Author: admin
By Zahid Hussain Karani In Turkmenistan’s theatre of power, few spectacles match the choreography of its energy politics. And in Herat, under the watchful desert sun, the script unfolded once more. Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov — exalted as Hero-Arkadag, the “protector” and still the defining figure of Turkmen political life — presided over the latest chapter of the Turkmenistan–Afghanistan–Pakistan–India (TAPI) gas pipeline project. What could have been a routine technical milestone was transformed into a national ritual. The ceremony at Rabat Sanghi in western Afghanistan resembled less an infrastructure launch and more a state-sanctioned affirmation of Arkadag’s enduring place at the centre…
By Atiq Raja Every life moves to a rhythm, whether we hear it or not — a quiet pulse of repetition shaping who we are. In the unseen corners of our days, in the small things we do without thought, our future takes form. A life either evolves or loops endlessly around familiar mistakes. The difference is rarely luck; it lies in what we choose to repeat — in the discipline to shape our own rhythm rather than be swept along by habit. The danger is that our habits rarely come wearing warning signs. They arrive dressed as comfort —…
By S.M. Inam The continued suspension of bilateral trade with Afghanistan at key border crossings, as confirmed by the Foreign Office, presents a difficult but necessary calculus. While the economic disruption is undeniable, the prioritization of civilian life in the face of imminent security threats is a sovereign responsibility that cannot be abdicated. This decision, born from the stark realities of the previous week’s security situation, underscores a persistent volatility that continues to hamper the region’s potential. This context of caution inevitably extends to broader diplomatic considerations. The official stance that India’s reopening of its diplomatic mission in Afghanistan is…
In a quiet hutong alley in Jinhua, where the scent of simmered stewed meat spills from a doorway, a stencilled notice warns of imminent “urban renewal.” A few miles away, at the foot of the glittering, neo-futurist skyscrapers of Hangzhu and West Lake, young people queue for reimagining the old dynasty landscape. This is the new front line in China’s great urban transformation: the battle to build a city brand. For China’s metropolises, competitiveness is no longer just about GDP growth, foreign investment, or infrastructure. It is a more subtle, profound contest over narrative. It is about weaving six distinct…
By Mehrab Shah Afridi TORKHAM: The Torkham border between Pakistan and Afghanistan has remained shut for fifteen consecutive days, paralysing cross-border trade and passenger movement and inflicting severe economic losses on both sides. Traders, transporters, and local residents have warned of mounting hardship as thousands of cargo trucks lie stranded in scorching conditions, with perishable goods worth millions now spoiling. Former president of the Border Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Zahid Shinwari, said the prolonged closure is causing “devastating economic damage,” noting that Pakistan and Afghanistan share nearly $1 billion in annual trade, while the daily losses to Pakistan’s economy…