Punjab is stirring again. The land that gave us Baba Farid and the rhythm of dhol beats is seeing a cultural revival that feels both overdue and surprisingly fresh. At the centre of this resurgence is Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, who’s made the preservation and celebration of Punjab’s identity a visible part of her […]
Op-Ed
China’s leading role in carrying forward the Bandung Spirit
70 years ago, a historic Asia-Africa summit was convened in Indonesia’s Bandung. The principles adopted at the conference – such as respect for all nation’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, recognition of the equality of all nations large and small, promotion of mutual interests and cooperation, etc – became known as the Bandung Spirit. Back then, […]
Pakistan’s Energy Crossroads
The intensifying effects of climate change are becoming increasingly evident, with hotter summers leading to escalating demands for cooling, particularly in countries like Pakistan. As temperatures rise, the reliance on energy-intensive cooling systems, such as air conditioners and fans, significantly increases electricity consumption, placing immense pressure on the national grid. As of March 2024, Pakistan’s […]
12 Months of Türkiye
The majestic “Land of the Turks” is a sight to behold. It is nothing short of a traveler’s paradise. If you have never been to the Land of Rumi, you must have seen some fascinating pictures. Imagine taking a stroll through the cobbled streets of Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar or exploring ancient ruins that whisper stories […]
The Silent Battlefield
The post-Cold War euphoria that once heralded a borderless, interconnected, and mutually dependent world has now given way to an unsettling new order-one defined not by nuclear arms, but by silicon chips, algorithmic influence, and invisible wars fought across cyberspace. As tensions simmer between traditional powers and new geopolitical players, a global tech race is […]
How the US Buys the World for Free
In the vast theater of global trade, a silent drama unfolds every day: the United States buys real goods and services from across the world, not with hard-earned commodities or gold-backed guarantees, but with paper dollars-printed in abundance, backed by confidence, and accepted globally as the world’s reserve currency. For decades, this privilege has placed […]
Deepening Minsk-Islamabad Ties
Despite having overcome the apprehended isolation in the comity of nations, Pakistan continues to make commendable efforts to further strengthen, promote, and deepen its bilateral relations with friendly countries. In this process, it is also seeking investment from these brotherly countries in various sectors to help stabilize the national economy and ensure the maintenance of […]
From Fields to Protests
Pakistan is said to be an agrarian country, but this sector is stuck in a cycle of crises. This year, the wheat crop is facing a serious setback. According to estimates, wheat production is expected to drop to 29.7 million metric tons, a decline of 3.5 million metric tons compared to last year’s output of […]
Beautiful Tariffs
Once upon a time in a land – where everything accompanies a side orders of fries, where bald eagles soar and where balding reality TV stars become presidents – a courageous, orange-tinged warrior rose to the highest office in the land. His mission? Should he choose to accept, and he did! To protect the American […]
National Security Synchronization
Recent history repeats itself, and it may be useful to remember that Imran Khan and Gen. Bajwa’s past hybrid governments were expected to be on the same page early to the 2022 no-confidence vote against Khan. It is a good move for the government to create the National Intelligence Fusion and Threat Assessment Centre (NIFTAC) […]