Mind your language!on June 14, 2019Social media has evolved into an influential and powerful platform to express opinions of the mind since it shaped our digital societies through cultural and political dominance. But there has been a major drawback from which we are all suffering in one way or another: the audacity to use abusive and filthy language to counter others by disregarding professional and mental repercussions. From … [Read more...] about Mind your language!
Is CDA trying to sabotage Prime Minister Imran Khan’s biggest initiative?on May 20, 2019PTI government has been, particularly, unlucky to have inherited an economic meltdown that threatens to run asunder its manifesto of building millions of houses and creating 10 million jobs. While its mandarins have been at a loss to boost the floundering economy, one daring initiative announced by Prime Minister Imran Khan could have provided the shot in the arm the economy in crisis desperately … [Read more...] about Is CDA trying to sabotage Prime Minister Imran Khan’s biggest initiative?
Can Foreign Secretary Sohail Mahmood clear the mess in the Foreign Office?on April 29, 2019Given that Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi is known as one of the most capable and experienced members of Prime Minister Imran Khan's cabinet, it is ironic that the Foreign Office under his watch is in a dismal state of affairs. Consider this.The ambassadorial postings and transfer plan that should have been announced in November 2018 could not be finalised until May 2019 (partly because … [Read more...] about Can Foreign Secretary Sohail Mahmood clear the mess in the Foreign Office?
Extensions in the Foreign Office violating Supreme Court decisionon April 10, 2019Intense politics within the Foreign Office has rendered the institution almost dysfunctional these days. Though the race for the new foreign secretary is finally over, a massive plan for posting of new ambassadors, stalled since last November, continues to fuel a cut throat competition.While the PTI government's decision to limit contractual ambassadors and appoint career diplomats in key … [Read more...] about Extensions in the Foreign Office violating Supreme Court decision
Kasuri slams PM Modi for oft-crossing red lineson April 1, 2019In a candid discussion, former Foreign Minister of Pakistan Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri discussed several daunting issues faced by Pakistan on regional foreign policy front. The conversation focused on shaky ties with India, potential relations with Israel and the future of the Afghan endgame. In terms of foreign policy, these issues have placed Islamabad on strategic crossroads which has become one of … [Read more...] about Kasuri slams PM Modi for oft-crossing red lines
Dwindling funds force Pak embassies to host low-key National Day receptionson March 28, 2019Though celebrated in a grand manner previously, Pakistani missions abroad hosted rather low-key receptions to commemorate this year's Pakistan National Day on March 23. This was said to be largely due to budgetary constraints.While embassies receive a special budgetary grant from the headquarters in accordance with their size and importance, they were not given any funds at all for the special … [Read more...] about Dwindling funds force Pak embassies to host low-key National Day receptions
Appointment for the next foreign secretary and key envoys delayed owing to regional tensionson February 23, 2019Sohail MahmoodISLAMABAD: As per reliable sources in the Foreign Office, the decision to nominate the successor of outgoing Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua has been delayed owing to the current regional tensions between Islamabad and New Delhi.The probable candidates for replacing Janjua include High Commissioner to India, Sohail Mahmood and Ambassador to Germany, Jauhar Saleem.Given … [Read more...] about Appointment for the next foreign secretary and key envoys delayed owing to regional tensions
Race for the next Foreign Secretary in final roundon February 9, 2019Amid much media speculations, the race for the next foreign secretary's post - set to be vacated by Tehmina Janjua by April - is getting intense.As per Foreign Office (FO) insiders, the two front runners are High Commissioner to India, Sohail Mahmood, and Ambassador to Germany, Jauhar Saleem. Both of them belong to the 13th Common Training Program (CTP) and still have a few years of service … [Read more...] about Race for the next Foreign Secretary in final round
What next for the Afghan endgame?on February 5, 2019Russia is, once again, flexing its muscles to regain a foothold in the Afghan endgame by hosting a series of talks aimed to increase its political clout. The upcoming two-day dialogue being held in Moscow on Tuesday is one such conference. Noticeably, only representatives from the Afghan Taliban and critics of President Ashraf Ghani have been invited to attend. This seems to be an apparent snub of … [Read more...] about What next for the Afghan endgame?
An open letter to PM Khan-IIIon January 11, 2019Mr Prime Minister, as I had mentioned in the second part of my tri-series letter a few weeks ago, the make or break of your government will be determined by the quality of governance that your administration provides, particularly, in the economic domain; as well as the conduct of your foreign policy. As it happens, both are intertwined and delicately poised. Unfortunately, the situation in the … [Read more...] about An open letter to PM Khan-III
