Assessing Pakistan’s soft-poweron April 7, 2018For centuries, diplomacy has been used as a tool to project both hard and soft power by the movers and shakers of the international political order. While utilising hard power involves greater risks, soft power has relatively been a subtler tool for achieving foreign policy goals. With the onset of globalisation, states belonging to both the developed and developing world have utilised soft power … [Read more...] about Assessing Pakistan’s soft-power
Integration is the way forward: envoy to UKon March 31, 2018Q: Since you took over as the high commissioner in 2014, what are some of the most intriguing difficulties you've faced in looking after the interests of one of the largest Pakistani diasporas in the world? A: I think you have rightly asked me a very pointed question. I wouldn't call it a difficulty but rather a bit of a challenge as you know we have one of the largest Pakistani diasporas in … [Read more...] about Integration is the way forward: envoy to UK
A need-based relationshipon January 12, 2018Recently, we witnessed an unprecedented escalation between Pakistan and the United States (US) over their diverging goals in the War on Terror (WoT). It can be argued that the war has largely failed since its inception. While Pakistan seems to have pushed back militants since it launched countrywide operations in 2014, the US is still finding ways for a safe exit from Kabul and using Islamabad as … [Read more...] about A need-based relationship
Pakistan’s Independence Day celebrations in Londonon December 10, 2017This year marked 70 years since Pakistan’s inception and the country has certainly come a long way in making its place among the comity of nations. Despite all the socio-economic and political challenges faced by the state, it has managed to stand tall and survived a great deal of crises in the past few decades. Indeed, such kind of challenges come and go but they do evolve the society into … [Read more...] about Pakistan’s Independence Day celebrations in London
Ambassador Abdul Basit on Kashmir, Indo-Pak relations and ICJ caseon November 26, 2017Q: Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) has remained a bone of contention for quite a long time. As Pakistan’s envoy to India, you’ve also tried to address the matter through dialogue but in vain owing to certain hostile factors. Where do you see the issue heading at a time when India is using state machinery to crush genuine voices of freedom with past proposed solutions such as the much talked about … [Read more...] about Ambassador Abdul Basit on Kashmir, Indo-Pak relations and ICJ case
Projecting Pakistan’s diplomatic prowesson November 17, 2017This week, I availed the opportunity to attend the weekly press briefing by Dr Mohammad Faisal, the Foreign Office spokesperson, at the ministry's headquarters in Islamabad. In his detailed briefing, Dr Faisal highlighted various issues pertaining to foreign policy and national security which, among others, included India's frequent violations of ceasefire along the Line of Control (LoC), the … [Read more...] about Projecting Pakistan’s diplomatic prowess
Prince Mohammad bin Salman’s suicidal gambleon November 9, 2017Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman al Saud is one of select few millennials at the helm of global affairs right now. His rapid accession in Riyadh’s power circles as the de facto leader is one of the most unexpected turning points in the House of Saud’s history, as not only was he initially appointed the defence minister-the youngest in the world-but also managed to bump off Prince Mohammad … [Read more...] about Prince Mohammad bin Salman’s suicidal gamble
An open letter to Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoyon October 30, 2017I hope you will read this letter with patience and tolerance in light of the recent controversy created by your tweets regarding the now-sacked AKUH doctor. I found several problems with your tweets on the alleged harassment suffered by your sister. Firstly, your ‘zero boundaries’ comment was not only stereotypical but also demeaning. Secondly, your claim that the doctor’s friend request on … [Read more...] about An open letter to Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy
Ananas Foundation’s revolutionary breakthroughon October 26, 2017In this day and age, extremism and xenophobia have become embedded in societies across the world. Whether on the basis of religion, ethnicity or social values, such norms have taken a toll on how we interact or judge others. Post-9/11 attacks, the most marginalised and judged community is the Muslim community that is currently going through the worst of times. With the rise of both far-right … [Read more...] about Ananas Foundation’s revolutionary breakthrough
Pakistans foreign policy is stronger than everon September 9, 2017For the past few weeks, it seems that lines have clearly been drawn at geo-strategic level in light of changing regional and global security dynamics. In my previous analysis, it was stated that Pakistan's foreign policy is heading towards the right direction with the BRICS declaration being a meaningless 'victory' for India, hardly any skeptic would have thought that Beijing would still stand … [Read more...] about Pakistans foreign policy is stronger than ever
