Pak-Iran and Global Outlook By: Muhammad Mehdi on December 25, 2024It is a well-known fact that neighbours cannot be changed and here we are talking about two neighbouring countries that are tied in brotherly relations. And when Pakistan became independent, Iran was the first country to recognize Pakistan and when the Iranian people, under the leadership of Ayatollah Khomeini, launched the largest popular revolution against […]
Military Courts: Biased Criticism By: Hassan Ahmad on December 25, 2024Much-awaited sentencing of 25 culprits involved in the 9 May riots has drawn some meaningful criticism. As the saying goes; Justice delayed is justice denied! Saner quarters opine that the coordinated nature of attacks on military garrisons and installations across the country merited a more expeditious conclusion of the unprecedented crime. Few familiar self-style flagbearers […]
Rising Stars of Christmas By: Qamar Rafiq on December 25, 2024Despite enduring relentless persecution, mob violence, and economic downturns Christians have emerged as one of the most patient and tolerant religious groups in Pakistan’s history over the past seven decades. They continue to be peaceful and loving citizens, contributing to the nation with unwavering resilience and grace. Plunged into grinding poverty and often confined to […]
Pakistan’s health system faces mounting challenges By: Hadiyah Ghazanfar on December 24, 2024Pakistan’s healthcare system is grappling with persistent challenges, leaving millions of citizens without adequate access to medical services. Despite some recent reforms, experts argue that systemic flaws and underfunding continue to undermine progress in the sector. Currently, Pakistan allocates less than 2% of its GDP to healthcare, far below the global average. This chronic underfunding […]
Pakistan’s Missing Investment Strategy By: Dr Hasnain Javed on December 24, 2024Pakistan’s economy stands at a critical juncture, marred by fragile macroeconomic indicators, persistently low foreign direct investment (FDI), and entrenched structural inefficiencies. If I were to believe government-quoted statistics, a very rosy picture emerges. And finally, the inflation genie has been bottled up leading to interest rate reductions and boosting investor confidence. Similarly recent highlights, […]
Public and Economic Diplomacy By: Alam Brohi on December 24, 2024In the earlier centuries, foreign policy experts were taught to see the world as a chessboard, analyzing the decisions of great powers and anticipating rival states’ reactions in a continuous game of strategic competition. The world today has gone much beyond this primitive diplomacy. We are living in a well-connected global village where, as described […]
Empowering My Farmer By: Shaha Tariq on December 24, 2024In the fading light of the evening, the farm was a masterpiece of pastoral serenity. The sun, a molten gold disk descending behind ancient mangroves painted everything in honeyed hues. Lush fields rippled in the breeze -nature’s evening orchestra, the gentle lapping of lake waters against earth-packed shores, the distant calls of water birds returning […]
Prioritising National Interest By: Javed Iqbal on December 24, 2024Pakistan is facing challenges of terrorism, economic meltdown and political polarization affecting governance, social cohesion, and the whole political landscape. Overall, political polarization poses challenges to democratic processes and can hamper effective governance, making it indispensable for political leaders to seek dialogue and compromise to bridge the divides as this issue has started affecting the […]
Fostering Constructive Relations with Bangladesh By: Abu Saim on December 23, 2024“Bangladesh-India relationship is multifaceted and expansive, it cannot be confined to a single issue,” definitely one of the constructive comments Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma made to address the keen audience as he was summoned by the Foreign Ministry of Bangladesh earlier this month over the issue of mob vandalism of Agartala assistant high commission […]
The Haqeeqi Azaadi Paradox (Part I) By: Faisal Ahmad on December 23, 2024In a small village, there was a wise elder who told the villagers during times of drought that they must focus on preserving their water resources. One day, a group of villagers decided to hold a grand meeting to argue over who should be in charge of the water supply. They bickered for hours while […]