Criterion Quarterly

The name of this quarterly, “Criterion,” is derived from the Greek kriterion or krites (judge) which, in English, means “a standard or principle on which to base a judgement.” The purpose of the journal is to help evolve principles for policy formulation on pivotal issues that affect the lives of millions. The foremost contemporary threat to global peace and security is terrorism from which no nation, big or small, is immune. Although this scourge has neither religion nor culture nor country, it has become commonplace after 9/11 to stigmatize Muslims as terrorists and extremists because most of these acts of violence have been perpetrated by a radicalized minority that profess Islam. Most of the articles in “Criterion” are Pakistan-specific because of the importance of the country. With a population of more than a two hundred and thirty million, Pakistan is one of the nine countries of the world that has demonstrated its nuclear weapons capability. It is also the major battleground where terrorism and extremist violence are being fought. The success or failure of the political, economic, and social reforms being undertaken by Pakistan will not only be consequential for the country itself but will also impact on regional and global peace and stability. The success of the Pakistan experiment will provide a model for an ideal Islamic state while failure will strengthen the forces of extremism. “Criterion,” therefore, aims to address the problems being faced by the country and to suggest remedial steps that the government could take.