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By Alia Zarar Khan On 3 January 2026, a highly controversial military operation carried out by the United States in Venezuela, resulting in the removal and apprehension of sitting President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, sparked intense global debate over the respect for territorial sovereignty and the limits of state power. The United States described the action as a law enforcement mission rather than a military invasion. Yet, when assessed against Article 2(4) of the UN Charter, which states that “All Members shall refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or…

The unfolding dynamics in South and Central Asia carry the potential to reshape the region in ways few could have anticipated. Across the subcontinent, the behavior of major powers towards weaker nations has increasingly exhibited a troubling pattern, as interventions grow more aggressive, calculated, and at times, brazenly opportunistic. In recent years, Bangladesh and Nepal have faced pressures that, while subtle on the surface, were unmistakably coercive, manifesting in political maneuvering that seemed designed to weaken sovereignty under the guise of guidance or support. Today, Iran has emerged as the latest arena for external influence and engineered instability, a situation…

By Amjad Qaimkhani The fundamental pillar of any functioning democracy is the principle of “One Person, One Vote.” It is a simple yet powerful idea: every citizen’s ballot should carry equal weight in shaping the future of the state. The fairness of elections, the legitimacy of governments, and the trust of citizens all hinge on this ideal. Yet in Sindh, a province whose urban centers hum with economic activity and rural heartlands sustain centuries-old traditions, the reality on the ground tells a different story. The current delimitation of constituencies and the uneven distribution of voters suggest that the promise of…

By Atiq Raja For many families, the dream of leaving a lasting legacy is entwined with the notion of generational wealth—the tangible assets that pass from parent to child: homes, businesses, land, investments, and financial security. In theory, these inheritances promise opportunity, stability, and freedom of choice. Yet history repeatedly reveals a painful paradox: wealth alone rarely survives beyond the third generation. Homes are sold, businesses dissolved, investments mismanaged. What survives, if anything, is often the memory of affluence, not the substance. This pattern raises a pressing question: what truly sustains prosperity over time? The answer is increasingly clear. Lasting…

By Uzma Ehtasham The 2021 return of the Taliban to power in Afghanistan has left Pakistan as the nation most acutely affected by the upheaval next door. A report by the Brussels-based International Crisis Group, an independent think tank founded by prominent global figures, paints a stark picture: Islamabad bears the brunt of rising militancy and regional instability, with the threat of violence spilling over its porous western border. While a fragile ceasefire currently holds, the specter of renewed attacks by insurgent groups has kept Pakistan on perpetual alert, wary that a single provocation could escalate into a wider military…

By Sudhir Ahmed Afridi I agree unreservedly with the federal minister for planning and development, Ahsan Iqbal, when he describes Pakistan’s rapid population growth as a grave national problem and likens it to a state of emergency. His call to treat population control as a national priority is not alarmist; it is overdue. Anyone who has recently navigated the chaotic traffic of Islamabad or Peshawar cannot escape a troubling thought: if this pace continues, the simple act of walking may soon become an ordeal. The congestion we experience daily is not merely an urban inconvenience; it is a visible symptom…

By Uzma Ehtasham Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif’s recent visit to Balochistan was more than a standard political engagement; it was a carefully timed affirmation of national unity, designed to send a clear message that the province and the federation are inseparable. In a country often marked by regional disparities and socio-economic tensions, the visit was a symbolic as well as practical gesture, aimed at reassuring the people of Balochistan that their needs, aspirations, and rights are central to Pakistan’s broader development agenda. Addressing the province’s long-standing grievances, the prime minister underscored that Pakistan is a shared homeland, and that…

Negotiations are underway between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia that could see nearly $2 billion in Saudi loans converted into a defence deal centered on the JF‑17 Thunder fighter jet, a development that has the potential to reshape military and economic ties between the two countries. The talks, sources in Islamabad say, reflect both Pakistan’s urgent financial needs and Riyadh’s recalibration of its security partnerships in a Middle East where the role of the United States has become increasingly uncertain. According to officials familiar with the discussions, the proposed arrangement is part of a broader effort to operationalize a defence agreement…

By Muhammad Mohsin Iqbal Great nations take pride in their civilization, history, and language, and they never separate these elements from their personal existence or collective identity. These attributes are not merely cultural ornaments; they are the spiritual foundations upon which a nation’s character rests. Across the world, particularly in diplomatic circles, English has become a convenient medium of communication. It allows people from different regions to converse on equal footing. Yet even in such environments, there are leaders, officials, and dignitaries who, despite having full command of English, choose to speak in their national languages. They do so without…