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By Atiq Raja Life is a continuous series of decisions. Some choices are simple, while others have the power to shape our future. Among the most difficult decisions we face is whether to continue pursuing something or to walk away. At first glance, these choices may appear identical, but they are profoundly different. One is giving up; the other is recognizing that enough is enough. The ability to distinguish between the two is one of life’s greatest forms of wisdom. Society often glorifies perseverance, and rightly so. Every significant achievement is built upon determination. Thomas Edison conducted thousands of experiments…
Part II: By Arsalan Ahmad Siddiqui “In diplomacy, attendance is often a statement, and absence can be one too.” When the funeral ceremonies for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei entered their international phase, the focus shifted from mourning to diplomacy. Inside Tehran’s Grand Mosalla, the atmosphere was solemn. Outside, however, diplomats, security officials and political observers read every handshake, every delegation and every absence as part of a broader geopolitical message. State funerals have always served two purposes. The first is to honour the deceased. The second is to communicate political continuity. Iran’s leadership appeared determined to achieve both. According to Iranian…
By Mumtaz Ali Shanbani Pakistan is standing at the edge of an environmental catastrophe, and the warning signs are becoming harder to ignore. Across the country, forests are disappearing at an alarming pace as illegal logging, unchecked urban expansion, agricultural encroachment, wildfires and weak environmental governance steadily consume one of the nation’s most valuable natural resources. Every forest that disappears leaves Pakistan more vulnerable to climate change, environmental degradation and economic uncertainty. This is no longer simply an ecological issue. It is a national challenge that affects public health, food security, water resources and the future wellbeing of millions of…
By Israr Ahmad Orakzai HANGU: The Hangu district administration has reviewed preparations for the repatriation of undocumented Afghan nationals and the upcoming Monsoon Tree Plantation Campaign 2026 during two separate high-level meetings, directing all relevant departments to expedite their arrangements. The first meeting, chaired by Deputy Commissioner Baseer Ali Rehman, focused on the implementation of government policy regarding the return of illegally residing Afghan nationals in the district. Officials from the district administration and other relevant departments reviewed the latest progress on the repatriation process and discussed measures to ensure its smooth implementation. The deputy commissioner directed all concerned institutions…
By Israr Ahmad Orakzai HANGU: Deputy Commissioner Orakzai Yousuf Ali held a consultative jirga with tribal elders from Upper Ismailzai and Central tehsils to discuss law and order, development projects and public welfare initiatives aimed at improving living conditions across the district. The meeting was attended by a representative delegation of tribal elders and community leaders, who highlighted local issues, the need for improved basic services and the concerns of residents. Participants held detailed discussions on maintaining peace, accelerating ongoing and proposed development projects, expanding public welfare programmes and addressing other key issues affecting the district. The jirga also reviewed…
The cold-blooded murder of five Punjabi labourers in Mashkayl, Washuk district of Balochistan, and the killing of a Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) sub-inspector in Buner are grim reminders that terrorism continues to cast a long shadow over Pakistan. These were not random acts of violence. They were carefully planned attacks intended to spread fear, deepen mistrust among communities and challenge the authority of the state. Every such incident leaves behind grieving families, shaken communities and renewed questions about the country’s ability to safeguard its citizens. While Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s condemnation of these attacks reflects the national mood, words of…
By Khpalwak Mohmand Technology has transformed the modern world at a pace that previous generations could scarcely have imagined. Among its greatest achievements is the smartphone, a device that has placed knowledge, communication and opportunity into the palm of our hands. It has made education more accessible, businesses more efficient and families easier to reach across continents. Yet every technological breakthrough brings unintended consequences. The mobile phone, while connecting billions of people across the globe, has also created a quieter and more troubling form of isolation within the walls of our own homes. This paradox defines much of contemporary life.…
By Choudhary Sher Afzal Khan Babar Gujjar The moment the draft of the US-Iran Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) entered the public domain, policymakers, analysts and legal critics began meticulously dissecting its text. International maritime law experts have offered varied opinions. At the National Institute of Maritime Affairs (NIMA), my maritime desk conducted a critical and investigative review of the document. Following this analysis, this article aims to present readers with the legal complications arising from Clause 5 of the MoU, which directly pertains to the Strait of Hormuz. First and foremost, it is essential to examine the exact wording of…
By Faraz Mustafa Water has always been the foundation of civilisation, and nowhere is this more evident than in Pakistan, a country whose history, economy and culture have been shaped by the mighty Indus River and its vast irrigation network. Yet today, this essential resource is becoming increasingly scarce. What was once regarded as an abundant natural gift has evolved into one of the country’s most pressing national challenges. The growing water crisis is no longer a distant warning from scientists and environmentalists; it is a reality affecting millions of Pakistanis every day. From households struggling to secure clean drinking…