CSS 2018 Solved Current Affairs Past Papers | Opportunities and Challenges for Pakistan at SCO
The following question of CSS Current Affairs 2018 is solved by Sir Ammar Hashmi, the best Current Affairs Coach, on the guided pattern of Sir Syed Kazim Ali, which he taught to his students, scoring the highest marks in compulsory subjects for years. This solved past paper question is uploaded to help aspirants understand how to crack a topic or question, how to write relevantly, what coherence is, and how to include and connect ideas, opinions, and suggestions to score the maximum.
Question Breakdown
This question delves into opportunities provided by the SCO and the challenges that Pakistan is facing to strengthen regional connectivity.
Outline
1-introduction
2- Pakistan in Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO)-an overview
3- Opportunities for Pakistan in SCO
- ✓Economic growth
- ✓Technological development
- ✓Geopolitical significance
- ✓Regional security
4-Challenges for Pakistan in SCO
- ✓Internal political instability
- ✓Countering India’s hostility
- ✓Balancing Western perception
- ✓Security issues
5-Conclusion
Answer to the Question
Introduction
The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) manifests a successful example of regional integration in the non-western world after the Cold War. The organization has substantially expanded in the last decade. Thus, Pakistan also joined the organization in 2017 to materialize its national interests in the region. For sure, the geostrategic importance of Pakistan for the region and trade opportunities with member-states like Russia and Central Asian states hold significant opportunities for the country. For instance, cooperation with energy-rich states like Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan could boost the energy infrastructure of the country to stimulate industrial growth. Similarly, for Pakistan, the organization provides a new window to multilateralism, consolidating the country’s geopolitical position. Besides opportunities, several challenges, like the country’s internal security and political issues, pose hurdles to leverage the fruits of regional cooperation. In addition, India’s presence as a member state and its hostile attitude towards Pakistan underscore the complexities for the country to preserve its regional interests. Therefore, strategic steps should be taken to realize the true essence of regional coordination.
Pakistan in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO)-an overview
The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), founded in 2001, has garnered significant importance over the years. Initially, it was framed to enhance regional security. However, the organization has expanded to boost cooperation in regional trade, technology, and culture. Pakistan, an important regional stakeholder, joined the organization in 2017. Surely, the country’s geographical location as a gateway to Central Asia underscores its significance in enhancing regional coordination. In addition, the SCO membership is an important avenue for the country to enhance its role in regional cooperation.
Opportunities for Pakistan in SCO
- Economic growth
The SCO holds diverse opportunities for Pakistan’s economic growth. For instance, the organization lowers trade barriers by providing access to new markets, thus enhancing the country’s trade volume. For example, the country’s agriculture, sports, and textile sectors have significant export potential for countries like Russia and Central Asian states. Similarly, cooperation in the energy sector between Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan could stabilize the country’s energy infrastructure, nourishing industrial growth and diversifying exports. Besides, the landlocked central Asian states’ access to Pakistani ports could boost the country’s maritime trade and stimulate local development.
- Technological development
In the contemporary era, technological advancement is the bedrock of national development. The SCO renders a reliable platform for technology transfer. By leveraging the SCO for cooperation with China and Russia in the technology sector, Pakistan could diversify its services industry, leading to employment and economic growth. Similarly, being vulnerable to climate change, the country could develop its renewable energy infrastructure through technological partnerships with developed member-states like Russia and China. In addition, collaboration in technology to train the youth bulge in Pakistan could result in a skilled labour force, garnering foreign investment and development.
- Geopolitical significance
The SCO is of great significance for Pakistan, having limited multilateral exposure. The regional organization would signify the country’s geopolitical standings and pave its way towards multilateral organizations like the BRICS. Similarly, as a member of the Chinese-led organization, Pakistan could garner substantial diplomatic support on issues like Palestine and Kashmir on the international floor. In addition, the organization could be a cornerstone in the restoration of Pakistan-India relations and confidence-building measures between the hostile member-states
- Regional security
Pakistan has long been grappling with security issues due to trans-border terrorist organizations. Specifically, after the return of the Taliban in Afghanistan, the country has experienced a rapid surge in terrorist activities. Thus, the SCO is a ray of hope for establishing peace and prosperity. The country could cope with the menace of terrorism by collaborating with the SCO’s Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS). The RATS also cooperate with international agencies like Interpol and the United Nations to handle cross-border security threats. Similarly, the country could also take advantage of cutting-edge Russian technology and advanced Chinese navigation systems to enhance surveillance and ensure security. Thus, by leveraging the platform of SCO, Pakistan could negotiate meaningfully with the Taliban administration to prevent the use of Afghan soil against Pakistan.
Challenges for Pakistan
- Internal political instability
Pakistan’s internal political instability has always served as a bottleneck in the pursuit of national interests. The frequent replacement of governments and resultant political polarization hinder diplomatic efforts and policy implementation, discouraging foreign investors. Similarly, the interference of foreign states in the country’s political matters derails national sovereignty, leading to jeopardized foreign commitments. The compromised state of the Pakistan-Iran Gas Pipeline Project due to foreign pressure and internal political instability is a glaring example in this context. Thus, to achieve regional and national interests in collaboration with the SCO, the country should adopt serious constitutional reforms to ensure political stability and institutional autonomy.
- Countering India’s hostility
For Pakistan, neutralizing India’s hostility is a critical challenge to materialize national aspirations under the framework of the SCO. Historically, India has always conspired against Pakistan on the international stage to isolate it diplomatically. Recently, India’s opposition to granting BRICS membership to Pakistan is a clear manifestation of its antagonism towards the latter. Similarly, India’s blatant accusations of Pakistan as a terrorist facilitator decimate the interests of foreign states. Thus, Pakistan has to strategically navigate collaboration with the SCO members to consolidate its position in regional geopolitics.
- Balancing Western perceptions
The rapid expansion of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization SCO has increased the anxiety of the West. For instance, the Western countries perceive the organization as counter to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization NATO. Nevertheless, the SCO is a Regional economic and security cooperating apparatus, not an anti-western alliance. Therefore, Pakistan should maintain the equilibrium while formulating foreign policy towards the Western countries and regional member-states
- Security issues
The long-standing security issues in Pakistan have been a major hurdle in engaging foreign states to invest in the country. It not only destabilizes local development but also erodes mutual trust, leading to frozen foreign relations. The recent surge in terrorist attacks on Chinese workers is a major threat to derail the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor CPEC. Therefore, the country should take concrete actions against terrorism to establish peace and secure the trust of regional member-states.
Conclusion
The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) offers multi-fold opportunities for Pakistan to engage with the member states. By leveraging the organization strategically, Pakistan can enhance its economic growth through export diversification and technological advancement. However, certain issues like the country’s internal political instability and security issues impede its regional connectivity. Therefore, concrete steps should be taken to capitalize on the fruits of regional connectivity.
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