ASIAN Journal of International Peace & Security (AJIPS)

Navigating the Intersection of Social Media and Countering Violent Extremism in Pakistan

Amber Javed — 2023-04-15

In the fight against extremism, social media is becoming crucial for shaping public
opinion and promoting peace. Pakistan has a growing emphasis on building a counternarrative to combat extremism. This study focuses on the potential and effectiveness of
social media in promoting counter-narratives against extremism and combating
radicalization in Pakistan. The research emphasizes the role of various actors, such as
government institutions, journalists, and peacebuilders in? The data was collected
through questionnaires from 120 journalists and peacebuilders across Pakistan. The
results indicate that social media is a popular source of information but is considered
unreliable and inaccessible to many regions and populations. The analysis of social
media platforms emphasized the significance of reaching the appropriate audience
through the appropriate platform. In conclusion, the study shows that social media has
the potential to play a crucial role in countering extremism in Pakistan. However, both
government and non-government organizations need to harness its power effectively.
The study suggests that social media may not be sufficient in isolation and recommends
a multi-faceted approach that utilizes the strengths of various media sources. Further
research is required to explore ways to improve the use of social media for
peacebuilding goals.

Identification of Personality Traits and Glass Ceiling Barriers Faced by Women Leaders in Pakistan

Uzma Ashiq Khan — 2023-04-15

Worldwide, women constitute half of the world’s population. They are socialized as
inappropriate for certain leadership roles. Previous research demonstrated that
women have been believed as less ambitious than men, therefore, they have to face
invisible barrier of glass ceiling to their way of occupational promotion. This study
comprised two phases, researcher focused on 5 leadership domains and 2 participants
from each domain were selected through purposive sampling technique. The
personality profile of female leaders was explored by two personality assessment tools
including; Myers-Briggs Trait Inventory (MBTI) and Big Five Inventory (BFI). In the
second phase, in-depth interviews were conducted to explore the unseen barriers in
the life of women leaders. The result of the study I, revealed that the personality
preference types were associated with the nature of the job of the leaders, while
thinking and judgment were the most prevailing preferences among the female leaders.
Also, Big Five Inventory showed that every leader’s characteristics verily are highest
for specific indicator, depending on their profession. The analysis of study II identified
following hurdles and challenges faced by women leaders in different facets of political,
academic, entrepreneurial, organizational and student leaders throughout their lives in
Pakistan, i.e. lack of confidence, gender discrimination, in justice system, professional
jealousy, unsupportive family, and work-family imbalance.

Trans-Boundary Water Governance: An Urgent Need of the Formulation of Pak-Afghan Trans-Border Water Governance Mechanism

Zahida Jabeen — 2023-04-15

Trans-boundary watercourses drain larger parts and ensures the flow of fresh waters
in different parts of the world. In trans-boundary watercourses, upper-riparians have
an upper edge to deal with the water resources of the trans-border rivers while the
lower-riparians have a compromising position. Kabul River Basin is one of the major
trans-border water basins which drains the vast areas in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Recently, uneven weather patterns and climate change worldwide affected the national
economies with an irreparable loss and created survival threat to human beings, and to
other species. Pakistan is considered as one of the most vulnerable countries to face the
impacts of the climate change. Dryness of fresh water resources is one of the impact of
climate change that will ultimately affect the Kabul River along with other rivers of
Pakistan. This study adopted qualitative research methodology by analyzing the
secondary data to address the main research question which revolves around the
adaptation of any formal water sharing mechanism between the two co-riparian
countries. The study concludes that Pakistan should initiate hydro-diplomacy with
Afghanistan, and enter into a formal bilateral trans-border water sharing treaty under
the guidelines of the UN Convention 1997.

Humanitarian Crisis and Failure of International Community: A Study of Plight of Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar

Syed Mohammad Raghib — 2023-04-15

The Rohingya refugee crisis is one of the world’s most terrible incidents, which has
been reported since 2012. Rakhine State Riot’s images shared on social media sparked
in a big manner globally. Since 2016, government forces have brutally killed thousands
of people. Organized mobs and army units have brutally handled and killed people.
However, this paper critically looks for insights into Rohingya’s historical and ethnic
linkage. The paper also looks at Myanmar’s regressive approach towards Rohingya and
the state’s actions. The paper used descriptive methodology, and regressive state
behaviour and analyzed the prosecution of Rohingya people through the human rights
approach. This paper analyzes how a world-renowned human rights face, Aun San Suu
Kyi, a winner of the Noble Peace Prize in 1991, neglected the issue of human rights. The
other aspect of the paper highlights neighbour countries like India and Bangladesh,
where these Rohingya refugees settled down under the UNHCR. The question is, why
did the UN and World powers have not taken action against the brutal regime
promptly? Why the world left them to suffer for so long, despite international human
rights agencies and neighbours even the Muslim and Islamic World’s effective
presence?