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By Atiq Raja Dreams rarely announce themselves with drama. More often, they arrive quietly, forming in the private spaces of thought, in moments of restlessness, hope or sudden clarity. They begin as fragile ideas, easily ignored or postponed, and yet powerful enough to shape the direction of a life. Many people assume that once a dream is identified, discipline and hard work alone will be enough to realize it. When progress fails to follow effort, frustration sets in. What is often overlooked is not a lack of commitment, but a mismatch of environment. Dreams do not grow everywhere. They grow…

By Prof. Dr Sheikh Akram Ali Political leadership has always been central to the making and unmaking of nations. In wealthy, stable states, institutions often cushion the weaknesses of individuals. In poorer countries, where institutions are fragile and social pressures acute, leadership matters far more. Bangladesh belongs firmly to the latter category. Its political history shows that moments of progress and regression have been shaped less by abstract systems than by the character, judgement and resolve of those at the helm. Courage and wisdom, or prudence, have therefore emerged as the twin pillars of leadership in the Bangladeshi context. When…

By Asghar Ali Mubarak Diplomacy, for all its frustrations and slow rhythms, remains the least destructive instrument available to states confronting crisis. War promises clarity through force but delivers only ruin, deepened grievances and cycles of retaliation that last generations. Diplomacy, by contrast, is an exercise in restraint. It is the patient art of managing interests, acknowledging realities and seeking compromise where none appears immediately possible. At moments of regional tension, such as the current turmoil surrounding Iran, its value becomes not merely moral but strategic. The unrest in Iran, triggered by economic hardship and aggravated by political discontent, has…

By Uzma Ehtasham Pakistan’s leadership is framing last May’s confrontation with India not only as a military success but as a turning point with economic and diplomatic consequences that are now beginning to surface. Addressing a meeting of the federal cabinet, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the outcome of what he described as the “Battle for Truth” had sharply increased international interest in Pakistani fighter aircraft, with several countries approaching Islamabad to explore potential purchases. In his telling, the reverberations of the conflict are no longer confined to the battlefield but are being felt across markets, ministries and foreign capitals.…

A quiet but potentially consequential shift is under way in the strategic calculations of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey. It has unfolded without fanfare, through months of discreet consultations rather than dramatic announcements. Yet the recent confirmation by Pakistan’s minister for defence production that a draft framework for trilateral defence cooperation exists, even if still under review, marks a point of transition. What was once an abstract idea has edged closer to policy. The process remains cautious and deliberately understated, but it reflects deeper forces reshaping how these three states view their security in an unsettled world. This emerging conversation…

By Uzma Ehtasham For the third time in a matter of months, the world has edged uncomfortably close to a confrontation between two of its most volatile capitals. Washington and Tehran, long locked in an antagonistic embrace, find themselves again at the center of global unease as reports circulate of a possible United States military strike on Iran. This is not a distant strategic abstraction, but a tangible escalation that has prompted European states to evacuate their citizens, airlines to reroute flights, and governments to withdraw diplomats. The suddenness of these movements, and the gravity that underpins them, speaks volumes…

By Alia Zarar Khan I came across an inappropriate video that recently went viral across Pakistan, shameless, morally objectionable eliciting a strong public reaction. The content not just compelled widespread discussion, not because it demanded reflection, but because it was turned into entertainment. As an active social media user, the reaction caught my eye, leading me to further look into the full context. What followed was not merely a controversy about a video, but a troubling reflection of how quickly public outrage in the digital age can mutate into casual amusement. The speed with which such content circulates, and the…