Editorial

Reports in the international media have made much of how Pakistan is not currently part of the Combined Task Force (CTF) 151. This is a multilateral framework that operates in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR); focusing on maritime security and freedom of passage. There has been speculation that American refusal to pay for fuel used by patrolling warships may have prompted Islamabad’s departure. … [Read more...] about Regional Maritime Security

Ambassador Nikki Haley will bid farewell to the United Nations just before the US mid-terms; after 24 months in the job. Much has been made of the fact that she has bucked a Trump Town trend. That is, leaving on both her own timeframe and terms. Unlike so many of her colleagues at the White House. Naturally, there is now talk of how the highest-ranking woman in the Trump administration has her … [Read more...] about Farewell, Nikki Haley

The visiting FATF delegation still has more than a week in-country. Yet some key points have begun to emerge. Such as how the team held questions-and-answer sessions with three important agencies: the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA); the Financial Monitoring Unit (FMU); and the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF). This is crucial to helping both sides pinpoint how and which terror financing risks … [Read more...] about FATF recommendations

As coincidences go, it could not get much better than this. To have Zalmay Khalilzad, the US special envoy for Kabul peace and reconciliation, in town a mere day after the Centre announced that it would, in fact, be approaching the IMF for a much-needed bailout package. Two years ago, Mr Khalilzad called for Pakistan to be designated a state-sponsor of terrorism. That he was handpicked by Trump … [Read more...] about The Khalilzad factor

The precarious situation of the Indian girl-child is making headlines once more. Indeed, the beginning of the week saw activists calling on the authorities to protect girls in state-run institutions who are all too vulnerable to sexual abuse. The latest incident occurred over the weekend when some 36 schoolgirls in Bihar were attacked by a mob of teenage boys — some of whom were accompanied by … [Read more...] about The Bihari girl-child

Pakistan has reportedly yet to officially approach the IMF for a bailout. This is perhaps understandable given the country’s busy schedule. After all, it has just signed eight Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) with “iron brother” China. These are worth $100 million in total and cover mutual investment in seafood, agriculture and pharmaceuticals. Yet by far the most lucrative of all was a … [Read more...] about Arms race

After months of dilly-dallying, the government has finally bitten the bullet. Pakistan will be approaching the IMF for a bailout package. And while the ruling PTI, admittedly, did not entirely rule this out from the get-go — its unduly prolonged will-we-won’t-we-approach risks looking like yet another flip-flop. It has also wasted precious time. For negotiations will have to start in earnest … [Read more...] about To the IMF

The suspected fate of Jamal Khashoggi has taken a dark turn. Having been missing for one week, the possibility has been raised that the Saudi journalist was murdered inside his country’s consulate in Turkey. If true, this is extra-judicial killing by every other name. It was Reuters news agency that first broke this potential turn of events; quoting unnamed officials in Ankara as concluding … [Read more...] about Khashoggi’s fate?

That the Supreme Court (SC) has stayed the bail of the two police officers who stand accused of negligence in the Benazir Bhutto murder case is more than regrettable. Not least because the move appears to have been carried out on a technicality. Though this has prompted PPP co-Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari to seek becoming party to the proceedings. Back in August of last year, an … [Read more...] about Still seeking justice for Benazir

Eight years after being convicted, the Supreme Court will finally hear Aasia Bibi’s appeal against her execution. Accused of blasphemy in 2010, Aasia Bibi of Sheikhupura has been languishing behind bars with an uncertain fate. In the meantime, the controversy surrounding her case has attracted murder, extremist campaigns, domestic activism and international criticism. Today, a three-judge bench … [Read more...] about Aasia Bibi’s appeal