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The Middle East has once again found itself standing on the edge of a dangerous uncertainty after accusations that the United States has violated the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, reviving fears that a fragile diplomatic opening could collapse into another cycle of confrontation. At a time when the global economy remains vulnerable to energy shocks, supply chain disruptions and geopolitical instability, any escalation in one of the world’s most strategically important regions carries consequences far beyond its immediate borders. The controversy surrounding the memorandum has deepened a long-standing argument from Iran’s leadership that American commitments cannot always be relied upon.…
By Dr Pir Ghulam Nabi Jillani The federal government’s decision to raise petrol and diesel prices has once again brought the country’s economic pressures into sharp focus. For millions of Pakistanis already struggling with rising food prices, expensive electricity bills and shrinking household budgets, another increase in fuel costs feels less like a policy adjustment and more like an additional burden placed on daily life. Federal Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik has defended the decision, arguing that fuel prices in Pakistan are linked to international market rates for refined petroleum products. He said the recent increase was mainly caused by…
By Dr Zawwar Hussain Water has always been more than a natural resource. It is the foundation upon which societies are built, economies grow and civilizations survive. From ancient settlements that emerged along rivers to modern cities dependent on complex water systems, human progress has always been tied to the availability of clean and reliable water. Yet in the twenty-first century, water is becoming one of the world’s most vulnerable resources. Population growth, climate change, uncontrolled urban expansion, industrial pollution and environmental destruction are turning what was once considered an abundant gift of nature into a defining challenge for humanity.…
By Muhammad Mohsin Iqbal The idea of respecting neighbours occupies a deeply significant place in Islamic teachings. Alongside personal worship and spiritual obligations, Islam places great emphasis on social responsibilities and the rights owed to those living around us. The traditions of the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, repeatedly highlight the importance of kindness, trust and compassion towards neighbours. It is narrated that the Archangel Jibreel (AS) continued advising the Prophet about the rights of neighbours with such emphasis that the Messenger of Allah came to believe they might even be granted a share in inheritance. The message is…
By Atiq Raja Life is a journey that appears long when we begin yet passes with surprising speed as the years unfold. Childhood, which once seemed endless, becomes a distant memory. The energy and dreams of youth gradually give way to the responsibilities of adulthood, and before we fully understand the passage of time, decades have quietly slipped away. One of the greatest illusions of human existence is the belief that there will always be more time. Yet every sunrise is a reminder of a new opportunity, while every sunset quietly tells us that another chapter of our lives has…
By Aslam Shah KARACHI: The official inquiry into Karachi’s devastating Gul Plaza fire, which claimed 86 lives, has come under renewed scrutiny amid allegations that government institutions and senior officials were shielded from accountability, prompting criticism from civil society groups, opposition parties and legal observers. The inquiry report placed primary responsibility for the tragedy on the market management committee and several shopkeepers. It cited the absence of emergency facilities, inadequate firefighting equipment, locked internal exits and blocked escape routes. Critics, however, argued that such shortcomings could not be separated from the responsibilities of public regulatory bodies tasked with enforcing building…
Pakistan’s long and difficult struggle against terrorism has entered yet another decisive chapter. The reported gains made during Operation Shaaban, launched in the wake of attacks on the Mangi Dam police station, reflect an increasingly determined effort by the state to reassert control over areas that have for years served as challenging terrain for armed terrorist groups. Official figures indicate that security forces killed 79 terrorists during the first five days of the operation, including 26 on 6 and 7 July, while another 17 were reportedly killed during subsequent engagements. Separate operations in Khuzdar, Karak and Kohat have also been…
By Prof Dr Sheikh Akram Ali Leadership is often described as the ability to inspire people towards a common purpose, but history suggests that it is far more demanding than that. It requires judgment under pressure, the willingness to accept responsibility and, above all, the capacity to place the public interest above personal ambition. Nations rarely remember leaders simply because they occupied high office. They remember those whose decisions shaped the course of their country’s history. Bangladesh, like many young democracies, has witnessed different styles of leadership, each reflecting the political and social realities of its time. The debate over…