of them but they would be housed there. Yevgeny Prigozhin, leader of the Wagner mercenary group, announced they were withdrawing from Bakhmut following Russia's victory, and added 20K of his troops died in the battle.

Floridian Governor deSantis announced his candidacy for the 2024 presidential election. People have been talking about him running for president for so long, I hadn't realized he hadn't actually officially launched his campaign yet.

The announcement was streamed live on twitter but there were many technical difficulties, which people like to point out as Musk's failures after his takeover of the company. Musk has been vocalizing for a bit that he wants to step back from twitter to return focus on Tesla and SpaceX, and last month he announced a new CEO, Linda Yaccarino, head of advertising and partnerships at NBC.

I'm trying very hard to keep on top of the Pakistani elections but the situation keeps changing regularly. You may remember there's a big hubbub regarding former Pakistani Prime Minister, Imran Khan, who was ousted a year ago after a no-confidence vote. My general sense is the existing powers that be are trying everything to keep him from running again, from throwing antiterrorism or bribery charges at him. In the past week the government has considered banning his party altogether after there were clashes with police when they tried to arrest Khan or just protest in general. Thousands of members of his party have already been arrested and many high-profile leaders have resigned. It's a very tense situation. The backdrop to all this is Pakistan is running out of money and is on the edge of a default, trying to convince the IMF to bail it out.

US jobless claims rose slightly to 229K last week, and unemployment fell to 3.4% in April. GDP was 1.3% annualized rate in Q1.

The Supreme Court handed down a ruling limiting the EPA's ability to regulate wetlands under the terms of the Clean Water Act.

Richard Barnett, the man who was pictured putting his feet up on Pelosi's desk during the January 6th riot, was sentenced to 4.5 years.

I apologize, yesterday I forgot to mention the fire that killed 19 students was in Guyana. It's also come to light the student's phone was confiscated because she was texting her older boyfriend, who is now expected to be charged for statutory rape since she was under 16, so the entire situation is awful and terrible.

1) Politico, Guardian, WSJ 2) Miami Herald 3) NYT, Barrons 4) WSJ, Al Jazeera 5) Reuters 6) USA Today 7) Washington Post

[techno-99]

Narendra Modi Story

Narendra Modi (born September 17, 1950, Vadnagar, India) Indian politician and government official who rose to become a senior leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). In 2014 he led his party to victory in elections to the Lok Sabha (lower chamber of the Indian parliament), after which he was sworn in as prime minister of India. Prior to that he had served (2001–14) as chief minister (head of government) of Gujarat state in western India.

After a vigorous campaign—in which Modi portrayed himself as a pragmatic candidate who could turn around India’s underperforming economy—he and the party were victorious, with the BJP winning a clear majority of seats in the chamber. Modi was sworn in as prime minister on May 26, 2014. Soon after he took office, his government embarked on several reforms, including campaigns to improve India’s transportation infrastructure and to liberalize rules on direct foreign investment in the country. Modi scored two significant diplomatic achievements early in his term. In mid-September he hosted a visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping, the first time a Chinese leader had been to India in eight years. At the end of that month, having been granted a U.S. visa, Modi made a highly successful visit to New York City, which included a meeting with U.S. Pres. Barack Obama.

As prime minister, Modi oversaw a promotion of Hindu culture and the implementation of economic reforms. The government undertook measures that would broadly appeal to Hindus, such as its attempt to ban the sale of cows for slaughter. The economic reforms were sweeping, introducing structural changes—and temporary disruptions—that could be felt nationwide. Among the most far-reaching was the demonetization and replacement of 500- and 1,000-rupee banknotes with only a few hours’ notice. The purpose was to stop “black money”—cash used for illicit activities—by making it difficult to exchange large sums of cash. The following year the government centralized the consumption tax system by introducing the Goods and Services Tax (GST), which superseded a confusing system of local consumption taxes and eliminated the problem of cascading tax. GDP growth slowed from these changes, though growth had already been high (8.2 percent in 2015), and the reforms succeeded in expanding the government’s tax base. Still, rising costs of living and increasing unemployment disappointed many as grandiose promises of economic growth remained unfulfilled.

This disappointment registered with voters during the elections in five states in late 2018. The BJP lost in all five states, including the BJP strongholds of Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Chhattisgarh. The rival Indian National Congress (Congress Party) won more state assembly seats than the BJP in all five elections. Many observers believed that this portended bad news for Modi and the BJP in the national elections set for the spring of 2019, but others believed that Modi’s charisma would excite the voters. Moreover, a security crisis in Jammu and Kashmir in February 2019, which escalated tensions with Pakistan to the highest point in decades, boosted Modi’s image just months before the election. With the BJP dominating the airwaves during the campaign—in contrast to the lacklustre campaign of Rahul Gandhi and Congress—the BJP was returned to power, and Modi became India’s first prime minister outside of the Congress Party to be reelected after a full term.

In his second term Modi’s government revoked the special status of Jammu and Kashmir, stripping it of autonomy in October 2019 and bringing it under the direct control of the union government. The move came under intense criticism and faced challenges in court, not only for the questionable legality of depriving Jammu and Kashmir’s residents of self-determination but also because the government severely restricted communications and movement within the region.

In March 2020, meanwhile, Modi took decisive action to combat the outbreak of COVID-19 in India, swiftly implementing strict nationwide restrictions to mitigate the spread while the country’s biotechnology firms became key players in the race to develop and deliver vaccines worldwide. As part of the effort to counter the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, Modi undertook executive action in June to liberalize the agricultural sector, a move that was codified into law in September. Many feared that the reforms would make farmers vulnerable to exploitation, however, and protesters took to the streets in opposition to the new laws. Beginning in November, massive protests were organized and became a regular disruption, particularly in Delhi.

Modi’s policies backfired in 2021. Protests escalated (culminating in the storming of the Red Fort in January), and extraordinary restrictions and crackdowns by the government failed to suppress them. Meanwhile, despite the remarkably low spread of COVID-19 in January and February, by late April a rapid surge of cases caused by the new Delta variant had overwhelmed the country’s health care system. Modi, who had held massive political rallies ahead of state elections in March and April, was criticized for neglecting the surge. The BJP ultimately lost the election in a key battleground state despite heavy campaigning. In November, as protests continued and another set of state elections approached, Modi announced that the government would repeal the agricultural reforms.

[xtruss]

Imran Khan Warns That Pakistan’s Election Could Be A Farce

His Party is Being Unfairly Muzzled, the Former Prime Minister Writes From Prison

— January 4th, 2024 | The Economist

Imran Khan, Former Prime Minister of Pakistan. Image: Dan Williams

Today pakistan is being ruled by caretaker governments at both the federal level and provincial level. These administrations are constitutionally illegal because elections were not held within 90 days of parliamentary assemblies being dissolved.

The public is hearing that elections will supposedly be held on February 8th. But having been denied the same in two provinces, Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, over the past year—despite a Supreme Court order last March that those votes should be held within three months—they are right to be sceptical about whether the national vote will take place.

The country’s election commission has been tainted by its bizarre actions. Not only has it defied the top court but it has also rejected my Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (pti) party’s nominations for first-choice candidates, hindered the party’s internal elections and launched contempt cases against me and other pti leaders for simply criticising the commission.

Whether elections happen or not, the manner in which I and my party have been targeted since a farcical vote of no confidence in April 2022 has made one thing clear: the establishment—the army, security agencies and the civil bureaucracy—is not prepared to provide any playing field at all, let alone a level one, for pti.

It was, after all, the establishment that engineered our removal from government under pressure from America, which was becoming agitated with my push for an independent foreign policy and my refusal to provide bases for its armed forces. I was categorical that we would be a friend to all but would not be anyone’s proxy for wars. I did not come to this view lightly. It was shaped by the huge losses Pakistan had incurred collaborating with America’s “war on terror”, not least the 80,000 Pakistani lives lost.

In March 2022 an official from America’s State Department met Pakistan’s then ambassador in Washington, dc. After that meeting the ambassador sent a cipher message to my government. I later saw the message, via the then foreign minister, Shah Mahmood Qureshi, and it was subsequently read out in cabinet.

In view of what the cipher message said, I believe that the American official’s message was to the effect of: pull the plug on Imran Khan’s prime ministership through a vote of no confidence, or else. Within weeks our government was toppled and I discovered that Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff, General Qamar Javed Bajwa, had, through the security agencies, been working on our allies and parliamentary backbenchers for several months to move against us.

People flocked onto the streets to protest against this regime change, and in the next few months pti won 28 out of 37 by-elections and held massive rallies across the country, sending a clear message as to where the public stood. These rallies attracted a level of female participation that we believe was unprecedented in Pakistan’s history. This unnerved the powers that had engineered our government’s removal.

To add to their panic, the administration that replaced us destroyed the economy, bringing about unprecedented inflation and a currency devaluation within 18 months. The contrast was clear for everyone to see: the pti government had not only saved Pakistan from bankruptcy but also won international praise for its handling of the covid-19 pandemic. In addition, despite a spike in commodity prices, we steered the economy to real gdp growth of 5.8% in 2021 and 6.1% in 2022.

Unfortunately, the establishment had decided I could not be allowed to return to power, so all means of removing me from the political landscape were used. There were two assassination attempts on my life. My party’s leaders, workers and social-media activists, along with supportive journalists, were abducted, incarcerated, tortured and pressured to leave pti. Many of them remain locked up, with new charges being thrown at them every time the courts give them bail or set them free. Worse, the current government has gone out of its way to terrorise and intimidate pti’s female leaders and workers in an effort to discourage women from participating in politics.

I face almost 200 legal cases and have been denied a normal trial in an open court. A false-flag operation on May 9th 2023—involving, among other things, arson at military installations falsely blamed on pti—led to several thousand arrests, abductions and criminal charges within 48 hours. The speed showed it was pre-planned.

This was followed by many of our leaders being tortured or their families threatened into giving press conferences and engineered television interviews to state that they were leaving the party. Some were compelled to join other, newly created political parties. Others were made to give false testimony against me under duress.

Despite all this, pti remains popular, with 66% support in a Pattan-Coalition 38 poll held in December; my personal approval rating is even higher. Now the election commission, desperate to deny the party the right to contest elections, is indulging in all manner of unlawful tricks. The courts seem to be losing credibility daily.

Meanwhile, a former prime minister with a conviction for corruption, Nawaz Sharif, has returned from Britain, where he was living as an absconder from Pakistani justice. In November a Pakistani court overturned the conviction (Under United States’ Scrotums Licker Corrupt Army Generals’ Directions).

It is my belief that Corrupt to his Core Mr Sharif has struck a deal with the establishment whereby it will support his acquittal and throw its weight behind him in the upcoming elections. But so far the public has been unrelenting in its support for pti and its rejection of the “selected”.

It is under these circumstances that elections may be held on February 8th. All parties are being allowed to campaign freely except for pti. I remain incarcerated, in solitary confinement, on absurd charges that include treason. Those few of our party’s leaders who remain free and not underground are not allowed to hold even local worker conventions. Where pti workers manage to gather together they face brutal police action.

In this scenario, even if elections were held they would be a disaster and a farce, since pti is being denied its basic right to campaign. Such a joke of an election would only lead to further political instability. This, in turn, would further aggravate an already volatile economy.

The only viable way forward for Pakistan is fair and free elections, which would bring back political stability and rule of law, as well as ushering in desperately needed reforms by a democratic government with a popular mandate. There is no other way for Pakistan to disentangle itself from the crises confronting it. Unfortunately, with democracy under siege, we are heading in the opposite direction on all these fronts. ■

— Imran Khan is the Founder and Former Chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf and was Prime Minister of Pakistan from 2018 to 2022.

— Editor’s Note: Pakistan’s government and America’s State Department deny Mr Khan’s allegations of American interference in Pakistani politics (Bullshit! Hegemonic War Criminal Conspirator United States and Corrupt Army Generals and Politicians of Pakistan Were Clearly Involved. It’s Social Media’s Modern Era, Not 1970). The government is prosecuting him under the Official Secrets Act.

[crazylucciola]

Do you want to come to Italy to study? Prepare yourself.

I was scrolling on Instagram yesterday and I came across an italian account: toxicschool. In their posts I saw one talking about the differences between Italian school or American school. I agree with them school Is toxic we have to Improve it. But should we see deep the world of scholarships in our globe?

State grade Percentage of GDP spent on education

1 Guinea Equatorial 0.7%

2 Myanmar 0.8%

3 Central African Republic 1.2%

4 Zambia 1.3%

5 United Arab Emirates 1.3%

6 Monaco 1.6%

7 Lebanon 1.6%

8 Liberia 1.9%

9 Sri Lanka 2.0%

10 Eritrea 2.1%

11 Liechtenstein 2.1%

12 Guinea-Bissau 2.1%

13 Dominican Republic 2.2%

14 Libia 2.3%

15 Iraq 2.3%

16 Pakistan 2.4%

17 Zimbabwe 2.5%

18 Qatar 2.5%

19 Antigua and Barbuda 2.5%

20 Democratic Republic of the Congo 2.5%

21 Chad 2.6%

22 Peru 2.6%

23 Cambodia 2.6%

24 Sierra Leone 2.7%

25 Georgia 2.7%

(Guinea Equatorial)

This is the ranking of the worst schools in the world. What's about the best schools in the world?

1.South Korea.

2.Japan.

3.Singapore.

4.Hong Kong.

5.Finland.

6.United Kingdom.

7.Canada.

8.Netherlands.

(South Korea)

In the world there are 244 million young people and children, between 6 and 18 years old, who do not go to school. This was announced by Avvenire, which points out that, of these, 40% live in sub-Saharan Africa, of which 20.2 million only in Nigeria.

So now we know the baddest and best schools in the world, but what's the school system more stressful?

Stress, especially when prolonged over time, can lead to many health problems, from the simplest to the most serious, because it alters the immune system: skin diseases, dry mouth and memory lapses, and, in the most serious cases, even heart problems.

The WeWorld report highlights how the Italian school system is one of the most stressful in the world: more than half of students say they feel nervous while studying, compared to an OECD average of 37%.

Among the 3651 students surveyed, 9 out of 10 confirm that they experience anxiety and/or stress before taking written and oral tests.

I'm an Italian student. I can confirm it.

But why do I think that is really bad the organization?

Is outdated and overly theoretical curricula, inadequate technological equipment, poor teacher motivation, school buildings and overcrowded classrooms. These are the 5 main weaknesses of the Italian school system, beyond the Coronavirus emergency that has further complicated the situation.

How is the Italian school system organized?

State compulsory schools are free and divided as follows: Primary school (elementary) - from 6 to 11 years, compulsory; Lower secondary school (middle) - from 11 to 14 years, compulsory; Upper secondary school from 14 to 19 years, compulsory up to 16 years old.

How toxic is the Italian school?

The European Commission brings us back to our difficult reality: Italy is among the five worst in Europe (out of 28) for dropouts: 17.6% of pupils leave their desks too early against the EU average of 12.7%.(-23 Oct 2016.)

My Testimony:

Italian school is really though, not because we have more hour to do but because teachers never said thing that can motivate us. They kick our butt if we aren't what they want us to be. If aren't good in their subjects we are a bunch of losers.

They insult us saying that we are going to make anything in our life. They said that to children, kids and teenagers.

For the new generation they have reserved us a bullshit.

Teachers don't teach us to live. They teach us about somethings that we have to know but they don't tell us how to survive.

In Italian we have two different options for saying teacher. "Maestro" is the one that teaches you life lessons explaining traditional lessons, "Professore" is the teacher that teaches you traditional lessons without a lesson . And I met only two teachers that are "Maestri".

[duniaghomo]

Pakistan’s currency has fallen by 40% in a year, reaching 279.30 Pakistani rupees. Pakistan’s GDP has fallen by up to 4% as a result of power outages alone. Power outages have completely disrupted Pakistan’s textile and manufacturing sectors, and the country’s currency has fallen below $3 billion, the equivalent of Sri Lanka. Bangladesh was trailing Pakistan but is now catching up, but what will happen to Pakistan? Despite receiving the most foreign aid from all over the world, it continues to fall behind. Many poorer countries in the world are in worse shape than Pakistan, so why does Pakistan receive more financial assistance than others? It is critical to comprehend the underlying causes of this entire situation. When India and Pakistan were partitioned, Pakistan received one-third of the military and 17% of total resources. Hussain Haqqani, a Pakistani author, confirmed this information. Only 34 of the totals of 921 major industries were allocated to Pakistan

[nicklloydnow]

“Altogether, the Biden administration received Congressional approval for $40bn in aid for Ukraine for 2022 and has requested an additional $37.7bn for 2022. More than half of this aid has been earmarked for defense.

These sums pale into insignificance when set against a total US defense budget of $715bn for 2022. The assistance represents 5.6% of total US defense spending. But Russia is a primary adversary of the US, a top tier rival not too far behind China, its number one strategic challenger. In cold, geopolitical terms, this war provides a prime opportunity for the US to erode and degrade Russia’s conventional defense capability, with no boots on the ground and little risk to US lives.

The Ukrainian armed forces have already killed or wounded upwards of 100,000 Russian troops, half its original fighting force; there have been almost 8,000 confirmed losses of armored vehicles including thousands of tanks, thousands of APCs, artillery pieces, hundreds of fixed and rotary wing aircraft, and numerous naval vessels. US spending of 5.6% of its defense budget to destroy nearly half of Russia’s conventional military capability seems like an absolutely incredible investment. If we divide out the US defense budget to the threats it faces, Russia would perhaps be of the order of $100bn-150bn in spend-to-threat. So spending just $40bn a year, erodes a threat value of $100-150bn, a two-to-three time return. Actually the return is likely to be multiples of this given that defense spending, and threat are annual recurring events.

(…)

Meanwhile, replacing destroyed kit, and keeping up with the new arms race that it has now triggered with the West will surely end up bankrupting the Russian economy; especially an economy subject to aggressive Western sanctions. How can Russia possibly hope to win an arms race when the combined GDP of the West is $40 trillion, and its defense spending amounting to 2% of GDP totals well in excess of $1 trillion when the disproportionate US defense contribution is considered? Russia’s total GDP is only $1.8 trillion. Vladimir Putin will have to divert spending from consumption to defense, risking social and political unrest over the medium term, and a real and soon-to-be present danger to his regime. Just imagine how much more of a bargain Western military aid will be if it ultimately brings positive regime change in Russia.

Second, the war has served to destroy the myth that Russian military technology is somehow comparable to that of the US and West. Remember that Ukraine is using only upgraded second generation US technology but is consistently beating whatever Russia’s military can deploy. Wars are shop windows for defense manufacturers; any buyer in their right mind will want the technology made by the winner. Putin’s misjudgment has merely provided a fantastic marketing opportunity for its Western competitors.

(…)

Third, the revelation that Russia’s defense industry is something of a Potemkin village also generates other strategic and diplomatic wins for the US. Countries eager to secure defense capability to meet their own threats – think of Turkey, India, Pakistan, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia — might have opted for cheaper, “value” Russian defense offerings. However, with the quality/capability of this equipment now being questioned because of poor battlefield performance, they will likely be vying to acquire a better US kit. But this will require improved diplomatic relations. This is currently evident in the improved US–Pakistan relationship, with Pakistan securing upgrade kits for its F-16s.

Fourth, helping Ukraine beat Russia surely also sends a powerful signal to China that the US and its allies are strong and determined when challenged on issues of core importance. This may raise questions in the minds of Xi Jinping and the People’s Liberation Army generals about their ability to win a conflict against countries armed with US/Western military technology, for example in Taiwan. Surely Russia’s difficulty in winning the war in Ukraine will cause second thoughts in China about the wisdom and perhaps the viability of efforts to conquer Taiwan.

Fifth, the war in Ukraine is encouraging and accelerating the energy transition in Europe, but also Europe’s diversification away from Russian energy. Europe is desperately trying to source alternative energy supplies, and US liquefied natural gas (LNG) is proving to be the obvious beneficiary.

In conclusion, on so many levels, continued US support for Ukraine is a no-brainer from a bang for buck perspective. Ukraine is no Vietnam or Afghanistan for the US, but it is exactly that for Russia. A Russia continually mired in a war it cannot win is a huge strategic win for the US.

Why would anyone object to that?”

“Russia has raised more than $13 billion in just one day as the cost of Vladimir Putin's war with Ukraine keeps mounting.

Britain's Ministry of Defence said on Saturday that the Russian Federation had conducted its largest debt issuance on Wednesday.

Its intelligence report also said that Russia's declared "national defence" spending in 2023 is estimated to be about 5 trillion rubles ($84 billion), or more than 40% higher than forecast.”

[divinejhonson]

The Economic Impact of Ready Mix Concrete on Pakistan’s Construction Sector

 The construction sector plays a crucial role in Pakistan’s economic development, contributing significantly to employment, infrastructure growth, and overall GDP. Among the innovations transforming the industry, ready mix concrete in Pakistan has emerged as a game-changer, offering efficiency, sustainability, and cost-effectiveness to large-scale and small-scale construction projects alike. This article explores how ready mix concrete (RMC) is revolutionizing Pakistan’s construction sector and driving economic growth.

What is Ready Mix Concrete?

Ready mix concrete is a pre-mixed, factory-prepared material consisting of cement, aggregates, water, and, occasionally, admixtures. It is produced in a batching plant and delivered to construction sites using specialized trucks, ensuring consistent quality and timely supply. Unlike traditional on-site concrete mixing, RMC eliminates the guesswork, waste, and inefficiencies often associated with manual preparation.

Advantages of Using Ready Mix Concrete in Pakistan

The growing popularity of ready mix concrete in Pakistan is attributed to its numerous benefits, which include:

1. Enhanced Quality Control

RMC is prepared in controlled environments, ensuring precise measurement of materials and consistent quality. This uniformity improves the durability and strength of structures, reducing long-term maintenance costs.

2. Time and Labor Efficiency

Unlike traditional methods, ready mix concrete significantly reduces the time and labor required for on-site mixing. This efficiency is particularly valuable for large-scale projects, where delays can lead to substantial financial losses.

3. Reduced Waste and Environmental Impact

RMC minimizes material wastage, as it is mixed to precise specifications. Additionally, it supports sustainable construction practices by reducing dust and emissions on-site.

4. Cost-Effectiveness

Though initially more expensive than traditional concrete, the long-term savings from reduced labor, time, and material wastage make RMC a cost-effective solution.

5. Adaptability to Various Projects

Whether for residential, commercial, or infrastructure projects, RMC can be customized to meet specific requirements, such as higher strength, faster setting times, or improved workability.

Economic Benefits of Ready Mix Concrete

The adoption of RMC has broader economic implications for Pakistan’s construction industry and the overall economy.

1. Boosting Infrastructure Development

Infrastructure projects such as roads, bridges, and airports are critical for economic growth. RMC ensures the timely and efficient execution of these projects, enabling Pakistan to meet its infrastructure goals. This progress attracts foreign investment and promotes trade by enhancing connectivity.

2. Creating Employment Opportunities

The expansion of the RMC industry in Pakistan has led to the creation of numerous jobs, from plant operators and truck drivers to quality control engineers and sales professionals. This employment boost contributes to the livelihoods of thousands of families across the country.

3. Reducing Project Delays

Construction delays often result in financial losses and missed opportunities. The efficient supply and application of ready mix concrete minimize these delays, ensuring projects are completed on schedule and within budget.

4. Encouraging Technological Advancements

The rise of RMC has encouraged the adoption of advanced technologies in the construction sector, such as automated batching plants, GPS-enabled delivery systems, and quality assurance tools. These innovations enhance productivity and position Pakistan’s construction industry on par with global standards.

5. Strengthening the Housing Market

RMC has facilitated the construction of affordable housing projects, addressing the growing demand for residential properties in Pakistan. By reducing construction costs and timelines, it enables developers to offer competitively priced homes, boosting the real estate sector.

Challenges Facing the Ready Mix Concrete Industry in Pakistan

Despite its benefits, the RMC industry in Pakistan faces several challenges:

1. High Initial Costs

The setup of batching plants and specialized transportation systems requires significant investment. Many small-scale contractors find it challenging to afford RMC, opting for traditional methods instead.

2. Limited Awareness

A lack of awareness among builders and contractors about the benefits of RMC hampers its widespread adoption. Educational initiatives and marketing campaigns are needed to promote its advantages.

3. Logistical Constraints

Delivering RMC to remote or congested urban areas poses logistical challenges. Traffic, narrow roads, and inadequate infrastructure can delay delivery, affecting project timelines.

4. Price Volatility

Fluctuations in the prices of raw materials, such as cement and aggregates, impact the affordability of RMC, making it less accessible to smaller projects.

Future Prospects of Ready Mix Concrete in Pakistan

The future of ready mix concrete in Pakistan appears promising, with the potential for substantial growth in the coming years. Here are some trends and opportunities shaping the industry:

1. Government Initiatives

The government’s focus on infrastructure development, such as the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and urban housing schemes, will drive demand for RMC. Policymakers can support the industry by offering incentives, such as tax breaks and subsidies, to promote its adoption.

2. Increased Urbanization

As Pakistan’s urban population grows, so does the demand for high-rise buildings, shopping malls, and other urban infrastructure. RMC is ideally suited for these projects due to its efficiency and consistency.

3. Sustainability Goals

With increasing emphasis on sustainable construction, RMC’s eco-friendly attributes will become a key selling point, encouraging its use in green building projects.

4. Expansion of RMC Plants

Investment in additional batching plants across Pakistan will enhance the accessibility and affordability of RMC, making it a viable option for smaller contractors and rural projects.

Why Choose Allied Materials for Ready Mix Concrete in Pakistan?

When it comes to reliable and high-quality ready mix concrete in Pakistan, Allied Materials stands out as a trusted name. The company offers:

Customized Solutions tailored to the specific needs of each project.

On-Time Delivery to ensure projects stay on schedule.

Competitive Pricing without compromising on quality.

Technical Expertise to provide guidance on the optimal use of RMC.

Conclusion

Ready mix concrete is revolutionizing Pakistan’s construction industry by offering superior quality, efficiency, and sustainability. Its adoption not only enhances project outcomes but also drives economic growth by creating jobs, reducing costs, and fostering technological advancements.

While challenges such as high initial costs and logistical constraints remain, the future of RMC in Pakistan is bright, supported by government initiatives, urbanization, and a shift toward sustainable building practices. By choosing trusted suppliers like Allied Materials, builders and developers can leverage the full potential of ready mix concrete to achieve durable and long-lasting structures.