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۲۹۔ ہم کیسے جی رہے ہیں ؟

ہم کیسے جی رہے ہیں؟

ہم زندگی سے بھاگے ہوئے

نجانے کدھر جا رہے ہیں

ہمیں کچھ خبر نہیںہے

اپنی محرومیوں میں رنگ بھر نے کی خاطر

سفید لمحوں میں جی رہے ہیں

موت بھی ہم پر ترس کھاتی ہے

ہم بھی کیا جی رہے ہیں ؟

 آنکھوں کو بند کیے

تشنہ ہونٹوں کو سیے ہوئے

مگر کیا کیجیے

Can the Subalterns Sketch? A Critical Semiotic Analysis of the Novel‘ Munnu: A Boy from Kashmir’

This paper is formulated under the conceptual framework of Gayatri spivak’s theory of Can Subaltern Speak? And explores the potential permeability of visual resources as a form of discourse through which subalterns found opportunity to counter media hegemony and make their voices heard. In order to analyze the selected graphic novel Munnu: A Boy From Kashmir (2015) the present qualitative study applies Grunter Kress and Theo Van Leeuwen’s model of visual design (2010) that connects the representational meaning to the interactive one. The analyst reflected upon how the interplay of visuals images and words together displayed the theme of Kashmir’s subjugation as well as how this genre has proved supportive to author to counter the said hegemony. Hence, the study found consent, political domination and media control as the broad elements that can be seen in the novel and also the study concludes that counter hegemony is possible through such literary genres, as the novel’s narrator has communicated those aspects of hegemonic situation in Kashmir to a large audience through literary discourse of graphic novel genre that are chiefly absent from mainstream media’s treatments of the Kashmir’s conflict. ______

The Dilemma of Energy Security: Political and Institutional Hazards in Case of Pakistan 1999-2013

„Energy security‟ is a unique blend in the realm of International Relations. The later part of the term has dominated the entire sphere of Realist theories of International Relations. Security has been the prime objective of state and fulcrum of its existence. Theories of Terrence and Deterrence, Power and Balance of Power have strived to bring about the required security for the nations. In recent times, it has been explored that security is just a meaningless phenomenon unless tools to acquire sufficient security are absent from the menu of the „elements of power‟. The oil embargo of 1970s has revealed the genuine position of energy resources amid the multiple strategies of regional and global power politics, tools and tactics. Originally energy security has emerged out of this catastrophic instance. Energy security theory is quite nascent and its contours are yet under development. The Realist theories and their tenants have contributed in shaping the concept to. Classic Realism and its off-shoot theories believe in a nation‟s self-interest and supremacy of the state. Liberalists and Neo-liberalist stand for collective security, competitive environment and mutually beneficial cooperation. Institutionalism stresses upon the legalization of IR and environment of economic development. Theory of energy security is an amalgamation of all basic tenants of Realist theories. The application of Energy Security theory provides a wide range of competitive and beneficial horizon where states can secure not only their own security but also contribute to the collective security parameters. But this application of the theory varies from region to region. A congenial political environment may give it a viable shape of cooperation and non-congenial environment may turn it into a hostile competitive phenomenon. South Asian region presents some interesting case studies of energy insecurity. Pakistan is one such example that has been engulfed in the energy insecurity since its inception. Although some issues related to the division of Sub-continent can be held responsible for the energy inefficiency but in the later part of its political history subtle miscalculations, negligence and mismanagement have added in the prevailing energy deficiency turmoil. There has never been one long-term, well-planned and coherent energy policy. Switching the balance of energy mix from hydropower to thermal power, delays in the construction of mega storage dams, political non-consensus and institutional disarrays have ruined the basis of energy sector. According to the Realist perspective, it was required to secure state interest and indulge actively in securing and utilizing most of the energy resources but most of the natural endowments have been mismanaged severely. After concluding IWT with India, there was no logic left in showing negligence towards hydropower management sector. There could have been better conditions if the hydro resources were accurately managed. Likewise, thermal resource management could have been done in a better way. Natural Gas utilization, coal mines exploration, oil sector policies and civil use of nuclear energy required some serious and in-depth plan. Amid the grim thermal resource management, creation of IPPs proved additionally troublesome in the long run. Evasion of long-term policies and adoption of piecemeal policies for frittering away the situation ruined the basis of energy sector management. Disintegration of WAPDA and non-coherent institutional set up has messed up the entire management of energy sector. Energy security is conditional with the domestic policies at one hand and dependent on the regional and global cooperation on the other hand. In this regard South Asian region has been lagging behind. Pakistan‟s share in the regional energy trade is quite low. Entire region including Pakistan is in dire need of viable energy cooperation and technological coordination under the umbrella of regional organization SAARC. Beside domestic energy sector management, unless the issues of all South Asian states on the regional and global front are resolved, attainment of energy security for this region shall be a far cry. In case of Pakistan, it is indispensible to form a prudent policy and a realistic execution. Unless hydro and alternative energy resources are fully utilized, thermal resources are well calculated, institutional efficiency is acquired, political consensus over key energy decision is attained, regional energy trade parameters are utilized and global aspirations are met, no energy security can be attained in the true letter and spirit.
Asian Research Index Whatsapp Chanel
Asian Research Index Whatsapp Chanel

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