What’s the commonality about Pakistan in foreign press reports? Is it the cuisine, tourism opportunities or cultural diplomacy? None, to be precise. It’s all about an underwhelming economic outlook, political wrangling, extremism, and a headless foreign policy. In short, it is understood that political stability and foreign policy are two sides of the same coin […]
Getty Images, Candy Digital making waves in digital world
During my recent trip to New York City, I stumbled upon a unique opportunity to engage with the movers and shakers who were busy revolutionising collecting NFTs through the lens of pop culture and old-school music. Getty Images, the world’s foremost visual media platform, partnered up with Candy Digital, one of the leading multi-billion dollars […]
Sri Lanka wishes to have good ties with everyone: High Commissioner Mohan Wijewickrama
To mark Sri Lanka’s 75th Independence Day celebrations , I recently availed an opportunity to conduct a conversational style interview of H.E. Vice Admiral (retd) Mohan Wijewickrama, the Sri Lankan High Commissioner to Pakistan. A major chunk of our interaction focused on strategic and economic interests alongside tourism and cultural/public diplomacy measures. High Commissioner Wijewickrama […]
Following the Quaid’s Vision for Foreign Policy
Since Pakistan’s inception in August 1947, the country’s foreign policy czars have focused on multilateral alliances that defined the course of its regional and international objectives for years to come by. From the perspective of both sceptics and optimists, the decisions taken during a considerable portion of the Cold War era remain debatable to the […]
My tribute to Emirates Airline
When talking about the United Arab Emirates (UAE) what comes to a tourist or business traveller’s mind first? Two things, to be precise. The sprawling yet glamorous city of Dubai and Emirates Airline, a world-class aviation brand known across every corner of the globe. As a global travel enthusiast, Dubai is amongst my favourite holiday […]
Foreign Policy Blues
It’s been over six months since the unceremonious ouster of the Imran Khan-led government, which remains adamant that it was removed under directions from the DC Beltway. Contrary to this, it seems that local power politics, stemming from historical tendencies, had a primary role as pointed out in an earlier piece of mine. One cannot […]
Massive reshuffle in Foreign Office in the offing
A massive reshuffle in the Foreign Office is in the offing as all the grade 22 positions in the Ministry are falling vacant and most of the grade 21 officers are being sent out on ambassadorial assignments. The much awaited posting plan is finally out whereby almost a dozen officers have been made envoys abroad. […]
Foreign Office’s Financial Siege
The controversy over a planned imposition of a 35 per cent tax on foreign allowance for Pakistani diplomats posted abroad has gained much momentum in recent days. While concerns were raised with both political and administrative leadership, the Foreign Service of Pakistan (FSP) cadre is reeling with anguish and uncertainty, given how it was not […]
Frustrations in the Foreign Office
The government’s decision to give an executive allowance equivalent to 150 per cent of the basic salary for a select few divisions and ministries on and around Constitution Avenue and some other important offices has created great resentment amongst the unfortunate ministries that were ignored, such as the Foreign Office; especially at a time when […]
Multiverse of Madness
Not long ago, an article titled ‘The ultra right are turning our world into the last days of the Cabaret’ and published in The New European grabbed my attention which detailed the dystopian world we’re all heading toward if current trends continue without interruption. Written by British journalist Paul Mason, the article gave examples of […]