Indo-Afghan Relations: Challenges and Options for Pakistan in Post 9/11 Era

The Indian soft power image in Afghanistan and strategic partnership between the two countries has become a great challenge for Pakistan political and security forces. India wants to prevent Pakistan from regaining “preponderant” influence in present day Afghanistan, and in this context, the paper discusses the history of troubled Pakistan-Afghanistan and Pakistan-India relations. The paper will present a comprehensive analysis on why Afghanistan is strategically important for Pakistan, how it affects Pak-Afghan relations, and how it provided India an opportunity to limit Pakistan’s role in Afghanistan? India’s idea of encircling Pakistan from east and west is a factor the importance of which India understood and used to her gain in 1971 East Pakistani crisis. Pakistan’s idea of ‘strategic depth’ can be understood as a lesson learnt from India’s two-frontier strategy against Pakistan. The paper suggests that Pakistan does not need strategic depth any more. On the contrary, it needs stable, mature and good neighbors so that both countries can come out of standoff. In this way Pakistan could become a partner in a wide range of areas from security to economic and social sectors.

Impact of Teachers’ Associations on Quality of Education, at Secondary Level in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

The study was conducted to find out the impact of teachers’ associations on quality of education, at secondary level in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. The main objectives of the study were to find the current nature and status of teachers association, to investigate the flaws and drawbacks of current teachers’ associations, to formulate a strategy for keeping away teachers from practical politics and to create a true trade union spirit. The population of the study consisted of all the principal, teachers, association members and students at secondary level in the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Targeted population was taken from five districts namely Abbotabad, Kohat, Mardan, Peshawar and Swat. The sample of the study consisted of 100 principals, 500 teachers, 100 association members and 500 students at secondary level. The primary Data was collected with the help of Questionnaires while the secondary Data was based on the study of relevant documents, books, thesis, journals, articles and review of related literature. The findings based on the statistical evidences indicated that Teachers’ Associations work for the rights of teachers, solve many problems of teachers, work for increase in salary and struggle for educational reforms. However most of them are supported by political parties for their own interest. This research proved that these Teachers’ Associations can successfully influence educational policies, educational budget, educational facilities and educational curriculum. They should solve the problems of teachers equally for the betterment of education system and for the development of society.