Author: admin

By Akbar Eissa Zaday What began in Iran on 28 December 2025 as a peaceful protest rooted in economic hardship and commercial stagnation evolved, within days, into something far more troubling. The initial demonstrations, led by business associations and driven by grievances over inflation, declining trade and living costs, followed a familiar pattern seen in many countries under economic strain. Talks between the authorities and protest leaders were initiated, and agreements were reportedly reached on economic reforms and their implementation. At that stage, the unrest appeared containable, political in nature and amenable to negotiation. The turning point came between 8…

By Uzma Ehtasham Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif’s assertion that all state institutions in Pakistan are “on the same page” was not delivered casually, nor should it be read as a throwaway line of political reassurance. It was a carefully constructed message, calibrated for a country weary of instability and for an international audience accustomed to viewing Pakistan through the prism of crisis. Speaking in London to a delegation of the Pakistan Muslim League (N), the prime minister sought to project an image of coherence at a moment when Pakistan is under simultaneous pressure from economic fragility, security threats and…

The International Cricket Council’s decision to replace Bangladesh with Scotland in the 2026 T20 World Cup has exposed an uncomfortable truth about the modern governance of international sport. What should have been handled as a sensitive diplomatic and logistical issue was instead resolved through exclusion. In doing so, the ICC crossed a line that many within the cricketing world had long feared was being approached. The episode has raised serious questions about fairness, consistency and the creeping dominance of politics over a game that has always claimed to rise above such pressures. At the center of the controversy lies Bangladesh’s…

By S.M. Inam Pakistan’s economy is navigating an unusually fragile period, one in which internal weaknesses intersect with global pressures, regional tensions and a rapidly shifting financial order. Over recent years, governments have taken hard measures in the name of stabilization, but temporary fixes alone cannot place the economy on a sustainable path. What is needed now is a candid reckoning with structural challenges, paired with reforms that endure beyond political cycles. Without this, growth will remain elusive, and vulnerability will persist. The most pressing challenge is economic instability, particularly the widening fiscal deficit. The persistent gap between state revenues…

By Atiq Raja Life often places us at crossroads where choices are rarely simple or comfortable. At such moments, two forces quietly shape our destiny: the pain of discipline and the pain of regret. Both are unavoidable, yet they differ profoundly in their nature, duration, and consequences. Understanding these distinctions can guide us toward a life of fulfillment rather than one overshadowed by remorse. The pain of discipline is immediate but fleeting. It is the discomfort we feel when doing what needs to be done even when we do not feel like it. Rising early to pursue a goal, adhering…

By Abdul Rehman Patel The world is no longer drifting through a temporary crisis. It is settling into a quieter but far more decisive phase of global change. Power is being rearranged, not announced with dramatic declarations but signaled through seemingly disconnected events. Strategic interest in Greenland, the slow collapse of Venezuela under the burden of its own natural wealth, renewed competition for influence across Africa, and shifting alliances in Asia all point in one direction. The old order is loosening, and a new one is taking shape. In this changing environment, Pakistan’s growing visibility is not accidental. Over the…

By Syed Tauqeer Zaidi PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Food Safety and Halal Food Authority (KPFS&HFA) conducted major enforcement operations in Peshawar against businesses producing and selling counterfeit, substandard and hazardous food items. The raids resulted in the seizure of a large quantity of fake cold drinks and dry yeast. According to a spokesperson for the Food Authority, teams acting on confidential information carried out operations on Phandu Road and in the Peshawar Industrial Zone under the direct supervision of Deputy Director Peshawar Division, Zeeshan Mehsud. During the Phandu Road operation, approximately 2,000 litres of counterfeit cold drinks were recovered from…

By Rai Tajammal Bhatti FAISALABAD: The regional police officer of Faisalabad, Sohail Akhtar Sukhera, visited the Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry, where he was received by the chamber’s president, Farooq Yousaf Sheikh, secretary Sabir Ayub, executive members and other office-bearers. The president of the District Bar Association Faisalabad, Mian Tariq Mahmood, secretary Kaleemullah Gul, former FCCI president Mian Muhammad Idrees and a large number of chamber members were also present on the occasion. During the meeting, detailed discussions were held on the overall security situation of the city, the maintenance of law and order, and measures for crime prevention.…

By Atiq Raja “I hope you make it.” It is a phrase of barely five words, yet it carries the weight of a lifetime. It is not loud like applause, nor sharp like advice. It is soft, human, and unfinished—just like hope itself. In its simplicity lies its power: an acknowledgment of struggle, an offering of belief, a quiet nod to the journey rather than the destination. When someone says, “I hope you make it,” they are not promising success. They are not guaranteeing safety or victory. They are acknowledging uncertainty. They are saying: the road ahead is hard, the…