Can Pakistan's goverment overcome their internal terror groups and extreme religious within the citizens let the government and private sector help improve their country image and economy? (Part 2)

Overcoming internal terror groups and religious extremism is a profound and deeply complex challenge for Pakistan, one that directly impacts its potential for economic improvement. While the government has been engaged in efforts to combat these issues, the path to sustained success is fraught with difficulties.

Challenges in Overcoming Internal Terror Groups:

Resurgence and Persistence: Despite numerous counter-terrorism operations, including the ongoing "Azm-i-Istehkam," Pakistan continues to face a significant threat from various militant groups. The Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Baloch nationalist insurgents, and other extremist entities have shown resilience and the ability to conduct attacks, particularly in regions like Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. Reports from early 2025, including the Global Terrorism Index, indicate a concerning security situation with a rise in terrorist activities in the preceding year (2024).

Cross-Border Sanctuaries: The porous border with Afghanistan has historically been, and continues to be, a major challenge, with militant groups often finding safe havens across the border. This complicates Pakistan's efforts to definitively neutralize threats.

Internal Support Networks: Terror groups often rely on local facilitators, sympathizers, and intricate networks for recruitment, funding, and operations, making them harder to uproot entirely.

Geopolitical Complexities: The regional security landscape, including relations with neighboring countries, can influence the dynamics of internal militancy.
Government Efforts:

Military Operations: Pakistan's security forces have conducted extensive intelligence-based operations (IBOs) and larger-scale military campaigns, achieving periods of relative calm in certain areas.

National Action Plan (NAP): A comprehensive plan was formulated to tackle terrorism and extremism, encompassing legal, social, and educational reforms. However, consistent and thorough implementation of all its points has been a persistent challenge.

Counter-Financing of Terrorism: Efforts have been made to comply with international standards, such as those set by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), to curb terror financing, leading to Pakistan's removal from the "grey list." However, sustained vigilance is crucial. New IMF conditionalities (as of May 2025) also emphasize controls on terror financing.

Challenges in Overcoming Extreme Religious Ideologies:

Deep-Rooted Extremism: Religious extremism in Pakistan has complex historical and socio-political roots, including the impact of state policies from previous eras (e.g., Zia ul Haq's Islamization) and the fallout from regional conflicts like the Soviet-Afghan War. These ideologies have permeated segments of society.

Madrassa Reforms: While some efforts have been made to regulate and reform religious seminaries (madrassas), many of which have been accused of propagating extremist narratives, the scale and success of these reforms remain debated.

Online Radicalization: Extremist groups effectively use online platforms for propaganda and recruitment, posing a continuous challenge for law enforcement and a battle for counter-narratives.

Socio-Economic Factors: Poverty, lack of education, and limited economic opportunities can make individuals, particularly youth, more vulnerable to extremist recruitment.

Political Exploitation: At times, religious sentiments and groups have been manipulated for political purposes, complicating efforts to foster a more tolerant and moderate society.

Government Efforts:
Counter-Narratives: There have been initiatives to promote a more moderate and inclusive interpretation of Islam, though their reach and impact are often questioned.

Educational Reforms: Broader educational reforms are seen as crucial in the long term to foster critical thinking and resilience against extremist ideologies.
Legal Measures: Laws against hate speech and incitement to violence exist, but their consistent application can be challenging.

Can these Challenges be Overcome to Improve the Economy?

The link between security, stability, and economic prosperity is undeniable.

Direct Economic Costs: Terrorism and extremism have inflicted massive direct economic costs on Pakistan, estimated in the tens of billions of dollars over the years due to damage to infrastructure, loss of life, and increased security expenditure.

Deterrent to Investment: An unstable security environment severely deters both foreign direct investment (FDI) and domestic investment. Concerns about security have, for instance, impacted projects under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

Impact on Trade and Tourism: Instability disrupts trade routes, increases the cost of doing business (e.g., higher insurance, security costs), and devastates the tourism industry, which has significant potential in Pakistan.

Brain Drain: A climate of insecurity and extremism can lead to a "brain drain," with skilled professionals seeking opportunities in safer and more stable environments.
Diversion of Resources: Significant government resources are diverted towards security and defense, which could otherwise be invested in development sectors like education, health, and infrastructure, all crucial for long-term economic growth.

Conclusion:
The Pakistani government faces an uphill battle in comprehensively overcoming internal terror groups and extreme religious ideologies. While it has demonstrated capacity in conducting security operations and has acknowledged the need for broader societal and ideological countermeasures, the challenges are deeply entrenched and multifaceted.

If Pakistan could make significant and sustained progress in these areas:

Improved Investor Confidence: A more secure environment would undoubtedly boost investor confidence, attracting much-needed foreign and domestic capital.
Economic Growth: Reduced security risks would lower the cost of doing business, facilitate trade, revive tourism, and allow for a more efficient allocation of resources, all contributing to higher economic growth.

Private Sector Dynamism: The private sector, freed from the burdens and uncertainties of instability, would be better positioned to innovate, expand, and create jobs.

Government Focus on Development: The government could reallocate resources from security to critical development and social welfare programs, fostering human capital and improving living standards.

However, achieving this "if" is the crux of the matter. Success will require unwavering political will, consistent and comprehensive implementation of reforms (including the National Action Plan), tackling the root causes of extremism (including socio-economic grievances and educational reform), effective de-radicalization programs, and fostering a national narrative that unequivocally rejects violence and extremism.

It is a long-term endeavor with no easy solutions, and progress is likely to be gradual and face periodic setbacks. While Chinese loans and other international support can provide temporary economic relief, lasting economic improvement is intrinsically tied to Pakistan's ability to ensure internal peace and stability.

By Jo Ikeji-Uju
https://afriprime.net/pages/Anything

Last Minute Raksha Bandhan Gifts for Sisters

Raksha Bandhan is one of the most sacred and widely celebrated festivals in India. Sisters are an integral part of a more fulfilled and happy life. You need to express this wonderful affection for your sister on Raksha Bandhan by giving a meaningful Rakhi gift. Convey your genuine sentiments on this day and show her special love and affection with the help of an expressive Raksha Bandhan gift for sister.

https://www.indiagift.in/blog/last-minute-raksha-bandhan-gifts-for-sisters/6831

How to Love a Partner Who Is Hard to Please
Here are strategies for managing a high-maintenance paramour.

KEY POINTS-
Hard-to-please partners are often vocal about their dissatisfaction, even if it is couched in a compliment.
It is important to set boundaries with hard-to-please partners and to avoid engaging with their criticism.
Someone who is hard to please within a relationship is likely hard to please in other settings.

We all know someone who never seems to be satisfied. They set the bar too high regarding expectations of you and often of themselves.

Whether personally or professionally, when you think you have moved the ball down the field, they move the goalpost.

If you are reading this, you might already be involved with a hard-to-please paramour. How did it happen? Probably over time.

Perhaps your partner was on good behavior at first, although intolerance and dissatisfaction often tend to be expressed, even on a first date. Perhaps the dissatisfaction was not about you at first, so you felt like you were part of a unified team.

You might have even agreed with the sentiments, empowering your partner to continue the diatribe. Until, predictably, the tables turned, and you were transformed from team member to target.

If you are unsure whether you have fallen for a partner with high expectations, consider the following questions.

The Walking Complaint Box
Some high-maintenance partners consistently show their stripes because they are always complaining. These people are in line at the purser’s office on a cruise ship or at the front desk at a luxurious tropical resort, complaining about a small flaw, such as a drawer not closing completely or a spot on the rug.

The walking complaint box will also continually remind you if, God forbid, you are the one who “broke” the drawer or spilled the coffee on the rug. There is no such thing as a complaint too small for a difficult-to-please partner.

Your Best Is Not Good Enough
Hard-to-please partners are vocal about their dissatisfaction, even if couched within a compliment. Although they may express appreciation when you have made an effort to appease, be alert for the caveat.

“Thank you for fixing the television set. I hope next time you can figure out how to add the cable channels as well.”
“That concert sounds great. We’ll see how well we can see the stage from the seats you selected.”
Resist the temptation to engage with these types of remarks. No retort will be “acceptable” to a partner like this; sometimes silence is golden, and indifference is bliss.

Equal Opportunity Dissatisfaction
Someone hard to please within a relationship is likely hard to please in other settings—which you can detect early on in the relationship if you are paying attention. Jiseon Ahn (2023) examined customers' behavior with Dark Triad personalities in a food delivery service context.[i]

Results showed that customers exhibiting narcissism, Machiavellianism, and psychopathy were linked with negative engagement, associated with “negative behavioral intentions,” including desiring revenge and exaggerating in online reviews.

When Conflict Makes the Heart Grow Fonder
Countering research on dark personalities, on the bright side, studies have identified how negative circumstances can predict positive relational growth. Scott Gershwer (2022) found that within a sample of middle-aged, self-described “happily married” couples, negative experiences endured as a couple can increase mutual intimacy, especially when a crisis led the couple to understand they could rely solely on each other.[ii] Gershwer thus identified mutual reliance as a relational value and an apparent dimension of intimacy.

Love Is Blind, Not Deaf
Partners who are impossible to please are usually easy to hear if you know how to listen. Pay attention to word themes, conversation topics, commentary, and complaints.

Suppose you decide that leaving the relationship is not an option and choose instead to try to manage the situation. In that case, you don’t have to lower your expectations about how you should be treated, but you can lower the volume or the temperature during disagreements.

Listen without reacting. Your partner’s tirade of complaints is not sustainable without any wind in the sails. It takes two to tango but also to argue.

With patience and possibly professional counseling, you might identify and address the root cause of your partner’s dissatisfaction, which in many cases will have nothing to do with you.

The global glass curtain wall market size is projected to reach USD 71.14 billion by 2027, exhibiting a CAGR of 7.3% during the forecast period. Increasing foreign direct investment (FDI) in commercial construction projects in developing economies will be a powerful driving force for the market, postulates Fortune Business Insights™ in its report, titled “Glass Curtain Wall Market Size, Share & Industry Analysis, By Product Type (Stick-built, Unitized and other), By Application (Commercial buildings and Residential buildings), and Regional Forecast, 2020-2027”.

Information Source- https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/glass-curtain-wall-market-103912

Emerging economies in Asia and Africa are growing at a furious pace, which is creating enormous investment opportunities, particularly in the real estate sector, for investors and companies in the developed nations. With a view to attract investments, governments in these countries are simplifying processes and policies to create a friendly investment climate. For example, in India, the central government is contemplating allowing 100% FDI in completed real estate projects amid the COVID-19 pandemic. India already allows 100% FDI via the automatic route in construction development projects. Large investments in commercial and residential construction projects will naturally generate high demand for premium building aesthetics such as glass curtain wall systems, which will fuel the market growth.

As per the report findings, the global market value stood at USD 48.06 billion in 2019. The main highlights of the report include:

Actionable insights into the factors driving, constraining, and shaping the growth of the market;
Comprehensive analysis of the key market segments;
Exhaustive research into the regional developments impacting the market; and
Detailed profiling and careful assessment of the key market players and their strategies.
Market Restraint

Contracting Construction Activities Worldwide amid COVID-19 to Truncate Growth

Construction projects around the globe have hit a rock as governments in several countries have been imposing strict lockdown and social distancing measures to contain the spread of the coronavirus. The UK-based Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RCIS) reported in August 2020 that 25% of construction projects, globally, had come to a halt in the second quarter of 2020, with on-site productivity falling by 12%. Furthermore, the RCIS estimated that overall growth in construction activities was -24% in the second quarter. Projects delays and cancellations look imminent and this will inevitably stymie the glass curtain wall market growth as builders and developers are unlikely to invest in and adopt high-end aesthetics such as glass curtain walls for their constructions. In the residential sector, diminished sentiments and economic downturn, especially in developing nations, will further inhibit investments in costly structural enhancements, which in turn affect the health of this market.

SELF-HELP-
3 Critical Facts to Know About Your Emotions.
Your mental health depends on self-acceptance and self-compassion.
Reviewed by Vanessa Lancaster

KEY POINTS-
Generally, we are not taught to manage our emotions, respond to them in ourselves and others, or their utility.
Societally we're encouraged to deny, distract from and rid ourselves of uncomfortable emotions, which is an impossibility and unhelpful.
By allowing all emotions to surface, we enhance our ability to better cope with and manage them over the long term.

Recently the New York Times published an article, “Lean into Negative Emotions. It’s the Healthy Thing to Do.” It spoke to current research, suggesting that our perspective on our emotions can substantially affect our mental health. I wasn’t surprised to see this given the plethora of patients I treat who either judge themselves negatively for having negative emotions, demonize the emotions themselves, and/or feel shameful and blameful for allowing their thoughts and feelings to guide their behavior.

Negative Emotions
Emotions, especially negative ones, can get a bad rap. Many individuals weren’t taught how to manage them, respond to them in others, or their utility. We receive clear societal messages about how “unhealthy,” “unwelcoming,” and “toxic” these emotions are. We’re advised and encouraged about ways to distract from, rid ourselves of, and transform our uncomfortable emotions. We are left with the impression that they are dangerous, a nuisance, and that we should avoid them like the plague.

We are judged based on our emotionality. Individuals can be referred to as “overly” emotional or “too” sensitive because they readily emote. Sentiments from family members and friends such as “get over it” or “stop thinking that way” can be expressed as a means to be helpful but can be experienced as invalidating and insensitive. All reinforce the need to directly distance from ourselves and our emotions.

It’s no wonder we have misguided and distorted perceptions about our own emotions and those of others. They are perceived as unwanted, a sign of personal weakness, and being out of control. That doesn’t lend to us being open to doing the healthier thing¾leaning into, rather than away from our negative emotions.

In my TED Talk on “Circumventing Emotional Avoidance” and my book ACE Your Life: Unleash Your Best Self and Live the Life You Want, the barriers as to what leads us to distance from our uncomfortable emotions are indicated as well as evidence to support the critical need to lean into and embrace those emotions. Included are also practical ways to initiate self-acceptance and self-compassion by being with all of our emotions so that we’re living a meaningful intentioned life.

What You Need to Know About Your Emotions
You are not your emotions. Our mind incessantly tries to guide and protect us, so much so that it often convinces us that thoughts are facts and we have an indisputable reason to be sad, frustrated, anxious, angry or any of the whole array of feelings that surface. It takes its role very seriously. To protect us, it often judges, overreacts or becomes overprotective, hypervigilant, or defensive, even when not prompted or welcomed.

Our mind constantly buzzes and plays mind games, seemingly independent of us. This often puts us in a loop of struggling with our thoughts while having thoughts about our thoughts, thoughts about our feelings, feelings about our thoughts, and feelings about our feelings. Your thoughts impact your perceptions and emotions and how you inevitably feel.

During moments of stress or intense emotionality, your brain and body are doing exactly what they’re designed to do, protect you from perceived threat, danger, and discomfort. Your sympathetic nervous system, one of the two main divisions of the autonomic nervous system, mobilizes and activates the body’s flight, fright, or freeze response. This is an essential response when we’re in real threat or danger; it can be misguided and counterproductive when we’re not.

Your emotions aren’t dangerous or bad for you. While they may sometimes feel uncomfortable somatically in your body (e.g., tightness in your chest, jitteriness or restlessness, nausea/stomach pain, etc.), they can’t hurt you directly unless you don’t manage them over time, which can evolve into prolonged chronic stress.

Your emotions don’t define you by any means. You can have a mean or aggressive thought or feeling and not be a mean or aggressive person. Your thoughts and feelings don’t define who you fundamentally are. They represent energy in your mind and body at a given moment. They connect you with your values and what’s truly important to you. This is valuable information.

Emotions are beneficial. At times, we all struggle with irrational and unwanted thoughts we wish we could control or never have to begin with. Those very thoughts often lead to negative feelings. Trying to make uncomfortable thoughts go away is exhausting and takes up a lot of brain space. No matter the effort, it doesn’t work.

We want to control our thoughts because they affect how we feel. We may beat ourselves up for having uncomfortable thoughts, and we try desperately to deny, avoid, disregard, or attempt to get rid of these thoughts and feelings. We often find ourselves in a loop of wanting so desperately to get rid of the discomfort brought on by the emotions that we inadvertently intensify and exacerbate the discomfort because of the struggle.

When you have difficult or uncomfortable thoughts and feelings, growth happens by leaving your comfort zone and fully experiencing whatever shows up. Your nervous system gets accustomed to fear, hurt, and other uncomfortable feelings. No matter how hard the attempt to push them away, it gradually copes and becomes less inclined to reject, disregard, and try to eliminate those that appear.

There’s great value in learning how to tolerate frustration and just be with all feelings, especially the difficult and uncomfortable ones. This leads to self-empowerment, self-growth, and personal development.

Emotions inform your behavior. Your sadness can show you the depths of your feelings and care for yourself or others, or your anger can show you what you’re passionate about, where your boundaries lie, and what your belief system is. Our feelings can be overemphasized and overrated.

Emotions inform us, but our values inevitably guide our actions and decision-making. Our thoughts and feelings can sometimes be irrational, overreactive, and misguided. Because of the executive protector nature of our mind, our overactivated amygdala, past experiences, and how we were socialized, among other things, we know better than to let our emotions dictate our behavior solely.

It’s essential to identify your core values. This is what you treasure in life and drives your behaviors. It is what you would be doing if nobody were watching. Our values are our action guide. Examples include family, self-respect, creativity, and integrity. Our values, rather than our emotions, provide our life direction and help us persist through life’s challenges.

Allow All of Your Emotions to Surface
John Forsyth thoughtfully explained,

WAFs [worries, anxieties, and fears], along with other emotional pain and hurt, are not your enemies. They are your teachers. Think about that for a moment. Without experiencing disappointment, you’d never learn patience. You'd never learn kindness and compassion without the hurt and frustration you receive from others. Without exposure to new information, you’d never learn anything new. Without fear, you’d never learn courage and how to be kind to yourself. Even getting sick occasionally has an important purpose—strengthening your immune system and helping you appreciate good health.

By valuing your negative and uncomfortable emotions and increasing your willingness to lean into them, you’re giving yourself a better chance at learning to manage and cope with them in yourself and others. You’ll be proactive in increasing your confidence and allowing your mind to acclimate to the idea that you’re perfectly safe, no matter how uncomfortable.

NARCISSISM-
6 Things a Narcissistic Partner Rarely Says in a Relationship.
Understand how and why the absence of these responses may impact you.
Reviewed by Vanessa Lancaster

KEY POINTS-
A partner's low emotional intelligence can impact your sense of self.
A robustly and rigidly defensive partner may lack the emotional capacity to relate in healthy ways.
Narcissistic partners rarely say things like "What I did was insensitive and I apologize," or "I would be mad too."
The constant absence of six sentiments may indicate a partner has narcissistic tendencies. Their lack of empathy, insight, and ability to self-reflect, be accountable, and partner with you instead of taking control may be evidence of low emotional intelligence. An explanation of how these deficiencies impact you may help you evaluate the emotional safety of the relationship.

1. "I hurt your feelings, and that is not okay."
Often, a narcissist is annoyed and indignant when their partner communicates a feeling that they do not appreciate. This may be most evident when the partner attempts to address an issue with the narcissist, which involves the narcissist doing or saying something hurtful. Instead of conveying empathy, as in the statement above, they tend to dodge accountability and either shame the partner, dismiss the partner or withdraw their affection to punish the partner passively aggressively. Owning a hurtful action in the moment is rare for narcissists because they are typically robustly defensive and resist “looking in the mirror.”

However, after several days or weeks pass, the narcissist may try to take responsibility for their selfish act but eventually minimize or subtly justify the transgression. In place of authentic and heartfelt introspection during the course of the interaction, it can take days and weeks for the narcissist to grasp an understanding of their emotional mistreatment, and even then, they may not grasp the negative impact their actions had on you.

2. "You have every right to be upset."
In a relationship, a narcissist often has difficulties honoring your feelings when they feel differently than you; thus, they lack empathy. Empathy requires a person to access the deep and uncomfortable emotions that allow them to momentarily resonate with a partner’s emotional discomfort in order to truly understand. This allows the partner to feel less alone in their predicament and connected to a loved one who gets it. Feeling understood and close to someone in emotional distress is usually comforting and can speed up the healing process.

A narcissist may be too fragile to put themselves in another person’s shoes because it is difficult and taxes a waning sense of self. Providing empathy requires a person have “broad emotional shoulders.” A narcissist usually has low emotional intelligence and thus prefers to be sympathetic because they escape the brief hardship empathy requires. Instead, they would rather to be the hero. Sympathizing allows them to emotionally distance themselves from the pain by pitying you. Next, they usually take a position of authority and tell you how to fix the problem or offer to swoop in and “save the day.” Either way, they use your most painful moments as an opportunity to fluff up their ego.

3. "I’m glad you told me that bothered you–I’ll try to be more considerate."
Addressing an issue with a narcissist frequently leads to an epic battle. Their refusal to consider your perspective if it differs can be maddening. Frustrated and agitated, you may waste a lot of time and energy attempting to get the narcissist to understand where you are coming from. Unfortunately, their inability to perspective-take in the context of an interpersonal relationship often prevents them from owning even small missteps in the relationship.

In addition, the narcissist may unfairly frame your attempt to address an issue with them as “aggressive” or “antagonistic.” They may immediately position themselves as the victim in the interaction and you as the “abusive party.” They often convince you and many others that you are unfairly persecuting them. In addition, a narcissist may take this as an opportunity to project their tendencies onto you. Using deflection and then projection, they ignore your viewpoint and accuse you of doing what they actually did. For example, when you confront them about a lie they told you, they twist the narrative and call you a “liar.” Due to their extreme defensiveness, they are typically unable to self-reflect, so it is unlikely that they will graciously accept the feedback and use it for permanent growth and change.

4. "What I did was insensitive–I apologize."
Narcissists usually have a distorted self-image. They see themselves as innocent, at all times, and thus are rarely able to take responsibility for an insensitive or inconsiderate action or comment. Instead, they accuse you of being “picky, harsh, overly critical, or impossible to please.” They tend to excuse their selfish or disrespectful behavior as justified in response to your “unfair criticisms.” The unwavering denial that they have done something wrong prevents them from authentically admitting fault in a relationship.

The exception, of course, is when you are fed up and ready to end things. At this point the narcissist may issue a general apology for past behaviors, however, they often minimize and justify their wrongdoings. The evidence of their insincerity is the continual repetition of hurtful behavior in the future. They lack genuine empathy, remorse, and insight, so the apology is simply lip service in order to get out of “hot water.” This type of partner rarely apologizes when it matters the most.

5. "I would be mad too."
One of the telltale signs of narcissism is a lack of empathy. A narcissist shames and dismisses you for identifying a feeling that they do not care to hear. The expectation is that you feel the same way about the relationship as they do. If you are mad, they react angrily in response to your anger. If you dare to express a feeling that is incongruent with how they feel, they may passive-aggressively punish you by withdrawing their love and affection. In order to avoid being emotionally abandoned, you may find yourself censoring your feelings because you are afraid that you will be rejected. A series of these micro-abandonments may cause you to shut down essential aspects of who you are.

Moreover, when a loved one strips you of your basic human right to feel what you feel, it can be dehumanizing. When you are treated as less than human, it may induce anger and pain. These experiences can be traumatizing. Desperate to be heard, respected, and understood, and deeply disappointed when you are not, may result in feelings of loneliness and shame.

6. "How can I help?"
More often than not, a narcissist truly believes they know best. Unable to perspective take, they firmly believe there is one right way, and it is their way. Because of this unilateral and egocentric viewpoint, they tend to tell their partner what to do–a lot. Because the narcissist believes they know everything, they demand that you follow their advice.

Also, narcissists tend to enjoy being the hero, so they like to save and rescue. In place of following your lead about how they can best support you, they may take over and grab control. You may be grateful for the help, but it may also strip you of your own self-efficacy and create dependence on the narcissist. A loss of confidence in your own competence may follow. Alternatively, a partner who asks for guidance on how to support you best may be someone who has faith in your ability to solve problems.

Taking responsibility for hurtful behavior in the moment is rare for a narcissist because they lack the ability to introspect. Offering empathy is also uncommon for them, as they prefer to use your hardship as an opportunity to fuel their ego by either being the “expert” or by playing the “hero.” In addition, considering your feedback is almost impossible for a narcissist due to their immediate and hefty defensiveness. An apology may only be issued when their back is against the wall, and taking over in place of asking you what you need may also be a sign. For these reasons, a narcissistic partner may fail to respond in ways that preserve the closeness in a relationship.