[Current Affairs] January 21, 2021 Top Pakistan Current Affairs for PPSC Test Preparation

2. PM Khan congratulates the new US president

What’s going on? Biden was sworn in as the 46th President of the US. Kamala Harris was sworn in as the 49th Vice President of the US. Harris made history as the nation’s first woman, first black, and first South Asian Vice President (P.S. she is the daughter of late Shyamala Gopalan, who was Indian-American, and Donald Harris, who is Jamaican-American). The ceremony took place at Capitol Hill, two weeks after pro-Trump rioters breached the building to block the certification of Biden’s election victory. The in-person audience was limited due to COVID-19, and strict security measures were in place. Former Vice President Mike Pence attended the inauguration, but departing former President Donald Trump was a no-show.

Tell me more: PM Khan wrote a congratulatory tweet to Biden a few minutes after he took the oath of office.

Looking ahead: On his first day as president, Biden signed 17 executive actions, including an order that will freeze the Trump administration’s travel ban. The travel ban barred entry for refugees and residents of seven Muslim-majority countries (not including Pakistan). A final revision of the travel ban included some non-Muslim countries as well. The Trump administration cited national security concerns to justify the travel ban, even though US citizens and permanent residents reportedly carried out a large majority of terrorist attacks in the country since September 11, 2001.

What about US-Pak relations? During his confirmation hearing as secretary of defense, retired four-star Army General, Lloyd Austin, acknowledged Pakistan’s role in supporting the Afghan peace process. Long story short, he wants to continue building relationships with Pakistan’s military, and work with Pakistan on improving regional stability. This hope for regional stability involves cracking down on militant organizations. Austin said he would urge Pakistan to make sure militant groups don’t use its territory as a safe haven.

Something to know: Austin is the former head of US Central Command, the military’s top command post that oversees US military operations in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria and Yemen. He is Biden’s pick to lead the Pentagon. If confirmed, Austin will be the first Black secretary of defense. However, there is a law that says officers have to be out of uniform for at least seven years before serving as Pentagon chief (P.S this law is meant to ensure civilian control over the military). Austin doesn’t meet that requirement, since he left the service in 2016. That’s why both the Senate and House have to approve a waiver before Austin can take the job.

The bottom line: Based on Austin’s statement, it sounds like US-Pak relations will primarily focus on security – for now. The US will also keep an eye on Pakistan’s efforts to shut down militant activity. At the same time, Pakistan wants to work with the US in several areas outside of security (e.g. trade, economy, climate change, public health).