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The story of Chinese television is more than a chronicle of technological adoption; it is a meticulous dance between ideological duty, commercial ambition, and a resurgent cultural confidence. From its birth as a state mouthpiece to its current status as a global format player and cultural exporter, the evolution of its program design offers a masterclass in navigating the era of pan-entertainment. This journey, from 1958 to the present day, reveals a strategic pivot from passive reception to active cultural projection. The Prologue: A Didactic Medium (1958-1970s) Chinese television flickered to life on May 1, 1958, with the launch of…
By Atiq Raja We speak of life so easily, this common condition we all share, yet the word itself can feel both too small and too vast to hold its true meaning. To be alive is one thing; to understand how to live is another entirely. It is the oldest of human puzzles, one that has kept the lamps of philosophers, poets, and mystics burning through the centuries. They have left us not a single answer, but a rich and varied map of the territory, each landmark offering a different perspective on the journey we are all making. Consider Socrates,…
By S.M. Inam There exists a parallel universe to the one most Pakistanis inhabit, a realm of air-conditioned conference rooms and carefully managed press releases. In this world, often headquartered in Washington D.C. or London, the language of economics is one of percentages, stable outlooks, and reaffirmed ratings. It is here that Pakistan’s Finance Minister, Muhammad Aurangzeb, can recently meet with the World Bank’s Ajay Banga, speaking of strengthened partnerships and fiscal discipline. It is here that the affirmation of a ‘B-’ credit rating from an agency like Fitch is not just a technical notation but a cause for quiet…
There is a particular language to power, often spoken not in grand treaties but in seemingly offhand remarks, in the calculated informality of a nickname, or in the warmth of an unexpected compliment. When a former and would-be future American president, Donald Trump, recently referred to Pakistan’s army chief, General Asim Munir, as his “favorite field marshal,” it was more than just a curious piece of diplomatic flattery. It was, as analyst Fareed Zakaria has suggested, a signal flare illuminating a discernible and significant shift in the turbulent waters of US foreign policy. This is not merely a change of…
Shehbaz orders power sector reforms to enhance electricity efficiency, boost industry and agriculture, and strengthen Pakistan’s economic growth and exports. By Asghar Ali Mubarak ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday renewed his government’s focus on overhauling Pakistan’s power sector, describing energy reform as the cornerstone of a strategy to revive the country’s industrial and agricultural output. Chairing a detailed review meeting in Islamabad, Sharif directed the Power Division to develop a comprehensive policy framework aimed at using electricity more efficiently to spur growth, boost exports, and create jobs. The prime minister said that Pakistan’s economic progress hinged on the…
Proposal to name university after Arshad Sharif draws criticism from journalist body By Mehrab Shah Afridi PESHAWAR: The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) Workers’ wing has strongly criticized the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government’s decision to name a new university after the late journalist Arshad Sharif, describing the move as “insensitive” to the many journalists who have lost their lives to terrorism in the province. PFUJ Workers’ President Shamim Shahid stressed that since 2002, over 60 journalists in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have been killed while performing their duties, including some of the most skilled and impartial reporters, several of whom were posthumously…