Globalization is a complex phenomenon that has brought about significant changes to the planet. It describes how the movement of people, ideas, technology, products, and services across national borders has made the globe more integrated, interdependent, and linked. Globalization has changed economies, civilizations, and cultures over the last few decades, and it still has a beneficial and difficult impact on our lives today. Let’s examine the idea of globalization, its causes, its consequences, and the current discussion around it.
The notion of globalization is complex and multidimensional, with numerous aspects. This component relates to the heightened transnational flow of capital, products, and services. Through trade and financial activities, it has resulted in the growth of international markets and the integration of economies. Transcending national boundaries, a global cultural landscape has been developed via the flow of ideas, values, and cultural aspects, including language, art, music, and entertainment. People are now connected globally thanks to developments in information technology, communication, and transportation, which facilitate the quick interchange of ideas and information. Examples of the growing global collaboration and governance are regional blocs like the European Union and international organizations like the United Nations.
Globalization is driven by a number of important variables, including Technology has made it simpler for people and organizations to interact across borders by lowering communication obstacles, particularly in the area of information and communication technology (ICT). Global markets have been fostered by the elimination of trade restrictions like tariffs and quotas, which have made it easier for commodities and services to move across nations. Big businesses have increased their worldwide reach by making investments in other nations and building a network of interconnected supply chains. Travel, the internet, and mass media have all made it easier for ideas and cultural goods to be shared globally. International organizations and agreements have boosted national collaboration on matters including public health, human rights, and climate change.
Globalization has many different effects, some of which are positive. Through the opening of new markets and the improvement of trade and production efficiency, globalization has aided in economic growth. Many people’s quality of life has improved as a result of having access to a greater range of goods and services. Globalization of technology has produced discoveries and advancements that have enhanced many facets of life. Societies have benefited from cultural globalization by being exposed to a variety of customs, artwork, and viewpoints from throughout the globe.
Negative consequences include there have been instances where globalization has made economic disparity both inside and between nations worse, leaving certain people and areas behind. There are worries that when Western culture permeates other cultures, globalization may cause different cultural identities to disappear. Resource depletion and climate change are two environmental issues brought on by increased commerce and consumption. Worker exploitation and job instability have become problems due to capital mobility and labor outsourcing.
The Ongoing Discussion that there is a vibrant and continuing discussion about the effects of globalization. While some believe that globalization intensifies inequality, destroys cultural variety, and takes advantage of the less fortunate, others counter that it advances economic progress, democracy, and peace.
To put it simply, the concept of globalization is intricate and multidimensional, bringing about numerous changes to our environment. Technology advancement, cultural interchange, and economic expansion have all benefited from it, but it has also brought up significant issues including environmental degradation, cultural uniformity, and inequality. In order to ensure a sustainable and fair future for all, it is crucial to strike a balance between the advantages and disadvantages of globalization, foster international collaboration, and address its negative effects as it continues to influence our linked globe

In a hospital in Gaza, an innocent Palestinian girl with severe wounds on her head from Israeli bombing lay with blood-stained bandages wrapped around her body. In a semi-conscious state, she is taking her last breaths. Her younger brother, with dried blood on his hair, stands by the stretcher, supporting his sister, and urges her to have courage. “Read! ‘Ashhadu an la ilaha…’ Are you hearing my voice?” the brother calls out. The sister opens her eyes with a slight movement, looks towards her brother, and repeats, “Ashhadu an la ilaha illallah, wahdahu la sharika lahu, wa ashhadu anna Muhammadan ‘abduhu…” and falls silent. The brother calls out again, “Are you hearing me? Reread it.” The sister, with determination, recites the testimony of faith and, repeating it, prepares herself to present it before her Allah. The brother repeats, and the sister, saying, “I bear witness that there is no god but Allah, alone without any partners, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and messenger,” leaves this world.
In the hospital, the voices of loved ones reading the testimony of faith to severely wounded Palestinians are heard. This is not just the story of a Palestinian daughter or son, but a passion for martyrdom that stands firm in the hearts of every newborn child born in the sacred land of Palestine, from the youngest to the oldest, facing the brutal world as a mountain. In hospitals, Palestinian children with injuries do not scream, nor do they cry. Tears are not visible in their eyes. This scene is witnessed everywhere in hospitals.
A small nine-month-old fairy has a wound on her arm. With silent eyes, the little fairy searches for her parents and siblings with her left and right silent glances. It feels like she is now alone in this cruel world. But she can’t complain to anyone or show the wounds in her heart. She looks towards the sky, where her only refuge lies.
Perhaps, for the first time in human history, this painful scene is being witnessed, where Palestinian children and youth, from writing their names and birthplace on their hands to older people, are preparing to face the oppressor world with the strength of martyrdom, creating mountains before the world. In hospitals, children injured by bombings in Palestine don’t scream or cry. There are no tears in their eyes. This scene is being witnessed everywhere in hospitals.
On the arm of a small nine-month-old fairy is a wound. With silent eyes, the little fairy searches for her parents and siblings with her left and right silent glances. It feels like she is now alone in this cruel world. But she can’t complain to anyone or show the wounds in her heart. She looks towards the sky, where her only refuge lies.
The current human history may be witnessing for the first time the rapid but astonishing changes related to the strengthening of diplomatic relations between Israel and the Arab world, the thaw in relations and immediate diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran, the future strong trade agreements in the China-Saudi Arabia relationship under the Belt and Road Initiative, and just a few days ago, the release of six Americans in Qatar after the end of the war, resulting in the unfreezing of $6 billion in Iranian funds in American banks. Suddenly, we see scattered bodies of Palestinians everywhere in Gaza.
On the morning of October 7, under the title ‘Relations with Israel?’ published in the column, breaking news started appearing on the global media that Hamas motorcycle riders and paratroopers had attacked Israeli cities, killing Jewish and non-Israeli civilians, including Israeli soldiers, and capturing a large number of military and police officers by turning them into hostages. Information about taking control of some Israeli regions was also provided, and some friends asked, “What was the background of this column that started spreading breaking news just a few hours later and the war ended?” The world’s peace issue is linked to Kashmir and Palestine.
When you are forced to become an instrument of colonial powers to make decisions for the specific interests of both sides by exerting pressure or making decisions out of fear, and the original parties, i.e., Kashmiris and Palestinians, are not given the right to an independent Palestinian state and self-determination, and they witness genocide and martyrdom in front of their eyes, then the results will be the same. Israel-Hamas war, in this context, seems unique and highly mysterious, and the world has not yet found out what the real motives behind it are.
Seeing the brutality and increasing atrocities against Palestinians by the Israeli army, the mysterious war might become.

The students of LUMS have caught my attention for two reasons. Firstly, they boldly confronted the truth. Not necessarily through Jabber, but Sultan, facing the word of truth, was bombarded with rapid and pointed questions. Fearlessly, the students questioned the authority of the current ruler, asking why they arrived late to the event, who gave them the right to waste our time, and whether these discussions about prosperity are relevant in the present circumstances. Moreover, they challenged the patience of the ruling authorities for not announcing the election date, questioning if this was not a violation of the constitution. constitution .They asked if they had yet to take the oath under the body and if they were not accountable. One student even went further, asking about the origin of the suit worn by Zeb, pointing out its improper fitting, the trousers dragging below the ankles, and the coat sleeves being so short that half the shirt is visible. On another note, when there is neither an American war nor any wealth coming into our region, where did you get the fabric for your three-piece suit?

Secondly, the enthusiasm of the students at LUMS was of such a nature that if any courageous person had asked such questions, it would undoubtedly have made an impact. Another perspective is that the students of LUMS asked questions merely to undermine the ruling authorities. They neither cared about the alphabet of the constitution nor intended to criticize government policies by asking scholarly questions. They aimed to record the questioning with their mobile phones and upload it on social media to make it go viral. This is why they asked questions designed to embarrass the event’s guests. No one would dare to ask such questions if a trustworthy and powerful ruler were in place instead of the present ruler. Why go far; when the absolute ruler came to LUMS two years ago, friends had already taken out their mobile phones, recording the event. At that time, no one dared to ask Uncle, “Why are you doing this? This is not democracy. If you continue like this, how will there be a revolution in the country?”

No need to explain my opinion on this matter. Hopefully, I am not disrespecting these young people, nor do I wish that they refrain from asking sharp questions in the future. Instead, do it; before that, take a moment to reflect on your actions. These LUMS students are the same youth who, when they come out of their homes in their cars, do not care about any signals, and if a poor traffic warden tries to issue a ticket, they abuse him, threaten him with their father’s influence, and sometimes don’t even stop for a visa. Their sense of superiority is such that now they are becoming the talk of social media.

Regarding their boldness and disregard, the poll was opened that day when the absolute Tevda ruler came. That day, all these good children continued to listen to Uncle’s words, and no one’s conscience awakened. No one dared to ask what Uncle came to take from LUMS, his business here, and whether he was so important. It’s unnecessary to search for the meaning of these idioms in the dictionary; the children of LUMS fit them perfectly.

Similarly, Molana Hazrat also continued to come to deliver sermons in LUMS. At that time, no video went viral in which a child asked, “Why have you turned religion into a business? Is your lifestyle according to Islam, which you come to teach us?” Let me clarify that questioning the absolute Tevda ruler is not like entering the lion’s den; the good children’s sweat disappears there, and their efforts diminish. They can be given marks for at least questioning the ruling authorities according to their understanding. Let this tradition continue. Next time, they will also probably ask something from the absolute Tevda ruler.

But what to do? I am exaggerating. On the one hand, we keep complaining to young people that they need more political awareness, are engrossed in their own world, and have no interest in national affairs. On the other hand, if they sit down to ask some sharp questions, we are quick to criticize them. Yes, they can be given credit for at least asking questions according to their understanding. This social order has become so morally bankrupt that asking questions here is not to gain knowledge about something but to showcase one’s ability and superiority. Usually, Banu Qudsia said that the truth is not always bitter; it is the way of speaking the fact that is bitter. Along with telling the truth, we often humiliate others, expecting that only the truth is understood in our act of humiliation.

LUMS students have done just that!

The chain of events surrounding the deportation of illegally residing Afghan citizens to Pakistan has sparked outrage and protests in Afghanistan. Efforts are being made to complicate this issue, suggesting that it may lead to the end of the Afghan-Pakistan war. Criticism is raised in the context of human rights, arguing that accommodating Afghan refugees is Pakistan’s responsibility due to its historical involvement in the Afghan jihad.

Some also taunt that if billions of dollars were received in the name of Afghan refugees, why are they being expelled from Pakistan now?

First, let’s understand the reality of historical involvement. The theory of strategic depth, perceived by Pakistan’s strategists, was actually a strategic pitfall, and we fell into it. Similar to how people in snowy regions of Siberia put the blood of an animal on a dagger and stuck it into the snow to attract snow wolves with the smell of blood, Pakistan, in pursuit of strategic depth, created a battleground under the guise of practical wisdom. The snow wolf, the Baloch insurgency, began to smell the smell of blood and started attacking. Our tongue was covered in blood; the Taliban took advantage of this weakness and exploited the concept of strategic depth.

When the Taliban entered Kabul in August 2021, a successful propaganda campaign was presented throughout Pakistan under the guise of the state’s strategic depth narrative. It created the impression that Afghanistan had become a part of Pakistan. DG ISI Lieutenant General Faiz Hameed went to Afghanistan to take credit for this success and, with a triumphant smile, assured everyone in the lobby of a five-star hotel in Kabul, sipping tea, that everything would be fine. His drumbeaters started praising the beat of the drum, and the nation was told that what Faiz Hameed could not do, Faiz Hameed did.

Afterward, when the triumphant Kabul Lieutenant General Faiz Hameed became the commander of Peshawar, the Taliban in Pakistan entered into a ceasefire agreement. During this truce, terrorists once again began infiltrating into Pakistan. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Imran Khan continued to advocate for the Taliban, presenting their case in an impressive manner on international forums. When, on November 29, 2022, General Qamar Javed Bajwa and Lieutenant General Faiz Hameed resigned together, the Taliban in Pakistan announced the end of the ceasefire, declaring the resumption of attacks.

Even when Tablighi and Dhandhorchi were false and unreal achievements, these reports presented that the arrival of the Taliban in Kabul was not good news for Pakistan. Shortly afterward, the process of breaking barriers on the Pakistan-Afghan border began, and the Afghan Taliban clarified that they did not recognize this border. Then, on the western border, an incitement campaign began. Attacks started happening across the border. Afghanistan became a haven for the Taliban after conducting operations in Pakistan. The Pakistani Taliban began to think that if America can be defeated in Afghanistan, then success against the army in Pakistan is also possible. The bitter reality is that the Afghan Taliban provides a soft corner for those terrorists who spread havoc in Pakistan, and contrary to promises, no serious effort is made to stop their path.

Pakistan faces challenges from the western border, not only of a military nature but also in diplomatic, political, trade, and economic terms. For example, before the arrival of the Afghan Taliban, Pakistani laborers used to go there to work, and dollars used to come to Pakistan in the form of remittances. But now, the issue of smuggling dollars into Afghanistan has become so severe that the value of Pakistani currency is continuously decreasing, and the dollar exchange rate is not stabilizing. The problem is more expansive than just dollars; agricultural produce such as rice and wheat is illegally transported across the border. So, despite being an agrarian country, Pakistan is having to import expensive wheat, resulting in an increase in the import bill. Unfortunately, Pakistan is facing simultaneous challenges on many fronts.

If paying the price of the Afghan jihad is required, it makes America a brave infidel. Pakistan’s status was merely that of a frontline state, and we are continuously paying the price for it. Speaking of dollars, now that Afghan citizens are returning, the Taliban government can directly receive these dollars. Furthermore, we sympathize with our Taliban brethren; as an ideal Islamic welfare state has been established there, justice prevails for everyone, so why not send back Afghan refugees? Answer this question to those Pakistanis who sacrificed their youth in the Afghan jihad; they should be invited to Kabul as state guests and awarded, but can anyone go to Afghanistan without a visa?

The final question is for enlightened and liberal nationalists. Just as there is a uniform Pashtun culture on both sides of the Durand Line, there is a similar Punjabi culture on both sides of the Wahga border. So, can Indian Punjabis live in Lahore illegally based on this foundation?