Humanitarian Insights, Development & Aid Analysis

  Pakistan's Nuclear Journey: A Symbol of Resilience and Strategic Significance Pakistan's journey to becoming a nuclear power began in the aftermath of the 1971 war, a period of national introspection and a heightened awareness of regional vulnerabilities. The decisive defeat and subsequent creation of Bangladesh underscored the need for bolstering national security. This quest for strength gained further impetus on May 18, 1974, when India conducted its first nuclear test, and gave it the code name "Smiling Buddha". This test was a major event that showed India had the technology to build nuclear weapons. Raja Ramanna was an Indian nuclear physicist who played a key role in the development of India's nuclear weapons program and Homi J. Bhabha was widely considered the "father of the Indian nuclear programme. Abdul Kalam was a crucial figure in India's missile program and later served as President. Driven by the vision of the then Prime Minister Zu...

Registering the Future of Global Peace: The Unwavering Commitment of UN Peacekeepers By Tahir Ali Shah Tomorrow, May 29, marks the International Day of UN Peacekeepers , honoring over 4,400 peacekeepers who have died in the line of duty. In 2025, this commemoration will include a wreath-laying ceremony by the Secretary-General and the awarding of the Dag Hammarskjold Medal to honor fallen peacekeepers. The 2025 theme, “The Future of Peacekeeping,” emphasizes the need for continuous adaptation and innovation to meet evolving global challenges. Since 1948, over 1 million peacekeepers have served in UN peacekeeping operations, working tirelessly to promote global peace and security The Power of UN Peacekeeping Since its founding, the United Nations has been a beacon of hope, working to spare future generations from the devastation of war. Central to this mission is UN peacekeeping, a powerful tool for promoting global peace and security. As Secretary-General António Guterres emph...

  A Realistic Outlook for Humanitarian Funding in Pakistan By Tahir Ali Shah This article is based on a statistical probability method, derived from navigating documents and conducting digital desk reviews. The analysis provides a realistic outlook for humanitarian funding in Pakistan, highlighting potential scenarios and implications for vulnerable communities. Pakistan is facing a challenging time for humanitarian funding. With many countries cutting back on aid, Pakistan's vulnerable communities might suffer. Let's look at three possible scenarios for the next year (June 2025 to May 2026): Scenario 1: Funding Cuts This scenario is likely to happen with a 60% probability. Donors like the US might reduce aid due to economic difficulties and shifting priorities. As a result, Pakistan could see cuts in life-saving programs such as food, water, and medicine. This would increase the risk of diseases, malnutrition, and mortality. Additionally, support for long-term develo...

  Non-Self-Governing Territories: A Look at Definition, Duties, and Current Status By Tahir Ali Shah This article explores the definition, obligations, and current status of Non-Self-Governing Territories, a topic of international significance being observed by the UN every year during the week of May 25th to 31st, 2025. The United Nations (UN) says a Non-Self-Governing Territory (NSGT) is any place where the people haven't fully achieved self-rule. According to the UN Charter, countries that control these territories have a "sacred trust" to put the people's interests first. This means they must help the territory's politics, economy, society, and education growth, respect the local culture, and protect people from harm. They should also consider what the people want politically and help them build their own governments. Every year, these controlling countries must send information to the UN about how things are in each NSGT. This means they have an interna...

The Great Aid Shift: Navigating a New Era of Global Humanitarian Action By Tahir Ali Shah The way global humanitarian aid is provided is changing a lot. Recently, there has been a freeze on most of the United States' foreign aid. This change could be a turning point in how countries help those in need. The decision by the Trump administration, along with a trend of Western governments cutting their aid budgets, raises important questions about what this means for international aid, especially for vulnerable populations. This report will look into these changes, the history of humanitarian aid, why Western influence is declining, the effects on regions like Africa, ongoing critiques of the aid system, the rising role of non-Western donors, and the long-term consequences of these shifts. A Look Back: The History of Humanitarian Aid . Helping those in need has a long history, even before formal government programs began. One early example from the United States is when disaster relief...